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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING http://www.polytechnic.edu.na/EEE

ETP820S – ELECTRICAL PROTECTION 425

TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENT 1: MEMO

DATE: FRIDAY 30/11/2012 TIME: 14H00 – 17H00

TOTAL MARKS: 100

QUESTION ONE (33 MARKS)

The portion of a power system shown by the one-line diagram of Figure Q1.1, with generating sources back
of all three ends, has conventional primary and back-up relaying. The numbered boxes indicate the locations
of the circuit-breakers (CBs).
In each of the cases listed in Table Q1.1, a short-circuit has occurred and certain circuit-breakers have tripped
as stated.
Assume that the tripping of these circuit-breakers was correct under the circumstances.
Where was the short-circuit? Was there any failure of the protective relaying, including breakers and if so,
what failed? Assume only one failure at a time.
Draw a sketch showing the overlapping of primary protective zones and indicate the exact locations of the
various faults in Table Q1.1.
NB: Name the bus-bus as BB1, BB2, etc., the lines as L1, L2, etc. and the protective zones as Zone 1, Zone 2,
etc., from left to right.

Figure Q1.1.

Table Q1.1
Case CBs Tripped Location of Fault What Failed? Main Protection (CBs) Back-up Protection (CBs)
a 4, 5, 8

b 3, 7, 8

c 3, 4, 5, 6

d 1, 4, 5, 6

e 4, 5, 7, 8

f 4, 5, 6

Solutions:
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 The network divided into zones of protection:

NB: Each correct zone is worth 1.0 mark.

9.0 marks

Table Q1.1
Case CBs Tripped Location of Fault What Failed? Main Protection (CBs) Back-up Protection (CBs)

a 4, 5, 8 BB3 CB6 CBs 4, 5, 6 CB 8

b 3, 7, 8 L2 CB4 CBs 3, 4 CBs 7, 8

c 3, 4, 5, 6 Overlap between - CBs 3, 4, 5, 6 CBs 1, 7, 8

zones 4 and 5
d 1, 4, 5, 6 L1 CB2 CBs 1, 2 CBs 4, 5, 6

e 4, 5, 7, 8 Overlap between CB6 CBs 4, 5, 6, 7 CB 8

zones 5 and 6

f 4, 5, 6 BB3 - CBs 4, 5, 6 CBs 2, 7, 8

NB: Each correct row is worth 4.0 marks.

24.0 marks

QUESTION TWO (25 MARKS)

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(a) Define the following: (1) Auto-recloser and (2) Single-shot reclosing (6 marks)

Answers:
(1) An auto-recloser is a circuit breaker equipped with a mechanism that can automatically close the breaker
after it has been opened due to a fault. (3.0 marks)

(2) Single-shot reclosing is an operation sequence providing only one reclosing operation, lockout of the
circuit occurring on subsequent tripping. (3.0 marks)

(b) Figure Q2.1 shows a typical single-shot automatic reclosing (auto-reclose) scheme. It shows a successful
re-closure in the event of a transient fault. Complete the diagram by naming the ‘times’ indicated by the
encircled numbers and define ‘times’ 1, 3 and 5. (11 marks)

Figure Q2.1.

Answers:

The ‘times’:
(1) Protection operating time.
(2) Circuit-breaker operating time.
(3) Circuit-breaker dead time.
(4) Auto-reclose relay operating time.
(5) Auto-reclose relay dead time.
(5.0 marks)
Definitions:

(1) Protection operating time: The time from the inception of the fault to the closing of the tripping contacts.
Where a separate auxiliary tripping relay is employed, its operating time is included. (2.0 marks)

(3) Circuit-breaker dead time: The interval between interruption in all circuit-breaker poles on the opening
stroke and the making of the contacts and hence re-establishment of the circuit on the reclosing stroke.
(2.0 marks)
(5) Auto-reclose relay reclaim time: The time required, after one or more counting operations, for the
counting mechanism to return to the starting position. (2.0 marks)

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(c) The arrangement shown in Figure Q2.2 consists
basically of two transformer feeders, EHV Line 1
and EHV Line 2, interconnected by a single circuit-
breaker, 120.

B1 and B2 are also circuit-breakers, whereas 103,

203, 113 and 213 are line isolators.

Each transformer, T1 or T2, therefore, has an

alternative source of supply in the event of loss of
one or other of the two feeders.

Briefly explain the sequence of tripping and re-

closing of the circuit-breakers for (1) a transient
fault and (2) a persistent fault on line 2. Assume a
Figure Q2.2. single-shot auto-reclose scheme. (8 marks)

Answers:

(1) A transient fault on Line 2 causes tripping of circuit-breakers 120 and B2 followed by re-closure of CB 120.
If the re-closure is successful, Transformer T2 is re-energised and circuit breaker B2 Re-closes after a short
time delay. (4.0 marks)

(2) If the line fault is persistent, 120 trips again, after the first attempt at re-closure followed by the automatic
opening of the motorised line isolator 203.
Circuit-breaker 120 re-closes again, followed by the re-closer of circuit-breaker B1, so that both transformers
T1 and T2 are then supplied from Line 1. (4.0 marks)

QUESTION THREE (10 MARKS)

AUTO-CLOSE SCHEMES

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Auto-close schemes are employed to close,
automatically, circuit-breakers that are
normally open when the supply network is
healthy.

This may occur for a variety of reasons, for

instance the fault level may be excessive if the
CB’s were normally closed.

The circuits involved are very similar to those

used for auto-reclosing.

Two typical applications are explained below,

based on Figure Q3.1.

Study the two applications carefully and

answer the questions that follow. Figure Q3.1. Standby transformer with auto-closing

(a) Stand-by Transformers

Figure Q3.1 shows a bus-bar station fed by three transformers, T1, T2 and T3. The loss of one transformer
might cause serious overloading of the remaining two. However, connection of a further transformer to
overcome this may increase the fault level to an unacceptable value. The solution is to have a stand-by
transformer T4 permanently energised from the primary side and arranged to be switched into service if one
of the others trips on fault. Briefly explain how such a system should function. (6 marks)

Solution:

The starting circuits for breaker CB4 monitor the operation of transformer protection on any of the
transformers T1, T2 and T3 together with the tripping of an associated circuit-breaker CB1-CB3. … (2.0)
In the event of a fault, the auto-close circuit is initiated and circuit-breaker CB4 closes, after a short time
delay, to switch in the stand-by transformer. … (2.0)
Some schemes employ an auto-tripping relay, so that when the faulty transformer is returned to service, the
stand-by is automatically disconnected. … (2.0)

(b) Bus Coupler or Bus-Section Breaker

If all the four power transformers are normally in service for the system of Figure Q3.1 and the bus sections
are interconnected by a normally-open bus section breaker instead of the isolator, explain how the scheme
will now function. Assume the fault level to be acceptable with the bus-section breaker closed. (4 marks)

Solution:

The bus section breaker should be auto-closed in the event of the loss of one transformer, to spread the load
over the remaining transformers. … (2.0)
Starting and auto-trip circuits are employed as in the stand-by scheme. … (2.0)
The auto-close relay used in practice is a variant of one of the standard auto-reclose relays.

QUESTION FOUR (22 MARKS)

(a) Briefly explain the working principle of operation of a circuit-breaker. (12 marks)

Answer:

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 The main parts of a circuit-breaker, in as far as its
operation is concerned, are the trip coil, the
latching mechanism, the main contacts, the
opening spring and the auxiliary contacts. See
Figure Q4.1. … (2.0)

The main contacts are held in the closed position

(and thus completing the power circuit) by a latch
which is part of the latching mechanism. The
latch in turn is kept in place by a mechanical
spring force. … (1.0)

The movable contact is also under the pressure of

a compressed spring whose mechanical force is
applied in the direction of contact opening.
… (1.0)

Operation:

(i) In the event of a fault in the power circuit, the

relay receives information from the circuit which
it analyses and determines that the circuit should
be opened. … (2.0)

(ii) The relay then closes its tripping contacts thus

energising the trip coil of the circuit-breaker.
… (2.0)

(iii) The circuit-breaker tripping coil produces a

magnetic field whose force causes the latching
mechanism to unlatch and thus opening the main
Figure Q4.1. Relay/Circuit-breaker combination. contacts under the control /pressure of the
tripping/opening spring. … (3.0)

(iv) The trip coil is de-energised by the opening of the circuit-breaker auxiliary contacts that are in series with
the coil. … (1.0)

(b) Draw a schematic diagram showing the complete three-phase connections of a protective relay/circuit-
breaker scheme with the associated components. Assume voltage-current relays. Show on a separate
diagram (Figure (b)) the circuit-breaker tripping coil circuit. NB: Your schematic should include the contacts,
coils, switches, etc… (10 marks)

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 Figure Q4.2. Complete three-phase connections of a protective relay/circuit- breaker scheme with the
associated components
(10.0 marks)

QUESTION FIVE (10 MARKS)

Design a trip-circuit supervisory circuit that will operate as follows:

(i) It will indicate, remotely, that the circuit-breaker is energised (i.e. the circuit is healthy and there is no
fault) by lighting a green bulb which should stay lit indefinitely, for as long as this status has not changed.

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(ii) If the circuit-breaker has tripped, in the event of a fault in the power circuit, a red bulb must be lit. The
red bulb should stay on, for as long as it has not been re-set, long after the circuit-breaker has tripped.
(iii) In the event that the circuit breaker fails to trip during a fault condition, an alarm must sound and it can
only be cancelled manually.

Solution:

The circuits are shown in Figure Q5.1.

Description of circuit operation:

(i) With a healthy power circuit, the circuit-breaker is in circuit and its two auxiliary pairs of contacts, 52a and
52b, are closed. Relay A is energised and it closes its pair of contacts which in turn energises relay D. Relay D
closes its NO contacts in the ‘green bulb, CB-energised’ indicator circuit and opens its NC contacts in the ‘red
bulb CB-tripped’ indicator circuit.

(ii) With a fault in the power circuit, the protection relay operates and PR closes, energising the CB trip coil
which in turn trips the CB. Relay B gets energised and it provides the holding contact for PR when the
protection relay resets. Relay A is shorted releasing its contacts open which in turn de-energises relay D. The
pair of contacts in the ‘green bulb circuit’ opens, turning the green bulb off. Relay D’s NC contacts close to
complete the ‘red bulb circuit’ turning on the ‘CB-tripped’ indicator red bulb. Relay C also gets energised but
before its NO time-delayed pair of contacts could close to sound the alarm and before its time-delayed pair
of NC contacts could open, the CB auxiliary pairs of contacts 52a and 52b open to de-energise both relays B
and D. Though relay A is re-energised, relay D stays de-energised through 52b. Closing the CB will revert the
circuits to the status of section (i).

(iii) In the event of a fault and the failure of the CB to trip, relay C succeeds in having its time-delayed pair of
contacts closed, sounding the alarm. At the same time its time-delayed pair of NC contacts in the ‘red bulb
CB-trip’ indicator circuit are opened to prevent the red bulb from being lit. The alarm will sound indefinitely if
the CB status does not change until it is cancelled.

Allocation of marks: each pair of contacts carries 1.0 mark + the correct positioning of the relays/trip-coil,
another 1.0 mark = 10.0 marks in total.

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Figure Q5.1. Trip-circuit supervisory circuit.