Protection Systems & Devices (Relays)

3rd Year

CHAPTER 2
Types of Relays According to Theory of Operation

1. Attraction Type Relays

These are the simplest types of relays. These relays have a coil or an electromagnet
energized by a coil. The coil is energized by the operating quantity which may be
proportional to circuit current or voltage.

These relays respond to both A.C. and D.C. currents. When the coil is energized by a
current I, and saturation phenomena are neglected, the energy stored in the magnetic field
is given by:
E = 1/2 L I2 (1)

Where L is the inductance of the coil and I is the current flowing in the coil.

The force that tries to pull the plunger inside the coil is given by:

F = dE = K1 I2 (2)
dx

where K1 is a constant depending upon the constants of the electromagnetic circuit such as
the number of turns, the plunger diameter, the air gap and the dimensions of the iron core.

Since the relay has a restraining force ( K 2 ) through a restraining spring, the force equation
can be written as:

F = K1 I2 – K2 (3)

When the relay is on the verge of operation, F is zero, then:

Ip = k k
2 1
(4)

This idea is used in two types of relays Plunger Type Relay & Hinged Armature Relay.

The attraction armature relay can be designed to respond to over/under current and
over/under voltage for both A.C. and D.C.

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Plunger-type relay.

Balance Beam Relay

This type consists of a horizontal beam pivoted centrally with an armature attached to both
sides and a coil on each side. The beam remains in the horizontal position till operating
force becomes more than the restraining force.

The net torque is given by :

T = K1I12 – K2I22 + Ks (5)
Neglecting the spring effect, the net torque equals zero at the verge of operation, i.e.
I1/I2 = k k
2 1
= constant (6)

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This relay is fast and can be used to compare two currents. If one of the coils is actuated by
voltage and the other by current then V/I = constant is used in impedance relay.

2. Induction Relays

Induction-disk type of relay

Induction type relays are based upon the principle of operation of a single phase A.C. motor.
Therefore, they cannot be used for D.C. currents. Two variants of these are fairly standard;
one with an induction disc and the other with an induction cup. In both cases, the moving
element (disc or cup) is equivalent to the rotor of the induction motor.
Induction type relays require two sources of alternating magnetic flux in which the moving
element may turn. The two fluxes must have a phase difference between them; otherwise
no operating torque will be produced.
Torque is produced in these relays when one alternating flux reacts with eddy currents
induced in a rotor by another alternating flux of the same frequency but displaced in time
and space.

let: 1 = 1m sinωt

2 = 2m sin(ωt+)
then the eddy currents (i1 and i2)
produced in the disc are
i1  1m cosωt

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i2  2m cos(ωt+)
Each of the rotor currents interacts with the flux produced by the other coil produce a force.
The two forces are in opposite direction with respect to the other, and the net force or, the
net torque is given by:

F = F2 – F2  2m i 1 - 1m i 2
 F  1m2m [ sin(ωt+) cosωt - sinωt cos(ωt+) ]

 F = K1m2m sin

Also we can see that the net torque is

T = K1 I1mI2m sin

One of the most common types of the induction relay is the shaded pole structure.

The air gap flux produced by the current flowing in the coil is split into two out of phase
components by a copper “ shading ring “ which encircles part of the pole face of each pole.
The two rings have current induced in them by the alternating flux of the electromagnet and
the magnetic fields set up by these induced currents cause the flux in the portions of the iron
surrounded by the rings to lag by 40o to 50o the flux in the unshaded portions of the poles.

The torque in this case will be proportional to I12 and sine the phase difference, i.e.

T = K I12 sin

Since sin depends on the design then

T = K1 I12

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Induction Relay
(a) Watt-hour-meter (or double wound) type (b) Shaded pole type

Watt-hour-Meter type Induction Relay

This structure gets its name from the fact that it is used for watt-hour meters. As shown in
the figure, this structure contains two electromagnets. The upper electromagnet carries two
windings: the primary and the secondary. The primary carries the relay current I 1 which
induces emf in the secondary and so circulates a current I 2 in it. With this arrangement, the
leakage flux entering the disc from the upper magnet and the leakage flux entering the disc
from the lower magnet are displaced sufficiently in phase and thus the two fluxes produce
the driving torque in the disc. This torque is given by:

T = 12 sin

Where 1 & 2 are the leakage fluxes of the two coils and  is the phase difference
between these fluxes.

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3- Permanent Magnet Moving Coil Relay

In this relay the coil is free to rotate in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. A torque
is produced due to the interaction between the field of the magnet and the field of the coil.
This torque is given by:

T = 2r NHIL
Where
R is the coil radius
N is number of turns
I is coil current
L is coil length
H is Magnetic field
strength in the air gab

Note: This relay responds only to D.C. However it can be used with A.C. by using rectifier
circuits.

Plug Setting and Time Setting of Relays

Most over-current relays have a range of adjustments to make them adaptable to as wide
range of applications as possible. Hence, various relays are available, each having a
different range of adjustment. The adjustment of plunger type relays is carried out through
the restraining spring tension. The adjustment of current-actuated relays (induction type) is
usually carried out by coil taps. The operation of the relay requires a certain flux and ampere
turns. The current settings of the relay are chosen by altering the number of turns of the
exciting coil in use. The plug setting (P.S.) can either be given directly in amperes or
indirectly, as percentages of rated current. Typical settings for an earth-fault relay are 20 to
80% in steps of 10%, and for an over-current relay (phase-to-phase fault relay) are 50 to
200% in steps of 25%.

Time setting is generally in the form of an adjustable back-step, which decides the arc-
length through which the disc travels. By reducing the length of travel, the time is reduced.
The time multiplier setting is marked from 0.1 to 1, with major divisions marked in between.
If a relay takes a certain time ( t ) seconds with time setting ( time multiplier setting ) = 1 , the
same relay take time equals xt seconds when the time setting = x .
Plug setting refers to the magnitude of current at which the relay starts to operate. This
means that if a current = 100 A is injected ina relay coil which has a plug setting = 5, ( relay
current setting = 5 ), then the plug setting multiplier = 100 /5 = 20 . i.e. the current passing in
the relay coil is 20 times the plug setting.
The relay should start to operate at a current equals to the plug setting. However, due to
friction, dust, .. etc. , so as to make operation of relays reliable, their actuating quantity is
made at least 1.5 times the plug setting.

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It is important to note here that the plug setting equals the pick up current if there is no C.T.
is used. If we use a C.T. ,
The plug setting = Pick up current x C.T. ratio
As mentioned before, the current setting multiplier or (the plug setting multiplier) indicates
the number of times the relay is in excess of the current setting (plug setting).

Plug Setting Multiplier (P.S.M.)

The actual r.m.s. current in a relay, expressed as a multiple of the setting current is called
the plug setting multiplier (P.S.M.): e.g. if a 5 A (rated current) over-current relay is set at
200% = 10 A and if the relay current is 150 A then the plug setting multiplier = 15, and if the
C. T. is rated at 400 /5 A, then the fault current is 12 kA.

Time Setting (Time Multiplier T.M.)

The time setting of the relay marked 0 to 1 and called the time multiplier (T.M.), adjusts the
position of the movable back-stop. With the time multiplier set at 1 the back-stop is as far
back as it can go while with the time multiplier set at 0 the back-stop is so positioned that the
relay contacts are almost closed. The time multiplier is very nearly proportional to the angle
of travel of the relay contacts, but is calibrated to allow for the initial acceleration and the
resetting spring. The minimum practical setting is 0.1. With any lesser setting the relay
contacts might close accidentally due to vibration etc.

i.e. PSM = Relay Current

Relay setting current

Or = Primary Current x C.T. Ratio

Relay setting current

Or = Primary Current
Primary Setting Current
For each relay, a characteristic is plotted with multiples of plug settings (P.S.M.) as an
abscissa (x – axis) (log scale) and time in seconds (log scale) as an ordinate (y-axis).

Relay Characteristics

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4. Thermal Relays

These relays operate due to the thermal effect of the electric current. They can be made of
bi-metal type or thermocouples type.
The bi metal type consists of two metal strips having different coefficient of thermal
expansion joined together. When the combined strip is heated, one expands more than the
other causing the strip to bend. This process closes the relay contacts.

The other type is employing thermocouples. A thermocouple consists of a junction of two

selected materials. The junction touches a coil in which the circuit current is passing. The
difference in temperature between the two materials ( as their time coefficients are different )
induces e.m.f. which is a function of the coil temperature. This e.m.f. can operate a static
relay or a sensitive moving coil.

5. Buchholz Relay

It is a gas-actuated relay used for protecting oil immersed transformers against all types of
internal faults and makes use of the fact that during faults, oil decomposes and hence
generates gases.

Buchholz relay consists of a cast housing containing a hinged hollow float inside of which
there is a mercury switch. This float is located in the upper part of the housing.

When a fault occurs inside the transformer, bubbles of gas are evolved by the heat
generated and rise up to the top of the housing causing the oil level to fall and the mercury
float to tilt. The mercury therefore contacts the relay switch. An alarm is actuated and the
coil of the circuit breaker trips according to the design.

ON OFF

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