Relay Logic Programming

Examined

Dinesh Baradi,
Senior Application Engineer
ABB Inc.
Evolution of Relay logic

• Wiring of electrical contacts

• Easy to comprehend
• Standardized
Numerical Relay logic
• Translation
• Timer representations may vary
Evolution of Relay logic
• Numerical Relay logic
• Vendor dependent standardization
• Factors that need consideration
• Scalability of Logic
 Relays are not longer just ‘relays’
 Sophisticated inter-dependent control schemes
• Ease of Documentation
 Standardized document format – PDF, MS-Excel®, Text etc.
 Preserves documents for posterity and helpful in testing
• Reusability
 Standardize on template
 Digitally replicate logic with minimal re-engineering
Numerical Relay logic
• Textual representation

• Simple
• Sophisticated Logic is not intuitive
• Document explaining logic becomes necessity.
• Troubleshooting & testing is a challenge

Symbol Boolean Gates

! NOT
* AND
+ OR
Numerical Relay logic
• Graphical
• Ladder Diagram
• Continuous Function Chart (CFC)
• Signal Mapping

• Ladder Diagram
Ladder Diagram DC Schematics

( )
Numerical Relay logic
• Graphical
• Continuous Function Chart
Numerical Relay logic
• Graphical
• Signal Mapping
X – Logical connection
I – Inverted connection
Numerical Relay logic
• Graphical
• CFC
 Digitized logic worksheet – Intuitive, organized & replicable
 Stored in Portable document format (PDF) just like CAD drawings
of DC Schematics
 Logic can be easily traced forward and reverse
 Testing & troubleshooting made easy
• Signal Mapping
 Simple
 Sophisticated logic is not intuitive
 Can be stored in MS-Excel® based format
 Testing & troubleshooting is a challenge
Numerical Relay logic
Execution Order & Cycle time

Execution order: Sequence of performing a function(s).

Cycle time: rate of performing/ executing a function(s).

Why are they important for numerical relays?

- Detecting Race conditions prior to validation/ testing
- Feedback Loops
- Critical functions should be executed at the fastest
rate without any unintentional delays
Numerical Relay logic
Analogy:

Even more significant when branched logic is created

Examples of Execution Order
inconsistencies
Example-1:
Examples of Execution Order
inconsistencies
Example-2:
Delay in execution by one cycle-time
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Choice of Protocol:
- Point-to-Point (P2P)
- Point-to- Multi-Point (P2MP)

Choice of Topology (with respect to relay)

- Point-to-Point (P2P) :
If at least one relay has point-to-point connection
- Point-to- Multi-Point (P2MP):
If all relays have point-to-multipoint connection
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Choice of Topology (with respect to relay)
- Point-to-Point (P2P)
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Choice of Topology (with respect to relay)
- Point-to-multipoint (P2MP)
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Example 3 – Communicated oriented Scheme

- Automation Transfer Scheme (ATS)

- Loss of communication packets should disable the scheme-
made use of communication ‘validity’ signal.
- Settings update on a Main relay caused scheme to be disabled
- After the update finished scheme was still disabled

- Possible causes:
- ATS Logic in the Main relay changed?
- Communication address of Main relay changed?
- ATS Enabled conditions no-longer prevail?
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Example 3 – Communicated oriented Scheme
Started troubleshooting with DC Schematics – ATS
Disabled Light wired to TIE Relay output contact.
TIE_TRANSFER_BLOCK was latched.
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Example 3 – Communicated oriented Scheme
Traced SR-1 Input-S1
Relay-to-Relay Bit(s) Transfer
Example 3 – Communicated oriented Scheme
Lessons Learnt:
Sequence of Operations is critical when designing any
control scheme

Validity of each signal in a message should be considered

in logic design.
Testing & Troubleshooting

• Relay testing:
Metering – depending on the type of relay
Functional – depending on the type of relay
Protection – on all relays

• Control Scheme Tests:

Integrated testing Plan – Encompass relays involved
Communication testing i.e., testing virtual wires –
depending on type of relay
Testing & Troubleshooting
Generic Integrated Test Plan:
• Suitable for all relay types, create appendices for testing
communication etc.
Testing & Troubleshooting
Integrated tools available:
EM Relays: Flags

Solid State Target lights, pushbutton to

trip

Microprocessor/ Numerical Phasor diagrams, Events,

Disturbance fault records,
online monitoring – Logic etc.,
communication counters
Relay Logic Programming
Examined

Questions?