NATIONAL POWER TRAINING INSTITUTE OF

NIGERIA
……………………………power trainer with a difference

APUA TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

COURSE

PROTECTIVE RELAY
COORDINATION AND GRADING
Engineers/Technologist Cadre)
AT

RTC- Kainji

1
 Contents
Current Grading system

Time grading system

Time and current grading system

Relay co-ordination

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 Why co-ordination?

3. Prevent undesirable 4. Protect other healthy

2. Prevent tripping of tripping of other healthy circuits and apparatus in
1. To Isolate only the healthy circuits or circuits or apparatus the adjoining system
faulty circuit or apparatus adjoining the elsewhere in the system when a faulted circuit or
apparatus from the
faulted circuit or when a fault occurs apparatus is not cleared
system.
apparatus. somewhere else in the by its own protection
system. system

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 2. Time graded
3. A combination of
systems or
time and current
Discriminative fault
grading.
protection

4. Operation based
time relation in some
1.Current graded
degree to the thermal
protection
capability of the
Relay Co- equipment.
ordination
Methods

Note: A common aim of all these methods is to give correct discrimination or selectivity of operation. 4
 Co-ordination Procedure

Information required to achieve proper co-ordination are:

 A single line diagram of the power system.

 The impedance of transformers, feeders, motors etc. in ohms, or in p.u. or % ohms.
 The maximum peak load current in feeders and full load current of transformers etc, with permissible
overloads.
 The maximum and minimum values of short circuit currents that are expected to flow.
 The type and rating of the protective devices and their associated protective transformers .
 Performance curves or characteristic curves of relays and associated protective transformers.

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Protection Co-ordination Principles

1. Whenever and wherever possible, use relays with the same characteristics in
series with each other.

2. Set the relay farthest from the source at the minimum current settings .

3. For succeeding relays approaching the source, increase the current setting or retain the same current
setting. (i.e hat is the primary current required to operate the relay in front is always equal to or less than
the primary current required to operate the relay behind it. )

4.Instantaneous units should be set so they do not trip for fault levels equal or lower to those at
busbars or elements protected by downstream instantaneous relays.

5. Time-delay units should be set to clear faults in a selective and reliable way, assuring the
proper coverage of the thermal limits of the elements protected

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Criteria for setting instantaneous units
Lines between
Distribution lines Transformer units
substation
• Between 6 and 10 • 125% to 150% of • 125% to 150% of
times the maximum the short circuit the short circuit
circuit rating or current existing on current existing on
• 50% of the the next substation the low voltage side
maximum short the units at the low
circuit at the point voltage side are
of connection of the overridden unless
relay there is
communication
with the relays
protecting the
feeders

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 Time Graded Systems
Infeed E
 In this method, selectivity is achieved by MV
Load
introducing time intervals for the relays.
F
 The operating time of the relay is 1.4s 1.0s 0.6s 0.2s
increased from the farthest side towards
the generating source. This is achieved
A B C D
with the help of definite time delay over
current relays.
 When the number of relays in series
increases, the operating time increases t
towards the source. Relays nearer to power source are set to 1.4s A
operate in progressively longer times Operating
1.0s B
characteristic:
DISADVANTAGE Definite time
Longest clearance time for faults nearest 0.6s C
delay
to source
0.2s D
Amps

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 Current Graded Systems
 This principle is based on the 630A (Equivalent
600A HV Currents)
fact that the fault current varies Fault M ax. 13100A
current M in. 6850A
8800A
5400A
2900A
2400A
1200A
1100A E
with the position of the fault MV
Load
because of the difference in Relay at 'A' set to
F1
F2 F
impedance values between the operate for m ax. fault
current at rem ote end
8800A

source and the fault.

 The relays are set to pick up at A RADIAL B C D
DIST RIB UT IO N
progressively higher currents SYST EM
towards the source.
 This current grading is achieved D C B A
by high set over current relays AIM - Protection co-ordinated to ensure m inim um unfaulted load is t
disconnected
and with different current tap
positions in the over current Unreliable Schem e
relays. Currents F1 and F2 m ay be sim ilar - loss of discrim ination
For m inim um infeed A - B m ay be unprotected

NOTE: M ax. fault at S/Stn. E < m in. fault current between D-E Amps

Since their selectivity is based solely on the magnitude of the current, there must be a substantial difference (preferably a ratio 9
of 3:1)
 Challenges with Current Graded System

 The magnitude of the fault current cannot be accurately determined since all the circuit parameters may not be
known exactly and accurately.
 There may be variations in the fault level depending upon the source generation, thereby necessitating the
frequent change in the settings of the relay.

 Thus discriminating by current grading alone is not a practical proposition for exact grading. As such current
grading alone is not used, but may be used to advantage along with a Time Graded System.

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 Time and Current Graded System

 Due to the limitations of either current or time graded protection, time and current grading is employed.
Overcurrent relays with inverse time characteristics are used to achieve co-ordination.
 In such relays the time of operation is inversely proportional to the fault current level and the actual
characteristics is a function of both time and current settings.
 The most widely used is the IDMT characteristic where grading is possible over a wide range of currents and the
relay can be set to any value of definite minimum time required.
 There are other inverse relay characteristics such as very inverse and extremely inverse, which are also sometimes
employed.
 If the fault current reduces substantially as the fault position moves away from the source, very inverse or
extremely inverse type relays are used instead of IDMT relays.

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 Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) Operating Characteristic
Operate current = 1.05 x setting

At 2x setting operate time = 10s

At 10x setting operate time = 3s T im e M u ltip lie r = 1 .0

Operating Time
At 30x setting operate time = 2s
Definite minimum time
10s
Numeric IDMT relay operating algorithm:
3s
2s

0.14
t 0.02
 T .M .
 I 
   1 2x 10x 30x

 IS 
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 Time and Current Graded System

C u rre n t S e ttin g 1A
C u rre n t S e ttin g 1A C u rre n t S e ttin g 1 .5 A
T im e M u ltip lie r 1 .5
T im e M u ltip lie r 1 .0 T im e M u ltip lie r 1 .0
T im e M u ltip lie r 0 .1

15s 2 4 .5 s

10s
4 .5 s
3s 3 .6 2 s
3s
2s 2 .2 7 s

1s

0 .3 s
0 .2 s

2A 10A 30A 2A 10A 30A 2A 10A 30A

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 Factors that determine Co-ordination Time interval
• It is the total time taken by the circuit breaker from the opening of the contacts to the
Circuit breaker interruption final extinction of the arc an energization of the relay
time (0.1s) • Modern circuit breakers have an operating time or tripping time of 3 to 5 cycles in the
EHV ranges and up to 8 cycles in the H.V and M.V ranges

• When the relay is de-energized, operation may continue for a little longer until
Overshoot(0.05) any stored energy has been dissipated.
• This is predominant only in electromagnetic relays but not in static relays

• All devices such as relays, CT’s etc are subject to some degree of error.
Allowance for • Relay grading is carried out by assuming the accuracy of the measuring device or
Errors(0.15) by allowing a margin for errors

• Some safety margin is intentionally introduced to account for errors and delays in
breaker operating time.
Safety margin(0.1) • The setting for phase fault element (OCR) may be kept as high as 150 to 200% of
full load current or 130% depending on the station philosophy.
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 Over Current Protection Grading Margin – Between Relays

 Op time of 0.5s
 0.375s margin for EM relay, oil CB
 0.24s margin for static relay, vacuum CB

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 Determination of Time dial setting
1. Calculate the multiple of pickup value for the secondary short circuit current corresponding to the instantaneous
setting of the relay where the process starts. If the instantaneous unit is overriden, the calculation is carried out with
the total secondary short circuit current at the relay location.
2. With the value calculated above, determine the operating time t1 of the relay for the given Time Dial.
3. Determine the operating time of the upstream relay with the expression
.
4. Calculate the multiple of pickup value of the upstream relay using the same short circuit current used in the first
relay (step 1).
5. Knowing , and having calculated the multiple of pickup value of the
upstream relay, select the above nearest time dial for that relay.
 The process follows the same steps for the next upstream relay and is repeateduntil the settings of the farthest up
relay are calculated.
Operating time defined by IEC 60255 and IEEE C37.112 are

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 Over Current Protection Time Multiplier Setting
100

 Used to adjust the operating time of an inverse characteristic

 Not a time setting but a multiplier
 Calculate TMS to give desired operating time in accordance
with the grading margin. 10
 Calculate required relay operating time, considering
grading margin & fault level

 Calculate op time of inverse characteristic with

1

 TMS = 1, T
1

0.1
TMS = Treq /T1 1 10
Current (Multiples of Is)
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 Coordination across Dy transformers
 Calculate required operating current
 Calculate required grading margin
 Calculate required operating time
 Select characteristic
 Calculate required TMS
 Draw characteristic, check grading over whole curve

Grading curves should be drawn to a common voltage base to aid comparison

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 Over Current Protection Time Multiplier Setting
200/5 100/5

I
FMAX
= 1400 Amp
B A
Is = 5 Amp; TMS = 0.05, SI

• Relay B is set to 200A primary, 5A secondary

• Relay A set to 100A  If (1400A) = PSM of 14

relay A OP time = t = 0.14 x TMS = 0.14 x 0.05 = 0.13
(I0.02 -1) (140.02 -1)
• Relay B Op time = 0.13 + grading margin = 0.13 + 0.4 = 0.53s

• Relay A uses SI curve so relay B should also use SI curve

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 Over Current Protection Time Multiplier Setting
200/5 100/5

I FMA
=X1400 Amp
B A
Is = 5 Amp

Relay B set to 200A  If (1400A) = PSM of 7

relay B OP time TMS = 1 = 0.14 x TMS = 0.14 = 3.52s
(I0.02 -1) (70.02 -1)
Required TMS = Required Op time = 0.53 = 0.15
Op time TMS=1 3.52
Set relay B to 200A, TMS = 0.15, SI

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 System Study for IDMT Protection

3p h M ax. F au lt 12596A 5753A 2882A 1410A 626A

3p h . M in . F au lt 6846A 4156A 2417A 1289A 601A
11kV /415V
A B C D 1 MVA
400/5 390A 300/5 225A 200/5 130A 100/5 E
1600A
33/11kV X = 4%
Infeed F
10 M V A

165A 50A
X = 7% 95A 80A
33kV B u s 11kV B u s

PROCEDURE

G rade: D w ith Fuse C urrent S etting - H igher than m ax. load

C w ith D
B w ith C Tim e graded @ m ax. 3ph. fault current
A w ith B

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EXERCISE: Co-ordination between Time Graded
Relays

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 Coordination across Dy transformers
Turns Ratio 3
 In the case of overcurrent relay coordination
:1
for Dy transformers, the distribution of
currents in these transformers should be
checked for three-phase, phase-to-phase,
and single-phase faults on the secondary
winding.

 A phase-phase fault on one side of

Iline
transformer produces 2-1-1 distribution on
other side 0.866 If3
Idelta
 Use an over current element in each phase
(cover the 2x phase)

 2 & EF relays can be used provided fault

current > 4x setting

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 Coordination across Dy transformers

Turns Ratio 3
:1
• Istar = E-/2Xt = 3 E-n/2Xt

• Istar = 0.866 E-n /Xt

• Istar = 0.866 If3

Iline

0.866 If3 • Idelta = Istar/3 = If3 /2

Idelta

• Iline = If3

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 Coordination across Dy transformers

Ø/Ø
51 51

HV LV

• Grade HV relay with

respect to 2-1-1 for -
fault
86.6%If3 If3
• Not only at max fault
level

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High Set Overcurrent Protection
12500 7000 5700
R each of high set
A B

Inverse
Inverse tim e element tim e element
S et above m ax. fault Instantaneous high-set
current at s/stn. B prim ary setting 7000A Plain Feeder

R each of high set

Inverse tim e element

Transform er Feeder
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High Set Overcurrent Protection
33kV
Transform er Feeder
M ax fault 1000 M V A
33/11kV
M in fault 650 M V A
24M V A
Z = 22.5% 11kv
20km (0.3 + j0.43) O hm s/km

Inverse tim e elem ent

Instantaneo us hig h-set

To determ ine system im pedances:

O HL im pedance = 20(0.3 + j0.43) = 6 + j8.6 O hm s

Source im pedance M in = j33000 2 /1000 x 10 6 = j1.09 O hm s

M ax = j33000 2 /650 x 10 6 = j1.68 O hm s

Transform er 100% im pedance @ 33kV = j33000 2 /24 x 10 6

= j45.38 O hm s
22.5% im pedance on 24M VA = 0.225 x 45.38
= j10.21 O hm s
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 Exercise
Consider the distribution network at Dogon gari N/bussa
which supplies PHCN camp through a 5km cable of 11KV
ACSR 3 lines 240mm2 conductor and Kadariko as shown.

132kV Busbar .

Transfromer

conductor

Determine the PSM, TMS and Op time for relays at

CB 31,CB1,AG1 &AG2.
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 High Set Overcurrent Protection
3 3 k V S o u rc e
3 3 /1 1 k V
M a x im p e d a n c e = j1 .6 8 O h m s
j1 0 .2 1 O h m s 11kV
M in im p e d a n c e = j1 .0 9 O h m s 6 + j8 .6 O h m s

ID M T e le m e n t
M in in fe e d : 3 p h m a x in fe e d
HSOC 3 p h fa u lt 1 6 0 1 A 917A @ 33kV
p h -p h fa u lt 1 3 8 7 A

M in . system im p edan ce to LV b u sb ars = m in sou rce + lin e + transfo rm er

= j1.09 + (6 + j8.6) + j10.21 = 20.78 O h m s
M ax. LV 3-p h ase fau lt = 33000/(1.732 x 20.78) = 917A

M ax. system Z to transf. H V sid e = m ax so urce + lin e

= j1.68 + (6 + j8.6) = 11.9 O h m s
M in . H V 3-ph ase fau lt = 33000/(1.732 x 11.9) = 1601A

M in . H V P H -P H Fau lt = 0.866 x 1601 = 1387A

B est ach ievable g rad in g m argin = (1387/917)^ 0.5 = 23%

i.e. R E L A Y S E T T IN G O F A P P R O X 1128A P R IM A R Y

W h ere co m p ro m ise is n ecessary: S tab ility is p referred to hig h sp eed p ro tectio n

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