Busbar Protection

Busbar Protection:
Busbar
Including High Impedance, Protection
Frame Leakage and
Directional Comparison
Principles
GRID
Technical Institute
This document is the exclusive property of Alstom Grid and shall not be
transmitted by any means, copied, reproduced or modified without the prior
written consent of Alstom Grid Technical
> Busbar Institute. All rights reserved.
Protection 1
Busbar Protection
F1 F2
 There are fewer faults

on busbars than on
other parts of the
power system
Without Busbar Protection

 No dislocation of system due to accidental operation of busbar protection
 Slow Fault Clearance
Busbar faults at F1 and F2 are cleared by remote time delayed protection on circuits feeding the faults:
 Time Delayed Overcurrent or
 Time Delayed Distance Protection
> Busbar Protection 2

Busbar Protection
Busbar
Zone
F1 F2
With Busbar Protection

 Fast clearance by Breakers at the Busbars
 Where Busbars are sectionalised, protection can limit the amount of
system disruption for a Busbar fault

Busbar protection must be
 Reliable
 Failure could cause widespread damage to the substation
 Stable
 False tripping can cause widespread interruption of
supplies to customers
 Discriminating
 Should trip the minimum number of breakers to clear the
fault
 Fast
 To limit damage and possible power system instability

Busbar faults are usually permanent
 CAUSES
 Insulation failures
 Circuit breaker failures
 Falling debris
 Isolators operated outside their ratings
 Safety earths left connected
 Current transformer failures
 THEREFORE:
CIRCUIT BREAKERS SHOULD BE TRIPPED AND
LOCKED OUT BY BUSBAR PROTECTION

Methods of providing Busbar protection
1. Remote Time Delayed Protection

2. Frame to Earth (Leakage) Protection
3. Directional Comparison Protection
4. Phase Comparison Protection
5. Differential Protection: High Impedance
Low Impedance

Frame leakage protection
ADVANTAGES
1. Simple and economic form of protection
2. Ideal for the protection of phase segregated switchgear where
earth fault protection only is required
DISADVANTAGES
1. Insulation is required between switchgear sections
2. It is not possible to discriminate between faults on two sets of
busbars running through common switchgear frames
3. Care must be taken in construction of the substation in order to
ensure that the fixing bolts do not come in to contact with the
steel reinforcing of the concrete

Frame earth protection scheme
 Only an earth fault system

 Involves measuring fault current from switchgear frame
to earth
 Switchgear insulated by standing on concrete plinth
 Only one earthing point allowed on switchgear
 C.T. mounted on single earth conductor used to energise
instantaneous relay
 All cable glands must be insulated

Single Zone Frame - Earth Protection
Switchgear frame
G H J K
Frame-earth
fault relay
64
Trip all circuit breakers

+

Current Distribution for External Fault
Switchgear frame
Outgoing feeder
Frame-leakage current Switchgear frame
transformer bonding bar
I F = I 1 + I2
Generator
System earthing resistor
Earth bar
I1 + I2
I1 I1 I2
Frame insulation Earthing electrode

resistance to earth resistance
0 > Busbar Protection 10

Frame leakage Busbar protection
External Fault
IF=I1 +I2
I1+ I2
I1 64
>10Ω I1 I2
<1Ω
I1= < 0.1IF

Frame leakage Busbar protection
INTERNAL FAULT
 Suitable for phase segregated indoor metalclad switchgear. Only
E/F protection required.
I1+ I2
Frame
 Setting of
IF=I1 +I2 Instantaneous E/F
System Relay (64)
I2 64 Earthing
Frame
Earth Bar
Resistance  = < 0.3 IF(Min)
Insulation I1 I2  = > 0.1 IF(Max)
>10Ω
Substation
Earthing
Electrode
<1Ω
 Disadvantages:
 Insulation of switchgear frame and between sections
 Insulation of cable glands to prevent spurious currents during through faults

Frame leakage scheme
with double insulation barrier
Insulation Barrier
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
A B C
64
Z1
64
Z2
Trip ‘A’ 96 96
A B1 96 96 Trip ‘C’
B2 C
Trip ‘B’

Frame leakage scheme
with single insulation barrier
Insulation Barrier
Zone 1 Zone 2
A B C
0.2 -1 SEC.
64 64
Z1 Z2
B1 B2
Trip ‘B’
Trip ‘A’ A C Trip ‘C’

Frame leakage scheme for duplicate Busbars
Insulation Barrier
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
R
M1 M2
a b
B
A D c d
C
64 64
Z1 Z3
+ -
M1 M2 R a 96
A
b
96
D1
96
D2
96
B1
96
B2
c 96
d C
Frame leakage protection
Check feature
 To differentiate between a genuine busbar fault and a fault

in the secondary winding of a c.t.
 The check feature provides a second line of defence
 The check relays pick up for both internal and external faults
 Both check and discriminating relays must operate before
tripping can occur
 The various methods of obtaining the check feature are:-
a) Neutral check provided by a relay energised from a single c.t.
in the power system neutral
b) Residual check provided by a relay energised from a residually
connected c.t. on the busbar incomers
c) Residual voltage check provided by a voltage relay energised
from a broken delta v.t. supply
 Check relays are normally self-reset in order to avoid having
to reset the relay after each external fault

Single Zone Frame – Earth Protection
With Neutral Check
Switchgear frame
G H J K
Frame-earth
fault relay
Neutral check relay
64
64 CH
Trip all circuit

+ breakers

Typical Trip And Alarm Circuits For Frame Leakage
With Double Insulation Barrier And Check Feature
+ In Out -
64Z1-1 96 64CH-1
A
CSS-Z1
In Out 96
64Z2-1 B1
CSS-Z2 96
B2
96
C
Trip Supply
Supervision
Alarm
64CH-2 64Z1-2 Relay
74
64Z2-2
74-1 Lamp
74-2 Buzzer
In Out
Lamp
CSS-Z1 Lamp
In Out Lamp
CSS-Z2 Lamp
Alarm
Supply
Supervision
Directional Comparison Scheme
Load
current
R R
Phase to earth external fault,
scheme (a)
+
Trip
(a)
R R
Trip
+ BR
(b)
Directional Comparison Scheme
R R
+
(a) Trip
Load
current
R R Phase to earth external fault,

scheme (b)
Trip
+ BR
(b)
Phase Comparison Scheme - External Fault
 Positive Half Cycle  Negative Half Cycle
A A
B B
X Y X Y
Trip + Trip
+
Current Transformer
Secondary Current
B A B Relay Operation A B A
Feeder X Feeder Y

Phase Comparison Scheme - Internal Fault
 Positive Half Cycle  Negative Half Cycle
A
A
B
B
X Y + Trip
X Y + Trip
Current Transformer
Secondary Current
A B A Relay Operation
A B A
Feeder X Feeder Y

Basic Circulating Current Scheme
External Fault
Internal Fault

Differential Protection
 Uses Merz-Price circulating current principle. All currents

entering and leaving Busbar are compared
 One set of CT’s for each circuit associated with a particular
zone are all connected to a relay
 A single element relay gives earth fault protection only
 A three element relay gives phase and earth fault protection

Basic Circulting Current Scheme
Earth Fault Protection Only
G H J K
87
Differential
relay

Phase And Earth Fault Circulating Current
Scheme Using Three-Element Relay
G H
A
B
C
N
87A 87B 87C
Differential relay

High Impedance Protection
 This is a versatile and reliable protection system applied to

many different Busbar configurations
 If CT requirements are met, scheme performance may be
predicted by calculation without heavy current conjunctive
tests

High Impedance Busbar Protection
 Simple system to apply and extend

 High Sensitivity for phase and earth faults
 Extremely stable for external faults

High Impedance Busbar Protection
RST
Metrosil
87
 CT Requirements: Equal ratios

Class ‘X’
 May require stabilising resistors, RST
 May require non-linear resistors (Metrosils)

High Impedance Differential Protection
 Uses equal ratio CT’s

 Scheme assumes that with heaviest through fault, one CT
saturates, the other not
 To ensure stability, voltage setting of relay circuit made
higher than voltage developed across relay circuit. To
achieve this an extra relay circuit resistance is required.
This is known as the stabilising resistance

Equivalent Circuit
RCT RLY RLX RCT
RST
Y R ZM X
ZM
RR

High Impedance Theory
RCT RL RL RCT
IF
IF
RS
V
RL RL
Assume one CT saturates

Assume relay resistance is high
∴ V = IF (2RL + RCT)
VS > V

High Impedance Theory
∴ Choose IS from min fault current ( 30%)

IS
∴ VS = ISRS + ISRR
RS
VS ∴
ISRS =VVS – ISRR
S
RR IS
RS = V - RVA
R
S
-
IS IS 2
RS =
Thus we can choose a value of RS:-

Knowing 1) Max. & Min Fault Levels,
2) C.T. Circuit Impedances,
3) Relay Information,
4) C.T. Ratio,

Primary Operating Current (P.O.C.)
 The value of primary operating current should be around

30% of minimum fault current available. This ensures
sufficient relay current during internal fault conditions for
high speed operation

Differential Relays
 Relays used for high impedance protection are high

stability, unbiased and tuned to nominal frequency.
 Two modular types are available:-
 MCAG14/34
 Current calibrated with external stabilising resistor
 MFAC14/34
 Voltage calibrated with internal high impedance

Knee-Point Voltage Definition
Exciting Voltage (VS)

+10% VK
VK +50% IeK
ICK
Exciting Current (Ie)
For High Impedance Protection Choose VK such that:

VK 2VS
This ensures fast operation for all faults greater than the setting
current.
VK is thus dependent on setting voltage and hence on maximum
through fault current.

Internal fault on high impedance scheme
F
RCT RLY RLX RCT
VF RST X
Y Zm Zm
R
IF
VF = IF.R
I
= IF. Y (R CT + R LX )
IR
Effective setting
IS = IR + 2Ie with 2 circuits

= IR + nIe with n circuits
Primary effective setting
IP = T.(IR+nIe)
Or IP = T.(IR+ nIe+IM+ISR+IV)
Use of fault setting resistor
I0P
ISR IR
RST
RSR
RR
I0P = IR + ISR

Metrosil limitation of relay voltage
IOP
Im IR
RST
VM
VS
V RR
For heavy internal faults large voltages may develop across relay +
Stab. Resistor.
>3kV Voltages – must use Metrosil
VP = 2 2VK (VF - VK )
VK = Knee point voltage
VF = Max. RMS voltage if C.T. didn’t saturate
= IF(RCT + 2RL + RST + RR)
For Metrosil:
V I=RMSCIβ (D.C.)
2VS  0C 
=
 .52  (A.C.)
Use of Non Linear Resistors
 Under in zone fault conditions it is possible for voltages above the

relay withstand of 3kV peak to be produced. “Metrosil” non linear
resistors may be necessary to limit the peak voltage below this level
Approx peak volts =
2 2V (V - V )
“Metrosil” characteristic:-K VF = CI
K β
where:- V and I
are peak values
C = constant depending on metrosil
construction
β = constant in range of 0.2 to 0.25
 The values of C and β are chosen to limit metrosil voltage to less

than 3kV peak at maximum fault current

Metrosil Limitation Of Relay Voltage
IOP
INLR IR
RST
VMLR
VS R
RR
To ensure primary operating current not adversely affected,

metrosil constant ‘C’ must be sufficiently high to restrict metrosil
current at relay setting voltage VS.
Typical currents:-
30mA for use with 1 amp CTs
100mA for use with 5 amp CTs

CT Wiring Supervision
 Open circuit connections between CT’s and relay circuit result in

unbalance currents which may operate the protection.
 Supervision is applied by a voltage relay across differential relay
circuit
 Supervision relay is time delayed, gives alarm and also shorts out
bus wires to protect differential relay circuit
 Typical effective setting is 25 primary amps or 10% of lowest
circuit rating, which ever is greater.

Healthy Condition
CT1 CT2 CT3 CT4

RST
ZM1 Super ZM2 ZM3 ZM4

Vision
RR Relay
I1 I2 I3 I4
I1 = I2 + I3 + I4

Supervision Against Open Circuit C.T.’s
I1
RST I3 I4
I2
V R
Super
ZM2 ZM4 ZM3
Vision RR
Relay
I1
CT1 open circuit, I1 flows through magnetising impedance and relay circuit
in parallel
Voltage measured by supervision relay

V = I1 (R║ZM2║ ZM3║ ZM4)
If Supervision relay setting = VSP
Out-of-balance current to operate the supervision relay
VSP VSP VSP VSP
I= + + +
R Z M2 Z M3 Z M4

Differential Relay Circuit
A
B Zone bus
C wires
N
95
X
95X
Bus wire shorting contacts
95
X
Supervision
95 relay
Metrosil Stabilising
resistors resistors
V V V
87 87 87

Current Transformers
 Current transformers must be of low reactance type (classx) and

have identical turns ratio (1 in 100)
 They should be of similar design, or if not, of reasonably matched
magnetic characteristics
 It is common practice to use CT’s having 1 amp secondaries

Current Transformer Wiring
 Lead burdens between various sets of CT’s must be kept low.

Usually buswires are run in closed ring between breaker control
panels.
 Typical route:-
 CT’s to marshalling kiosk
 Marshalling kiosk to isolator auxiliaries
 Loop between marshalling kiosks
 Conductor size:-
 Normally 2.5mm2

Effect of C.T. Location
on Busbar Protection Performance
F1
F1 Interlocked
Circuit F1 Overcurrent
Protection Relay
F3
Circuit
F3 Circuit Protection
Protection
Busbar
F4 Busbar Busbar Protection
Protection Protection
Interlocked
F2 Overcurrent F3
Relay
F2
F2
(a)Overlapping C.T.s
(b)All C.T.s on line side of (c)All C.T.s on Busbar side of

circuit breaker circuit breaker

Zones of Protection for Double Bus Station
Zone G Zone H
BS
BC BC
Zone J
Typical feeder circuits

Check Feature
Usually provided by duplication of primary protection using second set of CTs on

all circuits other than bus section and coupler units. Check system forms one
zone only, covering whole of busbar systems and not discriminating between
faults on various sections.
Zone A Zone B
87A 87B
Check Zone
87
CK

Isolator Auxiliary Switches
R
A B C D
a c d
b
r
m
Buswires
Auxiliary Switches Should:

1) Close before the isolator closes
2) Open after the isolator opens
in order to maintain stability on switching
Busbar Auxiliary Switches Requirements
Reserve Bar
Main Bar
R
Normal Operating Condition

Busbar Auxiliary Switches Requirements
Main & reserve zones

Ultimately paralleled by
reserve busbar selector
auxiliary switches
On-Load Transfer

Circuit Breaker Bypass
R
M
b1 a1 b2 a2
c1 c2
b1
a1
c1
b2
a2
c2
M
R
A.C.
N Buswires
CH

Circuit Breaker and CT Bypass
R
M
b1 a1
Check
Zone
CTs
Normally
Shorted
b1
a1
M
N AC
R Buswires
CH
N
Tripping Circuits
 One tripping relay (device 96) is required for each feeder

breaker and 2 for each bus section or bus coupler breakers
 Both main and check relays must be energised before
tripping relays trip all breakers associated with zone

Typical Trip Relay Arrangement
Double Busbar System
+
In Out M1M2R -
87M1 - 1 96
87CH - 1
D1
96
CSS – M1 87M2 - 1 D2
a1
96E
CSS – M2 87R - 1 c1
96
CSS - R F1
96
F2
b1
96
G
c2 96
H1
96
H2
D.C. Buswires
80T

Through Fault Stability
 Busbar protection stability is based on maximum through fault

current
 Generally this value is derived from the rating of the associated
switchgear irrespective of existing fault level, since it can be
expected that system will develop up to limit of rating

Earth-fault protection for busbars and other primary plant
connections (one relay per zone)
Rated stability limit phase to
T
earth external fault
IF
T T
C C C
A A A
B B B
D E F
G H K
Relay Vs Vs > TxIFx(2H+2K+F+C)

Circuit
G H K
OR: -
T
T T
C C C
A A A
B B B
IF D E F
G H K
Relay Vs Vs > TxIFx(A+D+2G)

Circuit
G H K
OR: -
T
T T
C C C
A A A
B B B
D IF E F
G H K
Relay Vs Vs > TxIFx(B+E+2H)

Circuit
G H K whichever is the greatest.

Phase and earth-fault protection for busbars and other
primary plant connections (one relay per zone)
Rated stability limit phase to T
phase external fault IF
T T
C C C
A A A B B B
E F
D
G H K
G H K
G Vs H
Relay K
Circuit
Relay Vs Vs > TxIFx(H+K+C)
Circuit
Relay
G Circuit H K OR: -
phase external fault
T T
C C C
IF
A A A B B B
E F
D
G H K
G H K
G Vs H
Relay K
Circuit
Relay Vs Vs > TxIFx(A+G)
Circuit
Relay
G Circuit H K OR: -
phase external fault
T T
C C C
IF
A A A B B B
E F
D
G H K
G H K
G Vs H
Relay K Vs > TxIFx(B+H)
Circuit
Relay Vs
Circuit
Relay
G Circuit H K whichever is the
greatest
Busbar Protection With Separate Relays Per Circuit
Breaker – Basic Scheme
1
+ 2
1 2 +
+
1 +
2
TR
TR
D D
CH CH
+ 1 2 +

Breaker – Basic Scheme With Additional Tripping Route
1
+ 2 1
1
+ + 2 2 +
+ + +
2 1 2 +
1
TR TR TR
TR
D D
CH CH
+ 1 2 +
+
STN

Breaker – Basic Scheme With Additional Relays Per Zone
And Back Tripping Facilities
1
+
1 2 +
2
+
2 +
1
TR
TR
BT BT
1
+ D 2
+
D D
CH
CH CH
+ 1 + STN 2 +

Breaker – Basic Scheme With Additional Relays Per Zone
And Back Tripping Facilities With Separate Trip Relays
1 2
+ +
2 + 1 +
+ + +
2 1 2 +1
TR TR TR TR
BT BT
D
2 1 +
D D
CH
CH CH
+ 1 + STN 2 +

Double Busbar With Transfer Facilities
Main
Reserve/ Transfer
By-Pass
Isolator By-Pass
Isolator

Triple Busbar
Main
Reserve
Transfer Transfer
CB. CB.
Transfer

1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Bus Protection
87
87

Mesh Busbar
F1 F3
T1 T3
T4 T2
F4 F2

Mesh Busbar Protection
87 F1 87
R1 F3
R3
T1 T3
T4 T2
87 F4 F2 87
R4 R2
Busbar Protection and Breaker Fail
 Where breaker fail protection is applied to a system, back

tripping of associated breakers is required in the event of a
breaker failure
 Often, breaker fail protection is arranged in conjunction with
busbar protection tripping circuits to initiate tripping of
breakers on a busbar zone associated with the failed
breaker

Midos Relays for High Impedance Protection
 Differential Relay MCAG34 or MFAC34

 Supervision Relay MVTP31
 Tripping Relay (Hand Reset) MVAJ13
 No Volt Relay MVAX12
 Zone Indication Relay MVAA13

Modern Low Impedance Busbar Protection
 Fast
 Modular scheme design allows relays to relate to each circuit and
function of the protection. This enables the user to easily
understand the principles of application
 High sensitivity for phase and earth faults. Protection for each
phase can be relatively independent
 Earlier schemes were less stable than high impedance schemes.
Modern schemes incorporate saturation detectors and are extremely
stable
 Duplicate measuring circuits are included
 Current transformers can be:
 Of different ratio
 Of relatively small output
 Shared with other protections
 Current transformer secondary circuits are not switched
 Continuous supervision of CT circuits and constant monitoring of
vital circuits are included
MBCZ 10 Single Bus Protection
Z1 Z2
F1 F2 BS F3 F4
FM1 FM2 BSM FM3 FM4
Z1 Z2
ZCK ZCK
Z1 ZCK Z2

MBCZ 10 Double Bus Protection
BS
Z1 Z2
Z3 Z4
BC1 F3 F4 BC2
F1 F2
BCM FM2 BCM

1 FM1 BSM FM3 FM4 2
Z1 Z2
Z3 Z4
ZCK ZCK
Z1 Z3 ZCK Z2 Z4

Busbar Protection

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Busbar Protection

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Busbar Protection:

 There are fewer faults

Without Busbar Protection

> Busbar Protection 2

With Busbar Protection

> Busbar Protection 3

> Busbar Protection 4

> Busbar Protection 5

1. Remote Time Delayed Protection

> Busbar Protection 6

> Busbar Protection 7

 Only an earth fault system

> Busbar Protection 8

Trip all circuit breakers

> Busbar Protection 9

System earthing resistor

Frame insulation Earthing electrode

0 > Busbar Protection 10

I1= < 0.1IF

1 > Busbar Protection 11

2 > Busbar Protection 12

3 > Busbar Protection 13

Trip ‘A’ A C Trip ‘C’

4 > Busbar Protection 14

 To differentiate between a genuine busbar fault and a fault

6 > Busbar Protection 16

Trip all circuit

7 > Busbar Protection 17

R R Phase to earth external fault,

 Positive Half Cycle  Negative Half Cycle

1 > Busbar Protection 21

 Positive Half Cycle  Negative Half Cycle

2 > Busbar Protection 22

3 > Busbar Protection 23

 Uses Merz-Price circulating current principle. All currents

4 > Busbar Protection 24

5 > Busbar Protection 25

6 > Busbar Protection 26

 This is a versatile and reliable protection system applied to

7 > Busbar Protection 27

 Simple system to apply and extend

8 > Busbar Protection 28

 CT Requirements: Equal ratios

9 > Busbar Protection 29

 Uses equal ratio CT’s

0 > Busbar Protection 30

RCT RLY RLX RCT

1 > Busbar Protection 31

Assume one CT saturates

2 > Busbar Protection 32

∴ Choose IS from min fault current ( 30%)

Thus we can choose a value of RS:-

3 > Busbar Protection 33

 The value of primary operating current should be around

4 > Busbar Protection 34

 Relays used for high impedance protection are high

5 > Busbar Protection 35

Exciting Voltage (VS)

For High Impedance Protection Choose VK such that:

6 > Busbar Protection 36

RCT RLY RLX RCT

IS = IR + 2Ie with 2 circuits

Primary effective setting