ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering
By Steven McFadyen on March 22nd, 2012
The widely used United Sates standard ANSI/IEEE C37.2 'Electrical Power System Device
Function Numbers, Acronyms, and Contact Designations' deals with protective device function
numbering and acronyms. Even in those parts of the world where IEC standards are
predominate, the use of ANSI numbering for protective device functions is still common place.
Contents [hide]
1. Protective Device Numbers
2. Prefixes and Suffixes
3. ANSI IEC Comparison
Protective Device Numbers
Protective relays are commonly referred to by standard device numbers. For example, a time
overcurrent relay is designated a 51 device, while an instantaneous overcurrent is a 50 device.
Multifunction relays have combinations of device numbers. A 27/59 device, for example, is a
combination under/over voltage relay. Letters can be added to clarify application (87T for
transformer differential, 59G for ground overvoltage).
1 – Master Element
2 – Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay
3 – Checking or Interlocking Relay
4 – Master Contactor
5 – Stopping Device
6 – Starting Circuit Breaker
7 – Rate of Change Relay
8 – Control Power Disconnecting Device
9 – Reversing Device
10 – Unit Sequence Switch
11 – Multi-function Device
12 – Overspeed Device
13 – Synchronous-speed Device
14 – Underspeed Device
15 – Speed – or Frequency, Matching Device
16 – Data Communications Device
17 – Shunting or Discharge Switch
18 – Accelerating or Decelerating Device
19 – Starting to Running Transition Contactor
20 – Electrically Operated Valve
21 – Distance Relay
22 – Equalizer Circuit Breaker
23 – Temperature Control Device
24 – Volts Per Hertz Relay
25 – Synchronizing or Synchronism-Check Device
26 – Apparatus Thermal Device
27 – Undervoltage Relay
28 – Flame detector
29 – Isolating Contactor or Switch
30 – Annunciator Relay
31 – Separate Excitation Device
32 – Directional Power Relay
33 – Position Switch
34 – Master Sequence Device
35 – Brush-Operating or Slip-Ring Short-Circuiting Device
36 – Polarity or Polarizing Voltage Devices
37 – Undercurrent or Underpower Relay
38 – Bearing Protective Device
39 – Mechanical Condition Monitor
40 – Field (over/under excitation) Relay
41 – Field Circuit Breaker
42 – Running Circuit Breaker
43 – Manual Transfer or Selector Device
44 – Unit Sequence Starting Relay
45 – Abnormal Atmospheric Condition Monitor
46 – Reverse-phase or Phase-Balance Current Relay
47 – Phase-Sequence or Phase-Balance Voltage Relay
48 – Incomplete Sequence Relay
49 – Machine or Transformer, Thermal Relay
50 – Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay
51 – AC Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay
52 – AC Circuit Breaker
53 – Exciter or DC Generator Relay
54 – Turning Gear Engaging Device
55 – Power Factor Relay
56 – Field Application Relay
57 – Short-Circuiting or Grounding Device
58 – Rectification Failure Relay
59 – Overvoltage Relay
60 – Voltage or Current Balance Relay
61 – Density Switch or Sensor
62 – Time-Delay Stopping or Opening Relay
63 – Pressure Switch
64 – Ground Detector Relay
65 – Governor
66 – Notching or Jogging Device
67 – AC Directional Overcurrent Relay
68 – Blocking or "Out-of-Step" Relay
69 – Permissive Control Device
70 – Rheostat
71 – Liquid Level Switch
72 – DC Circuit Breaker
73 – Load-Resistor Contactor
74 – Alarm Relay
75 – Position Changing Mechanism
76 – DC Overcurrent Relay
77 – Telemetering Device
78 – Phase-Angle Measuring Relay
79 – AC Reclosing Relay
80 – Flow Switch
81 – Frequency Relay
82 – DC Reclosing Relay
83 – Automatic Selective Control or Transfer Relay
84 – Operating Mechanism
85 – Communications,Carrier or Pilot-Wire Relay
86 – Lockout Relay
87 – Differential Protective Relay
88 – Auxiliary Motor or Motor Generator
89 – Line Switch
90 – Regulating Device
91 – Voltage Directional Relay
92 – Voltage and Power Directional Relay
93 – Field Changing Contactor
94 – Tripping or Trip-Free Relay
95 to 99 – For specific applications where other numbers are not suitable
* for a full definition of each function, please refer to the ANSI/IEEE C37.2 standard
Prefixes and Suffixes
Letters and numbers may be used as prefixes or suffixes to device function numbers to provide a
more specific definition of the function. Prefixes and suffixes should, however, be used only
when they accomplish a useful purpose.
Auxiliary devices Main device
C - Closing relay/contactor A - Alarm/auxiliary power
CL - Auxiliary relay, closed AC - Alternating current
CS - Control switch AN - Anode
D - "Down" position switch relay B - Battery, blower, bus
L- Lowering relay BK - Brake
O - Opening relay/contactor BL - Block (valve)
OP - Auxiliary relay, open BP - Bypass
PB - Push button BT - Bus tie
R - Raising relay C - Capacitor, condenser, compensator,
U - "UP" position switch relay carrier current, case, compressor
X - Auxiliary relay CA - Cathode
Y - Auxiliary relay CH - Check (valve)
Z - Auxiliary relay D - Discharge (valve)
DC - Direct current
E - Exciter
F - Feeder, field, filament, filter, fan
Actuating quantities G - Generator/ground
H - Heater/housing
A -Air/amperes/alternating L - Line, logic
C - Current M - Motor, metering
D - Direct/discharge MOC - Mechanism operated contact
E - Electrolyte N - Network, neutral
F - Frequency/flow/fault P - Pump, phase comparison
GP - Gas pressure R - Reactor, rectifier, room
H - Explosive/harmonics S - Synchronizing, secondary, strainer,
I0 - Zero sequence current sump ,suction (valve)
I-, I2 - Negative sequence current T -Transformer, thyratron
I+, I1 - Positive sequence current TH - Transformer (high-voltage side)
J - Differential TL - Transformer (low-voltage side)
L - Level/liquid TM - Telemeter
P - Power/pressure TOC - Truck-operated contacts
PF - Power factor TT - Transformer (tertiary-voltage side)
Q - Oil U - Unit
S - Speed/suction/smoke
T - Temperature
V - Voltage/volts/vacuum
VAR -Reactive power Main device parts
VB - Vibration
W - ater/watts BK - Brake
C - Coil, condenser, capacitor
CC - Closing coil, closing contactor
HC - Holding coil
Other suffix letters M - Operating motor
MF - Fly-ball motor
A - Accelerating, automatic ML - Load-limit motor
B - Blocking, backup MS - Speed adjusting or synchronizing
BF - Breaker failure motor
C - Close, cold OC - Opening contactor
D - Decelerating, detonate, down, S - Solenoid
disengaged SI - Seal-in
E - Emergency, engaged T - Target
F - Failure, forward TC Trip coil
GP - General purpose
H - Hot, high V - Valve
HIZ - High impedance fault
HR - Hand reset
HS - High speed
L - Left, local, low, lower, leading Reference positions of devices
M - Manual
O - Open, over Adjusting means - Low or down
OFF - Off position
ON - On Clutch - Disengaged position
P - Polarizing Contactor - De-energized position
R - Right, raise, reclosing, receiving, Contactor (latched-in type) - Main
remote, reverse contacts open
S - Sending, swing Density switch - Standard reference
SHS - Semi-high speed Disconnecting switch - Main contacts
T - Test, trip, trailing open
TDC - Time-delay closing contact Flow detector - Lowest flow
TDDO - Time delayed relay coil drop- Gate - Closed position
out Level detector - Lowest level
TDO - Time-delay opening contact Load-break switch - Main contacts
TDPU - Time delayed relay coil pickup open
THD - Total harmonic distortion Power circuit breaker - Main contacts
U - Up, under open
Power electrodes - Maximum gap
position
Pressure switch - Lowest pressure
Reclosure - Main contactor open
Relay - De-energized position
Relay (latched-in type)
Rheostat - Maximum resistance
position
Speed switch - Lowest speed
Tap changer - Center tap
Temperature relay - Lowest temperature
Turning gear - Disengaged position
Vacuum switch - Lowest pressure that
is highest vacuum
Valve - Closed position
Vibration detector - Minimum vibration
ANSI IEC Comparison
ANSI IEC 60617 Description
21FL FLOC Fault locator
21G Z< Underimpedance
24 U/f> Overexcitation
25 SYNC Synchronisation check
27 U< Undervoltage
Directional power relay
32 P→ 32P, P→, - active power
32Q, Q→ - reactive powerpower
37 I< Non-directional undercurrent
40 X< Underexcitation
46 I2> Negative-phase sequence
47 U2> Phase-sequence voltage protection
48, 14, 66 Is²t,n< Start-up supervision for motors
49F Ith> Thermal protection for cables
Three-phase thermal protection for machines
49M/49G/49T
M - motor, G - generators, T - transformer
50N/51N I0> Non-directional earth-fault
Non-directional overcurrent
51 I> 51C, I> - shunt capacitors
51V, I(U)> - voltage dependant
Overvoltage
59 U>
59N, U0> - residual overvoltage
Directional overcurrent
67 I>→
67N, I0>→ - directional earth-fault
68 I2> Transformer/motor inrush current
79 0→1 Auto-reclosure
Frequency relay
81 f 81N, f< - underfrquency
81O, f> - overfrequency
Differential protection
87G, ΔI> - generator
87 ΔI> 87M, ΔI> - motor
87T, ΔI> - transformer
87N, ΔI0> - restricted earth fault
