Lecture # 01

An Introduction to Power
System Protection
 Power System Protection is the art and science of
detecting problems with power system components and
isolating them.

 Power system protection is accomplished by using a

series of devices such as Protective relays, associated
communication systems, voltage and current sensing
devices, circuit breakers, station batteries and DC
control circuitry.

 The overall purpose is to protect persons and primary

electric power equipment from the effects of faults
 Purpose of System Protection
i. Protect the public
ii. Improve system stability
iii. Minimize damage to equipment
iv. Protection against overloads

 What Components (Equipment) Do We Protect?

i. Generators
ii. Transformers, Reactors
iii. Lines
iv. Buses
v. Capacitors

 Problems on the power system

i. Short circuits
ii. Abnormal conditions
iii. Equipment failures
DISTURBANCES: LIGHT OR SEVERE

 The power system must maintain acceptable operation

24 hours a day
 Voltage and frequency must stay within certain limits

Small disturbances

 The control system can handle these

 Example: variation in transformer or generator load

Severe disturbances require a protection system

 They can jeopardize the entire power system

 They cannot be overcome by a control system
A simplest example of power system protection
What Components (Equipment) Do We Protect?
WHAT INFO IS REQUIRED TO APPLY
PROTECTION

i. One-line diagram of the system or area involved

ii. Impedances and connections of power equipment, system
frequency, voltage level and phase sequence
iii. Importance of protection required and maximum allowed
clearance times
iv. System fault studies
v. Maximum load and system swing limits
vi. CTs and VTs locations, connections and ratios
vii. Future expansion expectance
viii. Any special considerations for application
PROTECTION SYSTEM ELEMENTS

i. Current and voltage transducers

ii. Protective relays
iii. Circuit breakers
iv. Communications channels
v. DC supply system
vi. Control cables
1. Current Transformer (CT)

 A device which transforms the current on the power

system from large primary values to safe secondary
values. The secondary current will be proportional (as
per the ratio) to the primary current.
2. Potential Transformer (PT)

A device which transforms the

voltage on the power system
from primary values to safe
secondary values, in a ratio
proportional to the primary
value.
 3. Protective relays
 Protective relays monitor the current and/or voltage of the
power system to detect problems with the power system.
Currents and voltages to relays are supplied via CT’s and PT’s.
 4. Circuit Breaker (C.B)
 A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch
specially designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage
during a short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow
after a fault is detected.
A GOOD DAY IN SYSTEM PROTECTION……

• CTs and VTs bring electrical info to relays

• Relays sense current and voltage and declare fault
• Relays send signals through control circuits to circuit breakers
• Circuit breaker correctly trip

A BAD DAY IN SYSTEM PROTECTION……

• CTs or VTs are shorted or opened.

• Relays do not declare fault due to setting errors, fault in relay or
CT saturation
• Control wires are cut, or batteries are dead so no signal is sent
from relay to circuit breaker
• Circuit breakers do not have power, burnt trip coil or otherwise
fail to trip
PROTECTION ZONES

i. Generator or Generator-Transformer Units

ii. Transformers
iii. Buses
iv. Lines (transmission and distribution)
v. Utilization equipment (motors, static loads, etc.)
vi. Capacitor or reactor (when separately protected)