LECTURE 1
(Part-1)
DISTANCE PROTECTION
Learning objective
To understand basics of distance protection,
its need and justification.
To understand the working principle and
construction of Distance relay.
To understand the R-X diagram.
Introduction
Why distance protection?
Overcurrent protection is not suitable for meshed
transmission lines or interconnected system,
because it is very difficult to calculate relay-setting.
Overcurrent relays achieve selectivity by time-
grading. This clearly means that time-setting will
progressively increase towards the source. Thus
severe most faults will be cleared the slowest. This
feature is not good for more complicated network.
Introduction
In overcurrent protection magnitude
of fault current is a function (means
dependent) on source impedance and
types of fault (for example L-G, L-L-G,
three-phase fault). This is undesirable
feature because both of these are
variable. Therefore reach of the relay
in overcurrent protection will also be
dependent on types of the fault as
well as on source impedance. This
drawback of overcurrent protection
impose a need of such relay which
does not depend on the actual
magnitude of fault current. This has
led to the development of distance
relay whose reach depend on the
ratio of voltage at relay location and
fault current and is independent of
magnitude of fault current.
An example showing how relay setting of overcurrent relay becomes impractical
with change in source impedance.
An example showing how relay setting of overcurrent relay becomes impractical
with change in source impedance.
Introduction
Keep in mind
Distance protection is
non-unit type
protection.
Used for high-voltage or
extra-high voltage
interconnected
transmission system.
The operating voltage of
the lines and equipment
protected by distance
relays is usually several
thousand volts, and the
current in the
equipment during
system faults and
disturbances is
Introduction
The levels of the primary system voltages and
currents are reduced using voltage and current
transformers to protect personnel and
apparatus from high voltage and to allow
reasonable insulation levels for relays, meters,
and other instruments.
The reduced levels of voltages are 120 V, 230 V,
or another similar value. The reduced levels of
currents are either 5 A or 1 A when rated
current flows in the primary circuit.
Introduction
Distance protection is comparatively simple to
apply and it can be fast in operation for faults
located along most of a protected circuit.
Since, the Line Impedance is directly
Proportional to Line Length, we get the exact
location of the Fault in Kms.
Principle of Distance Protection
In this scheme of protection
the action of the relay
depends upon the distance
(or impedance) between the
point where the relay is
installed and the point of
fault.
Since the impedance of a
transmission line is
proportional to its length, for
distance measurement it is
appropriate to use a relay
capable of measuring the
impedance of a line up to a
predetermined point (the
reach point).
Principle of Distance Protection
The basic principle of
distance protection
involves the division of the
voltage at the relaying
point by the measured
current. The apparent
impedance so calculated is
compared with the reach
point impedance. If the
measured impedance is
less than the reach point
impedance, it is assumed
that a fault exists on the
line between the relay and
•
Explanation
Consider a transmission
line AB as shown in
Figure shown your right
hand side. Let us assume
that there is source only
at end A. We wish to
generate a zone of
protection which extends
from A to B. Assume that
the proposed relay is
located at end A, where
the local current and
voltage are available
Explanation
The reach of the distance relay is thus made
equal to Zset. The line is modeled as a series R-L
circuit for the purpose of relaying without much
loss of accuracy, as shown in Figure below
Explanation
Consider three faults: an internal fault F1, an external fault F3
, and a fault at reach
point fault F2. Now, let us compare the relay voltage VR with
the product of relay current
IR and Zset as shown in Table shown below for all the three
faults.
Fault Current at relay Voltage at Compare Desired response
location, IR relay |VR/IR| : |Zset| of relay
location, VR
F3 , External IR3 VR3 |VR3/IR3| ˃ |Zset| Restrain
F2 , Reach point IR2 VR2 |VR2/IR2| = |Zset| Verge of
operation
F1 , Internal IR1 VR1 |VR1 /IR1| ˂ |Zset| Trip
Explanation
However, the ratio |VR|/ |IR| is the magnitude of the
apparent impedance |ZR| as seen by the relay, therefore,
the trip law can be written as :
The relay, therefore has to compute the impedance as
seen from its location and compare it with set value to
take the trip decision. Because of the simple series model
of the faulted line, the line impedance is directly
proportional to the distance to fault.
Distance Relay
It is a double actuating quantity relay with one of
their coil is energized by voltage and the other coil
is energized by the current. The current element
produces a positive or pick-up or operating torque
while the voltages element has caused a negative or
reset or restraining torque. The operating torque
tends to close the trip contact while the restraining
torque tends to open the trip contact. Therefore, an
impedance relay is a voltage-restrained overcurrent
relay
Distance Relay (Construction and Working Principle)
A distance relay, as its name
implies, has the ability to
detect a fault within a pre-set
distance along a transmission
line or power cable from its
location. Every power line has
a resistance and reactive per
kilometer related to its design
and construction so its total
impedance will be a function
of its length or distance. A
distance relay therefore looks
at current and voltage and
compares these two quantities
on the basis of Ohm’s law
Distance Relay (Construction and Working
Principle)
The concept can best be appreciated by
looking at the pioneer-type balanced
beam relay (see Figure). The voltage is
fed onto one coil to provide restraining
torque, whilst the current is fed to the
other coil to provide the operating
torque. Under healthy conditions, the
voltage will be high (i.e. at full-rated
level), whilst the current will be low (at
normal load value), thereby balancing
the beam, and restraining it so that the
contacts remain
open. Under fault conditions, the
voltage collapses and the current
increase dramatically, causing the beam
to unbalance and close the contacts.
R-X Diagram
The characteristic of a distance
relay on the V-I plane is shown
in Figure below.
However, it is more instructive
and useful to represent this
characteristic on the R-X plane.
The R (resistance) axis
represents the real part of the
(V/R ratio whereas the X
(reactance) axis represents the
imaginary part of the (V/I) both
V and I being phasors.
R-X Diagram
