Out-Of-Step Blocking Function in Distance Relay Using Mathematical Morphology
Out-Of-Step Blocking Function in Distance Relay Using Mathematical Morphology
org
Published in IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
Received on 11th July 2011
Revised on 28th October 2011
doi: 10.1049/iet-gtd.2011.0514
ISSN 1751-8687
Abstract: Out-of-step condition arising from an unstable power swing requires quick detection of the power swing followed by a
controlled separation of different areas of power system at predetermined locations. However, in order to perform such separation,
local operation of distance relays needs to be blocked using out-of-step blocking (OSB) function. Conventional blinder-based
method to implement the OSB function cannot detect a symmetrical fault once the relay is blocked during a power swing.
Different schemes are proposed to overcome this drawback. This study presents detection methods for power swing and
symmetrical faults, based on mathematical morphology. These methods offer distinct advantages over other schemes
proposed in the literature. The methods are combined and rigorously tested on waveforms generated using PSCAD/
EMTDCw. These methods are then used to propose a reliable and fast OSB tool that imposes a very low computation burden
at low sampling rate.
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improved and effective OSB function for distance relays implementation of OSB function is described in Section 6,
using mathematical morphology (MM). and conclusions are drawn in Section 7.
Morphological filters belong to a class of non-linear signal
processing tools that transform the shape of signals [12, 13], 2 Definition
thus deriving their name. These tools are based on set theory
and integral geometry. They are collectively called MM As stated earlier in Section 1, MM comprises two basic
and were originally developed by Matheron [14] and operations – dilation and erosion. Based on these two basic
Serra [15]. The terms ‘Morphological Filters’ and operations, several other operations are defined [17].
‘Mathematical Morphology’ are generally found to be used Dilation, erosion, opening and closing are the most
interchangeably, at least for power-related applications. In commonly used operations for the one-dimensional signals
contrast to tools like Fourier Transform and Wavelet typically seen in power systems. These operations are
Transform, MM entirely works in the time domain [16, 17], defined now.
and it has been extensively used in removing noise from Let f (n) be a signal, defined in domain Df ¼ {x0 , x1 , . . . ,
signals and images. xn}, and g(m) be the SE, defined in domain Dg ¼ {y0 , y1 ,
Morphological filters use a processing function called . . ., ym}, where n and m are integers, such that n . m.
the structuring element (SE) [18]. Dilation and erosion are Dilation of f (n) by g(m), ( f W g)
two basic operations in MM. These operations with their
different combinations and derivatives are used to extract yd (n) = (f ⊕ g)(n) = max{f (n − m) + g(m)}
one or more desired sub-signals from a given signal. These
sub-signals are then innovatively used for various 0 ≤ (n − m) ≤ n, m ≥ 0 (1)
applications. Choice of SE plays a crucial role in MM
operations. This choice is often based on past experience, Erosion of f (n) by g(m), (f ⊖ g) is
and trial-and-error. Gautam and Brahma [19 – 21] explore
the performance and capabilities of MM operators for real- ye (n) = (f ⊖g)(n) = min{f (n + m) − g(m)}
time applications in a power system. Gautam and Brahma 0 ≤ (n + m) ≤ n, m ≥ 0 (2)
[19, 20] discuss the effect of the SE on real-time
performance of MM. They also show the effectiveness of
Based on dilation and erosion, two composite operations
MM operations in detecting and extracting high-frequency
known as opening and closing are defined. The opening of
noise, for example, transients in the voltage waveforms at
f (n) by g(m), denoted by f ⊖ g, is defined as dilation of the
the instant of occurrence of fault. Gautam and Brahma [21]
eroded signal (f ⊖ g) by g
analyse the use of MM-based operations to effectively
detect and extract low-frequency signals, such as those
observed during power swings. yo (n) = (f W g)(n) = (ye ⊕ g)(n) = ((f ⊖g) ⊕ g)(n) (3)
As mentioned earlier, MM is a time-domain tool; therefore
it does not suffer from any frequency-related issues like Similarly, closing of f (n) by g(m), denoted by f † g, is defined
frequency drifts or aliasing. It is also computationally very as erosion of the dilated signal ( f ⊕ g) by g
efficient and fast, and does not require a high sampling rate,
thus overcoming the drawbacks of a wavelet-based yc (n) = (f † g)(n) = (yd ⊖ g)(n) = ((f ⊕ g) ⊖ g)(n) (4)
approach. Speed of detection is a major advantage of MM-
based techniques, the detection is often made in the sub- These operations simply involve addition and comparison,
cycle range. thus imposing extremely light computation burden.
This paper shows how MM can be applied in different Interested readers can refer to [19] for a detailed
ways to detect a power swing, and to detect a symmetrical explanation of these definitions and their real-time
fault during a power swing. In order to illustrate this, the interpretation.
paper first documents how the length of the SE can be The SE is the basis of all morphological operations, and is
adjusted to detect a power swing by processing the current used for the extraction of features and reduction of noise in a
signal. The associated time delay is also discussed. Then signal [22]. Depending on the signal type and application, the
the paper describes how the voltage waveform and a choice of the SE varies widely. It can be linear, square, disk-
different SE can be used to detect a symmetrical fault or ball-shaped, and even sinusoidal [23]. An appropriate
during a power swing. The two methods are then tested on choice of SE for a particular application depends on various
waveforms simulated using PSCAD/EMTDCw. The results factors including but not limited to the type and frequency
are analysed. Based on the analysis, a relay blocking logic of signal, signal spectrum and the sampling rate [24]. The
is proposed to implement a fast and effective OSB function frequency of interest determines the length of the SE, and
that imposes very low computation burden at a low this length in turn defines the size of the filter window.
sampling rate. Some trial and error using previous experience is also
The paper is divided into seven sections. Sections 1 and 2 needed to arrive at a final choice for the SE [19].
deal with the literature review and the definition of MM filters
and operators. Proposed MM operations to detect a power 3 Proposed MM operations to detect power
swing and a symmetrical fault during a power swing are swing and fault
outlined and discussed in Section 3. Section 4 describes the
set-up used to perform simulations, and documents some Based on the discussions in Section 1, the first objective of
results that help capture the sub-signal characteristics. Based this paper is to design an MM operation with appropriate
on these characteristics, Section 5 illustrates formulation SE to detect a power swing. A power swing sometimes
and comprehensive testing of a rule-based detection occurs when a power system is recovering from a severe
methodology to detect a power swing as well as a disturbance. Typical wave-shapes of system voltage and
symmetrical fault during a power swing. The current during a power swing are shown in Fig. 1, where it
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abrupt, a short length of the SE is justified. The final
choices of height and length of the SE are made as 0.01
and 2, respectively. Both SE-C and SE-V are chosen to be
linear in nature. As mentioned in Section 1, this paper
further proposes a complete OSB tool, and a block diagram
to integrate this tool with a numerical relay.
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fault instant corresponds to the time when the swing current is also shown. It can be clearly seen that the detection of swing
around its minimum value and the apparent impedance seen is very fast, and it easily outperforms the blinder-based
by relay is outside zone-3. schemes conventionally used. The detection time in Fig. 6
Figs. 5a and b show similar plots for the case where the translates to 67.4 ms.
three-phase fault occurs at 1.3011 s, which corresponds to Using the observations made in Section 4, another rule was
the time when the swing current is around its maximum formulated to detect a symmetrical fault during a swing: If the
value and the apparent impedance seen by relay is within CODO output corresponding to a voltage waveform in any of
zone-1. Careful observation of Figs. 4 and 5 shows that a the three phases is above a certain threshold value, a fault is
distinct spike is generated after the inception of fault. This detected. The same procedure as in the case of the previous
property is exploited for detection by a rule-based method. rule was implemented to determine the threshold value for
this rule. The threshold value in this case is 0.05 V, which
is approximately 200% of the value during the normal
5 Formulation of method to detect a power condition. This rule was used on voltage waveforms
swing and fault generated by simulating symmetrical faults during the
power swing at different instants and different locations.
A rule-based detection method was formulated to detect a Table 1 records the results, including the detection time.
power swing based on the observations documented in The fault inception times are chosen in pairs to simulate the
Section 4. The rule is: If the absolute change in the CODO fault in three different areas of the R – X plane viz outside
output corresponding to the current waveform in any of the zone-3 (FIT-1 and FIT-2), within zone-2 (FIT-3 and FIT-4)
three phases is above a certain threshold value for four and within zone-1 (FIT-5 and FIT-6). The fastest and the
consecutive cycles, a swing is detected. The threshold value slowest detection times are 0.6 and 1.5 ms, respectively.
for the rule was chosen as 0.05 A. The value is more than For all the cases in Table 1, different fault resistances were
200% of the CODO output during the normal condition, simulated within a range of 1– 10 V. The change in the fault
thus providing a very good buffer zone. It is important to resistance did not show any change in the fault detection time.
mention here that inception or clearing of faults or other The proposed method works even when the measured
disturbances in the system affect the current waveform only impedance before and after a fault are similar, as is the case
for a short period of time. The period of four cycles for FIT-5 and FIT-6 in Table 1, which correspond to faults
(67 ms) is therefore chosen to avoid such disturbances from in zone-1. The cases were also simulated for other load
being confused with a swing. Simulation results described angles, in order to test the proposed algorithm for different
later in this section show that this rule is never violated swing frequencies as shown in Fig. 7. The implementation
when the power system is operating in normal condition, or of the proposed rules for these cases resulted in successful
when there is a fault in the system, indicating that the
method is robust.
Fig. 6 shows the performance of this rule. The swing locus
is shown on a R– X plane, where the relay characteristics are
Table 1 Results from testing the detection method with corresponding detection times
SN Distance, km FIT-1 (1.1362 s) FIT-2 (1.1402 s) FIT-3 (1.2830 s) FIT-4 (1.2867 s) FIT-5 (1.2978 s) FIT-6 (1.3011 s)
FDT, s Delay, ms FDT, s Delay, ms FDT, s Delay, ms FDT, s Delay, ms FDT, s Delay, ms FDT, s Delay, ms
1 5 1.1370 0.8 1.1411 0.9 1.2839 0.9 1.2875 0.8 1.2984 0.6 1.3021 1.0
2 40 1.1370 0.8 1.1411 0.9 1.2839 0.9 1.2875 0.8 1.2990 1.2 1.3021 1.0
3 80 1.1375 1.3 1.1411 0.9 1.2844 1.4 1.2880 1.3 1.2990 1.2 1.3021 1.0
4 105 1.1375 1.3 1.1417 1.5 1.2844 1.4 1.2880 1.3 1.2990 1.2 1.3026 1.5
5 125 1.1375 1.3 1.1417 1.5 1.2844 1.4 1.2880 1.3 1.2990 1.2 1.3026 1.5
SN ¼ serial number; FIT ¼ fault inception time; FDT ¼ fault detection time
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detection of the swings as well as the faults. Thus, the swing
and the fault detection methods were comprehensively and
successfully tested.
6 Integration of OSB function with distance Fig. 9 Implementation of Truth Table in Table 2 with XOR gate
relay
7 Conclusion
Fig. 8 shows the block diagram describing the
implementation logic of the OSB function to be integrated This paper shows that MM operations can be designed for
with a distance relay. The current waveforms are sampled quick and efficient detection of a power swing, as well as a
continuously at 1.92 kHz, and fed to the Swing Detection symmetrical fault during a power swing. Current waveforms
Module. As soon as swing is detected, the swing flag (SF) are used to detect a swing, and voltage waveforms are used
is enabled and the distance relay is blocked from to detect a fault. The main difference in the design for the
responding to a symmetrical fault. The control is then two operations is the length of the SE. The operations are
transferred to the Fault Detection Module. The Fault used to create a comprehensive OSB tool that can be
Detection Module gets sampled voltage waveforms from integrated with a distance relay. The tool imposes very low
the Sampling Module, and performs the CODO operation computation burden, offers extremely quick detection of
described in Sections 3 and 4. When the Fault Detection swing as well as fault, is not affected by frequency
Module detects a symmetrical fault, the fault flag (FF) is variations during swing and does not require a high
enabled and the distance relay is released to operate for the sampling rate. The tool is rigorously and successfully tested
fault. Table 2 shows when the relay operation has to be at different swing frequencies, with different fault locations
blocked (indicated by 1), and when it has to be released at different inception angles and different fault resistances
(indicated by 0). The relay is only blocked when the swing using waveforms generated by PSCAD/EMTDCw. This tool
exists (SF enabled), but there is no symmetrical fault (FF will help achieve a reliable and secure separation of
disabled). The Fault Detection Module is not active unless different areas of a power system during an unstable power
SF is high, so the input combination (0, 1) is not possible swing, thus improving the wide-area protection and control
and hence declared not applicable in the truth table. The of grid.
Swing Detection Module continuously monitors the current
waveforms and disables the Fault Detection Module if
the swing subsides. This perfectly implements the OSB 8 References
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studies’, IEEE Trans. Power Deliv., 1992, 7, (1), pp. 152–159
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models for current, voltage, and coupling capacitor voltage
transformers’, IEEE Trans. Power Deliv., 2000, 15, (1), pp. 62– 72 Lbur = 2.4 H, Rbur = 301 V and Rpbur = 785 V
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voltage transformer: a model for electromagnetic transient studies’,
Electr. Power Syst. Res., 2007, 77, (2), pp. 125–134 Rf 1 = 5.5 V, Rf 2 = 3.9 V and Rf 3 = 40 V
Lf 1 = 0.01 H, Lf 2 = 0.394 H and Cf 2 = 8.0 mF
9 Appendix Core loss in normal condition, W0 = 7.5 W
9.1 Details of test system Using voltage divider rule for the capacitor C1 and C2
The details for the system shown in Fig. 2 are given below:
C1 + C2 Vp
=
C1 Vm
Equivalent generator G, 600 MVA, 22 kV, 60 Hz,
Vp
H = 4.4 MW s/MVA = 46.188 ⇒ C2 = 45.188 × C1
Vm
Xd = 1.81 pu, Xd′ = 0.3 pu, Xd′′ = 0.23 pu, Assuming C1 ¼ 9660 pF we get C2 ≃ 436 500 pF. The
compensating inductor LComp is then calculated as follows.
Xq = 1.76 pu, Xq′′ = 0.25 pu For full compensation
′
Td0 ′′
= 8 s, Td0 ′′
= 0.03 s, Tq0 = 0.03 s, XL = XC
wL = 1/wC
Ra = 0.003 pu, XP (Potier reactance) = 0.15 pu
where C ¼ C1 + C2 and L ¼ LComp + LTrans
Transformer, 600 MVA, 22/400 kV, 60 Hz, D/Y LTrans ¼ transformer reactance referred to primary side
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