Presentation 05.

History and Test Method of Protection Relay with Rogowski Coil Based
Current Transformer

Haruyasu Matsumoto, Mitsubishi Electric, Japan

Abstract secondary systems which includes some of primary CT

Japanese protection relay had been developed in
1907. Most of protection relays have used
conventional current transformers with an iron core.
Typical kinds of CTs are shown below:
(1) Conventional Instrument Transformers with iron
core (CIT)
(2) Non-Conventional Instrument Transformer (NCIT)
ECT: Electronic Current Transformer, primary con-
verter is Rogowski CT (RCT)
(3) Optical current transformer
The current standard IEC 61850-9-2 uses Rogowski
CT, because of advantages such as non-saturation
with large fault current, space minimization, cost
reduction, safety at the time of CT secondary opens
and so on.
and VT. The latest version is Edition 2 (LE2).
This system consists of non-conventional instrument
transformers (NCIT), which are listed below:
(1) ECT (electronic current transformer, primary con-
verter is Rogowski CT (RCT))
(2) EVT (electronic voltage transformer, the primary
converter is Potential Divider (PD)) including A/D
converter as the secondary converter installed in Gas
Insulated Switchgear (GIS)
(3) MU (Merging Unit)
(4) IED (Intelligent Electronic Device)
This system accepts installing secondary devices “NMU”
and “IED” at different floors and/or separate yards.
1900 1960 1970 1980 2005 2013

This paper explains the history of Rogowski based Protection relay Numerical type protection relay
developped inUSA
protection relay and test methods for it. Bus-bar protection relay IEC61850-9-2
with Rogowski CT (Mechanical relay)
(Current summation is by wiling) IEC61850-9-2 LE2

1 History of Rogowski CT Based Transistor type protection relay Process-bus based

(Current input is separately) protection relay
Protection Relay (IEC61850-9-2 LE2)
Numerical type Bus-bar protection
with Rogowski CT
Figure 1 shows a summary of protection relay’s history.
1000kV field traial test
In 1900, the first mechanical relay was developed in the Bus-bar protection with Rogowski CT
United States. After several years, the Japanese
protection relay had been developed in 1907. Then a
primary current convertor had been applied with Figure 1: History of Current Differential Protection
conventional current transformer. In 1960, a mechanical
type Bus-bar protection relay with a Rogowski CT based
system had been developed in Japan. Current differential 1.1 Current Differential Bus-Bar
function had been realized by wire connection of each Protection Relay in 1960
phase. In the same period, high impedance current
The Bus-bar protection relay with Rogowski CT had
differential Bus-bar protection also had been developed,
been developed in 1960. Figure 2 shows two types of
which used conventional CT with an iron core. A
protection relays. Figure 3 shows photographs of
transistor type of Bus-bar protection relay had been
Rogowski CT in 1960.
developed in the middle of 1960. Then each feeder
currents had been connected separately to a protection
relay and calculated the differential current and restraint
current, which can realize ratio characteristics. In 1980, a
numerical type protection relay had been developed.
Then a Bus-bar protection relay with Rogowski CT was
also re-developed. In 1994, a 1,000 kV (UHV: Ultra High
Voltage) field trial system had been developed. UHV Bus-
bar protection had used Rogowski CT with a separate
current for each feeder. This method, which calculates
the differential and restraint current, is still succeeding
and used for numerical protection relays.
The international standard “IEC 61850-9-2” which was Figure 2: Mechanical Relays
established in 2004 is a current and modern standard for

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium

 Presentation 05.2

1.2 Numerical Type Current

Differential Bus-Bar Protection
Relay in 1980

Figure 3: Rogowski CTs

Figure 4 shows a scheme diagram of LC-4B/6 Bus-

bar protection relay. Secondary outputs of Rogowski
CTs are connected in series by which differential
summation voltage is generated. However, this
scheme uses only differential current and does not Figure 6: Numerical Type Bus-Bar Protection Relay
use ratio differential characteristics. NT-21, NT-20
and NT-22 are adjustment boxes with L, C, R. In 1980, a numerical type protection relay with
Rogowski CT had been re-developed.
Figure 6 shows a photograph of a second generation
numerical type of Bus-bar protection relay with a
Out side separate current input for each feeder.
Relay
side The function which is automatically supervised by
digitalization was added and maintenance work was
Scheme for One improved. The characteristics of the relay can be
phase
modified easily and also the investigation of faults
have been improved by a function which saves data.
LC: Rogowski CT 64: Zero sequence voltage relay Below the advantages of a separate input of each CT
PD: Voltage Transformer NT***: Adjusting device box are listed:
27: Under voltage relay LC-4B/6: Protection relay
(1) Calculating differential current and restrain
current separately to adapt restraint characteristics
Figure 4: CT Connection of 1960 Relay
which can prevent unnecessary operation for large
fault current.
Figure 5 shows a model of Rogowski CT and
conventional CT with an iron core. The physical (2) Output of RCT is low level voltage which gives
dimension is the same, only the core is different. many of advantages for safety work.
(3) Numerical relay can realize self-diagnostic for
maintenance for free.
Conventional CT
Rogowski CT
Secondary
with iron core Current Bus-bar protection with Rogowski CT has
winding N2 Secondar
y winding
two slopes as a characteristic. This is the same
N2 principal than the Bus-bar protection relay with
conventional CT caused by safety margin for large
WInding core
Non-Metal Metal fault current. Theoretically, one slope of 87
core
(differential vs. restraint) is acceptable. Figure 7
shows two types of characteristics, one for normal
small Large Bus-bar protection, and the other for a 1,000 kV Bus-
( μ = small ) ( μ = Large )
bar protection system.

: Small
:
Large

Figure 5: Model of Rogowski CT and Conventional CT

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium

 Presentation 05.3

ＵＨＶ－ＢＰ 500 kV Double-bus system

One side
UP
flow current

DOWN
No1: Unit:
Operate erea (1) Over all protection
500kV ZoneA (2) BusCoupler protection

No2: Unit
(1) Zone detection
(2) HBR (High Speed
backup Relay)

500kV ZoneB Transfomer Pro

LP: Transmission Line protection panel
RT: Bus-bar protection relay panel
BPT: Bus-bar protection feeder panel

BP with RCT
ID Figure 8: System Configuration of Distributed Bus-Bar
② ＩＤ－ηＩＲ≧０ Protection
η ＝ ０．５
Operate
③ ＩＤ－ηＩＲ≧－８
η ＝ ０．９ 1.4 IEC 61850-9-2 Process Bus System
IR Mitsubishi has developed the process bus system,
standardized in IEC 61850-9-2 (LE2). A field trial of
Figure 7: Two Types of Characteristics of Differential the developed system has been implemented in a
Elements substation of a power utility and has been put into
operation currently. Figure 9 shows a system
configuration of them.
1.3 1000 kV Bus-Bar Protection Relay
in 1994 (Numerical Type
A S/S (M) B S/S (O)
Distributed System) CT RCT/PD
Transmission Line
A 1,000 kV (UHV: Ultra High Voltage) protection
A/D
relay system had been developed in 1994. This Bus- Sampling trigger
bar protection system was a multivendor and a MU
MU
separate feeder for the distribution system. This 1PPS IEC61850-9-2 1PPS IEC61850-9-2
(*)
kind of system had been developed and operated in 87L 87L
1989. The difference to in-service systems was (M)
Communication Network
(O)

mainly that the UHV system used Rogowski CT and
UHV Bus-bar protection used one slope character-
istic, which can be seen in figure 7.
This kind of distributed system had been realized by
proceeding two kinds of field test.
(1) Environmental test: mounting a numerical relay
in a cubicle outside.
(2) Checking for interoperability: connecting with
three manufacturers’ products.
The general system configuration is shown in figure
8. The overall Bus-bar protection element and the
zone detect element are mounted in separate digital
units. A line and/or transformer feeder is located
near each GIS side. The current and voltage value is
converted to digital data at each feeder terminal and
is transmitting them to Unit 1 and Unit 2 relay
calculation units via an optical LAN system. Trip
signals also transfer from Unit 1 and Unit 2 to each
feeder terminal. The physical topology is an optical
star coupler method and network topology is a token
ling method with IEEE802.4.
between substations
(M): Master End, (O): Ordinary End
(*): 1PPS controlled to synchronize with the
Master end
Figure 9: System Configuration of Process Bus System
This system consists of non-conventional instrument
transformers (NCIT), which are listed below:
(1) ECT (electronic current transformer, primary
converter is Rogowski CT (RCT))
(2) EVT (electronic voltage transformer, the primary
converter is Potential Divider: PD) including A/D
converter as the secondary converter installed in Gas
Insulated Switchgear (GIS)
(3) MU (Merging Unit)
(4) IED (Intelligent Electronic Device 87 unit).
Main feature of this system is that one side consists
of an analog merging unit (AMU) for CIT, and the
other side consists of ECT (RCT) and EVT (PD), an
A/D converter unit and a numerical merging unit
(NMU) for ECT and EVT. The analog input circuit is
standardized in IEC 60044-7/8 (latest standard is
IEC 61869-8).
The setting of the location is shown in figure 10. The
“A” station is one location, on the other hand the “B”
station is on a different floor which means that the
test engineers cannot communicate directly.

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium

 Presentation 05.4

A station B station

IED AMU IED 2nd floor (Relay room) 3 Advantage of Rogowski CT

GIS & Transformer In the following table some advantages of NCIT with
2nd frool Rogowski CT for IEC 61850 9-2 are listed:
GIS at first floor
GIS & CB
Transformer NMU
Table 2: Advantage of NCIT with Rogowski CT
RCT Cost Saving - Compact, lightweight
AD unit is mounted close to GIS - Space-efficient
1st floor 1st floor - Easily transportable
- No CIT specific engineering,
Figure 10: Location of Process Bus Field System - Reduction of the control cable
- Multipurpose applications, e.g., protection and
metering, using only one NCIT
Figure 11 shows a photograph of NMU, AMU and IED Safety, Reliability - No wired cross-site CT connection
- No open CT secondary circuit
(87L) for a transmission line protection relay. - Reduction of surge to the secondary system
Between the units, optical fiber cables are applied. equipment
Analog data is transmitted from Rogowski CT => Measurement - Wide dynamic range
Improvement - No saturation
AD_unit => NMU => IED. The feature is functional - Accurate transient response
distributed system. Expansively Ease Ease of extension or modification without affecting
physical wiring
Interoperability - Interoperability with CIT and other vendors
which supports IEC 61850-9.2
- Ease of integration in non-conventional
Substation.

4 What Kind of Test?

[AMU] [NMU] [IED-87L]
The testing procedure for the 1960 mechanical relay
Figure 11: Location of Process Bus Field System
is injecting one current value to the relay. The
difference to the 1980 numerical relay is that it
injects two currents to measure the ratio
2 Specification of Rogowski CT for characteristic. A simple test method is injecting
Each System voltage as the output voltage of Rogowski CT and
checking the operation tap value as well as the
The output specification for each system is shown operation and/or resetting the time in front of the
table 1. The primary side rated current is different, protection relay panels or near them. On the other
which depends on the actual systems. hand, the process bus system is a different
procedure, because AD_unit, MU and IED are
separate products and are installed at different
Table 1: Specification of RCT Output
places and/or floors. A separate check and test on-
Production years Output voltage
site is necessary. Refers to figure 10 and figure 11.
1960 Mechanical relay 5V / 1000A (60Hz)
1988 Numerical relay 5V / 1000A (60Hz) In comparison, a list of test items for centralized Bus-
1994 UHV system 20V / 8000A (50Hz) bar protection, UHV distributed system and process
IEC 61850 9-2 process bus system 1V / 1000A (50Hz) bus system is shown in table 3.
- Checking accuracy of Rogowski CT test is the same.
Secondary output voltage of Rogowski CT shall be The different part is that the AD_unit of the process
considered as a phenomena of amplifying for high bus system has an adjustment function for Rogowski
frequency component. To cope with this phenomena, CT. Even Rogowski CT’s error is larger than the error
numerical relays are adding analog and digital filter that can be adjusted by AD_unit.
technology, and make the same effect than a - An AD_unit check is necessary for a process bus
mechanical relay’s matching box (L, C, R adjustment system. This function consists of a numerical relay
box). In the mentioned IEC 61850-9-2 process bus unit itself for two other systems.
system, this analogue part of specification is - A NMU and BPT (Bus-bar Protection Terminal
designed in AD_unit. panel) check is necessary for UHV Bus-bar system
and process bus system. On both systems NMU and
BPT is an independent unit which is connected to a
system via an optical cable. These units are not
located at the same place than the relay calculation
unit, such as IED and Relay unit.

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 Presentation 05.5

- An IED and Relay unit test applies a relay element primary circuit, then checking waveform rise or
check and a scheme check. For this test item, the down by recorder.
purpose is the same, but the location of the test sets - More tests: When Mitsubishi did this test on-site in
and the preparation work (e.g. test cables) are 1989, they used spare optical cables which are
different for each case. For a conventional Bus-bar prepared from each BPT cubicles and Relay cubicles
relay, the test is done in front of the protection to SC.
panels. The relay test set (current and voltage
The test procedure is described in the following:
generator) and mimic CB alarm indicator are set
there. On the other hand, for the other two systems, (1) Preparing spare optical cables from each BPT to SC.
test sets and test engineers are located at different (2) At No1-BPT a sampling signal “5V-DC” is conver-
places. It is necessary to prepare test cables for ted to an optical signal and transmitted to the relay
injecting current, voltage and trip signals, as well as a unit.
communication phone (e.g., mobile phone, optical (3) An engineer checks the “5V-DC” sampling signal
phone, substation paging phone). In case the system of the relay unit and No1-BPT signal which is re-
location is outside, then a rain or snow weather converted to a DC-voltage signal by an optical probe.
measure is be necessary.
Simple test items are shown in table 4. Some items of
the site test should be discussed with the customer.
Table 3: Comparison List of Test Items For the first project all items should be done.
Item Detail of test Stand UHV 61850 However, it is not necessary for the second project.
Rogowski CT -Output ratio O O O
-Phase shift O O O
Table 4: Comparison List of Factory and Site Test
-HPL test for checking (O) (O) (O)
inductive influence from Item Detail of test Factory Site
other phases Rogowski CT -Output ratio O O
AD-unit -AD convert data check X O -Phase shift O O
with gain and phase This item is
shift (Including of AD -HPL test for checking (O) X
including relay inductive influence
accuracy) unit test from other phases
-Adjustment for each O
channel for RCT with AD-unit -AD convert data check O O
gain and phase shift with gain and phase
shift (Including of AD
-Data transmit to NMU O accuracy)
NMU -Data receive from AD- X O -Adjustment for each O O
unit No need channel for RCT with
-Convert data gain and phase shift
O
standardized in IEC -Data transmit to NMU O O
61850-9-2 and transmit
NMU -Data receive from AD- O O
data to IED
unit
IED or -Receive data from NMU X O O
-Convert data O O
Relay unit -Check relay (from standardized in IEC
characteristic O BPT) O 61850-9-2 and
-Protection relay transmit data to IED
O
scheme check include IED -Receive data from O O
trip signal and alarm O O O NMU
-Dynamic simulation -Check relay O O
test O O O characteristic
Commissioning Check protection O O O -Protection relay
test scheme with trip signal, scheme check include O O
alarm and other trip signal and alarm.
necessary items -Dynamic simulation O X
Primary Injecting current from O O O test.
injection test primary circuit and Commissioning Check protection X O
and polarity checking accuracy and test scheme with trip signal,
check polarity alarm and other
More test -Sampling timing check X (O) (O) necessary items
e.g., all AD_unit of Bus- Primary injection Injecting current from X O
bar protection test and polarity primary circuit and
Note: (1) Stand=Conventional Type Bus-bar Protection, (2) UHV =Distributed Bus-Bar check checking accuracy and
Protection, (3) 61850=IEC 61850 Based System polarity
More test -Sampling timing check O Δ
e.g., all AD_unit of Bus-
- Commissioning test and Primary injection test: bar protection
The different place of the location is the same as for
the IED and relay test, but the method of the CT - Rogowski CT check: When current injection is
polarity test is different. A polarity test of tested on-site, usually the maximum value is rated as
conventional CT is done by DC low volt battery. On current.
the other hand, Rogowski CT is injecting current to

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium

 Presentation 05.6

Mitsubishi applied many kinds of tests on the first

Data receiver of
product. Figure 12 shows a 1,000 kV system during a RCT
A/D_unit
A/D_unit
HPL (High Power Laboratory) test. Purpose of this
test is explained below.
(1) All products are connected together and check if Synchronization
timing (1PPS)
the protection relay operation is correct or not. This
test is one of the interoperable test between primary
Rated
products and secondary products. secondary Reference
(2) Records the necessary wave form and signals for burden A/D converter

the test results. Reference CT

(3) Injecting maximum level of input to check total
operation and specification of products are collect
and/or acceptable or not. (In this time maximum
current is 50 kArms)
Figure 13 shows a wave form and a trip signal record
during the test. The test current is one phase which
is connected to the Bus-bar relay`s A, B and C phase
in parallel. Secondary output of standard CT, iron
core CT, Rogowski CT and Bus-bar protection trip
signal of 87-A, B and C phases are recorded.
Figure 14: AD_unit Test at Factory
Figure 15 shows a simple test configuration on-site:
Injecting significant low voltage from signal
generator to A/D_unit and checking the amplitude of
receiving data at the data receiver of A/D_unit.
The manufacturer should prepare data receiver of
A/D_unit for this test.
Figure 15 shows the same test on-site. First, an A/D
converter error should be checked. After that, each
channels combination data is downloaded to AD_unit
to the PC and checked again.

Data reciever
A/D_unit
1000 kV GIS tank of A/D _unit
RCT Signal
generator NMU:
Synchronization
timing
(1PPS)
Cooper bar
Bus-bar protection 87-panel and Figure 15: AD_unit Test at Factory
feeder panels

Figure 12: 1,000 kV System during HPL Test

- NMU and IED test:
A NMU and an IED cannot check an analogue
function by themselves. At the factory, Mitsubishi
Standard CT
applies some test procedures. The test configuration
(Iron core CT)
is below:
(1) IED with CMC test set
Objective CT (2) IED & NMU & A/D_unit with CMC test set
(Iron core CT)
Objective
(3) IED & NMU & Miniature RCT with A/D_unit
Rogowski CT Figure 16 shows (3) configurations during the
dynamic test.
Generator The system configuration is shown in figure 9.
Voltage
Current and voltage is injected to the RCT/EVT
model. Output voltage of RCT and EVT is connected
87-A phase
to A/D_unit and transmits digital data to NMU.
B phase
C phase

Figure 13: Record of HPL Test of UHV System

- AD_unit test:
This test method at the factory is shown in figure 14.
Current is injected from primary side of the RCT and
the Reference CT. The differences of the amplitude
and phase in these CTs are compared and an error of
the RCT in combination with A/D converter will be
corrected.

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 Presentation 05.7

- Further considerations on-site:

IED87-1 IED87-2
(1) Measure of weather:
NMU
If a relay cubicle is set outside, then the measure-
ment of the weather is necessary during the site test,
EVT maintenance and trouble action. This case study
module
A, b, c should be considered and finished during the system
development period.
(2) Test cables:
ECT AMU
module
AD During the site test, many test cables are necessary
A, b, c
module
separate for distributed systems including a process bus
system
Figure 16: AD_unit Test at Factory
- Communication measures
For a dynamic test of a conventional Bus-bar protection - Injecting current and voltage, checking operation
relay, a small size RCT is prepared. Figure 17 shows a time, indication and alarm
photograph of an analogue simulator and RCT. - Synchronized function of test sets between sub-
stations
- Cable route of test cables. If a temporary cable is
prepared, then security and safety measures should
be considered at first.
(3) Relay test facilities:
New products need some new and special test
facilities for the testing. These kinds of facilities are
not for commercial use. Before and/or after
developing, manufacturer and user need to discuss
the actual situation and safety regulations, which
Figure 17: Analogue Simulator and RCT for Dynamic Test should not be discussed after starting the test.
(4) Interoperability:
Four sets (total 12 RCTs) of RCT are connected to a Under system coordination with different manu-
400 V analogue simulator. RCT has an additional facturers IED or different manufacturers IED, NMU
winding for the test. The specification of RCT is and AD_unit, then pre-combination check is neces-
shown below: sary.
- Primary to secondary: 1000 A / 5 V at 50 Hz (5) Test method for RCT system on-site:
- Tested winding to secondary: 5 A / 5 V at 50 Hz During testing of a conventional Bus-bar protection
A dynamic simulation test with a three phase relay with RCT, many channels of voltage output are
internal fault of Bus-bar protection is shown in necessary.
figure 18. In this record, current wave forms are At three phase external fault, minimum three phase
output of RCT voltage. The total dynamic test is voltage and six phase voltage for current input is
necessary for all protection relays in Japan. necessary for two feeders. If two phase fault,
Va
minimum three phase voltage and two phase voltage
Vb
for current input is necessary.
Vc Injecting voltage for test is approximate 1 V~50 V.
F1 Ia At the time of process bus system, the analogue rated
Ib
value is 1 Vrms. When Mitsubishi uses CMC 256 for a
Ic
transmission protection relay, the necessary output
F2 Ia
of voltage and current is six channels of voltage
Ib
(three for voltage and three for current of RCT
Ic
channels). However, CMC 256 has three voltages and
three currents. Then connecting resistance to
87L
current channel in series and the voltage of both
A,B,C& FD sides of the resistance is connected to RCT input of
Trip current channel.
F1,F2,BC
Case study (1): Resistance is 1 (ohm) and current is
Figure 18: Dynamic Simulation Test Record of Bus-Bar 0.1 (A), then generating voltage is 0.1 (V). During
Protection this time, the current channel of CMC 256 generates
transient output of DC component after “put on start
button of CMC 256” among 20 ms. This DC com-

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium

 Presentation 05.8

ponent gives some effect to some of the relay About the Author
element. One solution is considered that deducing
resistance from 1 (ohm) to 0.2 (ohm) and injecting Haruyasu Matsumoto studied
current from 0.1 (A) to 0.5 (A). Then the DC electrical engineering at Tokyo
component level is reduced into 1/5 of the University of Science.
mentioned test condition.
After his graduation, he joined
Case study (2): A polarity test is very important for Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Kobe
an on-site commissioning test. A conventional CT in 1985.
with an iron core can easily check polarity. RCT is
- Engineering, quality control and
necessary to check it by injecting current from test of protection and control for
primary side and checking the waveform. RCT ratio domestic secondary system.
is 1,000 (A) to 1 (V), then injecting 200 (A) to 0.2 (V).
- Developing of test facilities, over all test sets with
This voltage level is better to check the waveform of analog simulator, digital real time simulator and
the RCT output. But how to inject 200 A with polarity relay unit automatic test sets.
control of waveform injection on-site? - Marketing & engineering of over sea system, site
E.g., CPC 100 can easily inject 200 (A) and also engineering of commissioning and certification test.
control waveform polarity of start timing.

5 Conclusion
(1) Secondary output of Rogowski CT for a process
bus system is smaller than for a conventional RCT
system. It is necessary to prepare a pre-study for all
site test procedures including the test facilities.
(2) Installation conditions are different for each
project. Also a safety check on-site is very important
for weather, communication and maintenance after
in service.

Reference
[1] Standard scheme and relay catalogue, Mitsubishi
Electric Corporation Japan (1970).
[2] T. Maeda, H. Yamakawa, N. Isomatsu, M. Iizuka,
T. Onomoto, 2nd Generation Bus-bar protection
relay and Transformer protection relay,
Mitsubishi electric technical report, Vol-70 No-6
1996
[3] H. Matsumoto, Y. Okada
[4] Test method of End to End Test for protection
relay and SIPS, PAC-WORLD, June 2014.
[5] AP-PTC2014, October 2014
[6] Survey results for the current specification and
operation of protection relays in Japan and
trends in overseas technology
[7] The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan,
No1331 January 2015
[8] K. FUJIOKA, K. Adachi, M.YAMAGUCHI, Y. Tanaka,
Field Trial of Process Bus based Line Protection
and DFR using NCIT and CIT at each respective
End, ICEE 2015 HONG KONG

© OMICRON 2015 – International Protection Testing Symposium