THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022
Loss of Selectivity of Protective Devices in
Underground Distribution Systems
F. Toledo T. M. A. Tabares S.
Área Eléctrica, UAM-A, México SEPI-ESIME–IPN, México
ftoledo2@azc.uam.mx mtabaress1900@alumno.ipn.mx
Abstract--The case of unjustified simultaneous operation of
protections associated with circuits that share a power bus in an
underground medium voltage distribution system is analyzed. The
operation of these devices alters the continuity of service of both
the faulty circuit and adjacent circuits without failure. A
characteristic underground distribution system is modeled at 23
kV, with transformers of grounded wye-grounded wye
distribution and five-legged cores, characteristics of the circuits
that have presented this undesirable condition. A single-phase
failure event is recreated that allows the analysis of the interaction
of fault currents in adjacent circuits. From the analysis of the
negative and zero sequence currents, improvements are proposed
in the adjustments to the protection schemes, and they are
compared with records of anomalies that have occurred in the
period from 2019 to 2021.
Keywords: Five Legged, Core Transformer, Grounded Wye,
Overcurrent Protection, Simultaneous Tripping, Underground
Distribution.
I. INTRODUCTION
Distribution Systems (SD) represent an important link
between the generation and use of electrical energy. Its main
function is to transport the electrical energy of the power
substations or in particular cases from the generation sources to
the points of use under the basic criteria of the quality of the
supply: frequency control, voltage regulation and continuity of
service [1].
To ensure that the SD provides adequate continuity, it is
necessary that system’s operators know the possible
inconveniences or eventualities that may occur, such as short
circuit failures, the most common among them, the failure of a
phase to earth.
In aerial lines, most failures tend to behave transiently. These
failures are mainly caused by atmospheric discharges,
maneuvers of switches, contact of the lines with objects outside
the installation such as vegetation and animals, among others.
By the nature of overhead line failures and the insulating
medium (air), these contribute to the failure dissipating
naturally and restoring system operation as normal [2].
In underground lines the condition of the fault it’s different,
since a failure involves damage to the insulating material or loss
of insulation, resulting in a permanent failure. These facts
require repair, or replacement of the damaged component
before the electrical power supply is restored [3].
For this reason, distribution systems are provided with
protection schemes that isolate the fault, quickly, selectively
and reliably, to affect the least number of equipment and users.
The speed of response by these devices is an essential feature
of protection systems, so protection schemes are implemented
1
V. H. Reséndiz E.
SEPI-ESIME–IPN, México
vresendiz@msn.com
to operate with the minimum possible human intervention [2,
3], [4]. In the case of the presence of a fault in an element of the
distribution systems, the magnitude of the fault current far
exceeds the currents under normal operating conditions.
Therefore, a poor protection scheme will lead to the spread of a
fault through the system and its consequences can cause
significant disturbances in areas distant from the point where
the failure occurred, increasing the number of affected users.
In the case of unbalanced faults (the most common) in
underground distribution networks, the analysis of negative and
zero sequence current profiles are essential when determining
the causes of simultaneous operation (loss of selectivity)
between protection devices against a line-to-ground failure
(single-phase), in underground distribution networks. As a
particular case, the 23kV metropolitan network of Mexico City
operates with special characteristics, for example, there are
transformers with a five-legged core and a Grounded Wye –
Grounded Wye (YNyn) connection, in addition to using the
running neutral from the main substation [5, 6].
II. APPROACH OF THE PROBLEM
There are different topological configurations of SD that are
used according to the needs of the users, with arrangements of
greater or lesser complexity, being a generalized objective to
maintain the continuity of the electrical service.
Within underground distribution systems (RDS), there are
configurations with 4-, 5- and 6-way disconnectors that connect
the same number of feeders (Figure 1). This type of
configuration is common in medium voltage facilities in the
historic center of Mexico City (CDMX).
SE 1 SE 2
NC NA
Fig. 1. Simplified single line diagram of a circuit of 5 underground roads
of the CDMX.
The relevant event for this case study is the activation of the
overcurrent protection relay with neutral time delay (51N)
associated with a circuit without the presence of failure.
Coincident in time, a sustained single-phase fault is observed in
a circuit adjacent to the healthy circuit; these circuits share the
same feed bar.
The waveforms of the phase currents of the healthy circuit
show a peculiar anomaly, the tendency to phase each other, that
 THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022 2
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022

is, the angular difference between the currents becomes

Power Rated Transformation Impedance
minimal. These currents produce a residual current of great Transformer
[MVA] Relation (%)
Connection
magnitude, in such a way that it causes the activation of its 51N
overcurrent protection scheme of the healthy circuit. A 60 230 / 23 kV 17.5 YNyn*

The simultaneous tripping between protection devices in an B 60 230 / 23 kV 17.5 YNyn*

RDS due to single-phase failures is related to the loss of D1 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
selectivity of the protection devices. It is important to know the D2 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
behavior of the RDS under other scenarios such as: conditions
D3 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
of high and low demand, three-phase, biphasic and biphasic
fault to earth; in order to obtain the current and voltage signals D4 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
that the devices involved are measuring, this to identify the D10 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
scenarios that favor the anomaly of the simultaneous actuation D11 0.500 23 / 0.22 kV 5.00 YNyn*
of protective devices.
*YNyn: Grounded Wye-Grounded Wye
In order to observe the sequence current profiles and present
a proposal that disables the simultaneous tripping between
protection devices, an underground distribution system was TABLE II
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIUM VOLTAGE FEEDERS OF THE
modeled in the ATP/EMTP software and its ATPDraw DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM [6]
interface [7], [8], which allows the recreation of events and Feeder Characteristics Length [m] Duct (in)
phenomena that usually could not be performed physically in S1 1000 - 250 kCM 2650 PADC 4
the same electrical systems, with practicality and economy.
S2 1000 - 250 kCM 650 PADC 4
The signals obtained through simulation were analyzed and S3 1000 - 250 kCM 650 PADC 4
compared with real records of anomalies that have occurred in
S4 1000 - 250 kCM 1550 PADC 4
the period of the years from 2019 to 2021. The records were
provided by the company that provides the protection elements S10 1000 - 250 kCM 2650 PADC 4
of the vast majority of the underground distribution networks S11 1000 - 250 kCM 650 PADC 4
that comprise the metropolitan area of the CDMX.
The technical specifications of the conductors are according
III. METHODOLOGY/DEVELOPING to conventional values of typical feeders for underground
Figure 2 shows the single line diagram of the underground distribution networks.
distribution system analyzed. The underground distribution TABLE III
system consists of six circuits operating in medium voltage (23 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF POWER CABLES [6]
kV), which are derived from a reducing substation with two Size
Characteristics 1000 kCM 250 kCM
power transformers with a nominal capacity of 60 MVA each,
Core Sheath Core
in YNyn connection, and levels of 230/23 kV, see table 1.
Voltage rated [𝑘𝑉] 25 25 25
The six circuits supply electrical energy to three-phase
submersible distribution transformers with a nominal capacity Inner radius of conductor (𝑅𝑖𝑛 ) [𝑚] 0 0.02295 0
of 500 kVA and levels of 23/0.22 kV, in YNyn connection, and
Outer radius of conductor (𝑅𝑜𝑢𝑡 )
five-legged core, shell type [5], see table I. [𝑚]
0.01335 0.023593 0.00764

The distribution circuits are made up of two types of feeders: Resistivity of the conductor material
1.853E-8 2.024E-7 2.54E-8
three conductors size 1000 kCM of copper (one conductor per (𝜌) [Ω ∗ 𝑚]
phase) of XLPE insulation and in clover arrangement, in Relative permeability of the
1 1 1
conductor material (𝜇)
addition to a neutral conductor, size 250 kCM of copper, all
Relative permeability of the
circuits have lengths less than 3 km (tables II and III). insulator material outside the 1 1 1
conductor (𝜇𝑟 )
Relative permittivity of the insulator
3.8436 5 2.35
material outside the conductor (𝜀𝑟 )

TABLE I Total radius of the cable [𝑚] 0.0272 0.0272 0.01005

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRANSFORMERS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UNDER
ANALYSIS [6]
N O T E: Specifications vary by manufacturer.
 THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022 3
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022

Bus 1-230 kV Bus 2-23 kV TR-D1

Bus 4-23 kV 500 kVA
22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
TR-A S1
Cu -XLP-25kV Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
PADC 4''
2500m

TR-D4
Bus 5-23 kV 500 kVA
22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
S2
Cu -XLP-25kV Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
/ / 1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
PADC 4'' FT
60 MVA 1400m
230 kV YG / 23kV
YRG / 13.2kV D TR-D2
Z=17.5% Bus 6-23 kV 500 kVA
X/R=32 22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
S3
Cu -XLP-25kV
Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
PADC 4''
150m 500m
Subestación en 230 kV
TR-D3
Zthevenin Bus 7-23 kV 500 kVA
22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
S4
Cu -XLP-25kV
Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
Equivalente de Thevenin 1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
Z(0) = 2.551 + j 6.311 ohm PADC 4''
Z(1) = 1.049 + j 7.106 ohm 500m

Bus 3-23 kV TR-D10

Bus 8-23 kV 500 kVA
22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
TR-B S10
Cu -XLP-25kV Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
PADC 4''
2500m

TR-D11
Bus 9-23 kV 500 kVA
22.86kV Y / 0.22kV Y
S11
Cu -XLP-25kV Z1=5% , Z0=4.25%
/ / 1000 kCM - 1CF X/R=5
PADC 4''
60 MVA 150m 500m
230 kV YG / 23kV
YRG / 13.2kV D
Z=17.5%
X/R=32

Fig. 2. Single line diagram of the substation and its derived circuits [6].

Figure 3 shows the model of the underground distribution

By multiple fault records, it has been observed that a single-
system (Figure 2) in the ATP/EMTP software and through its
phase failure in one of the circuits causes an interaction with the
ATPDraw interface, which allows to observe the behavior of
phase currents of an adjacent circuit derived from the same feed
the currents of the different medium voltage circuits under
bus, causing a residual current of considerable magnitude and
single-phase failure conditions.
prolonged duration, which causes the tripping of its associated
IS1_1 VS1_1
IS1_0 IS1_2
M
M

M
VS1_0 VS1_2
M
M

M
overcurrent protection.
IA_S1 VA_S1

IP_S1
T
T

VP_S1 T
T

S1
TR-D1 500kVA CARGA TR-D1
A sustained single-phase fault in the S4 circuit produced in
Bus2-23kV
T

LCC
V
95% f.p.:0.95
I
A23-S1
D1-H
Y Y
SAT
D1-X
phase b in the circuit that is modeled in ATPDraw is simulated,
I
M

S1-S S1-L H10N

IS2_1
M
VS2_1
M
2.5 km
see Figure 3. The fault starts at the moment t = 0.05s, with a
IS2_0 IS2_2 VS2_0 VS2_2
IA_S2
T
M M

VA_S2
T
M M

S2
peak value close to 5000 A, see figure 4, coincidentally, at the
IP_S2 VP_S2
same moment an increase in the currents of the S2 circuit is
T T

TR-D2 500kVA CARGA TR-D2

LCC
5% f.p.:0.95
T

I
A23-S2
D2-H
Y Y
SAT

D2-X
observed (which has zero load), and reaches peak values close
I
M

LCC
H20N

Bus1-230kV V
S2-S S2-L

IS3_1 VS3_1
500. m
to 100 A. The waveforms show a peculiar anomaly, the
TR-A 60MVA M M

A23-S0
IA_S3
IS3_0 IS3_2
M M
VS3_0 VS3_2
VA_S3
M M
tendency to phase each other, that is, the angular difference
Y
SAT
Y
T T
S3
SA-S SA-L IP_S3 T VP_S3 T

between the phase currents becomes minimal, as shown in

I

TR-D3 500kVA CARGA TR-D3

LCC
95% f.p.:0.95
Figure 5.
T

I
A23-S3 Y Y
SAT
I
D3-H D3-X
I
M

S3-L H30N
S3-S
500. m
IS4_1 VS4_1
M M

IS4_0 IS4_2 VS4_0 VS4_2

M M M M

IA_S4 VA_S4
T T

IP_S4 T VP_S4 T
150. m

Subestación en 230kV LCC FALLA CC1FT S4

T

Equivalente de Thevenin I

Z(0) = 2.551 + j6.311 ohm A23-S4

I
Z(1) = 1.049 + j7.106 ohm Zthevenin
S4-S S4-L

IS10_1 VS10_1 1.4 km

IS10_0 IS10_2 VS10_0 VS10_2

M M

IA_S10 VA_S10
M M M M

T T
IP_S10 T
VP_S10 T

IRMS_S1
LCC TR-D10 500kVA CARGA TR-D10
Bus3-23kV
T

V F RMS

A23-S10 95% f.p.:0.95 66

I
Y Y
IRMS_S2
D10-H D10-X
SAT
S10-S S10-L
T

F RMS
I

66
M

2650 m
IS11_1 VS11_1 IRMS_S3
TR-B 60MVA H100N
T

F RMS
IS11_0
M
IS11_2 VS11_0 M
VS11_2 66
A23-SB
IA_S11 VA_S11
M M M M

Y Y IRMS_S4
T T
IP_S11 VP_S11
SAT
T

F RMS
SB-S SB-L T T 66
I

IRMS_S10
LCC TR-D11 500kVA CARGA TR-D11
T

F RMS
T

66
A23-S11 25% f.p.:0.95
I
Y Y
IRMS_S11
S11-S S11-L D11-H
SAT
D11-X
a)
T

F RMS
I

66
M

650 m
H110N

Fig. 3. Model of the underground distribution system in ATP Draw.

 THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022
b)
Fig. 4. Oscillograms of currents and voltage of the S4 circuit. a) Phase
currents and b) Voltages per phase.
The anomaly present in the S2 circuit due to the interaction
of the failure current of the S4 circuit, produces a large residual
current, close to 300 A, as shown in Figure 5b, this residual
current magnitude causes the activation of the 51N overcurrent
protection scheme associated with the S2 circuit.
a)
b)
Fig. 5. Oscillograms of currents of the S2 circuit. (a) Phase currents and (b)
Residual current.
This type of events have occurred relatively frequently in
RDS of the CDMX, so we proceeded to continuous monitoring,
obtaining (Figure 6) the typical behavior of the phase currents.
4
Fig. 6. Typical phase current oscillogram for RDS under analysis.
Because the event occurs under single-phase failure
conditions, the distribution system operates under unbalanced
conditions. That is why the analysis of negative and zero
sequence currents (I2 and I0) is of particular importance for the
assessment and discrimination of the type of fault, since the
presence of these currents evidences the presence of an
unbalanced fault with ground current circulation.
The simulation shows sequence current profiles (I2 and I0,
figures 7 and 8) with different behavior when the fault is in the
circuit itself unlike an external fault. Figure 7 shows the
sequence current I2 and I0 (curves red and blue colors,
respectively), which have very similar values when the fault is
in the circuit itself, and on the other hand, for the circuits that
present the interaction by the external fault, these show a
predominance of the current I0, see figure 8.
Fig. 7. Sequence current profile of the S4 circuit.
Fig. 8. Sequence current profile of the S2 circuit.
Figure 9 shows the actual current profiles of I 2 and I0 (green
and red respectively) of an event recorded in 2019 for a circuit
that experiences interaction due to an external fault, and in
 THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022 5
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022

which the same behavior shown in Figure 8 is observed. TABLE IV. COMPARISON OF MAGNITUDES OF NEGATIVE SEQUENCE
CURRENTS AND ZERO OF MODEL CIRCUITS
Predominance by the zero sequence current is observed.
FAULT
CIRCUIT
CC1FT
S1 I2 < I0
S2 I2 < I0
S3 I2 < I0
S4 I2 ≈ I0
S10 I2 y I0 ≈ 0.0
S11 I2 y I0 ≈ 0.0
Fig. 9. Real current profile of negative sequence and zero sequence for an
external fault. Table IV provides a basis for discrimination of circuits
The behavior of the sequence current profiles of the S1 and without the presence of failure and those that do not have a
S3 circuits is very similar to the profile observed in Figure 8, relationship or interaction with the failed circuit. Those circuits
while the profiles of the remaining circuits (S10 and S11) do that present a greater magnitude of the zero sequence current
not present anomalies due to the interaction of the failure compared to the magnitude of the negative sequence current, it
current of the S4 circuit, see Figure 10. is concluded that they should not be attributed any failure
condition. While the circuit that experiences a single-phase
failure presents values of negative sequence and zero sequence
currents, very similar and of great magnitude.
Table V summarizes the proposed discrimination of the
overcurrent protection element based on the negative and zero
sequence currents, which make up the model in ATPDraw.

TABLE V
PROPOSAL OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON THE NEGATIVE AND ZERO
SEQUENCE CURRENTS OF THE MODEL CIRCUITS
FAULT
a) CIRCUIT CC1FT
Discrimination
S1 (I2 / I0 ) x 100 : 100% ± 10%
S2 (I2 / I0 ) x 100 : 100% ± 10%
S3 (I2 / I0 ) x 100 : 100% ± 10%
S4 (I2 / I0 ) x 100 : 100% ± 10%

From Figure 11, the profiles of the sequence currents I2 and

I0 (red and blue respectively) of the S2 circuit are observed and
deduced by the percentage ratio between the magnitudes of the
b) sequence currents, which is 0.243%, which is lower than the
Fig. 10. Sequence current profile. a) Circuit S1 and b) Circuit S10.
proposed margin.

IV. RESULTS
When comparing the magnitudes of the negative and zero
Caso_Tesis_v1 (0.16696/68.697)*100 : 0.243%
sequence currents in each circuit, it is observed that the zero 0.20015
68.6970
sequence current predominates in healthy circuits derived from 0.16696
0.76739
bus 2, while the circuit with single-phase failure presents
similar magnitudes between the negative sequence and zero.
The magnitudes of the negative and zero sequence currents
of the circuits of bus 3 are negligible, due to the null interaction
with the failed circuit.
Fig. 11. Sequence current profile of the S2 circuit and fault condition
A comparison is made between the values of the magnitudes discrimination.
of the negative and zero sequence currents, see table IV. Therefore, the device is not activated and the selectivity of
the device is correct.
 THE XIV LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2022 6
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 27th – 30th, 2022

AUTHORS
Fernando Toledo Toledo. Industrial Engineer in Electricity from ITRO. He
completed masters and doctoral studies in sciences (Electrical Engineering) at
Caso_Tesis_v1 (1195.2/1195.3)*100 : 99.99% SEPI-ESIME-IPN. Since 1981 he has been a research professor in the Electrical
0.20010
1195.3 Area of the UAM-A where he develops software for the analysis of industrial
1195.2
1193.7
and power electrical systems.
ftoledo2@azc.uam.mx

Miguel Angel Tabares Sanchez. Electrical Engineer, from the Universidad

Autónoma Metropolitana in 2018, and Master of Science in Electrical
Engineering in the Section of Postgraduate Studies and Research of the ESIME
of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in 2022. He has participated in projects for
Fig. 12. Sequence current profile of the S4 circuit and fault condition the public and private sector in Mexico, conducting short-circuits studies,
discrimination. coordination of overcurrent protections and analysis of the quality of electricity
supply. He has been the author of several technical papers (IEEE congresses)
From Figure 12, the values of the magnitudes of the sequence in the area of electrical protections.
currents for the circuit with S4 failure are observed, therefore, mtabaress1900@alumno.ipn.mx
the percentage ratio between the sequence currents is within the
margin of the adjustment for discrimination (99.99%). Víctor Hugo Reséndiz Estrada. Electrical Engineer. (2012, ESIME-IPN). He
graduated from the Master of Science Program in Electrical Engineering in the
Therefore, the protective device operates and releases the Section of Graduate Studies and Research of the ESIME-IPN (2017). He has
collaborated for 10 years in different companies nationally and internationally,
single-phase fault, with correct selectivity. both in the public and private sectors. His main areas of interest are planning
and operation of electrical power systems, electricity markets, software
V. CONCLUSIONS development, and integration of renewable energies and reliability of electrical
systems.
vresendiz@msn.com
 The model implemented based on typical components of
an underground distribution network, allows to recreate
events with the anomalies recorded in a period of 3 years.
 Distribution transformers with the characteristics requested
by CFE are determining factors in anomalies and the
presence of overcurrents in circuits, when they are excited
with a system of unbalanced voltages.
 In underground circuits that are a short distance away and
have no other reference quantity such as voltage or a
polarization current, one can discriminate whether a fault
is external or internal, using the negative and zero sequence
current magnitudes.
 The use of negative and zero sequence currents is
recommended for the operational restriction of timed
overcurrent elements and to increase the sensitivity of
ground elements to a value greater than that of the external
fault induction phenomenon.

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] J. Viqueira L., Redes Eléctricas, tomo I, 2a edición. Facultad de

Ingeniería, UNAM, México, 2010.
[2] Staley H. Horowitz and Arun G. Phadke, Power System Relaying,
Editorial Research Studies Press Ltd. England, 1992.
[3] Walter A. Elmore, Protective Relaying Theory and Applications, ABB
Editorial Marcel, New York, EEUU, 1994.
[4] IEEE Std 242-2001. IEEE Recommended Practice for Protection and
Coordination of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems. 2001.
[5] Comisión Federal de Electricidad. Construcción de Sistemas
Subterráneos. CFE-DCCSSUBT. México. 2015.
[6] N. Solís. R., A. Jara. M. and C. R. Fuerte. E., On modelling and simulation
of induced currents in underground distribution systems and their effect
on overcurrent protection schemes, European EMTP-ATP User Group,
Arnhem, Netherlands, September, 2018.
[7] HØidalen, H. K.: ATPDraw version 7.0 for Windows, Graphical pre-
processor to ATP, ATPDraw software and Documentation, 2020.
[8] Alternative Transients Program ATP-Rule Book, Canadian/American
EMTP User Group, 1987-1998.