Types of Distance Protection

Application of Distance Protection:

• Distance protection schemes are widely employed for the protection of high voltage ac transmission lines
and distribution lines. They have replaced the overcurrent protection of the transmission lines. The reasons
are faster protection, simpler coordination; simpler application, permanent setting without need for re-
adjustments; less effect of amount of generation and fault levels, fault current magnitude; permits the high
line loading.
• Distance protection schemes are commonly employed for providing the primary or main protection and
backup protection for ac transmission and distribution lines against 3-phase faults, phase-to-phase faults and
phase-to-ground faults.
• In some schemes for short lines, the phase-to-ground fault protection sensing may be by distance relay and
measurement by overcurrent relays.
• Today trend is toward the use of static distance protection for all types of line faults ,main and back-up for
short, medium and long lines.
• (static use why ? : no moving part, no effect vibration, shock, dust, faster operation, less burden, better
stability, lower impedance setting possible, larger range )
Choice between Impedance Type, Reactance Type and Mho Type Relays:

• The choice between impedance types, reactance type and mho type relays should be properly done with
reference to their application to transmission line protection.
• The ground resistance is variable. The ground distance relays must be unaffected by variation in fault
resistance. Reactance type relays are preferred for ground fault relaying. For short line sections, reactance
type relays are preferred as they are not affected by the arc resistance and more percentage of the line can
be protected at high speed. The drawback of reactance relays, however, is that they are likely to operate
undesirably on severe synchronising power swings at certain locations unless additional relay equipment is
provided.
• Mho type relays are best suited for phase fault relaying for long lines and particularly where a severe
synchronising power surge may occur. They are most sensitive of all the distance relays. The mho relay is
reliable because it combines both the directional and distance measuring functions in one unit.
• The impedance type relay is suitable for phase fault relaying for lines of moderate length. The arc affects the
impedance relay more than the reactance relay but less than the mho relay. The impedance relay along with
the directional unit can be made to change its characteristics and the modified impedance relay may
resemble the reactance or mho unit. There is considerable overlap in the application of these relay.
Comparison Between Distance Relays
Distance protection of three phase line
Phase Faults
Ground fault