See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4249691

Protective Relays Performance in a Harmonic

Environment

Conference Paper · October 2006

DOI: 10.1109/UPEC.2006.367609 · Source: IEEE Xplore

CITATIONS READS

3 23

3 authors, including:

Ali S.Khraiwish
Al-Balqa' Applied University
18 PUBLICATIONS 24 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Hydrodynamics and Heat Transfer Characteristics of G-S Magnetically Stabilized Beds Consisting of
Admixtures of Shale Oil and Magnetic Particles View project

n Experimental Investigation of Forced Convection Heat Transfer from a Coiled Heat Exchanger
Embedded in a Packed Bed View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Ali S.Khraiwish on 08 November 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 PROTECTIVE RELAYS PERFORMANCE IN A HARMONIC ENVIRONMENT
A.R.AI-Zyoud, A. Khraiwish, M. Shakarchi
Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan
ABSTRACT
Power system harmonics affect relay operation in many ways, they can reduce operating currents, increase or decrease
operating time. Distance relays reach can be affected. This paper reviews relay performance in the presence of harmonics
current the results are recorded.
keywords:
Protective Relays, Power System Harmonics, Electromagnetic
relays, Static relays, over current, Setting current, Operating
current.
1-INTRODUCTION
In an ideal electrical power system, energy is supplied
at a single and constant frequency, and at specified
voltage levels of constant magnitudes.
However, none of these conditions are fulfilled in
practice. Power system distortion is not a new
phenomenon, and containing it to acceptable proportions
has been a concer of power engineers from the early
days off atrnain curet T The ren reet
concern for this *a problem
ce
gr*grwn
results from the increasing
numbes anpowr raingsof te hihly on-lnear
powbers eleconic dwevtics usedf inthe cig ontrolinof
power apparatus and systems.
The deviation from perfect sinusoids is generally
expressed in terms of harmonic components. In
electrical signals, a harmonic is defined as the
content of the signal whose frequency is an integer
multiple of the actual system frequency, i.e. the main
frequency produced by the generators. Harmonics can
distort or degrade the operating characteristics of
protective relays depending on the design features and
principles ofoperation [1,5].
an example of relay operation due to harmonics, is the
tripping of the protective relays of the neutral conductor
in three -phase system due to the flow of triplen
harmonic currents (mainly third),through the neutral.
These currents act in the same wayas earth fault ones,
since they are in the zero sequence mode. The current
through the neutral can be as large as 6500 of phase
currents [2].
890
This paper reviews effects of the harmonics on relay
operation and presents the result of actual tests
performed on some relays in the presence of high
percentage of harmonic contains.
2- HARMONIC EFFECTS ON RELAYS
System haimonics affects relay operation in a very
complex manner. Relays that depend on voltage/current
crest or voltage zeroes for their operation are
.3]
. .
Ground relays can not distingush between fundamental
zero sequence current and triplen harmonics
(3,6,9, 12,)which are in the zero sequence mode, thus
the presence of excessive triplen harmonic current can
t p o
cause ground relays to trip [3]. Electromechanical relays
are largely single or dual input, single -phase devices
time relays designed for specified (nominal)
frequency operate with design time delays when
energizedwith inputs ofthatdfrequency.
Some relays tend to be less sensitive and operate
slower when the waveform of the inputs are distorted,
relays of other designs tend to be more sensitive and
operate faster when input distorted. This difference is
due to the difference in the physical arrangements of
the components of the relays and the electrical and
magnetic properties of the components. Thus
electromechanical relays from different manufacturers
even with similar time - current characteristics, may
responded to distorted signals differently [4].
Instantaneous over-current relays of induction-cup
cylinder-type will have a frequency response
dependent on design parameters. Instantaneous plunger
and hinged armature current relays are largely respond
to the r.m.s value of current taken over a time period
comparable to the operating time of the relay[4].
For every severe current transformer saturation, an
instantaneous relay might not pickup at any value of
primary current, especially if the saturation is
accentuated by remanence or asymmetric current [4].
Electromechanical voltage relays tend not to respond to
the r.m.s value, but only to the fundamental component of
a distorted wave form [4].
Distance relay settings are based on fundamental
impedance of transmission lines and the presence
of harmonic current (particularly third harmonic) in
a fault situation could cause considerable
measurement errors related to the fundamental based
settings [1].
Single input static relays ,such as a time- over-
current relay, may be designed to respond to
either peak, average, or r.m.s. values, each has its
own characteristics and specific application and design
merits. Response to none- sinusoidal wave forms
may vary significantly between basic designs, even
though each may be calibrated to identical performance
with single frequency steady State sine wave form. In
general the frequency response of a relay to single
frequency input signals is not a measure of its
response to distorted wave-shape containing these
frequencies [3].
Dual input static relays respond to distorted wave
form depending on the design of the input transformer
and on the design of threshold detector of magnitude of
phase angle [3].
Digital based (computer) relay systems basically do
not prevent any of the wave - shape problems
common to static and electromechanical relays. In
addition, digital systemswill have a unique
response to harmonics and other distortions, based
on the sampling rate of the analogue input signals.
The dynamic characteristics of a computer relay
system will also be a function of the techniques used
to attainthe analogue to digitalconversion accuracy
and the frequency response of the converter. Once the
signals are digitized, the performance of the
computer function will be entirely the result of the
programming built into the computer. Thus the
response to distorted wave forms is substantially
under the control of the programmer. Depending on
the sophistication of the program, a more desirable or
less desirable result may attain for specific protection
needs [3].
It can be concluded that the performance of a relay to
891
a range of single frequency inputs is not an
indication of how that relay will respond to a
distorted wave containing those frequencies.
Superposition does not apply. Multi-input relays may
be more unpredictable than single input relays in the
presence of wave distortion, relay response under
distorted condition may vary among relays having the
same nominal fundamental frequency characteristic, not
only between different relay manufactures but also
between different vintages of relays from the same
manufacturer [4].
In general the conservative margins usually used in the
relay coordination plan are adequate for the amount of
wave distortion present in most situations. Harmonic
levels of 10-20% are generally required to cause
problems with relay operation. Except in usual
ciances, and these levels are greater than levels,
which would be considered maximum acceptable
limits for other equipment [3].
3-RESULTS OF RELAY TESTS PERFORMED
The relays are connected on the supply to large linear
or nonlinear loads as needed. The nonlinear load was a
phase ndi machine. See figure . A spectrum
analyzer and an oscilloscope is connected across a
shunt resistance, in order to measure the harmonics.
3-RmeSoy
tospeanayserad
osdllosoope
Rshut
Qc
CT
X X
Nonlirea Loca lr Load
Figl: Relay connection for linear/nonlinear loads.
3.1. An over current electromagnetic relay 3.2 Single phase definite time static over current
This relay has a nominal current of 5A, with operating frequencies relay
50/60Hz the setting and operating currents for linear load are This relay has a nominal current of 5A.The setting
shown in table 1. and operating currents for the relay in the cases of
linear and nonlinear loads are shown in table 4 and 5
Table 1: Setting and operating currents with linear respectively.
load using electromagnetic over current relay
Table 4: Setting and operating currents with linear
Iset,A Iop,A load using static over current relay
2.5 2.50 Iset,A Iop,A
3.0 3.00 1.0 1.0
3.5 3.6 1.5 1.4
4.0 4.14 2.0 1.9
4.5 4.6 2.5 2.5
3.0 3.0
While the setting and operating currents in the case of
nonlinear load are shown in table 2. Table 5: Setting and operating currents with
nonlinear load using static over current relay
Table 2: Setting and operating currents with non
linear load using electromagnetic over current relay Iset,A Iop,A
1.0 0.76
Iset,A lop,A 1.5 1.20
2.5 2.20 2.0 1.83
3.0 2.78 2.5 2.19
3.5
4.0
3.41
3.69
3.0 2.72
4.5 4.25 while the harmonic contents of the current in the case
The harmonics content of the current with nonlinear of nonlinear load ,calculated using the spectrum
load, calculated using the spectrum analyzer are shown analyzer are shown in table 6.
in table 3.
Table6: Harmonic currents calculated when using
Table 3: Harmonic currents calculated when using static over current relay
electromagnetic over current relay
Iset,A
2.5
Iop,A I1,A 13,A 15,A 17,A
2.20 1.900 0.950 0.5030 0.1670
Iset,
A
lop,
A
I1,A 13,A I5,A 17,A
I
1.20 10.660
10.76
3.0 2.78 2.413 1.2050 0.6380 0.2123 1.0 0.330 0.175 0.058
3.5 3.41 2.960 1.4785 0.7830 0.2605 1.5 1.042 0.520 0.276 0.092
4.0 3.69 3.200 1.5984 0.8464 0.2816 2.0 1.83 1.589 0.794 0.420 0.140
4.5 I 4.25 3.689
I 1.8430 0.9757 0.3246 2.5
~~~~~3.0
2.19 1.901 0.950
2.72 2.361 1.179
0.503
0.625
0.170
0.208
From results above it can be seen that the operating
currents of the relay have decreased by as much as 8.9%. The results above show that the operating currents of
the relay have decreased by as much as 26.25 00O.

892
 3.3 Static inverse time over current relay 4-CONCLUSIONS
This relay has a nominal current of IA, with To investigate the performance of Protective relays in
operating frequencies of 50/60Hz the setting and the presence of harmonics, three different over current
operating currents for the relay in the cases of linear relays were tested.
and nonlinear loads are shown in table 7 and 8 The results show that in general the operating current
respectively. of the relays have decreased in percentages dependent on
Table 7: Setting and operating currents with linear the type relay. This decrease amounted to 26.25% in the
load for static inverse time over current relay single-phase definite time static over current relay.
It can be concluded that knowing the response of
Iset,A Iop,A protection relay to the presence of harmonics is highly
0.45 0.457 important. This knowledge can be obtained from the
0.50 0.530 relay manufactures or from direct testing if possible.
0.55 0.580 REFERENCES
0.65 0.690 [1] Arrillaga, J., Bradley, and Bodger, P.'S.,"Power
0.75 0.800 System Harmonic ", John Wiley, New York, 1985.

Table 8: Setting and operating currents with non [2] Redl,R.,Tenti,P.,and Van Wykj.D. "Power
linear load for static Inverse time over current relay
Electronics Polluting Effects " IEEE Spectrum, May
1997,PP.33-39.

Iset,A Iop,A [3] Meliopoulos,A.P,Chakravarthi,K.R,and Thomas

0.45 0.53 Ortmeyer, "Effects of Harmonics on Power System
0.50 0.56 Equipment and Loads" , IEEE Tutorial Course Notes
0.55 0.65 on Power System Harmonics ,Sept.1984.
0.65 0.79 [4] IEEE Report, Sine-Wave Distortions in Power
0.75 0.85 System and the Impacton protective Relaying, Power
System Relaying Committee, 1984.
While the harmonic contents of the current In the case of
nonlinear load, calculated using the spectrum analyzer [5] Brozek J.P ," The Effects of Harmonics on Over
are shown in table 9. current Protection Devices " Conference record of 1990
IEEE industry application society annual meeting
Table 9: Harmonic currents calculated when using static ,Seattle ,USA, October 1990,pp.1965-l1976.
inverse time over current relay AUTHOR'S ADDRESS

[ Iset,A
0.45 Iop,A
0.53 I1,A
0.4601 13,A
0.2298 15,A 0 0405 g Abdallah
0.1217 17,A AL-Zyoud Department, Faculty Of
Electrical R.Engineering
0.45 0.53 0.4601 0.2298 0.1217 0.0405 Engineering Technology Al-Balqa Applied
0.50 0.56 0.4861 0.2428 0.1286 0.0428 University
0.55 0.65 0.5642 0.2818 0.1492 0.0496 Amman-Jordan
0.65 0.79 0.6858 0.3425 0.1814 0.0604 P.O.Box 15008 code 11134
0.75 0.85 0.7378 0.3685 0.1951 0.0649 Alzyoud a(dMeeeg
The results above show that the operating currents of
the relay have decreased by as much as 9.7 00.

893

View publication stats