CHAPTER FOUR

RELAY COODINATION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Co-ordination of relays is an integral part of the overall system
protection and is absolutely necessary to:
(a)

Isolate only the faulty circuit or apparatus from the system.

(b)

Prevent tripping of healthy circuits or apparatus adjoining the

faulted circuit or apparatus.

(c)

Prevent undesirable tripping of other healthy circuits or

apparatus elsewhere in the system when a fault occurs
somewhere else in the system.

(d)

Protect other healthy circuits and apparatus in the adjoining

system when a faulted circuit or apparatus is not cleared by its
own protection system.

2.0

Methods of Relay Co-ordination

A correct relay co-ordination can be achieved by one or other or all of
the following methods:

Current graded systems

Time graded systems or Discriminative fault protection

Operate in a time relation in some degree to the thermal capability of

the equipment to be protected.

58

A combination of time and current grading.

A common aim of all these methods is to give correct discrimination or

selectivity of operation. That is to say that each protective system must
select and isolate only the faulty section of the power system network,
leaving the rest of the healthy system undisturbed. This selectivity and
co-ordination aims at choosing the correct current and time settings or
time delay settings of each of the relays in the system network.

3.0

Co-ordination Procedure

3.1

The correct application and setting of a relay requires knowledge of the

fault current at each part of the power system network. The following
is the basic data required for finding out the settings of a relay.

(a) A single line diagram of the power system.

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

59

3.2

The following are the guidelines for correct relay co-ordination:

(a) Whenever and wherever possible, use relays with the same
characteristics in series with each other.
(b) Set the relay farthest from the source at the minimum current settings.
(c) For succeeding relays approaching the source, increase the current
setting or retain the same current setting. That 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.

3.3

Time Graded Systems

3.3.1 In this method, selectivity is achieved by introducing time intervals for

the relays. The operating time of the relay is increased from the
farthest side to the source towards the generating source. This is
achieved with the help of definite time delay over current relays.
When the number of relays in series increases, the operating time
increases towards the source. Thus the heavier faults near the
generating source are cleared after a long interval of time, which is
definitely a draw back of this system of co-ordination. However, its
main application is in systems where the fault levels at successive
locations do not vary greatly.
3.3.2 The diagram below represents the principle of a time graded over
current system of protection for a radial feeder.

60

Protection is provided at sections A, B, and C. The relay at C is set at

the shortest time delay in order to allow the fuse to blow out for a fault
in the secondary of the distribution Transformer D. If 0.3 secs is the
time delay for relay at C, then for a fault at F1, the relay will operate in
0.3 secs.
Relays at A, B and S do not operate, but these relays only act as back
up Protection relays. For a fault at F2, the fuses blow out in say 0.1
secs and if they fail to blow out then the relay at C operates to clear
the fault in 0.3 secs. It may be noted that between successive relays at
C, B, and A etc there is an interval of time difference. This is known as
Time Delay Step, which varies from 0.3 to 0.8 secs.

61

3.4

Current Graded Systems.

3.4.1 This principle is based on the fact that the fault current varies with the
position of the fault because of the difference in impedance values
between the source and the fault. The relays are set to pick up at
progressively higher currents towards the source. This current grading
is achieved by high set over current relays and with different current
tap positions in the over current relays. Since their selectivity is based
solely on the magnitude of the current, there must be a substantial
difference (preferably a ratio of 3:1) in the short circuit currents
between two relay points to make them selective.
3.4.2 A simple current graded scheme applied to the system as shown in fig
1 above will consist of high set over current relays at S, A, B and C
such that the relay at S would operate for faults between S and A; the
relay at A would operate for faults between A and B and so on.
3.4.3 In practice the following difficulties are experienced with the
application of purely current graded systems:
(a) The relay cannot differentiate between faults that are very close to,
but are on each side of B, since the difference in current would be very
small.
(b) The magnitude of the fault current cannot be accurately determined
since all the circuit parameters may not be known exactly and
accurately.

62

(c) There may be variations in the fault level depending upon the source
generation, thereby necessitating the frequent change in the settings
of the relay.
3.4.4

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.

3.5

Time and Current Graded System

3.5.1 The limitations imposed by the independent use of either time or

current graded systems are avoided by using a combination of time
and current graded systems.
3.5.2 It is for this purpose that over current relays with inverse time
characteristics are used. 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.

63

3.5.3 There are two basic adjustable settings on all inverse time (IDMT)
relays. One is the TMS (Time Multiplier Setting) and the other is the
current setting, which is usually called the PSM (Current Plug Setting
Multiplier)
Time Multiplier Setting (TMS) =

Where
TM

T
=

T
TM

required time of operation

time obtained from the standard IDMT curve at TMS

= 1.
Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM) =

Primary Current________________
Relay operating current x C.T. ratio

3.5.4 As per B.S., there are two types of IDMT relays, namely 3.0 secs and
1.3 secs relays. This only means that with TMS = 1.0 and PSM = 10,
the relay operates at the time of 3.0 secs or 1.3 secs as the case may
be.
3.5.5 The time interval of operation between two adjacent relays depends
upon a number of factors. These are:
(a) The fault current interrupting time of the circuit breaker.
(b) The overshoot time of the relay.
(c) Variation in measuring devices - Errors.
(d) Factor of Safety.
3.5.6 Circuit breaker interruption time

64

It is the total time taken by the circuit breaker from the opening of the
contacts to the final extinction of the arc and energization of the relay.
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.
3.5.7 Overshoot
When the relay is de-energised, operation may continue for a little
longer until any stored energy has been dissipated. This is
predominant only in electromagnetic relays but not in static relays.
3.5.8 Errors
All devices such as relays, CTs etc are subject to some degree of error.
Relay grading is carried out by assuming the accuracy of the
measuring device or by allowing a margin for errors.
3.5.9 Factor of Safety
Some safety margin is intentionally introduced to account for errors
and delays in breaker operating time.
The Phase-to-Phase fault current should be considered for phase fault
relays and the phase to earth fault current for earth fault relays.
The setting for phase fault element (OCR) may be kept as high as 150
to 200% of full load current. Normally the minimum operating current
is set not to exceed 130% of the setting i.e.
I setting

Minimum short circuit current

1.3

65

The setting also depends upon the practices followed by a Power

Authority and may be limited to 100% as in NEPA. In the examples
that follow, we shall limit ourselves to 100% setting and it is advisable
that we dont exceed this value most especially for transformer
protection.
4.0

Examples on relay Co-ordination

4.1

Data: Required to calculate relay settings of an IDMT 3 secs relay to

operate in 2 secs on a short circuit current of 8000A. Connected C.T.
ratio is 400/5A.
Normal full load current is 400A.
Relay Plug settings available 2.5, 3.75, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.75, 10
TMS: 0.1 to 1.0 in multiples of 0.1.

SOLUTION
Secondary value of short circuit current
=

=
8000 x 5
400
100 A

Full load current = 400A

Secondary value of full load current =

=
With 100% current setting IR =
Therefore Plug setting =

400 x 5
400
5A

5A

5.0

Fault current of 100 A corresponds to 20 times IR i.e.

MPS =

100
5

= 20

66

Looking into the relay characteristic curve, the time of operation for this
value is 2.2 seconds at Unity TMS. If the relay is to operate in 2.0 sec., then
TMS = 2.0
2.2
i.e. from formulae

= 0.9

Tu
= To
TMS
Or TO = TU x TMS

Alternatively:
relays

4.2

TO

0.14

TMS = 1 for 3 secs

MPS0.02 - 1

Data: Given a radial feeder with fault current and C.T. ratios at
substations A, B, and C as indicated. Full load current at C = 100A.
Available relay is 1DMT 3 secs. Relay.
Find out the current setting P.S and TMS at each substation.

SOLUTION
We proceed from the farthest station towards the source.

67

Substation C
Secondary value of fault current

Full load current =

50A

=100 x 5 _ =
200

2.5A

100A

Secondary value of full load current

For 100% setting our Plug set

2000 x 5 _ =
200

2.5A =

IR

Fault current of 50 A corresponds to:

50 =
20 times IR
2.5
Time of operation of the relay at 20 times IR with TMS = 1 is 2.2 secs
(from relay characteristic curve)
Now the time of operation of relay at C has to be the lowest.
We assume this time equal to the sum of operating time of the fuse
say 0.1 sec. and a time delay (of 0.16sec.) to allow the fuse to blow.
Actual time of operation of the relay at C is
=

At C:

0.1 + 0.16 =

TMS =

0.26 =
2.2

P.S

2.5

TMS =

0.26 secs

0.12

0.12

Substation B
The relays at B must act at a time grading higher than that of relays at
C.
Therefore we assume a time grading of 0.35 secs. (in our own case)

68

Relay operating time at B for a fault at C (i.e. a fault current of 2000A)

is
=

0.26 + 0.35=

0.61 secs

The current setting at B must be increased when compared to that at

C. We shall set this at 130% of that at C. This is in order to allow for
load increases.
Current setting of the relay at B = 1.3 times current setting at C
=

1.3 x 2.5

3.25

We choose a plug setting of 3.75

Secondary value of short circuit current at B is
=

Multiples of plug setting

2000 x 5 =
300

33.33A

=
33.33 =
3.75

8.88

The time of operation of the relay at MPS = 8.88 with TMS = 1 is 3.2
secs (from the relay characteristic curve)
TMS at 0.61 secs. =

0.61 =
3.2

0.19

Secondary value of fault current at B

=
=
But our Plug Setting PS =
MPS =

3000 x 5__
300
50A
3.75
50
=
3.75

13.33

69

The time of operation of the relay at MPS = 13.33 with TMS = 1 is 2.6
secs (from the relay characteristic curve)
But TMS chosen for the relay at B is 0.19
Actual operating time of the relay at B for a fault current of 3000A (a
fault very close to B) is equal to:
To

Tu x TMS

0.19 x 2.6

0.49 secs.

Substation at A
Required operating time for relay at A for a fault current at B is:
=

0.49 + 0.35

0.84sec

Assume that PS at A = PS at B i.e. 3.75

Secondary value of fault current at B for relay at A:
=
=
Multiples of Plug Setting
=

3000 x 5__
300
50A
=
50 _
3.75
13.33

With TMS = 1, operating time for this value of MPS = 13.33 is given as
2.6 sec.
TMS for the operating time of 0.84 secs
70

TMS at A

0.84 =
2.6

0.32

0.32

For a fault close to A, secondary value of fault current

MPS

5000 x 5_
300

83.33
3.75

22.22

83.33A

Time of operation of relay at 22.22 times IR at TMS = 1.0 is 2.2 secs

(using 20 MPS available on the graph)
Actual time of operation of the relay at A is
=

0.32 x 2.2 secs

0.7 secs

SUBSTATION

CTR

P.S

A
B
C

300/5
300/3
200/5

3.75
3.75
2.50

Actual
Operating time
of relays
0.7 secs
0.49 secs
0.26 secs

71

4.3

Given data on a 33 KV transmission line and substation as shown

below. Determine the relay settings at the substations.
Fault level at station A =

37.17MVA

Transmission Line constants for 29Kms:

Z1

19.58 + j12.86 ohms

ZO

23.89 + j38.37 ohms

SOLUTION
Assume base MVA = 100
Source impedance at station A
Zs

=
=

=
Base MVA
Fault MVA
100__
37.17
2.69 p.u
72

Transmission line constants on base MVA in p.u

Z1

[(19.58) 2 + (12.86) 2 ]

23.43 ohms

Zp.u =

Z0

Zp.u

Z1 x MVA
(KV) 2

23.43 x 100
(33) 2

2.15 p.u

[(23.89) 2 + (38.37) 2 ]

45.19 ohms

45.19 x 100
332

4.15 p.u

Impedance of transformer at station B on 100 MVA base

Zp.u

Zt

%Z x base MVA_______
Transformer MVA

6.5 x 100
100 5

1.3 p.u

Total fault impedance at station B in p.u is:

Zf

Zs + Z1 + Zt

2.69 + 2.15 + 1.3

73

6.14 p.u.

Assuming a 3-phase fault on 11KV at station B

Fault MVA

Base MVA
Zf

100
6.14

16.29MVA

Fault current

=
16.29 x 106
3 x 11 x 103
855A

RELAY CO-ORDINATION FOR 11KV FEEDER BREAKER OVER CURRENT

RELAY
Feeder CT ratio

100/5

Secondary value of fault current

=

855 x 5__
100

42.75A

Assuming a full load current of 100A on the feeder

We have secondary value of full load current
=

100 x 5__
100

74

IR

5A

Hence we choose a P.S of 5.0

Fault current of 42.75A corresponds to 42.75 = 8.55 MPS
5
Time of operation for 8.55 times IR with TMS = 1 is given as 3.25 secs.
Now the time of operation of the feeder has to be the lowest.
Time of operation of relay

0.1 + 0.16 =

0.26 secs.

Where 0.1sec

Fuse operation time on 11KV side

0.16sec

Time delay to allow fuse to blow

TMS =

0.26
3.25

0.08

For 11 KV feeder: P.S

TMS =

5.0
0.08

RELAY CO-ORDINATION FOR 11 KV TRANSFORMER BREAKER OVER

CURRENT RELAY (OCR)
Transformer bank C.T. ratio

300/5

Secondary value of fault current

=

855 x 5__
300

14.25A

Transformer secondary full load current

=

5 x 106 ____
3 x 11 x 103

75

262.5A

Secondary value of full load current

=

262.5 x 5__
300

4.375A

Choose a P.S = 5.0

Fault current of 14.25A corresponds to 14.25 = 2.85MPS and with TMS
= 1, the
5
time of operation = 6.29 secs.
Operating time required for the transformer breaker
=

Relay operating time of feeder + time step

0.26 + 0.35

delay

TMS =

=0.61 secs

0.61
6.29
0.096 =

0.10

For 11 KV Transformer breaker:

P.S

5.0

TMS =

0.1

33KV Line breaker relay co-ordination at station A (OCR)

Fault current on 33KV

855 A
3

(by transformer ratio)

76

285 A

CTR =100/5
Secondary value of fault current
=

285 x 5_
100

14.25 A

33KV Transformer full load current

=

5 x 106 _____
3 x 33 x 103

87.5A

Secondary value of full load current

=

87.5 x 5__
100

4.375A

We choose a P.S = 5A
MPS =

14.25
5
2.85

With Unity TMS, operation time = 6.29 secs

The operating time required is:

77

= Relay operating time of 11KV transformer breaker + step

delay
=

0.61 + 0.3

0.91 secs.

TMS =

0.91
6.29
0.1446

0.15

For 33KV breaker at station A:

P.S

TMS =

STATION B
11KV main breaker

5.0
0.15

P.S
5.0
5.0

TMS
0.10
0.08

CTR
300/5
100/5

RELAY
OCR
OCR

5.0

0.15

100/5

OCR

11KV feeder
breaker
STATION A
33KV line breaker
Earth Fault Relay Co-ordination
For transmission line and transformer Z1 = Z2
Z0 of transmission line = 4.15 p.u
Z1

= 2.15 + 1.3 = 3.45 = Z2

78

Z0 of transformer = 80% of Zt
= 0.8 x 1.3 =
Z0

4.15 + 1.04 =

1.04 p.u

5.19 p.u

Assume a single line to ground fault then:

Earth fault impedance =

Zs + Z1 + Z2 + Z0
3

2.69 + 3.45 + 3.45 + 5.19

3

2.69 + 12.09
3

6.72 p.u

Earth fault MVA on 11KV at station B

=

Base MVA
Zf

100
6.72

14.88 MVA

Earth fault current

=
14.88 x 106
3 x 11 x 103
781 A

Feeder CTR =100/5

Secondary value of Earth fault current
=

781 x 5
79

100
=

39.05A

For earth fault the P.S is kept at the lowest setting for the feeder and so
also the operating time at the minimum say, 0.1 sec.
Therefore, P.S = 1.0
A fault current of 39.05 A corresponds to an MPS of 39.05 = 39.05
which
1.0
operating time at Unity TMS is given as 1.84 secs.
TMS =

0.1
1.84

0.05

Earth Fault Relay setting for the 11KV feeder is given as:
P.S

TMS =
Transformer breaker CTR

1.0
0.05
=

300/5

Secondary value of fault current is:

=

781 x 5__
300

13.02 A

P.S is again kept at the lowest value of 1.0 (IR)

The relay operating time will be
=

EFR operating time of feeder + Time step delay

0.1 + 0.3 = 0.4 secs

80

Fault current of 13.02 A will give an MPS of 13.02 = 13.02

1.0
With Unity TMS, Operating time = 2.66 secs.
TMS =

0.4
2.66

0.15

Earth Fault Relay setting for 11KV Transformer breaker is:

P.S

TMS =

1.0
0.15

On 33KV bus at station A, 33KV line breaker CTR = 100/5

Secondary value of earth fault current

Fault current on 33KV

781 x 5__
100

39.05 A

39.05
3

13.02 A (by transformation ratio)

With P.S = 1.0, MPS = 13.02 = 13.02 and at Unity TMS,

1
Operating time = 2.66secs
Relay operation time will be:
= EFR operating time + time step delay for transformer
breaker
= 0.4 + 0.3 = 0.7 sec.
TMS =

0.7
2.66
81

0.26

Therefore Earth Fault Relay setting of 33KV line panel at station A is:
P.S

TMS =
STATION B
11KV Feeder
11KV Transformer
breaker
STATION A
33KV Line breaker

1.0
0.26
P.S
1.0

TMS
0.05

CTR
100/5

RELAY
EFR

1.0

0.15

300/5

EFR

1.0

0.26

100/5

EFR

82