Relay Settings in Real Power System: Requirements And

Consideration

Last updated: OCT 29, 2022

This blog consists of a discussion on the parameters and rules in the

relay setting and how they are implemented.

The power system consists of generators, transformers, transmission

lines, and other equipment whose costs is in millions of dollars. Power
system equipment can severely be affected by faults, reducing their
lifespan, or even getting burst or damaged which also reduces
reliability and increases utility costs.

Power protection devices can be used to protect power systems

equipment from getting damaged due to heavy faults and surges.
Protective devices ensure the reliable operation of the system by
sensing faults, surges, or any abnormal condition and according to the
severity takes the right decision at the right time.

To configure protective devices such as making a relay setting, having

all the consideration of the fault severity and decision-making time, it is
important to know parameters, rules, and protection zone so that the
reliability of the power system having continuous supply, is not
compromised. Without prior knowledge of relay settings, reliability is
affected badly and it can cause a penalty to the
distributor.

Types of Relay

Based on Operating Mechanism:

 Electromagnetic (mechanical type)
 Static (electronics type)/ Solid State Relay
 Microprocessor-based (programmable and communicating type)
Based on Actuating Parameter:
 Overcurrent
 Under/over voltage
 Impedance
 Under/over frequency

Based on Application:
 Primary
 Backup

Based on Protection Scheme:

 Differential protection (difference in current)
 Distance protection (V/I and time + distance)
 Directional protection (time + direction of current)
 Reverse power relay (negative sequence component)

Overcurrent Relay
Overcurrent is the most used relay protective scheme as compared to
others.

Definition:
An overcurrent relay works on sensing current. It operates whenever
the current exceeds a permissible value or pickup value.

Layout:
 An overcurrent relay works such that the system current is sensed by a
current transformer (C.T). The primary side of C.T is connected to the
system and the secondary side with a relay. In case of:

 Fault/overload/ overcurrent: the relay operates and gives a trip

signal to the breaker with respect to time.
 No fault: the relay performs no operation

Types:
Instantaneous OCR Definite time OCR Inverse time OCR
Trips after the current exceed the Tripping time is inversely
Trips after the current exceed the
allowable range with a certain time proportional to the magnitude of
allowable range with negligible delay
delay current

Be cleared to avoid damage to the apparatus. Following inverse time

characteristics have been standarized.

1. Inverse definite minimum time (IDMT) OC relay.

2. Very Inverse time OC relay.
3. Extremely inverse time OC relay

Characteristics of various over-current relays: (a) definite time, (b) IDMT,

(c) very inverse, and (d) extremely inverse.
Common Terms

Pickup Current (Ipu):

Definition:
Minimum amount of current required for the operation of the relay.

Objective:
Power system components work properly at a certain allowed current
and when the magnitude of current exceeds a certain value (as in case
of a fault), it can cause damage to the component and the entire
system reliability is compromised. The relays are designed to operate
above these rated currents. The pickup current is thus set at the
maximum allowed current.

Formula:
Ipu = Rated CT output * %current setting

where,

Rated CT output is the rated current at the secondary side of the

current transformer, typically 1A or 5A.

Current Setting:

Definition:
To adjust the pickup current (Ipu) to the desired value.

Objective:
C.T output comes in standard for example: 5A according to IEC
and 1A according to IEEE.

The current setting sets the pickup value according to it so that the
relay can operate at pickup current instead of working at rated C.T
output
Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM):

Definition:
The ratio of fault current in the relay coil and the pickup current.

Objective:
It defines the severity of a fault. According to the severity of the fault,
the relay may decide the time of operation.

For example:

1. if overcurrent occurs the P.S.M would be low, and tripping may

take after some delay
2. if a short circuit occurs then PSM would be high, and tripping
would be instantaneous

Formula:

Time Setting Multiplier (TSM):

Definition:
A relay time of operation can be adjusted using a time setting
multiplier. Gives the real time of operation (TOP) with respect to
time/PSM curve
Objective:
Sometimes it is desired to trip the relay much earlier than the provided
time from its time/PSM curve.

A dial is provided whose value ranges from 0 to 1, with step of 0.05, the
dial is adjusted at the required value and multiplied with the relay
operating time from time/PSM curve to obtain required time of
operation

Formula:
top = TSM * time PSM curve time

Time/PSM Curve:

Definition:
Time/PSM curve represents graph between time (y-axis) and PSM (x-
axis). It represents the time of operation of a relay according to PSM,
when TSM is 1.

Objective:
The time/PSM curve helps in achieving the time of tripping according to
the severity of overcurrent or fault. The manufacturer provides the
relay time/PSM curve of a relay and it can be created/varied in
microprocessor based relay.

Calculation of Relay Operation Time

Procedure:
 Step1: Calculating pickup-current.
 Step2: Converting fault current into relay coil current by dividing
fault current with C.T ratio.
 Step3: Calculating PSM
  Step4: From the time/PSM curve of a provided relay, determine
the value of time of operation (at TSM=1) from the calculated
PSM.
 Step5: Multiplying the time from time/PSM curve with the
required TSM to get the time of operation.

Solved Example:
Considering the following data:

C.T = 100 / 1

Breaker continuous current = 80 A

TSM = 50%

Fault current = 800 A

Time = 2s (at PSM=10 for time / PSM curve)

Solution:

Current setting = 80 / 100 (from eq2)

Current setting = 0.8 or 80%

Ipu = 1*0.8 (from eq 1)

Ipu = 0.8 A

Relay coil current = 800 / (100 / 1) (from eq 4)

Relay coil current = 8

PSM = 8 / 0.8 (from eq 3)

PSM = 10

top = 2 * 50 / 100 (from eq 5)

top = 1s
Principle of Time/Current Grading
A time/PSM curve for relays can be set in any of the three ways, which
are described as:

1. Discrimination by Time:
A constant time setting is given to each relay irrespective of
the magnitude of the current.

The issue with this method is that the relay closest to the
source has the largest delay while it has the maximum fault
current that could flow within the system, which can
damage the system due to a large time delay.

2. Discrimination by Current:
This method is based on the phenomenon that fault current
amplitude varies with a change in impedance between
source and fault.

The main issue with this method is that there should be a

good distance between two breakers as the relay would not
 be able to detect faults if the distance between two zones
breaker is less.

3. Discrimination by both Time and Current:

This method is based on the fact that with an increase in
fault current, the clearance time should reduce.

There are three types of inverse time-current characteristic

curves:

 Inverse definite minimum time (standard inverse)

 Very inverse time
 Extremely inverse time

Extremely inverse time has the minimum clearance time

with an increase in fault current than very inverse time and
lastly inverse definite minimum time.

Primary and Backup Protection

Zones of Protection:
For better security of elements that is relay associated with faulty area
sense and clear the fault on first priority power system components are
divided into the region. Faults can be classified into two with respect to
the defined zone:

1. Internal fault: fault within the zone

2. External fault: fault outside the zone

Reach point: The farthest point from a relay in a specified zone.

Reach of the relay: Distance between relay and reach point.

Here the power system zones are being overlapped due to reason that
no zones remain unprotected.

As each power system element generator, transformer, transmission

lines, and others have a different structure, cost, and functionality, they
are divided into a separate zone for better security. As fault within a
zone can be internal and external, depending upon the type of fault
protection scheme can be classified into two types:

Primary Protection:
They are concerned with internal fault and are efficient enough to
detect a fault in the least possible time within a zone and gives a trip
signal. Primary protection schemes are usually implemented using
differential, distance, and directional overcurrent protection.

Differential Protection:
Differential protection works on the current matching principle that is
two CTs are connected in a region in such a way that whenever there is
a difference in current within that region, the relay gives a trip signal,
else no tripping.

They are used in power transformers, generators, and bus bar

protection schemes.

Distance Protection:
In transmission lines, it is not possible to implement differential
protection. For transmission line protection, distance protection is used
which is based on ohm’s law that measures voltage and current, if the
measured impedance is less than the transmission line impedance then
the relay gives a trip signal.

Directional Overcurrent Protection:

A directional protection scheme becomes functional in the case of a
double-end feed system or parallel lines or a ring main system, where a
fault gets fed from both sides. It senses the current magnitude and
direction for the decision-making purpose.

Backup Protection:
For better reliability purposes, backup protection schemes are used.
They are less efficient than primary protection but are used for the
purpose, if primary protection does not give a trip signal due to some
reason in case of fault, the backup protection trips after some delay.
They are also used in detecting external faults. Backup protection is
achieved using overcurrent relay.

Coordination Methodology
The following methodology is adopted for the overcurrent protection of the power system:

Data Required:
1. Single line diagram, indicating rating, manufacturer, and types of
each element including C.T, motors, generators, transformer,
cables and protective devices (for accurate short circuit
calculation and relay coordination)
2. Impedance of rotating machines and transformers (as they also
take part in fault current)
3. Minimum and maximum fault current. (for time-setting purposes)
 4. Maximum loading ( to get an overload of the system)
5. Voltage level (for selection of the type of circuit breaker and relay)
6. Starting and inrush current, damage curves of cables and
transformer, induction motor stalling time and acceleration time
(these variables are considered in order to prevent nuisance
tripping)

Rules:
1. If possible, relays having similarities in operation should be
placed in series.
2. Relay farthest from the source must have a current setting less
than or equal to the relay behind it, as the relay in front requires
less current to operate as compared to the relay behind it.

Coordination for Radial Feeders:

Following example shows the coordination of three relays A, B, and C.

When a fault occurs in front of relay C, it will be sensed by all 3 relays.

Here relay C will act as a primary relay and relay B and A as backup, it
will be desired that relay C trips first, then relay B if relay C fails to trip,
and then relay A if relay B fails to trip. Here time of operation of relay C
is adjusted lowest among the two other relays for maximum and
minimum fault front of relay C.

When a fault occurs in front of relay B and relay C, it will be sensed by

only relay A and B relays. Here relay B will act as a primary relay and
relay A as backup, it will be desired that relay B trips first, then relay A if
relay B fails to trip. Here time of operation of relay B is minimum than
relay A for maximum and minimum fault front of relay C.

Directional Overcurrent Relay Setting for Different Scenarios:

Following are the cases where directional overcurrent protection is
used to fulfill the selectivity requirement.

Load Connected to a Generator through Parallel Transmission

Line:
In the given system relay 1 & 4 are non-directional relay while 2 & 3 are
directional relay with minimum TMS.

Ring System:
In the given system, 1 & 8 are non-directional relays while 3, 5 & 7 are
relays that will sense fault in a clockwise direction, and 2, 4 & 6 in
counter-clockwise direction that is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are directional relays.

In this blog we have understood different types of relays, their settings,

and their coordination methodology and in last we have included a
brief overview regarding directional overcurrent relay for different
types of systems. Relay settings are the essential part of protective
scheme for Power System and its coordination is one of the prime
focuses of protection for Power System.

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