I

Overcurrent Coordination Study of the

Electrical System of PDVSA Sur, Barinas
Fabiola Velazco Velazco, Richard A. Rivas, and Nayali Guerrero

- The interrupting capacity of any fuse must be higher than the

Abstract- In this paper part of the results of an overcurrent
coordination study for the 34.5/13.8-kV system of PDVSA Sur,
operational area of Barinas, Venezuela, are presented. After
previous load flow and short-circuit calculations, the protective
devices of each distribution circuit were analyzed to choose
new pickup currents, time-current characteristic (TCC) curves,
time dials, and instantaneous settings for the phase-fault and
ground-fault protection functions. The new settings improved
the times of response of the short-circuit protective devices, the
coordination time intervals, and the selectivity and reliability of
the system.
Index Terms--Coordination Time Interval, Fuse, Pickup Current,
Protection System, Recloser, Time-Current Characteristic (TCC)
Curve, Time Dial.
INTRODUCTION
I.
PDVSA Sur is a state-owned company that carries out
perforation, production, and storage activities in the oil fields
of Barinas and Apure states, Venezuela. The production level
is approximately 90,000 bpd (barrels per day), and 25,500 bpd
come from the fields located in Barinas.
The Electrical System of PDVSA Sur, Barinas, has a radial
interconnection scheme where the energy is supplied by
CADELA, a local utility, through a step-down substation from
115-kV to 34.5-kV that feeds three more 34.5/13.8-kV
substations.
The continuous perforation of oil wells and the rapidly
changing topology of the aforementioned electrical system
require the company to perform periodic revisions of the time-
current coordination of its protective devices.
II. PROTECTION AND COORDINATION CRITERIA
The criteria employed for the selection and coordination of the the distribution circuits in software [7] for load flow, short
short-circuit protection devices of the system were the circuit, and overcurrent coordination studies.
following:
Fuses on the transformer primaries must have current-
carrying capacities between 125 % and 150% the transformer Maximum continuous load currents and maximum and
-
maximum short-circuit current at the point of application [3].
- The fuse minimum-melting TCC curve must pass the
transformer inrush currents [3].
- The fuse must interrupt short-circuit currents before the
transformer withstand point is reached [3].
- The coordination time interval between a downstream fuse
and the phase-fault time-overcurrent protection function (5 1P)
of an upstream recloser (or substation relay) should be higher
than 0.1 s and lower than 0.2 s.
- The pickup current of the phase-fault time-overcurrent
protection function (51P) of a recloser or substation relay
should be chosen so that [8]:
(1-2)X(Imax load)/CT < pickup < (Imi. fault)/CT
where CT is the turns ratio of the current transformer;
therefore, such an operating current should be higher than one
time or twice the maximum load current, but lower than the
minimum fault current in the circuit to be protected.
- The pickup current of the ground-fault time-overcurrent
protection function (5IN) of a recloser or substation relay
must be minimum since the downstream transformers are
delta-wye.
- The instantaneous overcurrent protection function (50) of a
recloser or relay must be set high enough so that it does not
detect faults farther than 80% of the distance to the next
overcurrent protective device located downstream [3], [8].
-The coordination time interval between substation relays or a
substation relay and a downstream recloser should be higher
than 0.3 s and lower than 0.4 s [3].
III. METHODOLOGY
A. Data Assemblage
Electric parameters and data of substation relays, reclosers,
and fuses were compiled to proceed with the digitization of
B. Load Flow and Short Circuit Studies

rated currents [3]. minimum short-circuit currents, under normal and emergency
conditions, were obtained by simulation at the point of
application of overcurrent relays, reclosers, and fuses. For
Fabiola Velazco Velazco is with the Division of Comercialization, CVG load currents, the results were validated through field
Electrificaci6n del Caroni, C.A. (EDELCA), Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela (e-mail: measurements.
fvelazcogedelca.com.ve).
Richard A. Rivas is Associate Professor of the Department of Energy
Conversion and Delivery at Sim6n Bolivar University, Caracas, Venezuela (e-
mail: rivasp@usb.ve)
Nayali Guerrero is with PDVSA Sur, Barinas as Supervisor of the
Distribution Division, Barinas, Venezuela (e-mail: guerreronjapdvsa.com)
1-4244-0288-3/06/$20.00 (©2006 IEEE

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C. Review of Existing Overcurrent Coordination TABLE I: POWER SUPPLIED PER SUBSTATION IN NORMAL OPERATING
Through the construction of phase-fault and ground-fault TCC CONDITIONS
S(MVA) S(MVA)
curves, the existing settings of the overcurrent protective Substtion
Substation Simulated Measured
devices were analyzed to find problems of speed, sensitivity, CADELA 34.5-kV 4.089 4.308
Toreno 34.5-kV 5.142 5.149
reliability, and selectivity. Toreno 13.8-kV 5.016 5.230
D. Revision of Overcurrent Coordination Bnas. Norte 34.5-kV 2.592 2.577
Bnas. Norte 13.8-kV 2.598 2.579
To eliminate the problems found in the previous stage, new Borburata 34.5-kV 1.800 1.733
settings and new phase-fault and ground-fault TCC curves Borburata 13.8-kV 1.782 1.578
were proposed with the support of the coordination software.
TABLE II: POWER AND CURRENT PER SUBSTATION IN EMERGENCY
The idea was to reduce the loss of oil production without CONDITIONS
sacrificing system protection. Substation Power (MVA) Current (A)
CADELA 34.5-kV 9.057 154
Toreno 34.5-kV 5.167 89
IV. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Toreno 13.8-kV 5.048 223
Bnas. Norte 34.5-kV 1.872 32
Fig. 1 depicts the electrical system under study. It has eleven Bnas. Norte 13.8-kV 1.864 80
13.8-kV circuits that feed 123 oil-producing wells. Borburata 34.5-kV 1.782 31
The analysis of the load flow results were carried out taking Borburata 13.8-kV 1.758 79
the following aspects into consideration: power transmitted,
voltage drop, current supplied per substation and consumed Table III indicates the voltage drop in percentage along each
per circuit, and type of conductor limiting the transmission circuit. As can be observed, the values are not higher than 5
capacity. percent.
TABLE III: VOLTAGE DROP PER CIRCUIT
Crut Voltage Drop
Circuit (0 o)
B-1 05
Sinco-Hato-Mingo 2.71
Sinco-Mingo 1.73
Sinco-Area 16 4.68
Silvestre 1.36
Maporal 0.21
S/E E S/E Toreno
Caipe 0.072
34.51 34.5/13.8-kV Silvan 3.31
B-110 Borburata 0.90
Bejucal 0.97
10 MVA

D-180 D-280 D-180 Table IV compares the results of simulations and

measurement for the currents supplied and absorbed by each
substation and circuit, respectively. As can be seen, both
values are similar for each case.
Camp. Camp. Silv MapCai Sil Sin-H- \in- Sin-A16 TABLE IV: CURRENTS PER SUBSTATION AND PER CIRCUIT
Bor Bejucal M Current Current
Substation or Circuit
Simulated (A) Measured (A)
Fig. 1. Electrical System of PDVSA Sur, Barinas CADELA 34.5-kV 73 72
Toreno 34.5-kV 88 86
Toreno 13.8-kV 219 219
Table I compares the results of simulations and measurements Sinco-Hato-Mingo 80 77
for the maximum apparent power supplied by each substation Sinco-Mingo 59 61
under normal operating conditions. It can be concluded that Sinco-Area 16 81 86
Bnas. Norte 34.5-kV 41 43
substations CADELA, Torefno, Barinas Norte, and Borburata Bnas. Norte 13.8-kV 103 108
have remaining capacities of 15.69, 4.85, 7.42, and 3.27 Silvestre 24 25
Maporal 17 18
MVA, respectively, for the demand of energy required by Caipe 12 14
future drilling processes. Silvan 42 43
It is also important to analyze the operating conditions of the Borburata 34.5-kV 28 28
Borburata 13.8-kV 72 71
electrical system when the generating station HANOVER is Campo Bejucal 15 14
out of service. Table II lists the results of power and current Campo Borburata 57 54
obtained by simulation under those emergency conditions.
The results indicate that S/E CADELA can serve the whole Table V tabulates the conductor characteristics per circuit. As
load of the electrical system with the available capacity, and indicated in the table, the conductors carry load currents much
that it has a remaining capacity of 10.94 MVA to supply lower than their rated currents. As a result, the voltage drops
future demand of energy when HANOVER is out of service. are very low for most of the cases.

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TABLE V: CONDUCTOR CHARACTERISTICS PER CIRCUIT VI. EXAMPLE

Circuit Length Configuration Conductor
(km)
CAD-Toreno 13.0 Aluminum Circuit Maporal
CAD-Bnas. Norte 5.61 Triangular ACSR 266
Bnas. Norte-Bor. 32.64 445 A
Fig 2 illustrates the one-line diagram of circuit Maporal and
Sinco-Hato- 13.94 the points of interest (F 1, F2, and F3) for short-circuit
Mingo calculations.
Sinco-Mingo 16.56 BAR 13.8-kV
Sinco-Area 16 14.31
Silvestre 14.48 Aluminum -* D-205 (Maporal)
Maporal 9.61 Horizontal ACSR 4/0
Caipe 13.42 380 A F3
Well
Silvan 30.1 SMW-

Campo Borburata 5.9 Recloser SMW-

Campo Bejucal 13.4 F2 203
Fl Well
SMW-28
V. OVERCURRENT COORDINATION METHODOLOGY
Fig. 2. One-line diagram of circuit Maporal
The overcurrent coordination should be made from the
protective devices located downstream to the protective
devices located upstream. This circuit is supplied by substation Barinas Norte and feeds
four oil wells. The circuit is protected at the sending end by
From downstream to upstream, the protection schemes of the relay D-205 (Maporal), which carries a load current of 17-A.
13.8-kV circuits are made up of fuses on the primary sides of 1.87 km away from the sending end, there is a field recloser
the transformers, field reclosers, and feeder reclosers or (SMW-203), which senses a load current of 9 A.
overcurrent relays at the substation.
It was concluded that the slowest fuses are:
The phase-fault coordination for each circuit is based on the
use of three-phase short-circuit levels, whereas the ground-
* A 15K fuse downstream of recloser SMW-203. The
fault coordination is based on the use of single-phase short fuse protects a 350-kVA transformer associated with
circuit levels. well SMW-28 (Fl).
* A 15K fuse downstream of relay D-205 (Maporal).
To find the slowest fuse downstream of each recloser or relay,
The fuse protects a 350-kVA transformer associated
the maximum short-circuit levels at the points of application with well SMW-203 (F3).
of all of the fuses were calculated and the total clearing times
were compared. Table VI tabulates the class of 13.8-kV fuses
Table VII lists the short-circuit levels of circuit Maporal at the
used in the company to protect the distribution transformers. points of interest.
Since there are fuses only on the primary sides of the Table VIII indicates the existing settings in the protective
transformers, feeder and field reclosers were programmed to devices of circuit Maporal at the time of the study.
perform their operations under the same time-current
characteristic (TCC) curve. Besides, they were given four TABLE VII: SHORT-CIRCUIT LEVELS OF CIRCUIT MAPORAL AT THE POINTS OF
operations before the lockout condition. INTEREST
Short-Circuit Level
The sensitivity of reclosers and relays was verified using the Protective Device
(kA)
minimum short-circuit levels of the circuits, specifically those Three- Single-
at the distant receiving ends. Phase Phase
15 K Fuse. Well SMW-28 (F1) 1.041 0.675
Relay SMW-203 (F2) 2.064 1.848
TABLE VI: FUSES USED TO PROTECT DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS 15 K Fuse. Well SMW-203 (F3) 2.064 1.848
Single-Phase Transformers Three-Phase Transformers
Capacity Class K Capacity Class K Fuse TABLE VIII: EXISTING SETTINGS OF CIRCUIT MAPORAL AT THE TIME OF THE
(kVA) Fuse (A) (kVA) (A) STUDY
3x25 5 100 5 Protective Protection CT Mult. TAP Mult. Iinst Dia Curve
125 8

lx37.5 5 150 8 Device Function TAP (A) inst. (kA

3x37.5 5 175 8 D-205 5OP/5 1i / 1 100 20 2.00 3 S.T.E.I.
lx5O 5 200 10 0

3x50 8 210 10 (Maporal) 5ON/5 IN 200/ 2.4 68 20 1.36 1.5 E. Inv.

5 ~~~~~~~0
1x75 8 250 12
lx100 8 260 12 Recloser 5OP/5 1P 60/1 1 60 18 1.08 2.4 S.T.E.I.
3x75 10 275 12 0
3x100 15 300 15 SMW-203 5ON/5JN 45/1 1 45 18 1.1 E. Inv.
I_ I_I_I_I_
lx167 15 350 15
3x167 25 400 20
1x250 20 500 25 Table IX presents reset times (function 79) and dead times
(functions 79-1, 79-2, 79-3, and 79-4) for each protective
device of the circuit.

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TABLE IX: RESET TIMES AND DEAD TIMES OF CIRCUIT MAPORAL fault current equal to 1.848 kA in F3, the relay D-205
Relay Function
(Maporal) acts first than the fuse; therefore, there is selectivity
79 (s) 79-1 (s) 79-2 (s) 79-3 (s) 79-4 (s)
D 205 (Maporal) 20 20 40 60 Lockout loss between both devices.
Recloser SMW- 10 20 40 60 Lockout Table X tabulates the recommended settings for the protective
203 devices of circuit Maporal. These settings improve the
Fig. 3 shows the phase-fault coordination between the 15K selectivity and coordination time intervals between each pair
of protective devices.
fuse at well SMW-28 and recloser SMW-203, and between
the recloser and relay D-205 (Maporal). For a fault current CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 @ 13000 VOLTS

equal to 1.041 kA in FlI (see Fig. 2), the total clearing time of
the fuse is 23 ins, existing a coordination time interval of 7 ms
between the fuse and the recloser SMW-203. For a fault
current equal to 2.064 kA in F2, the recloser SMW-203 and
the relay D-205 (Maporal) open instantaneously; this indicates
selectivity loss between both protective devices.
CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 . 13000 VOLTS
3 j 10 30 Jo 100 300 500

DPU 200fl 51(50)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~10

T~~~~~~~p 250 12~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0

Mto 0 B7

-DPU 2000 (51)50) h5

Tap 1200(I -12) 3

-3 xTp ~-0 3 -e
I.,
m
Do 205(MA 2

t=
5-DP U 200 0(51I50) Vto I ru ;0.
-T~ inoi (112
CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 13800 V OLIN

Tp=1.00(1 12)
3Timepil=052
3xT180 52) Fig. 4. Ground Coordination Fuse 15K- Rec. SMW 203 and Ground
Coordination Rec. SMW 203- Relay D 205 (Maporal)

CURRENTIN AMPS X 10 13800 VOLTS

D
3 5 10 30 50 100 300 Soo
.0
CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 . 13800 V OLIN

Fig. 3. Phase Coordination Fuse 15K -Rec. SMW 203 and Phase Coordination
Rec. SMW 203 -Relay D 205

Fig. 3 also shows the phase-fault coordination between the

15K fuse at well SMW-203 and relay D-205 (Maporal). For a

fault current equal to 2.064 kA in F3, the relay D-205

(Maporal) operates instantaneously before the fuse; therefore,

there is selectivity loss between both devices.

Fig. 4 depicts the ground-fault coordination between the 15 K

fuse at well SMW-28 and recloser SMW-203. and between

the recloser and relay D-205 (Maporal). For a fault current

equal to 0.675 kA in Fl, the total clearing time of the fuse is

28 ins, existing a coordination time interval of 35 ms between

the fuse and the recloser SMW-203. For a fault current equal
to 1.848 kA in F2, the recloser SMW-203 and the relay D-205
(Maporal) open instantaneously; this indicates selectivity loss
Fig. 5. Ground Coordination Fuse 15K- Relay D 205
between both protective devices.

Fig. 5 illustrates the ground-fault coordination between the

15K fuse at well SMW-203 and relay D-205 (Maporal). For a

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 5

TABLE X: RECOMMENDED SETTINGjS FOR PROTECTIVE DEVICES OF CIRCUIT

Fig. 7 depicts the ground-fault coordination recommended
MAPORAL
between the 15K fuse at well SMW-28 and recloser SMW-
Protective Dial Mult. linst 203, and between the recloser and relay D-205 (Maporal). For
Device inst. (kA)- a fault current equal to 0.675 kA in Fl, the coordination time
D-205 3 00 interval increased from 35 ins. to 53 ins. For a fault current
(Maporal) 1.8 00
equal to 1.848 kA in F2, the recloser SMW-203 opens
1.08
Relay 3 18 instantaneously and the coordination time interval relay D-205
SMW-203 1.3 18 0.81 (Maporal) is 76 ins. As shown, there is selectivity between
both protective devices.
Table XI lists the recommended settings for the reclosing CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 ~ 13800 VOLTS

times of the protective devices of this circuit. These dead-

I I 1. 1. I.. I..
IJDOO 11 1 rI 'JIOO

times were suggested since the wells stop their production 200 ¶D2OSMAPOR~D-25 A OAL

ms after the fault occurrence. F.se 15K ~~~DPUJ2000 (51)50) E

Tap 1.70(1 121
rm lykn

TirneDial ~1806

TABLE XI: RECOMMENDED RECLOSING TIMES FOR CIRCUIT MAPORAL

Relay Function p ~~~~~~~~3xTap =121e
Shift
F,,d-=0~ ~ ~~~~~t183)597
79-1 (s) 79-2 (s) 79-3 (s) 79-4 (s)

(Map205 10 15 20 Lockout
Recloser SMW- 0.08 0.12 0.18 Lockout
1 203 11

Fig. 6 shows the phase-fault coordination recommended for

the 15K fuse at well SMW-28 and recloser SMW-203, and
between the recloser and relay D-205 (Maporal). For a fault
current equal to 1.041 kA in F 1, the coordination time interval
between the fuse and the recloser SMW-203 increased from 7
ms to 60 ins. For a fault current equal to 2.064 kA in F2, the
recloser SMW-203 opens instantaneously and the
coordination time interval with relay D-205 (Maporal) is 36
ins. Therefore, there is selectivity. il 11

Fig. 6 also shows the phase-fault coordination recommended CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 @ 13000 VOLTS

between the 15K fuse at well SMW-203 and relay D-205 Fig. 7. Recommended Ground Coordination Fuse 15K -Rec. SMW 203
(Maporal). For a fault current equal to 2.064 kA in F3, the and Recommended Ground Coordination Rec. SMW 203 -Relay D 205
coordination time interval between the fuse and the relay is 18 (Maporal)
ins. Therefore, the fuse melts before the operation of the relay. CURRENT IN AMPS X 10O~ 13000 VOLTh
1.000 1.000

D 205 MAP ORAL

CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 @ 13000 VOLTS
F.se 15K ~~~~DP u2m00(51A50) EA ~y I-0

FL~A S P,f 3,~06 Tepo147,

-DNU 200 0(51150) Ik

DU20 05110

Ti Dao
1000

DPLU 2000)5 160 Sh.~ oE

.011 11 11
.01

=L=U o Fig. 8. Recommended Ground Coordination Fuse 15K- Relay D 205 (Maporal)
CURRENT IN AMPS X 10 13000 V OLTN

Fig. 6. Recommended Phase Coordination Fuse 15K- Rec. SMW 203 and Fig. 8 illustrates the ground-fault coordination recommended
Recommended Phase Coordination Rec. SMW 203- Relay D 205(Maporal) between the 15K fuse at well SMW-203 and relay D-205

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 6

(Maporal). For a fault current equal to 1.848 kA in F3, the

total clearing time of the fuse is 16 ms., existing a
coordination time interval of 47 ms. between the fuse and the
relay D-205 (Maporal). As depicted, the fuse melts before the
operation of the relay.

VII. CONCLUSIONS
Results of an overcurrent protection study for the system of
PDVSA Sur, Barinas, Venezuela, have been presented.
The analyzed circuits exhibit appropriate operating conditions
from the viewpoint of current-carrying capacity and voltage
drop.
Although the final coordination time intervals are shorter than
the recommended values, the proposed settings improve the
effectiveness of the protection system and are a reasonable
trade-off among speed, reliability, and selectivity.

VIII. REFERENCES
[1] Horowitz Stanley and Phadke Arun, "Power System Relaying",
Research Studies Press Ltd., June 1996.
[2] IEEE Recommended Practice For Electric Power Distribution For
Industrial Plants, IEEE Standard 141-1993
[3] IEEE Recommended For Protection and Coordination of Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems, IEEE Standard 242-2001
[4] SHNEIDER Technical Notebook N° 169, "High Voltage Industrial
Systems Design".
[5] ABB Technical Handbook "DPU-2000R".
[6] "Security Handbook", PDVSA, May 2002
[7] "ETAP PowerStation version 4.0. Vol. 1", PDVSA, 2004
[8] Perez Luis, "Protecci6n de Sistemas de Distribuci6n", CODELECTRA,
May 2003.
[9] Romero Carlos, "Sistemas de Protecci6n", Universidad de Los Andes,
1999.
[10] "Power Systems Engineering Course", GE Electrical Distribution and
Control, Schenectady, New York, U.S.A., 1996.

IX. BIOGRAPHIES
Fabiola C. Velazco-Velazco was born in Bocon6, Venezuela, in 1980. She
received her Electrical Engineer degree from Universidad Sim6n Bolivar,
Caracas, Venezuela in 2005. She is currently working for the Division of
Commercialization of CVG EDELCA.

Richard A. Rivas-Perez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1965. He

received his Electrical Engineer and M.Sc. degrees from Universidad Sim6n
Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela in 1988 and 1993, respectively, and the Ph.D.
Degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada, in 2001. He is currently an Associate Professor of the
Department of Energy Conversion and Delivery at Sim6n Bolivar University.

Nayali Guerrero was born in Merida, Venezuela, in 1977. She received her
Electrical Engineer degree from La Universidad de Los Andes in 2000. She is
currently working for PDVSA Sur, Barinas, as Supervisor of the Distribution
Division.

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