Tuesday 31 December 2013

T & D - 19) Types and Applications Of Overcurrent Relay (1)

Types, applications and connections of Overcurrent relay

Index

  • Types of protection:
    1. Unit Type Protection
    2. Non-unit schemes
      1. Overcurrent protection
      2. Earth fault protection
  • Various types of Line Faults
  • Overcurrent Relay Purpose and Ratings
    • Primary requirement of Overcurrent protection
    • Purpose of overcurrent Protection
    • Overcurrent Relay Ratings
  • Difference between Overcurrent and Overload protection
  • Types of Overcurrent Relay:
    1. Instantaneous Overcurrent relay (Define Current)
    2. Definite Time Overcurrent Relays
    3. Inverse Time Overcurrent Relays (IDMT Relay)
      1. Normal Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay
      2. Very Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay
      3. Extremely Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay
    4. Directional Overcurrent Relays
  • Application of Overcurrent Relay

Types of protection

Protection schemes can be divided into two major groupings:
  1. Unit schemes
  2. Non-unit schemes

1. Unit Type Protection

Unit type schemes protect a specific area of the system, i.e., a transformer, transmission line, generator or bus bar.
The unit protection schemes is based on Kirchhoff’s Current Law – the sum of the currents entering an area of the system must be zero.
Any deviation from this must indicate an abnormal current path. In these schemes, the effects of any disturbance or operating condition outside the area of interest are totally ignored and the protection must be designed to be stable above the maximum possible fault current that could flow through the protected area.

2. Non unit type protection

The non-unit schemes, while also intended to protect specific areas, have no fixed boundaries. As well as protecting their own designated areas, the protective zones can overlap into other areas. While this can be very beneficial for backup purposes, there can be a tendency for too great an area to be isolated if a fault is detected by different non unit schemes.
The most simple of these schemes measures current and incorporates an inverse time characteristic into the protection operation to allow protection nearer to the fault to operate first.
The non unit type protection system includes following schemes:
  1. Time graded overcurrent protection
  2. Current graded overcurrent protection
  3. Distance or Impedance Protection

2.1 Overcurrent protection

This is the simplest of the ways to protect a line and therefore widely used.
It owes its application from the fact that in the event of fault the current would increase to a value several times greater than maximum load current. It has a limitation that it can be applied only to simple and non costly equipments.

2.2 Earth fault protection

The general practice is to employ a set of two or three overcurrent relays and a separate overcurrent relay for single line to ground fault. Separate earth fault relay provided makes earth fault protection faster and more sensitive.
Earth fault current is always less than phase fault current in magnitude.
Therefore, relay connected for earth fault protection is different from those for phase to phase fault protection.

Various types of Line Faults

NoType of FaultOperation of  Relay
1Phase to Ground fault (Earth Fault)Earth Fault Relay
2Phase to Phase fault Not with GroundRelated Phase Overcurrent relays
3Double phase to Ground faultRelated Phase Overcurrent relays and Earth Fault relays

Overcurrent Relay Purpose and Ratings

A relay that operates or picks up when it’s current exceeds a predetermined value (setting value) is called Overcurrent Relay.
Overcurrent protection protects electrical power systems against excessive currents which are caused by short circuits, ground faults, etc. Overcurrent relays can be used to protect practically any power system elements, i.e. transmission lines, transformers, generators, or motors.
For feeder protection, there would be more than one overcurrent relay to protect different sections of the feeder. These overcurrent relays need to coordinate with each other such that the relay nearest fault operates first.
Use time, current and a combination of both time and current are three ways to discriminate adjacent overcurrent relays.
OverCurrent Relay gives protection against:
Overcurrent includes short-circuit protection, and short circuits can be:
  1. Phase faults
  2. Earth faults
  3. Winding faults
Short-circuit currents are generally several times (5 to 20) full load current. Hence fast fault clearance is always desirable on short circuits.

Primary requirement of Overcurrent protection

The protection should not operate for starting currents, permissible overcurrent, current surges. To achieve this, the time delay is provided (in case of inverse relays).
The protection should be co-ordinate with neighboring overcurrent protection.
Overcurrent relay is a basic element of overcurrent protection.

Purpose of overcurrent Protection

These are the most important purposes of overcurrent relay:
  • Detect abnormal conditions
  • Isolate faulty part of the system
  • Speed Fast operation to minimize damage and danger
  • Discrimination Isolate only the faulty section
  • Dependability / reliability
  • Security / stability
  • Cost of protection / against cost of potential hazards

Overcurrent Relay Ratings

In order for an overcurrent protective device to operate properly, overcurrent protective device ratings must be properly selected. These ratings include voltage, ampere and interrupting rating.
If the interrupting rating is not properly selected, a serious hazard for equipment and personnel will exist.
Current limiting can be considered as another overcurrent protective device rating, although not all overcurrent protective devices are required to have this characteristic
Voltage Rating: The voltage rating of the overcurrent protective device must be at least equal to or greater than the circuit voltage. The overcurrent protective device rating can be higher than the system voltage but never lower.
Ampere Rating: The ampere rating of a overcurrent protecting device normally should not exceed the current carrying capacity of the conductors As a general rule, the ampere rating of a overcurrent protecting device is  selected at 125% of the continuous load current.

Difference between Overcurrent and Overload protection

Overcurrent protection protects against excessive currents or currents beyond the acceptable current ratings, which are resulting from short circuits, ground faults and overload conditions.
While, the overload protection protects against the situation where overload current causes overheating of the protected equipment.
The overcurrent protection is a bigger concept So that the overload protection can be considered as a subset of overcurrent protection.
The overcurrent relay can be used as overload (thermal) protection when protects the resistive loads, etc., however, for motor loads, the overcurrent relay cannot serve as overload protection Overload relays usually have a longer time setting than the overcurrent relays.

Types of Overcurrent Relay

These are the types of overcurrent relay:
  1. Instantaneous Overcurrent (Define Current) Relay
  2. Define Time Overcurrent Relay
  3. Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay (IDMT Relay)
    • Moderately Inverse
    • Very Inverse Time
    • Extremely Inverse
  4. Directional overcurrent Relay

1. Instantaneous Overcurrent relay (Define Current)

Definite current relay operate instantaneously when the current reaches a predetermined value.
Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay - Definite Current
Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay - Definite Current
  • Operates in a definite time when current exceeds its Pick-up value.
  • Its operation criterion is only current magnitude (without time delay).
  • Operating time is constant.
  • There is no intentional time delay.
  • Coordination of definite-current relays is based on the fact that the fault current varies with the position of the fault because of the difference in the impedance between the fault and the source
  • The relay located furthest from the source operate for a low current value
  • The operating currents are progressively increased for the other relays when moving towards the source.
  • It operates in 0.1s or less
Application: This type is applied to the outgoing feeders.

2. Definite Time Overcurrent Relays

In this type, two conditions must be satisfied for operation (tripping), current must exceed the setting value and the fault must be continuous at least a time equal to time setting of the relay.
Definite time of overcurrent relay
Definite time of overcurrent relay
Modern relays may contain more than one stage of protection each stage includes each own current and time setting.
  1. For Operation of Definite Time Overcurrent Relay operating time is constant
  2. Its operation is independent of the magnitude of current above the pick-up value.
  3. It has pick-up and time dial settings, desired time delay can be set with the help of an intentional time delay mechanism.
  4. Easy to coordinate.
  5. Constant tripping time independent of in feed variation and fault location.

Drawback of Relay:

  1. The continuity in the supply cannot be maintained at the load end in the event of fault.
  2. Time lag is provided which is not desirable in on short circuits.
  3. It is difficult to co-ordinate and requires changes with the addition of load.
  4. It is not suitable for long distance transmission lines where rapid fault clearance is necessary for stability.
  5. Relay have difficulties in distinguishing between Fault currents at one point or another when fault impedances between these points are small, thus poor discrimination.

Application:

Definite time overcurrent relay is used as:
  1. Back up protection of distance relay of transmission line with time delay.
  2. Back up protection to differential relay of power transformer with time delay.
  3. Main protection to outgoing feeders and bus couplers with adjustable time delay setting.

3. Inverse Time Overcurrent Relays (IDMT Relay)

In this type of relays, operating time is inversely changed with current. So, high current will operate overcurrent relay faster than lower ones. There are standard inverse, very inverse and extremely inverse types.
Discrimination by both ‘Time’ and ‘Current’. The relay operation time is inversely proportional to the fault current.
Inverse Time relays are also referred to as Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) relay.
Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT)
Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT)
The operating time of an overcurrent relay can be moved up (made slower) by adjusting the ‘time dial setting’. The lowest time dial setting (fastest operating time) is generally 0.5 and the slowest is 10.
  • Operates when current exceeds its pick-up value.
  • Operating time depends on the magnitude of current.
  • It gives inverse time current characteristics at lower values of fault current and definite time characteristics at higher values
  • An inverse characteristic is obtained if the value of plug setting multiplier is below 10, for values between 10 and 20 characteristics tend towards definite time characteristics.
  • Widely used for the protection of distribution lines.
Based on the inverseness it has three different types:
Inverse types
Inverse types

3.1. Normal Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay

The accuracy of the operating time may range from 5 to 7.5% of the nominal operating time as specified in the relevant norms. The uncertainty of the operating time and the necessary operating time may require a grading margin of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds.
It’s used when Fault Current is dependent on generation of fault not fault location.
Normal inverse time Overcurrent Relay is relatively small change in time per unit of change of current.
Application:
Most frequently used in utility and industrial circuits. especially applicable where the fault magnitude is mainly dependent on the system generating capacity at the time of fault.

3.2. Very Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay

  • Gives more inverse characteristics than that of IDMT.
  • Used where there is a reduction in fault current, as the distance from source increases.
  • Particularly effective with ground faults because of their steep characteristics.
  • Suitable if there is a substantial reduction of fault current as the fault distance from the power source increases.
  • Very inverse overcurrent relays are particularly suitable if the short-circuit current drops rapidly with the distance from the substation.
  • The grading margin may be reduced to a value in the range from 0.3 to 0.4 seconds when overcurrent relays with very inverse characteristics are used.
  • Used when Fault Current is dependent on fault location.
  • Used when Fault Current independent of normal changes in generating capacity.

3.3. Extremely Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay

  • It has more inverse characteristics than that of IDMT and very inverse overcurrent relay.
  • Suitable for the protection of machines against overheating.
  • The operating time of a time overcurrent relay with an extremely inverse time-current characteristic is approximately inversely proportional to the square of the current
  • The use of extremely inverse overcurrent relays makes it possible to use a short time delay in spite of high switching-in currents.
  • Used when Fault current is dependent on fault location
  • Used when Fault current independent of normal changes in generating capacity.
Application:
  • Suitable for protection of distribution feeders with peak currents on switching in (refrigerators, pumps, water heaters and so on).
  • Particular suitable for grading and coordinates with fuses and re closes
  • For the protection of alternators, transformers. Expensive cables, etc.

3.4. Long Time Inverse Overcurrent Relay

The main application of long time overcurrent relays is as backup earth fault protection.

4. Directional Overcurrent Relays

When the power system is not radial (source on one side of the line), an overcurrent relay may not be able to provide adequate protection. This type of relay operates in on direction of current flow and blocks in the opposite direction.
Three conditions must be satisfied for its operation: current magnitude, time delay and directionality. The directionality of current flow can be identified using voltage as a reference of direction.

Application of Overcurrent Relay

Motor Protection:
  • Used against overloads and short-circuits in stator windings of motor.
  • Inverse time and instantaneous overcurrent phase and ground
  • Overcurrent relays used for motors above 1000 kW.
Transformer Protection:
  • Used only when the cost of overcurrent relays are not justified.
  • Extensively also at power-transformer locations for external-fault back-up protection.
Line Protection:
  • On some sub transmission lines where the cost of distance relaying cannot be justified.
  • primary ground-fault protection on most transmission lines where distance relays are used for phase faults.
  • For ground back-up protection on most lines having pilot relaying for primary protection.
Distribution Protection:
Overcurrent relaying is very well suited to distribution system protection for the following reasons:
  • It is basically simple and inexpensive.
  • Very often the relays do not need to be directional and hence no PT supply is required.
  • It is possible to use a set of two O/C relays for protection against inter-phase faults and a separate Overcurrent relay for ground faults.

T & D - 18) Using High-Speed Grounding Switches


Using High-Speed Grounding Switches
Using High-Speed Grounding Switches

Automatic high-speed grounding switches are applied for protection of power transformers when the cost of supplying other protective equipment is deemed unjustifiable and the amount of system disturbance that the high-speed grounding switch creates is judged acceptable.
The switches are generally actuated by discharging a spring mechanism to provide the ‘‘high-speed’’ operation.
The grounding switch operates to provide a deliberate ground fault on one phase of the high-voltage bus supplying the power transformer, disrupting the normally balanced 120° phase shifted three-phase system by effectively removing one phase and causing the other two phases to become 180ยบ phase shifted relative to each other.
This system imbalance is remotely detected by protective relaying equipment that operates thetransmission line breakers at the remote end of the line supplying the power transformer,tripping the circuit open to clear the fault.
This scheme also imposes a voltage interruption to all other loads connected between the remote circuit breakers and the power transformer as well as a transient spike to the protected power transformer, effectively shortening the transformer’s useful life.
Cleaveland/Price's High speed grounding switch
Cleaveland/Price's High speed grounding switch 115 kV - 230 kV, 120 kA momentary / 71kA, 3 sec


Frequently, a system utilizing a high-speed ground switch also includes the use of a motor operated disconnect switch and a relay system to sense bus voltage.
The relay system’s logic allows operation of the motor operated disconnect switch when there is no voltage on the transmission line to provide automatic isolation of the faulted power transformer and to allow reclosing operations of the remote breakers to restore service to the transmission line and to all other loads fed by this line.
The grounding switch scheme is dependent on the ability of the source transmission line relay protection scheme to recognize and clear the fault by opening the remote circuit breaker.
Clearing times are necessarily longer since the fault levels are not normally within the levels appropriate for an instantaneous trip response.

500 kV Motor Operated Disconnect Switch (VIDEO)

Can’t see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.
The lengthening of the trip time also imposes additional stress on the equipment being protected and should be considered when selecting this method for power transformer protection.
High-speed grounding switches are usually considered when relative fault levels are low so that the risk of significant damage to the power transformer due to the extended trip times is mitigated.

Sunday 29 December 2013

T & D - 17) Conductor Types Used For Overhead Lines


Conductor Types Used For Overhead Lines

Aluminium and its alloys conductor steel reinforced

The international standards covering most conductor types for overhead lines are IEC 61089(which supersedes IEC 207, 208, 209 and 210) and EN 50182 and 50183 (see Table 1).
For 36 kV transmission and above both aluminium conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) and all aluminium alloy conductor (AAAC) may be considered. Aluminium conductor alloy reinforced (ACAR) and all aluminium alloy conductors steel reinforced (AACSR) are less common than AAAC and all such conductors may be more expensive than ACSR.
Relevant national and international standards

StandardTitleComment
IEC 61089Round wire concentric lay overhead electrical stranded conductorsSupersedes IEC 207 (AAC), 208 (AAAC), 209 (ACSR) and 210 (AACSR)
EN 50182Conductor for overhead lines: round wire concentric lay stranded conductorSupersedes IEC 61089 for European use. BSEN 50182 identical
EN 50183Conductor for overhead lines: aluminium–magnesium–silicon alloy wires
BS 183Specification for general purpose galvanized steel wire strandFor earth wire
BS 7884Specification for copper and copper–cadmium conductors for overhead systems
Historically ACSR has been widely used because of its mechanical strength, the widespread manufacturing capacity and cost effectiveness.
For all but local distribution, copper-based overhead lines are more costlybecause of the copper conductor material costs. Copper (BS 7884 applies) has a very high corrosion resistance and is able to withstand desert conditions under sand blasting.
All aluminium conductors (AAC) are also employed at local distribution voltage levels.
From a materials point of view the choice between ACSR and AAAC is not so obvious and at larger conductor sizes the AAAC option becomes more attractive. AAAC can achieve significant strength/weight ratios and for some constructions gives smaller sag and/or lower tower heights. With regard to long-term creep or relaxation, ACSR with its steel core is considerably less likely to be affected.
Jointing does not impose insurmountable difficulties for either ACSR or AAAC types of conductor as long as normal conductor cleaning and general preparation are observed. AAAC is slightly easier to joint than ACSR.
Figure 1 illustrates typical strandings of ACSR. The conductor, with an outer layer of segmented strands, has a smooth surface and a slightly reduced diameter for the same electrical area.
Conductor arrangements for different CSR combinations
Figure 1 - Conductor arrangements for different CSR combinations
Historically there has been no standard nomenclature for overhead line conductors, although in some parts of the world code names have been used based on animal (ACSR – UK), bird (ACSR – North America), insect (AAAC – UK) or flower (AAAC – North America) names to represent certain conductor types.
Aluminium-based conductors have been referred to by their nominal aluminium area. Thus, ACSR with 54 Al strands surrounding seven steel strands, all strands of diameter d 3.18 mm, was designated 54/7/3.18; alu area 428.9 mm2steel area 55.6 mm2 and described as having a nominal aluminium area of 400 mm2.
In France, the conductor total area of 485 mm2 is quoted and in Germany the aluminium and steel areas, 429/56, are quoted. In Canada and USA, the area is quoted in circular mils (1000 circular mils 0.507 mm2).
Within Europe standard EN50182 has coordinated these codes while permitting each country to retain the actual different conductor types via the National Normative Aspects (NNAs).
Table below explains the EN 50182 designation system.

Conductor designation system to EN50182:2001

  1. A designation system is used to identify stranded conductors made of aluminium with or without steel wires.
  2. Homogeneous aluminium conductors are designated ALx, where x identifies the type of aluminium. Homogeneous aluminium-clad steel conductors are designated yzSA where y represents the type of steel (Grade A or B, applicable to class 20SA only), and z represents the class of aluminium cladding (20, 21, 30 or 40).
  3. Composite aluminium/zinc coated steel conductors are designated ALxISTyz, where ALx identifies the external aluminium wires (envelope), and STyz identifies the steel core. In the designation of zinc coated steel wires, y represents the type of steel (Grades 1 to 6) and z represents the class of zinc coating (A to E).
  4. Composite aluminium/aluminium-clad steel conductors are designatedALxIyzSA, where ALx identifies the external aluminium wires (envelope), and yzSA identifies the steel core as in 2.
  5. Conductors are identified as follows:
    1. A code number giving the nominal area, rounded to an integer, of the aluminium or steel as appropriate;
    2. A designation identifying the type of wires constituting the conductor. For composite conductors the first description applies to the envelope and the second to the core.
The development of ‘Gap type’ heat-resistant conductors offers the possibility of higher conductor temperatures.
The design involves an extra high strength galvanized steel core, and heat-resistant aluminium alloy outer layers, separated by a gap filled with heat-resistant grease. To maintain the gap, the wires of the inner layer of the aluminium alloy are trapezoid shaped. Depending on the alloys used, temperatures of up to 210°C are possible, with a current carrying capacity of up to twice that of hard-drawn aluminium.
This offers particular value where projects involve upgrading existing circuits.