Over Current Relay
Dr. S. Sarangi
Department of Electrical Engineering
MNNIT ALLAHABAD
Protection Components
Protection systems have three basic components:
Sensors (transducers, detectors) to detect system
abnormalities
Relays (activators) to provide signals to activate the
protection devices.
Circuit breakers (interrupters) to open (disconnect) the
circuits.
Figure 5.0
What is a Relay?
A relay is a logical element which process the inputs (mostly
voltages and currents) from the system and issues a trip
decision if a fault within its jurisdiction is detected. Inputs to a
relay are:
- Current from a current transformer.
- Voltage from a voltage transformer
CLASSIFICATIONS OF RELAYS
Relays may be classified according to the technology
used:
a. electromechanical
b. static
c. digital
d. numerical
Protection Techniques
Single End Data data: Local measurements
•Over-current/earth fault
• Distance protection
Both Ends data:
Differential Protection
PLCC: Power Line carrier Communication
Transfer Trip Scheme: DUTT, POTT, PUTT
Wide area based Schemes: Zone- blocking during Power swing
Overcurrent and earth-fault protection
A protective relay which operates when the load current
exceeds a preset value is called an overcurrent relay.
The value of preset current above which the relay operates is
known as pick up value.
An overcurrent relay is used for protection of distribution lines,
large motors and power equipment.
An overcurrent scheme may include one or more overcurrent
relays.
A wide variety of time-current characteristics is available for
overcurrent relays
Non-Directional Overcurrent Protection
When the current in a system exceeds a predetermined
value, it indicates the presence of a fault.
Relaying decision is based solely on the magnitude of
current.
Used in radial distribution systems.
Overcurrent relaying and fuse protection uses this
principle.
Directional Overcurrent Protection
Uses both magnitude of current and phase angle information
for decision making.
Used in radial distribution systems with source at both ends.
Type of Overcurrent Relay can be categorized as below:
Definite time overcurrent relays
This type of relay operates after a predetermined time when
the current exceeds its pick-up value. The operating time is
constant, irrespective of the magnitude of the current above
the pick-up value.
Operating time is independent of current
Relay closest to fault has shortest operating time.
Problem Longest operating time is at the source where
fault level is highest
Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay
This type of relay operates in definite time when the current
exceeds its pick up value. The operating time is constant,
irrespective of the magnitude of current.
Current settings chosen so that relay closest to fault
operates.
Problem relies on there being a difference in fault level
between the two relay locations.
Cannot discriminate if IF1= IF2
IDMT overcurrent relay
Generally, it can be divided into three (3) categories
a) Standard Inverse (SI)
b) Very Inverse-time Overcurrent (VI)
c) Extremely Inverse-time Overcurrent relay (EI)
Characteristics of IDMT relay
Current setting via plug bridge or PMS
Time multiplier setting via disc movement or TMS
Electromechanical relay only have single
characteristics curve while numerical and electronics
have multiple type of curve.
IDMT
Electromechanical
relay
Ir = (I/Is), where Is = relay
setting current
TMS = Time multiplier Setting
TD = Time Dial setting
The tripping
characteristics for
different TMS settings
using the SI curve
RELAY CURRENT SETTING
An overcurrent relay has a minimum operating current,
known as the current setting of the relay.
The current setting must be chosen so that the relay does
not operate for the maximum load current in the circuit being
protected, but does operate for a current equal or greater to
the minimum expected fault current.
Plug Setting Multiplier
It is the ratio of fault current in the relay coil to the pick – up
current.
Time Multiplier Setting
A relay is generally provided with control to adjust the time of
operation. This adjustment is known as time setting multiplier
the time setting dial is calibrated from 0 to 1 in steps 0.1.
These figures are multipliers to be used to convert the time
derived from time/p.s.m curve into the actual operating time.
The actual time of operation is calculated by multiplying the
time setting multiplier with the time obtained from time/ p.s.m
curve of the relay.
Electromechanical Relay
Relay Operating Time
In order to calculate the actual relay operating time, the
following things must be known:
(a) Time/ p.s.m curve
(b) Current setting
(c) Time setting
(d) Fault current
(e) Current transformer ratio
Example:
Problem 1: – Determine the time of operation of a 5-ampere, 3-second over
current relay having a current setting of 125% and a time setting, multiplier
of 0.6 connected to supply circuit through a 400/5 current transformer when
the circuit carries a fault current of 4000A. The time of operation is 3.5 for a
P.S.M value of 8.
Solution
Rated secondary current of CT = 5 A
Pickup current = 5 x 1.25 = 6.25 A
Fault current in relay coil = 4000 x 5/400 = 50 A
Plug-setting multiplier (P.S.M.) = 50/6.25 = 8
Given when P.S.M is 8 time operation is 3.5 Sec.
Actual relay operating time = 3.5 x Time-setting = 3.5 x 0.6 = 2.1 seconds
Example:
Determine the magnitude of fault current, secondary current and tripping
time at 130%, 200% and 300% for a standard inverse relay having a
parameters as shown below:
PSM = 100%, CT ratio 500/5; TMS= 0.1
Solutions:
Fault current: 100% = 500 A;
130 % = 1.3 x 500 A = 650 A
200 % = 2 x 500 A = 1000 A
300 % = 3 x 500 A = 1500 A
Secondary Current: 130% = 1.3 x 5 = 6.5 A
200% = 2.0 x 5 = 10 A
300 % = 3.0 x 5 = 15 A
