2018 5th International Conference on Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Overcurrent Relay Coordination Tool for Radial Distribution Systems with
Distributed Generation
Poonyapa Sookrod
Dept. of Electrical Engineering,
Fact. of Engineering, Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai, Thailand
e-mail: kp.poonyapa@gmail.com
Abstract—The conventional structure of distribution systems is
evolving rapidly due to the high penetration of distributed
generation (DG). DG may have a detrimental effect on
protection coordination of overcurrent relays regarding
varying short circuit levels. Overcurrent relays are necessary
to ensure the reliability of power system by avoiding
malfunction and the unnecessary outage of the healthy part of
the system. The relay settings have to be changed depending on
capacity and location of installed DG. It is complexity to
analyze all operating conditions. Therefore, the effects of DG
presence on the existent relays must be investigated in order to
maintain protection coordination. To overcome relay
coordination problem, overcurrent relay coordination tool is
proposed in this paper. This tool is developed using concept of
adaptive protection scheme. Relay setting parameters are set
automatically in response to changing systems. Furthermore,
this proposed tool is suitable for the complex future radial
distribution systems.
Keywords-overcurrent relay; protection coordination;
distribution system; distributed generation
I. INTRODUCTION
New trends of generating electricity at medium voltage
grid is known as distributed generation (DG) that will be a
solution to rapid growth in load demand. Advantages in
using DG include reduced environmental impacts, power
loss reduction, improved voltage profile, enhanced power
quality, increased overall energy efficiency and many more
[1]. However, connection of DG units also has tremendous
impact on short circuit current magnitude, especially
considering high DG penetration. This causes significant
changes in distribution networks. Protection system becomes
more complex owing to changes in system behavior and
power flow under short circuit conditions. DG affects
coordinated protection devices and also brings challenges in
settings of original relays.
The most used network structure of distribution system is
radial distribution system as it is simple to build and easy to
operate. Overcurrent relays are the important protective
devices in radial distribution system. Integration of DG into
an existing grid contributes to short circuit current
throughout the system during fault condition. Furthermore, it
critically affects protection coordination. The setting of
overcurrent relay is not designed to operate under this
978-1-5386-6392-9/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Paramet Wirasanti
Dept. of Electrical Engineering,
Fact. of Engineering, Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai, Thailand
e-mail: paramet.w@cmu.ac.th
embedded DG condition. The operation time interval
between the primary and backup relays would not be
adequate resulting in nuisance tripping and unnecessary
operation [2]. To maintain the overcurrent relay
coordination, a minimum discrimination time of the main
and backup relays is considered. The parameters of relay
setting need to be adjusted appropriately.
Coordination failure in relays is a vital issue that needs to
be progressively considered, since the extended penetration
of DG units causes aberrant operation of the protection
system. For mitigating this effect of DG on protection
coordination, existent overcurrent relays need to be
reorganized themselves for every change on the network.
The severity of changes relies on location, capacity and
number of DGs. The adaptive protection scheme, in [3], has
come up as an appreciable and acceptable solution. This
attractive approach is selected for the relay coordination
improvement in this paper. Aim of adaptive protection
scheme is modification of relay settings. The technique is
based on the estimation of short circuit currents and
continued with the evaluation of parameters of a proper
equivalent circuit of the grid [4]. This concept fulfills the
requirement of future possible relay settings.
As mentioned that the installation of DG adds
complication to conventional protection schemes, the
coordination problems may be more difficult to realize and
take a long time to determine in the real power system. This
paper will focus on relay setting to successfully protect the
system with topology change. The overcurrent relay
coordination tool is proposed. It was developed in
DIgSILENT PowerFactory software. In the proposed, all the
relays can adapt themselves with the new situations and set
their settings automatically. It should be pointed out that the
proposed tool can solve the overcurrent relay coordination
problems that DG brings to the protection system. Although,
changing the settings on existent relays will have associated
costs but disturbances to existent relay coordination can pose
an additional economic hurdle.
II. PROBLEM FORMULATION
Due to the connection of DG in radial distribution
system, the existent relay coordination is lost [5] and [6].
Relay miscoordination can occur, when the fault current
becomes greater than maximum fault current of the feeder.
This increased current comes from the supply of DG. If the
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fault current is high, the chances of relay miscoordination
will be high. On the occurrence of fault, level of fault current
changes, which in turn changes the operating time of
overcurrent relays. For this reason, the conventional relays
should be adjusted in accordance with the new settings so as
to maintain protection coordination. The operating time (t) of
an overcurrent relay is inversely proportional to the short
circuit current flowing through relay. Relay operating time is
defined by two parameters, namely the time dial setting
(TDS) and the pickup current (Ip). In this paper, all
overcurrent relays are equipped with IEC standard inverse
time characteristics where tripping time gets longer as the
fault current decreases as follow:
A (1)
t TDS B
§ ISC ·
¨ ¸ -1
© Ip ¹
where ISC denotes the short circuit current passing through
relay. A and B are the relay characteristic constants, herein
they are set to be 0.14 and 0.02, respectively [7].
In general, time of operation of backup relay (tj) is made
larger than time of operation of primary relay (ti) at least by a
time interval called coordination time interval (CTI). The
primary relay should operate as fast as possible and should
not trip for a fault outside its zone. The backup relay must
have sufficient time delay to allow the primary relay to clear
the fault. The protection coordination constraint can be
expressed as follows:
tj  ti t CTI (i, j )  :
ZKHUH Ÿ LV WKH VHW RI WKH SDLUV RI WKH UHOD\V &7, PXVW EH
long enough to ensure proper coordination that there is
usually a minimum of 0.2 to 0.5 seconds based on the type
and manufacturer of overcurrent relay. It is set to 0.3 s in this
paper.
In this study, electromechanical (IAC) relays are
concerned. The minimum coordination margins will be
determined: breaker time, overtravel, and safety factor. For
practical purpose, the values of CTI can be given as 0.3 s [8].
The minimum desired time margin between the characteristic
curves is normally 0.3 s to 0.4 s when coordinating induction
disk overcurrent relays with one another in series [9]. If CTI
is found below this threshold value, which means that there
is violation of constraints. It is worthy to note that, the
proposed tool is applicable to all types of overcurrent relays.
As indicated earlier, the rate of change of the DG
penetration level leads to the change in CTI. Relays should
adapt themselves to new situations of system. The relay
operating times for both primary and backup need to
recalculate in order to maintain minimum CTI. The short
circuit current is inputted as a parameter in (1) depending on
DG. This variations in short circuit current values affect
other parameters. It is necessary to revise relays settings
under possible changes. Thus, the proposed overcurrent relay
coordination tool is developed.
III. PROPOSED RELAYS COORDINATION TOOL
In this paper proposed the tool to deal with relay
coordination issues related to the distribution changes. The
overview of proposed tool and algorithm are explained as
follows:
A. Overview of Overcurrent Relay Coordination Tool
Relay coordination enhancement tool is developed by
DIgSILENT Programming Language (DPL) script in
DIgSILENT PowerFactory software. This tool is used to
consider the relay coordination problem with the high
penetration of DG, and automatically provide the new TDS
and Ip values to improve the relay coordination. In addition,
this proposed apparatus is flexibility of changing and easily
accessible in response to multiple DG configurations. Fig. 1
shows structure of a proposed tool.
Create a new project
DigSILENT PowerFactory
in form of .dz file
Execute
the DPL scripts
Display the results
in the output window
Figure 1. Overview of the overcurrent relay coordination tool.
(2)
It is described in detail about the process. For starting,
radial distribution system is created and saved in .dz file
format. DPL script will figure out a correct solution for the
coordination of overcurrent relays. Lastly, the program will
show the simulated results in output window.
B. The Proposed Relay Coordination Algorithm
The proposed idea for mitigating the impacts of DG on
overcurrent relays coordination is based on adaptive
protection scheme. Therefore, the relay setting should
guarantee proper protection coordination among possible DG
installations. The proposed tool is compatible with all radial
distribution systems. The algorithm is described step-by-step
process as given in Fig. 2.
x Step 1: this step performs the measurement of the
currents of each line, where relays are connected.
Input system data without DG will be checked. If the
relay coordination is lost, the program will set new
TDS and Ip parameters.
x Step 2: the user defines DG capacity, desired
location and type of DG. Different DG combinations
might change various parts of the grid. This is the
beginning of the system changes and the causes of
the problem.
x Step 3: after the DG is connected to the selected
node, short circuit analysis is calculated at the end of
each line considering maximum fault current.
x Step 4: the first relay is estimated that is close to the
fault. The operating time of operated relays is
accumulated.
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 x Step 5: the primary relay must have the least 1.08

operating time compared to other relays for the fault [p.u.]

at the same location. Relay, acts as back up 1.04

protection, requires a minimum 0.3 second time

margin between the primary relay. 1.00

x Step 6: if DPL script does not meet the right

conditions from the previous, it has been known as 0.96

relay miscoordination accordingly parameters of

relay need to be changed in this step. The factors 0.92

will be continuously adjusted as long as the program

corresponds to the boundary conditions. This step is 0.88
0.00 12.50 25.00 37.50 50.00 [km] 62.5

important to provide correct calculations related to

800

808

812

RG01

824

828

830

854
820

822
890
848
820[1]
relay coordination.
x Step 7: the first relay coordination is achieved from Line-Ground Voltage, Magnitude A Line-Ground Voltage, Magnitude B
Line-Ground Voltage, Magnitude C
Step 5 that will be sent to Step 7. All relays must be
considered according to the criteria. Figure 3. Voltage profile of the test system without DG.
x Step 8: if there is any modification of DG, process 848

continues with a return to Step 2 which updates 822 846

settings of relays. In case that the output of this step R10
820
R20
844
gives NO response, this algorithm will end the R9
818
864 R19
842
process and restore the previous settings. 802 806 808 812 814 850 R8 824 826 R18 834 860 836
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R11
858 R17 R21 R22
840
816
R16
832 862
800
888 890 DG
Start 810
838
End R15
852

Run load flow to check system 1 R12 R13 R14

No 828 830 854 856

data
8 Figure 4. Modified IEEE 34 node distribution system with overcurrent
2 Yes Any change in the relays.
Define size location and
type of DG characteristics of DG
Results of single line to ground fault and three-phase
3
Run short circuit fault at the different nodes before and after the
analysis
Yes implementation of the proposed tool are shown in Table I
4 7 and Table II respectively. In the conventional operation, the
Check relay No
operating time (t)
All relay system is originally well coordinated. The primary-backup
relay pairs have miscoordination after connection of DG to
the grid. It can be observed from both tables, the operating
ti< tothers
5 time of relays is reduced that makes the value of CTI
tj – ti •0.3 Yes decreases, especially for relays close to the DG. The time
margin between the relays differs from CTI. This effect of
No DG on conventional setting should be taken into account.
6 For the proposed operation, these miscoordinated pairs of
Change TDS and Ip relays are adjusted the relay setting using the proposed
parameters
coordination tool. Each overcurrent relay could be
Figure 2. Flowchart of the proposed algorithm. automatically set by the comparison and selection on new
values of Ip and TDS for relay coordination. CTI will be
satisfied for all relay pairs under the same conventional
IV. CASE STUDY AND DISCUSSION conditions.
The case study is carried out in PowerFactory software.
TABLE I. OPERATING TIMES OF OVERCURRENT RELAYS FOR SINGLE
The case study design is performed on IEEE 34 node LINE TO GROUND FAULTS
distribution system. Its parameters are available in [10]. To
find installed position, a voltage profile of the test system Conventional Proposed
Fault Relay operation operation
without DG is examined. The voltage profile result in Fig. 3
Location No. CTI CTI
indicates that node 890 is the lowest node voltage. Therefore, t (sec)
(sec)
t (sec)
(sec)
DG is designed to connect at node number 890. R9 2.864 2.377
Fig. 4 shows a modified IEEE 34 node test feeder single 820 (A)
R8 3.188
0.324
2.756
0.379
line diagram with overcurrent relays. In order to study the
R10 2.838 2.276
impacts of DG on relay coordination, synchronous 822 (A) 0.288 0.319
generation is employed as DG unit. The DG operates at 2 R9 3.126 2.595
MVA rated capacity with a unity voltage.

15
 overcurrent protection and coordination due to providing
R7 3.203 3.203 minimal fault current. For instance, three-phase fault at node
826 (B) 0.395 0.395 806, the primary relay R2 and the backup relay R1 might not
R6 3.598 3.598
R3 3.399 3.399 need to modify the settings. The pair of relays can maintain
810 (B) 0.332 0.332 CTI value above 0.3 s after introduction of DG in
R2 3.731 3.731
conventional system.
TABLE II. OPERATING TIMES OF OVERCURRENT RELAYS FOR THREE- I =234.238
=234.895 pri.A
PHASE FAULTS 10

Conventional Proposed
Fault Relay operation operation
Location No. CTI CTI
t (sec) t (sec)
(sec) (sec)
R2 3.271 3.271
806 0.315 0.315 [s] 3.126 s
R1 3.586 3.586 2.838 s
CTI = 0.288 s
R4 3.452 3.452
812 0.327 0.327
R3 3.779 3.779
R6 3.258 3.258
850 0.328 0.328
R5 3.586 3.586
R11 2.756 2.756 24.90 kV
1
10 100 1000 [pri.A] 10000
828 0.346 0.346 820\Cub_2\R10 818\Cub_2\R9
R7 3.102 3.102
R13 2.362 2.362 Figure 5. Coordination graph of R10 and R9 before adjusting.
854 0.31 0.31
R12 2.672 2.672 10
I =234.238
=234.895 pri.A

R15 1.92 1.92

832 0.368 0.368
R14 2.288 2.288
R17 1.156 1.074 [s]
2.595 s
834 0.226 0.308 2.276 s
CTI = 0.319 s
R16 1.382 1.382
R22 0.594 0.455
840 0.28 0.314 1
R21 0.874 0.769
R19 0.589 0.45
844 0.273 0.313
R18 0.862 0.763
R20 0.32 0.146
848 0.275 0.308
R19 0.595 0.454
0.1
24.90 kV 100 1000 [pri.A] 10000
820\Cub_2\R10 818\Cub_2\R9

To explain this test in more detail, for a single line to

ground fault at node 822, primary relay R10 should operate
first. If relay R10 fails to operate, relay R9 will operate as the
backup with CTI 0.3 s. Both relays will see the same fault
current. R10 and R9 in case of conventional operation will
have operating times equal to 2.838 and 3.126 seconds,
respectively, with a CTI= 0.288 s. This means that it could
not hold a minimum CTI of 0.3 s. As seen in Fig. 5 shows in
the form of a coordination graph. This coordination margin
should be equal to or greater than 0.3 s, as described in
Section II. On the contrary, in the proposed scheme, R10 and
R9 will operate in 2.276 and 2.595 seconds, respectively,
hence CTI will be 0.319 s. Improvement in R10 and R9
coordination by using tool is presented in Fig. 6. For three-
phase fault, four relay pairs (R17-R16, R22-R21, R19-R18,
and R20-R19) have lower CTI than 0.3 s. These relay pair
coordination failures can be described in the same way as
fault at node 822.
Apart from the miscoordination case, most of the pairs of
relays that are distant from DG might not be necessary to
adjust to the new setting because DG has little effect on
Figure 6. Coordination graph of R10 and R9 after adjusting.
All in all, the results ensured that the proposed tool offers
a great performance. This proposed relays coordination tool
can solve miscoordination problems correctly. All the
overcurrent relays can be set, and relay coordination is
complete. The objectives of overcurrent coordination are
achieved. Faults should be cleared as rapidly as possible and
relays have to maintain power to the rest of the distribution
system under abnormal system conditions.
V. CONCLUSION
The proposed relays coordination tool completely
mitigated relay coordination problem that is compared to
conventional relay coordination. It can be an effective
solution to improve the CTI. Based on simulation results,
several pairs of relays are disturbed by decreasing operating
time after the DG installation. The experienced
miscoordination when using the conventional protection can
be restored giving appropriate overcurrent relays setting.

16
This proposed tool is suitable for future system and changing
structures in presence of DG. Last but not least, this
approach can be applied to various radial distribution
systems.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank Faculty of Engineering
and the Graduate School, Chiang Mai University for
financial supports.
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