Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

AP

APPLICATION NOTES

Date:

2010

Hardware Suffix:

Software Version:

02

Connection Diagrams:

10P746xx

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-1

CONTENTS
1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Protection of Substation Busbars

2.

APPLICATION OF INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION FUNCTIONS

2.1

Terminal settings (for all protections)

2.1.1

CT Ratios

2.1.2

VT Ratios

2.2

Busbar settings

2.2.1

Setting guidelines

2.3

Additional protection settings

14

2.3.1

Dead Zone protection (DZ)

14

2.3.2

Circuit Breaker Fail (CBF)

14

3.

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

16

4.

ISOLATOR AND CIRCUIT BREAKER FUNCTION

17

4.1

Isolator State Monitoring Features

17

4.1.1

Use of one position information only

17

4.1.2

Use of the two positions information

17

4.1.3

Use of the two positions information

17

4.1.4

Use of the two positions information

18

4.1.5

Use of the two positions information

18

4.1.6

Isolator supervision alarm

18

4.2

Circuit breaker state monitoring

18

4.3

Trip relays and Trip Circuit Supervision

19

4.3.1

TCS scheme 1

19

4.3.2

Scheme 1 PSL

20

4.3.3

TCS scheme 2

21

4.3.4

Scheme 2 PSL

21

4.3.5

TCS scheme 3

22

4.3.6

Scheme 3 PSL

22

5.

ISOLATION AND REDUCED FUNCTION MODE

23

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-2

AP

6.

TOPOLOGY

24

6.1

Topology Configuration

24

6.2

Topology Monitoring Tool

25

6.3

Topology processing

26

6.3.1

Single bar or double bus with bus sectionaliser

26

6.3.2

Double bus with one CT bus coupler

27

6.3.3

Double bus with two CT bus coupler

28

6.3.4

CTs on one side of bus coupler

30

6.3.5

CTs on both sides of bus coupler, CB closes before status acquisition.

31

6.3.6

CTs on one side of bus coupler, CB closed and fault evolves between CT and CB (even for
switch onto fault).
32

6.3.7

CTs on both sides of coupler, CB closed and fault evolves between CT and CB.

33

7.

UNDERTAKING A NUMERICAL DIFFERENTIAL BUSBAR

PROTECTION PROJECT

34

7.1

One or Three box mode selection

34

7.2

Application solutions

36

7.2.1

1 box mode:

36

7.2.2

3 boxes mode:

36

7.2.3

Voltage information

37

7.2.4

3 boxes mode and simple redundancy:

41

7.2.5

2 out of 2 solution:

41

7.3

Check list

42

7.4

General Substation information

43

7.5

Short Circuit Levels

43

7.6

Switchgear

43

7.7

Substation Architecture

43

8.

STANDARD CONFIGURATIONS

44

9.

APPLICATION OF NON PROTECTION FUNCTIONS

49

9.1

Function keys

49

10.

CT REQUIREMENTS

50

10.1

Notation

50

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-3

10.2

87BB Phase CT Requirements

50

10.2.1

Feeders connected to sources of significant power (i.e. lines and generators)

50

10.2.2

CT Specification according to IEC 185, 44-6 and BS 3938 (British Standard)

51

10.3

Support of IEEE C Class CTs

52

11.

AUXILIARY SUPPLY FUSE RATING

53

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-4

AP
BLANK PAGE

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

1.

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-5

INTRODUCTION
Before carrying out any work on the equipment, the user should be familiar with the contents
of the safety section/safety guide SFTY/4LM/C11 or later issue, the technical data section
and the ratings on the equipment rating label.

1.1

Protection of Substation Busbars

The busbars in a substation are possibly one of the most critical elements in a power
system. If a fault is not cleared or isolated quickly, not only could substantial damage to the
busbars and primary plant result, but also a substantial loss of supply to all consumers who
depend upon the substation for their electricity. It is therefore essential that the protection
associated with them provide reliable, fast and discriminative operation.
As with any power system the continuity of supply is of the utmost importance, however,
faults that occur on substation busbars are rarely transient but more usually of a permanent
nature. Circuit breakers should, therefore, be tripped and not subject to any auto-reclosure.
The busbar protection must also remain stable for faults that occur outside of the protected
zone as these faults will usually be cleared by external protection devices. In the case of a
circuit breaker failure, it may be necessary to open all of the adjacent circuit breakers; this
can be achieved by issuing a backtrip to the busbar protection. Security and stability are key
requirements of a busbar protection scheme. Should the busbar protection maloperate under
such conditions substantial loss of supply could result unnecessarily.
Many different busbar configurations exist. Typical arrangements are single or a double
busbar substation. The positioning of the primary plant can also vary and also needs to be
considered which in turn introduces variations, all of which have to be able to be
accommodated within the busbar protection scheme.
Backup protection is also an important feature of any protection scheme. In the event of
equipment failure, such as signalling equipment or switchgear for example it is necessary to
provide alternative forms of fault clearance. It is desirable to provide backup protection,
which can operate with minimum time delay and yet discriminate with other protection
elsewhere on the system.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-6

2.

APPLICATION OF INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION FUNCTIONS

The following sections detail protection functions in addition to where and how they may be
applied. Each section provides some worked examples on how the settings are applied to
the relay.
Up to 6 sets of CTs, the P746 scheme is made with a single relay.
Up to 18 sets of CTs, there are three relays that make up the P746 scheme.
In some cases, 2 sets of one or three relays solutions are possible.
The P746 co-ordinates the scheme, acquires the analogue signals from the associated CT
and the binary signals from the auxiliary contacts of the primary plant (CB and isolator(s))
and acts on these signals, initiating a bus zone protection trip when necessary.
The P746 also incorporate the main circuit breaker failure logic together with additional
protections. The P746 allows for optional I/O, tricolour LEDs, function keys and additional
communication board slot (Ethernet or second rear port).
The main features of the P746 scheme are summarised below:

AP

2.1

Current differential busbar protection Phase segregated biased differential protection

(sometimes referred to as low impedance type)

Provides the main protection element for the scheme. This protection provides highspeed discriminative protection for all fault types

Circuit breaker failure protection two stage breaker fail logic that can be initiated
internally or externally.

Dead Zone phase protection.

Non-directional phase fault over current protection provides two stage protection.

Low Burden Allows the protection to be installed in series with other equipment on a
common CT secondary.

Accommodates different CT classes, ratios and manufacturers.

Terminal settings (for all protections)

For each Terminal (connected to the secondary of a High voltage CT):

2.1.1

CT Ratios
Only 3 values have to be known and entered:
1.

Phase CT Primary current (from 1 to 30000 A) given by the manufacturer.

2.

Phase CT secondary current (1 or 5 A) given by the manufacturer.

3.

Polarity (Standard (towards the bar) or Inverted (opposite the bar)

Note:

2.1.2

For the busbar protection reference 2 values have to be entered:

1.

Phase reference CT Primary current (from 1 to 30000 A).

2.

Phase reference CT secondary current (1 or 5 A).

VT Ratios
Only 2 values have to be known and entered:
1.

Phase VT Primary voltage (from 100 to 100 kV) given by the manufacturer.

2.

Phase VT secondary voltage (80 or 140 V) given by the manufacturer.

Application Notes
MiCOM P746
2.2

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-7

Busbar settings
Busbar Biased Current Differential Protection

2.2.1

Setting guidelines

2.2.1.1

87BB Phase Settings (Solid Earthed Network Schemes)

AP

An Excel spreadsheet tool called Idiff_Ibias is available on request to assure a reliable

setting choice:

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-8
2.2.1.1.1 Sub-station features
Only 8 values have to be known:
1.

Number of independent bars

2.

Maximum number of infeeds

3.

Minimum load current in a feeder

4.

Maximum load current in a feeder

5.

Maximum load current in a bus

6.

Biggest CT primary winding

7.

Minimum short-circuit value (phase to phase) in a bus

8.

Voltage used (Yes or No)

2.2.1.1.2 Idiff_Ibias Setting calculation spreadsheet

Enter in the Idiff_Ibias spreadsheet the 8 values here above listed and youll be able to
choose the 7 values hereafter listed.
It is important to know that if the minimum internal fault detection is set below the maximum
load an additional criterion such as voltage must be used.

AP

2.2.1.1.3 Differential Busbar Protection

1.

ID>1 (from 5 A to 5000 A (primary value)) as high as possible

2.

Slope k1 (ID>1) (from 0% to 50%), recommendation is 10%

3.

ID>2 (from 50 A to 30000 A (primary value)) as low as possible*, whilst ensuring the
single CT failure will not cause tripping under maximum load conditions with no VT.

4.

Slope k2 (ID>2) (from 20% to 90%), recommendation is generally 60%

5.

IDCZ>2 (from 50 A to 30000 A (primary value)) as low as possible*

6.

Slope kCZ (IDCZ>2) (from 0% to 90%), recommendation is generally 30%

7.

ID>1 Alarm Timer (from 0 to 100 s) shall be greater than the longest protection time
(such as line, overcurrent, etc.)

8.

Phase comparison threshold recommendation depends on the number of infeeds

Explanations of the values:

1. ID>1 shall be higher than 2% of the biggest CT to not detect noise coming from it and
less than 80% of the minimum load of a feeder to detect the minimum load imbalance in
case of a problem in that particular feeder.
2. Slope k1 recommendation is 10% to meet 10Pxx current transformers
3. ID>2 shall be:

below twice the maximum load for the phase comparison algorithm to pickup the
load and if possible below 50% of the minimum fault to be sub-cycle (80%
otherwise)

and if no voltage criteria is used above 100% (and when possible 120% to allow
20% margin) of the biggest load to not maloperate in case of CT short-circuited or
open circuit
Note: voltage criteria can be used for single busbar only in one box mode.

and less than 80% of the minimum fault current to operate sub-cycle for the
minimum fault (and 50% when possible to be sure to always operate in 13ms)

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-9

4. Slope k2 (ID>2)
a.

Recommendation is 60%
To be always stable in the worth CT ratio conditions (between the biggest CT and
the smallest CT).

b.

Recommendation is 50% for China

In china, the requirement is to be able to detect a resistive fault equal to 50% of the
bias current.

5. IDCZ>2 same as ID>2

6. Slope kCZ (IDCZ>2)
a.

Recommendation is 30%
The requirement is to be able to trip for a fault that is counted twice by the Check
Zone (for example one and half circuit breaker substation) and depends on the
number of bars:

n bars (Independent bars)

A minimum internal short-circuit value (Icc min (1 bar))

A maximum load for a bar (IloadMax (1 bar)).

AP
Q
Q

CB

CB

CB

CB

CB

CB

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder
P3945ENa

The worst case is:

when all these buses are independent (bus sectionalizers open)

the maximum load is on all the buses (biggest bias current)

The internal short-circuit value is minimum.

Max Load

IF

CB

CT

CB

CB

CB

CB

CB

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder
P3946ENa

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-10
During the internal fault:

the bias current is: Icc min (1 bar) + (n-1) x IloadMax (1 bar)

the differential current is: Icc min (1 bar)

Thus the biggest slope for the Check Zone to detect the fault is:
________________Icc min (1 bar)________________________
((Independent bars - 1) x IloadMax (1 bar)) + Icc min (1 bar)
If for example:
There are 3 buses and Icc min = IloadMax, the slope must be below 33%
For a one and half breaker scheme there are:

2 bars (Independent bars)

A minimum internal short-circuit value (Icc min (1 bar))

A maximum load for a bar (IloadMax (1 bar)).

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

AP
lload

lload

lload

lload

Feeder

P0582ENa

The worst case is:

when the busbar is split in 2 and goes as well through the opposite bar

the maximum load is on the 2 buses (biggest bias current)

The internal short-circuit value is minimum.

During the internal fault:

the CZ bias current is:

2 x Icc min (1 bar) + 4 x IloadMax (1 bar)

the CZ differential current is:

Icc min (1 bar)

Thus the biggest slope for the Check Zone to detect the fault is:
___________Icc min (1 bar)___________
(4 x IloadMax (1 bar)) + 2 x Icc min (1 bar)

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-11
If for example:
Icc min = IloadMax, the slope must be below 17%
b.

Recommendation is 25% for China

In china, the requirement is to be able to trip for a resistive fault that is counted
twice by the Check Zone (for example one and half circuit breaker substation).

7. ID>1 Alarm Timer to not operate for an external fault shall be greater than the longest
protection time (such as line, overcurrent, etc.)
8. Phase comparison
Phase comparison is used to define the minimum current to be included in the phase
comparison algorithm; it is recommended to be 80% of (ID>2 / In of Infeed CTs).
The requirement is to be able to detect a through fault that is fed by the infeeds; it does not
depend on the number of bars but depends on:

The minimum internal short-circuit threshold (ID>2)

The maximum number of infeeds, and their CT primary nominal currents.

AP

CB

CB

CB

CB

CB

CB

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder

Feeder
P3945ENa

The worst scenario is when the CT is fully saturated and the differential algorithm picks up
on the ID>2 threshold. The phase comparison must block the trip by detecting the incoming
currents:
We assume the infeeds will contribute to the ID>2 fault in proportion to their CT primary
nominal current (worst situation).
Then we need for each infeed, phase comparison threshold to be lower than:

ID>2 (In CT / (In CTs infeeds))

And phase comparison = ID>2 / (In CT / (In CTs infeeds)) / In CT,

So, for any infeed, phase comparison max = ID>2 / (In CTs infeeds))
We take 80% of this value so that to keep sufficient margin. Recommended setting is then:
PC max = 0.8 ID>2 / (In CTs infeeds)

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-12
Example:
Infeed

CT

Contribution*

PC%

Infeed 1

2500 / 5

2500 / 11300

Infeed 2

2000 / 1

2000 / 11300

2000 / 11300 ID>2

2000

ID>2
11300

Infeed 3

2000 / 1

2000 / 11300

2000 / 11300 ID>2

2000

ID>2
11300

Infeed 4

1200 / 1

1200 / 11300

1200 / 11300 ID>2

1200

ID>2
11300

Infeed 5

1200 / 1

1200 / 11300

1200 / 11300 ID>2

1200

ID>2
11300

Infeed 6

1200 / 1

1200 / 11300

1200 / 11300 ID>2

1200

ID>2
11300

Infeed 7

1200 / 1

1200 / 11300

1200 / 11300 ID>2

1200

ID>2
11300

2500 / 11300 ID>2

2500

ID>2
11300

In = 2500 + (2 2000) + (4 1200) = 11300

We assume the infeeds will contribute to the ID>2 fault
in proportion to their CT pimary current (worst
situation)

AP

then PC% = ID>2 / In of Infeed

CTs

2.2.1.2

87BB Settings (Compensated Earthed Network Schemes)

2.2.1.2.1 Sub-station features

Only 4 values have to be known:
1.

Maximum load current in a feeder

2.

Minimum phase to phase fault current (Ph-Ph min.) in a bus

3.

Maximum single phase steady state faulty current (Ph-N Max.) in a bus

4.

Number of independent bars

5.

Maximum number of infeeds

2.2.1.2.2 Differential Busbar Protection

7 values have to be chosen:
1.

ID>1 (from 50 A to 5 kA (primary value)), recommendation equal to 1.2 (Ph-N Max.)

2.

Slope k1 (ID>1) (from 0% to 50%), recommendation is 10%.

3.

ID>1 Alarm Timer (from 0 to 600 s) shall be greater than the longest Busbar protection
time

4.

Slope k2 (from 20% to 90%) but recommendation 65%.

5.

ID>2 (from 50 A to .30 kA (primary value)), recommendation is: Lower than 0.8 (PhPh min) and higher than 1.2 Iload Max and if possible, equal to 6 (ID>1).

6.

Slope kCZ (from 0% to 90%) but recommendation 30%.

7.

IDCZ>2 (from 50 A to 30 kA (primary value)), recommendation is: Lower than 0.8 x

(Ph-Ph min) and higher than 1.2 Iload Max and if possible equal to 6 (ID>1).

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-13

Explanations of the values:

1.

ID>1 shall be higher than 120% of the highest phase to neutral fault to not operate in
case of phase to neutral fault.

2.

Slope k1 recommendation is 10% to meet 10Pxx current transformers

3.

ID>1 Alarm Timer to not operate for an external fault shall be greater than the longest
protection time (such as line, overcurrent, etc)

4.

Slope k2 (ID>2) recommendation is 65%

To be always stable in the worth CT ratio conditions (between the biggest CT and the
smallest CT). 60% is OK as long as the CT ratio is less than 5.
1.

ID>2 shall be lower than 80% of the minimum phase to phase fault current to operate
sub-cycle for the minimum fault and higher than 120% Iload Max (120% to allow 20%
margin) and if possible equal to 6 (ID>1) to be insensitive to the worth CT saturation.

2.

IDCZ>2 same as ID>2

3.

Slope kCZ (IDCZ>2) recommendation is 30%

The requirement is to be able to trip for a fault that is counted twice by the Check Zone (for
example one and half circuit breaker substation).

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-14
2.3

Additional protection settings

2.3.1

Dead Zone protection (DZ)

On a feeder, if the isolators or the breaker is open, a dead zone (or end zone) is said to exist
between the open element and the CT. The P746 can protect this zone with the Dead Zone
protection. This is a simple time delayed overcurrent element which is only active when a
dead zone is identified in the local topology.

2.3.1.1

Setting guidelines
For each CT connected to a Feeder Circuit Breaker (not on bus couplers or bus sections)
For the phase:

I>DZ must be below 80% of the minimum Dead Zone fault level (and if possible bigger
than the maximum load).

I>DZ Time delay must be at least 50ms if the CB status positions are used (any value
otherwise)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
When a dead zone fault occurs and the bias current flowing through the bus is small,
there could be a maloperation of the 87BB.
To prevent that, it is recommended to enable an additional criterion such as voltage
(voltage criteria can be used for single busbar only in one box mode).

AP
2.3.2

Circuit Breaker Fail (CBF)

2.3.2.1

Setting guidelines
Typical timer settings to use are as follows:
CB fail reset mechanism

tBF time delay

Typical delay for 2 cycle

circuit breaker

CB open

CB auxiliary contacts
opening/ closing time (max.) +
error in tBF timer + safety margin

50 + 10 + 50 = 110 ms

Undercurrent elements

CB interrupting time +
undercurrent element (max.) +
safety margin operating time

50 + 15 + 20 = 85 ms

The examples above consider direct tripping of a 2-cycle circuit breaker. Note that where
auxiliary tripping relays are used, an additional 10-15ms must be added to allow for trip relay
operation.
The phase undercurrent settings (<) must be set less than load current, to ensure that <
operation indicates that the circuit breaker pole is open. A typical setting for overhead line or
cable circuits is 20% n, with 5% n common for generator circuit breaker CBF.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
2.3.2.2

(AP) 6-15

External backtrip order

When a direct backtrip order needs to be used to trip a dedicated zone, the following PSL
shall be used:

FIGURE 1: External backtrip order

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-16

3.

Application Notes

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS
A P746 can accommodate different CT ratios throughout the protected zone, the maximum
difference being 40. In other words, the maximum ratio between the smallest primary CT
winding and the biggest primary CT winding is 40. This mix must, therefore, be accounted for
by the scheme and this is achieved by using the primary currents sent by the P746 to the
P746 that undertakes scheme calculations.
In the P746, a settable common virtual current transformer of is used to convert to secondary
values and more important is used as a setting for the phase comparison algorithm.

3.1.1.1

Setting guidelines
From 1 to 30000 by default 2000/1.
See the busbar protection setting guideline.

AP

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

4.

ISOLATOR AND CIRCUIT BREAKER FUNCTION

4.1

Isolator State Monitoring Features

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-17

The P746 protections require a reliable indication of the state of the isolators to decide which
breaker to trip in case of fault. The relay can incorporate isolator state monitoring, giving an
indication of the position of the isolator, or, if the state is unknown, an alarm can be raised
using the following PSL:
4.1.1

Use of one position information only

The use of the open position (89b) is highly recommended

In that case, in the P746 topology, the position will be forced as closed as soon as the
isolator will leave the open position.
4.1.2

Use of the two positions information

In that case, in the P746 topology, the position will be forced as open as soon as the isolator
will leave the closed position.
This is not recommended as the P746 may trip in 2 steps instead of 1 in case of a fault
appearing during the closing period of the isolator.
4.1.3

Use of the two positions information

In that case, in the P746 topology, the position will be forced as closed as soon as the
isolator will leave the open position.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-18
4.1.4

Application Notes

Use of the two positions information

In that case, in the P746 topology, the position will be seen closed only when the isolator will
arrive at the closed position.
This is not recommended as the P746 may trip in 2 steps instead of 1 in case of a fault
appearing during the closing period of the isolator.
4.1.5

Use of the two positions information

AP
In that case, in the P746 topology, the position will be seen closed only when the isolator will
arrive at the closed position and seen open only when the isolator will arrive at the open
position.
This is not recommended as the P746 may trip in 2 steps instead of 1 in case of a fault
appearing during the closing period of the isolator.
4.1.6

Isolator supervision alarm

When using both positions information, an alarm can be raised when the 00 or 11
combination is present during a certain time:

4.2

Circuit breaker state monitoring

An operator at a remote location requires a reliable indication of the state of the switchgear.
Without an indication that each circuit breaker is either open or closed, the operator has
insufficient information to decide on switching operations. The relay incorporates circuit
breaker state monitoring, giving an indication of the position of the circuit breaker, or, if the
state is unknown, an alarm is raised.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
4.3

(AP) 6-19

Trip relays and Trip Circuit Supervision

Any relays contact can be used for tripping signals from busbar protection, overcurrent
protection and breaker failure.
The trip circuit, in most protective schemes, extends beyond the relay enclosure and passes
through components such as fuses, links, relay contacts, auxiliary switches and other
terminal boards. This complex arrangement, coupled with the importance of the trip circuit,
has led to dedicated schemes for its supervision.
Several trip circuit supervision schemes with various features can be produced with the
P746. Although there are no dedicated settings for TCS, in the following schemes can be
produced using the programmable scheme logic (PSL). A user alarm is used in the PSL to
issue an alarm message on the relay front display. If necessary, the user alarm can be renamed using the menu text editor to indicate that there is a fault with the trip circuit.

4.3.1

TCS scheme 1

4.3.1.1

Scheme description

AP
Optional

P2228ENa

FIGURE 2: TCS SCHEME 1

This scheme provides supervision of the trip coil with the breaker open or closed, however,
pre-closing supervision is not provided. This scheme is also incompatible with latched trip
contacts, as a latched contact will short out the opto for greater than the recommended DDO
timer setting of 400ms. If breaker status monitoring is required a further 1 or 2 opto inputs
must be used. Note: a 52a CB auxiliary contact follows the CB position and a 52b contact is
the opposite.
When the breaker is closed, supervision current passes through the opto input, blocking
diode and trip coil. When the breaker is open current still flows through the opto input and
into the trip coil via the 52b auxiliary contact. Hence, no supervision of the trip path is
provided whilst the breaker is open. Any fault in the trip path will only be detected on CB
closing, after a 400ms delay.
Resistor R1 is an optional resistor that can be fitted to prevent maloperation of the circuit
breaker if the opto input is inadvertently shorted, by limiting the current to <60mA. The
resistor should not be fitted for auxiliary voltage ranges of 30/34 volts or less, as satisfactory
operation can no longer be guaranteed. The table below shows the appropriate resistor
value and voltage setting (OPTO CONFIG. menu) for this scheme.

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-20

This TCS scheme will function correctly even without resistor R1, since the opto input
automatically limits the supervision current to less that 10mA. However, if the opto is
accidentally shorted the circuit breaker may trip.
Auxiliary Voltage (Vx)

Resistor R1 (ohms)

Opto Voltage Setting with

R1 Fitted

24/27

30/34

48/54

1.2k

24/27

110/250

2.5k

48/54

220/250

5.0k

110/125

Note:

When R1 is not fitted the opto voltage setting must be set equal to
supply voltage of the supervision circuit.

TABLE 1: SCHEME 1 OPTIONAL R1 OPTO INPUT RESISTOR VALUES

4.3.2

AP

Scheme 1 PSL
Figure 2 shows the scheme logic diagram for the TCS scheme 1. Any of the available opto
inputs can be used to indicate whether or not the trip circuit is healthy. The delay on drop off
timer operates as soon as the opto is energized, but will take 400ms to drop off/reset in the
event of a trip circuit failure. The 400ms delay prevents a false alarm due to voltage dips
caused by faults in other circuits or during normal tripping operation when the opto input is
shorted by a self-reset trip contact. When the timer is operated the NC (normally closed)
output relay opens and the LED and user alarms are reset.
The 50ms delay on pick-up timer prevents false LED and user alarm indications during the
relay power up time, following an auxiliary supply interruption.
0

Opto Input

Drop-Off

Straight

400

&

Latching

50

Pick-up

NC Output Relay

LED

User Alarm
P2229ENa

FIGURE 3: PSL FOR TCS SCHEMES 1 AND 3

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-21

4.3.3

TCS scheme 2

4.3.3.1

Scheme description

Optional

Optional

P2230ENa

FIGURE 4: TCS SCHEME 2

Much like scheme 1, this scheme provides supervision of the trip coil with the breaker open
or closed and also does not provide pre-closing supervision. However, using two opto inputs
allows the relay to correctly monitor the circuit breaker status since they are connected in
series with the CB auxiliary contacts. This is achieved by assigning Opto A to the 52a
contact and Opto B to the 52b contact. Provided the Circuit Breaker Status is set to 52a
and 52b (CB CONTROL column) the relay will correctly monitor the status of the breaker.
This scheme is also fully compatible with latched contacts as the supervision current will be
maintained through the 52b contact when the trip contact is closed.
When the breaker is closed, supervision current passes through opto input A and the trip
coil. When the breaker is open current flows through opto input B and the trip coil. As with
scheme 1, no supervision of the trip path is provided whilst the breaker is open. Any fault in
the trip path will only be detected on CB closing, after a 400ms delay.
As with scheme 1, optional resistors R1 and R2 can be added to prevent tripping of the CB if
either opto is shorted. The resistor values of R1 and R2 are equal and can be set the same
as R1 in scheme 1.
4.3.4

Scheme 2 PSL
The PSL for this scheme (Figure 4) is practically the same as that of scheme 1. The main
difference being that both opto inputs must be off before a trip circuit fail alarm is given.
CB Aux 3ph (52a)
Opto Input A
1
Opto Input B

0
Drop-Off
400

0
Straight
0

Output Relay

Latching

LED

CB Aux 3ph (52b)

&

0
Pick-Up
50
User Alarm

P2187ENb

FIGURE 5: PSL FOR TCS SCHEME 2

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-22
4.3.5

TCS scheme 3

4.3.5.1

Scheme description

P2231ENa

FIGURE 6: TCS SCHEME 3

Scheme 3 is designed to provide supervision of the trip coil with the breaker open or closed,
but unlike schemes 1 and 2, it also provides pre-closing supervision. Since only one opto
input is used, this scheme is not compatible with latched trip contacts. If circuit breaker
status monitoring is required a further 1 or 2 opto inputs must be used.
When the breaker is closed, supervision current passes through the opto input, resistor R2
and the trip coil. When the breaker is open current flows through the opto input, resistors R1
and R2 (in parallel), resistor R3 and the trip coil. Unlike schemes 1 and 2, supervision
current is maintained through the trip path with the breaker in either state, thus giving
pre-closing supervision.

AP

As with schemes 1 and 2, resistors R1 and R2 are used to prevent false tripping, if the
opto-input is accidentally shorted. However, unlike the other two schemes, this scheme is
dependent upon the position and value of these resistors. Removing them would result in
incomplete trip circuit monitoring. The table below shows the resistor values and voltage
settings required for satisfactory operation.
Auxiliary Voltage
(Vx)

Resistor R1 & R2
(ohms)

Resistor R3 (ohms)

Opto Voltage
Setting

24/27

30/34

48/54

1.2k

0.6k

24/27

110/250

2.5k

1.2k

48/54

220/250

5.0k

2.5k

110/125

Note:

Scheme 3 is not compatible with auxiliary supply voltages of 30/34

volts and below.

TABLE 2: SCHEME 3 OPTIONAL R1, R2 & R3 OPTO INPUT RESISTOR VALUES

4.3.6

Scheme 3 PSL
The PSL for scheme 3 is identical to that of scheme 1 (see Figure 2).

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

5.

P746/EN AP/F21
(AP) 6-23

ISOLATION AND REDUCED FUNCTION MODE

The scheme permits maintenance on the busbar and, or busbar protection whilst maintaining
some form of protection if possible. The maintenance mode level in the P746 allows this to
be possible and forces the scheme to a reduced operating mode as follow.
87BB Blocked & 50BF disabled:
Its a per zone selection.
In this mode, both the busbar and circuit breaker fail conditions are monitored but all trips are
inhibited for the selected zone.
When a zone is in this mode, the P746 does take into account the local currents and
topology and keeps the other zone in normal service.
The output relays to the breakers connected to that selected zone and dead zone will not
operate.
A Bus can be tested locally and secondary injection tests can be carried out because the
P746 is in 87BB&50BF blocked mode for the selected zone
On a genuine fault on that zone the P746 will not send a 87BB or 50BF backtrip order

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-24

6.

TOPOLOGY
The topological analysis of the state of the substation in real time is one of the primary
factors of the reliability of numerical differential busbar protection. Thus in the case of a
power system fault, this analysis determines the sections of the substation concerned with
the fault and only takes those sections out of service. The algorithms available for topological
analysis make this level of discrimination possible and it is these algorithms that are utilized
in the P746 scheme.

6.1

Topology Configuration
The P746 topology is determined by replication of the circuit, i.e. the connections between
the various pieces of plant on the system. This topological replication is carried out from the
setting information in SYSTEM CONFIG:
Note the connection n1 is on the right and increasing to the left up to 6 for one box mode
and up to 18 for three boxes mode.

AP

Z1 Terminals

000011 to be set to 1 if the terminal connection can only be to Zone 1

Z2 Terminals

000100 to be set to 1 if the terminal connection can only be to Zone 2

Xfer Terminals

001000 to be set to 1 if the terminal connection can be to Zone 1 or

Zone 2

ChZONE Terminal

001111 to be set to 1 if the terminal connection is part of the Check

Zone

If there is no bus coupling or it is an isolator all the following settings shall be none.
For Bus coupling by Breaker with 1 CT
Z1 Bus CT

CT6 is the number of the CT used

Z1 Bus CT Pol

Inverted is the direction of the CT

Z2 Bus CT

CT6 is the number of the CT used

Z2 Bus CT Pol

Standard is the direction of the CT

For Bus coupling by Breaker with 2 CTs

Z1 Bus CT

CT5 is the number of the CT used

Z1 Bus CT Pol

Standard is the direction of the CT

Z2 Bus CT

CT6 is the number of the CT used

Z2 Bus CT Pol

Standard is the direction of the CT

Note:

As the zone between the 2 CTs must belong to both zones, it is

important to set the left CT to the right zone and vice versa.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
6.2

(AP) 6-25

Topology Monitoring Tool

This topological monitoring is carried out from a single line diagram of the system, which is
used to recreate the system using the topology configuration software. This can be carried
out by customer.

AP

FIGURE 7: P746 SCHEME EDITOR

FIGURE 8: P746 SYNOPTIC

The topology configuration tool uses standard symbols for creating the system model by
simply dragging and dropping in the configuration screen.

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-26
6.3

Topology processing
The following scenarios demonstrate how the dynamic topology processing works and
accommodates anomalies and discrepancies in the scheme.

6.3.1

Single bar or double bus with bus sectionaliser

Bus Section Closed

Isolator Closed

Isolator Closed

Zone 1 = CT1 + CT2

Zone 1 = BB1 + BB2
CB Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

AP

P0583ENa

FIGURE 9: BUS SECTION CLOSED

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
As all the breakers and isolators are closed there is only one zone including BB1 and BB2

Bus Section Open

Zone 1 = CT1
Zone 2 = CT2
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

P0585ENa

FIGURE 10: BUS SECTION OPEN

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When the bus section is open, a zone is created from each bar feeder CT to that open bus
section.
There is one zone for BB1 and one zone for BB2.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
6.3.2

(AP) 6-27

Double bus with one CT bus coupler

Coupling Closed
Zone 1 = CT1 + CT3
Zone 2 = CT2 + CT3
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

P0586ENa

FIGURE 11: BUS COUPLER CLOSED

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When one CT is used in the coupling and the coupler CB is closed, a zone is created from
each bar feeder CT to that coupler CT.
There is one zone for BB1 to CT3 and one zone for BB2 to CT3.
CT 3 is not taken into account

Zone 1 = CT1
Zone 2 = CT2
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

Coupling Open
Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

P0587ENa

FIGURE 12: BUS COUPLER OPEN

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When one CT is used in the coupling and the coupler CB is open, the coupler CT
measurement is not taken into account and a zone is created from each bar feeder CT to
that open coupler CB.
There is one zone for BB1 and one zone for BB2.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-28
6.3.3

Double bus with two CT bus coupler

CT 3

CT 4

BB 2

BB 1

Zone 1 = CT1 + CT4

Zone 2 = CT2 + CT3
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

Coupling Closed
Isolator Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

CB Closed

CT 2

CT 1

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

FIGURE 13: BUS COUPLER CLOSED

AP

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or

isolator).
When 2 CTs are used in the coupling and the coupler CB is closed, a zone is created from
each bar feeder CT to the opposite coupler CT.
The zone between the 2 coupler CTs belongs to both zones.
There is one zone for BB1 to CT4 and one zone for BB2 to CT3.
CT 3&4 not taken into account

Zone 1 = CT1
Zone 2 = CT2
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

Coupling Open
Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

P0589ENa

FIGURE 14: BUS COUPLER OPEN

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When 2 CTs are used in the coupling and the coupler CB is open, the coupler CTs
measurements are not taken into account and a zone is created from each bar feeder CT to
that open coupler CB.
There is one zone for BB1 and one zone for BB2.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-29
CT 4
VZ 3

CT 3

BB 2

BB 1
Coupling Closed
Zone 1 =
Zone 2 =
Zone 1 =
Zone 2 =

CT1
CT2
BB1
BB2

Isolator Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

CT 1

CB Closed

CT 2
Check Zone = CT1 + CT2
P0590ENa

FIGURE 15: BUS COUPLER CLOSED AND ONE ISOLATOR OPEN

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When 2 CTs are used in the coupling and the coupler CB is closed but a coupler isolator is
open, the coupler CTs measurements are not taken into account and a zone is created from
each bar feeder CT to that open coupler isolator.
The zone between the 2 coupler CTs belongs to the closed isolator zone.
There is one zone for BB1 to the open isolator and one zone for BB2 to the open isolator.

Extended
Zone

Zone 1 = CT1
Zone 2 = CT2
Zone 1 = BB1
Zone 2 = BB2

CT 3&4 not taken into account

Coupling Open
Isolator Closed

Isolator Closed

CB Closed

CB Closed

Check Zone = CT1 + CT2

P0591ENa

FIGURE 16: BUS COUPLER AND ONE ISOLATOR OPEN

A zone is defined from a CT to an other CT or an open electrical element (coupler CB or
isolator).
When 2 CTs are used in the coupling and the coupler CB is open and a coupler isolator is
open, the coupler CTs measurements are not taken into account and a zone is created from
each bar feeder CT to the open CB coupler and to the open coupler isolator.
The zone between the 2 coupler CTs belongs to the closed isolator zone.
There is one zone for BB1 to the open breaker and one zone for BB2 to the open isolator.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-30
6.3.4

CTs on one side of bus coupler

1 CT coupler and CB Closes on to external fault with
wrong isolator or CB Status position
I ExtFault through CB
CT removed
from Zone 1

CT CLOSED
but auxiliary
contact OPEN

P0842ENa

FIGURE 17: CTS ON ONE SIDE OF BUS COUPLER,

CB CLOSES BEFORE STATUS ACQUISITION
As the CB has closed but the status has not yet been refreshed the topology still believes the
CB to be open.

AP

Treating this as an open bus coupler circuit breaker the topology algorithm will have
extended Zone 1(with the area located between the CT and the circuit breaker). This then
fully replicates the scheme up to the open bus coupler CB on both sides.
If the circuit breaker was open no load current would flow through the circuit breaker. The
differential current in the two main zones would equal zero, as the current flowing into the
zones would still equal the current flowing out.
However, if the circuit breaker is actually closed, the external fault current will flow through
the circuit breaker. The differential current in main zone 1 and in main zone 2 will be equal in
magnitude but opposite in sign. (fault)
When the check zone element is calculated, the differential currents seen in zone 1 and 2,
which result from the discrepancy in the plant status, can be seen to be cancelled out.
Zone 1 Idiff = I1+ I2= idiffZ1 = -ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Zone 2 Idiff = I5+ I6=idiffZ2 = +ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Check zone Idiff = I1+ I2+ I5+ I6=(-ifault) + (+ifault) = 0
Again the system retains its stability for discrepancies in plant status (even for switch onto
fault).

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
6.3.5

(AP) 6-31

CTs on both sides of bus coupler, CB closes before status acquisition.

2 CT coupler and CB Closes on to external fault with

wrong isolator or CB Status position
I ExtFault through CB
CT removed
from Zone 1

CT CLOSED
but auxiliary
contact OPEN

P0843ENa

FIGURE 18: CTS ON BOTH SIDES OF BUS COUPLER,

CB CLOSES BEFORE STATUS ACQUISITION
As the CB has closed but the status has not yet been refreshed the topology still believes the
CB to be open.
Treating this as an open bus coupler the topology algorithm will have extended the two
zones with the areas located between the CTs and the circuit breaker. These then fully
replicate the scheme up to the open bus coupler CB on both sides.
If the circuit breaker was open no load current would flow through the circuit breaker. The
differential current in the two main zones would equal zero, as the current flowing into the
zones would still equal the current flowing out.
However, if the circuit breaker is actually closed, the external fault current will flow through
the circuit breaker. The differential current in the two main zones will be equal in magnitude
but opposite in sign. (ifault)
When the check zone element is calculated, the differential currents seen in the two main
zones, which result from the discrepancy in the plant status and which are taken into account
for the check zone calculation, can be seen to be cancelled out.
Zone 1 Idiff = I1+ I2= idiffZ1 = -ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Zone 2 Idiff = I5+ I6=idiffZ2 = +ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Check zone Idiff = I1+ I2+ I5+ I6=(-ifault) + (+ifault) = 0
Hence, the system retains its stability even when there are discrepancies in plant status.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-32
6.3.6

CTs on one side of bus coupler, CB closed and fault evolves between CT and CB (even for
switch onto fault).

1 CT coupler with CB closed - Fault clearance - Stage 1

P0844ENa

FIGURE 19: CTS ON ONE SIDE OF BUS COUPLER,

CB CLOSED AND FAULT OCCURS BETWEEN THE CB & THE CT
Treating this as a closed bus section circuit breaker the topology algorithm will have
extended the limits of the main zones to the bus coupler CT. This then fully replicates the
scheme.

AP

Under normal operating conditions when the circuit breaker is closed load current would flow
through the circuit breaker and differential current in the two main zones would equal zero,
as the current flowing into the zones would still equal the current flowing out.
However, if a fault occurs between the CT and the circuit breaker, the current will flow from
zone 1 into zone 2 which feeds the fault. The differential current in main zone 1 will still equal
zero, as the current flowing into the zone 1 will still equal the current flowing out, but the
differential current measured in zone 2 will be equal to that of the fault current.
In this case zone 2 would operate as will the check zone element.
Zone 1 Idiff = I1+ I2+ I3= idiffZ1 = 0
Zone 2 Idiff = I3+ I5+ I6=idiffZ2 = ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Check zone Idiff = I1+ I2+ I5+ I6= idiffZ2 = ifault > (IDCZ>2 and kCZ x IBias)
However, when zone 2 trips the fault will still be present. The topology then analyses the
remainder of the system as follows.
1 CT coupler with CB closed - Fault clearance - Stage 2
(zone 2 tripped but fault still present)
Dead
Zone 11

CT removed
from Zone 1

Dead
Zone 10

P0845ENa

FIGURE 20: ZONE 2 TRIPPED, FAULT STILL PRESENT

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-33

Treating this as an open bus coupler circuit breaker as before the topology algorithm will
have extended zone 1 with the area located between the CT and the circuit breaker. This
then fully replicates the scheme up to the open bus coupler CB. Remember that in this
example zone 2s limit extended up to the circuit breaker but this zone has been tripped
already.
The circuit breaker is now open and the fault current would flow to feed the fault. The
differential current in the main zone 2 would equal zero, as the current is flowing into zone 1
whereas the current measured will be equal to the fault current ifault.
Zone 2 Idiff = I5+ I6= idiffZ2 = 0
Zone 1 Idiff = I1+ I2=idiffZ1 = ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Check zone Idiff = I1+ I2+ I5+ I6=idiffZ1 = ifault > (IDCZ>2 and kCZ x IBias)
Hence, the system reacts to the continuing presence of the fault and trips the zone 1 as the
check zone Idiff > (IDCZ>2 and kCZ x IBias) and the zone Idiff > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias).
In this example it can be seen that the opposite zone is tripped first but the dynamic topology
reacts to the changed scheme and subsequently trips the adjacent main zone.
6.3.7

CTs on both sides of coupler, CB closed and fault evolves between CT and CB.
2 CT Coupler with the CB closed and Fault between a CT and the CB

AP

P0846ENa

FIGURE 21: CT ON BOTH SIDES OF BUS COUPLER,

CB CLOSED FAULT OCCURS BETWEEN A CT & THE CB
Treating this as a closed bus section circuit breaker the topology algorithm will have created
an overlapped zone that surrounds the circuit breaker with the bus coupler CTs as its limits
made by zone 1 and 2. This then fully replicates the scheme.
Under normal operating conditions when the circuit breaker is closed load current would flow
through the circuit breaker and hence both zones. The differential current in the two main
zones would equal zero, as the current flowing into the zones would still equal the current
flowing out.
However, if a fault was to occur in the overlapped zone, current would flow into both zones
and feed the fault. The differential current in the two main zones will be equal to that of the
fault current.
The main zones would operate. When the check zone element is calculated, the differential
current which results from the presence of the fault in the coupler, will confirm the presence
of a fault and initiate a simultaneous trip of both main.
(1) Hence, the system reacts to a fault occurring between the CT and the CB simultaneously
tripping both zones.
Zone 1 Idiff = I1+ I2+ I4=idiffZ1 = ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Zone 2 Idiff = I3+ I5+ I6= idiffZ2 = ifault > (ID>2 and k2 x IBias)
Check zone Idiff = I1+ I2+ I5+ I6=idiffZx = ifault

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-34

7.

UNDERTAKING A NUMERICAL DIFFERENTIAL BUSBAR PROTECTION

PROJECT
This light Engineering can be done by anyone
The substation construction will influence the protection scheme installed. It is advisable that
a scheme evaluation is conducted as soon as possible, preferably at the same time as the
definition of the equipment specification.

7.1

One or Three box mode selection

A P746 embeds 18 current inputs and can be connected to 6 three phase CTs or 18 single
phase CTs.
A P746 embeds 3 voltage inputs.
P746 mode selection
Single bus or radial bus with no CT coupling (1 zone)
Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 18

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 or 1

Mode

One box mode

3 boxes mode

Radial bus with 1 or 2 CT coupling (2 zones)

AP

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 12

Up to 18

Up to 36

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 to 2

0 or 2

0 to 2

Mode

One box mode

One box
mode

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

Note

2 sets of

2 sets of

Double bus with no transfer bus (2 zones)

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 6

Up to 18

Up to 18

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 to 2

0 or 1

0 or 2

Mode

One box mode

3 boxes
mode

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

One & half breaker (2 zones)

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 6

Up to 12

Up to 18

Up to 18

Up to 36

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 to 1

0 or 1

0 or 2

0 to 2

Mode

One box mode 3 boxes

mode

One box
mode

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

3 boxes
mode

1 sets of

2 sets of

Note

2 sets of

Double bus with transfer bus or Triple bus (3 zones)

NOT POSSIBLE
Three buses (3 zones) or Four buses (4 zones), etc
POSSIBLE if can be split in simpler bus topology.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-35

4 buses example:

Feeder 1

Feeder 14

Feeder 15

Feeder 28
P0854ENa

This scheme can be protected by 2 sets of 3 P746 connected as shown below:

AP

The trip information must be shared among the 2 sets of 3 P746 with high speed contact to
the filtered or via goose messages with IEC 61850-8.1.
Note:

The P746 connected on the neutral does not allow sensitive

differential earth fault protection.

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-36
7.2

Application solutions

7.2.1

1 box mode:
All analogue inputs, all digital inputs and all relay outputs are connected to one p746:

1 box Application cabling

Ph C
Ph B
Ph A

3 Phase

P0848ENa

7.2.2

AP

3 boxes mode:
Each phase inputs, all digital inputs and all relay outputs are connected to one p746:

3 box Application cabling

Ph C
Ph B
Ph A

Ph A

Ph B

Ph C

P0849ENa

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
7.2.3

(AP) 6-37

Voltage information
When the 3 boxes mode is set, voltage information (based on set criteria) must be shared
among the 3 P746.

Voltage information must be shared

1 P746 per CT phase

AP

P0850ENa

The information to be shared is the voltage algorithm output that allows the trip.
There are two ddbs outputs:

VT Check Allow Zone 1

VT Check Allow Zone 2

To be linked (inverted) to two ddbs inputs:

Block Bus Diff Zone 1

Block Bus Diff Zone 2

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-38

AP

Application Notes

To do so, the blocking information has to be sent from the connected P746 to
the two other ones with the following methods:

Goose messages with IEC 61850-8.1 (recommended):

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-39

High speed contact to filtered optos:

AP

Note:

the tripping time is delayed by around.

Standard relay: 5ms + opto filtering: 5ms = 10ms
High break/high speed relay: 0ms + opto filtering: 5ms = 5ms

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-40

high speed contact to unfiltered optos

AP

Note:

the tripping time is delayed by around 5ms for Standard relay.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
7.2.4

(AP) 6-41

3 boxes mode and simple redundancy:

When redundancy is needed, an alternative solution of doubling the number of P746 (i.e. 6
P746) is to add a forth one measuring the neutral path.
Any phase to ground fault will be seen by a phase P746 and the neutral P746 and any phase
to phase fault will be seen by two phase P746.
By wiring the trip outputs in parallel, any fault would be cleared even if one P746 fails.

3 box + 1 box Application cabling

simplified redundancy
Ph C
Ph B
Ph A

Ph A

Ph B

AP
Ph C

Neutral

P0851ENa

7.2.5

2 out of 2 solution:
Using the same principle, to have the 2 out of 2 solution, the following cabling can be done:
Ph C
Ph B
Ph A

3 box + 1 box Trip order cabling

2 out of 2 tripping logic

Ph A
+ Vcc

Trip PhA

Ph B

Trip PhB

Trip PhC

Trip PhN
A&B

A&C

Ph C

A&N

B&C

Neutral

B&N

C&N

3 Phase Trip
P0852ENa

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-42
7.3

Check list
The following steps shall be performed:
Engineering phase:
1.

Check the CT compliances

(using P746VkTest.xls & Rct_Approx.xls)

AP

2.

Design the Junction schemes

(using AUTOCAD (or equivalent))

3.

Create the material definition and the wiring plans

(distributed or centralised version)

4.

Label the relay Inputs & Outputs

(using MiCOM S1 Setting (per Group))

5.

Calculate the P746 87BB settings

(using Idiff_Ibias.xls & P746 setting guide)

6.

Calculate the different other P746 settings

(transformer, coupler, line, etc)

7.

Draw the topology line diagram (optional but to use the P746 remote HMI)
(using P746 Remote HMI Tips)

8.

Create the P746 PSL file

(using MiCOM S1 & Tips)

9.

Print out the front panel Labels

(using P74x_Stickers.xls)

Testing phase:
1.

Stick the labels on the front of the P746

2.

Download the complete setting files into the relay(s)

(using MiCOM S1)

3.

Download the PSL file into the relay(s)

(using MiCOM S1)

4.

Test the PSLs & Analogue inputs

(using a Inputs / Outputs and current generator)

5.

Test the relay

(using MiCOM S1)

Commissioning phase:
1.

Check the inputs / outputs

2.

Check CT connections

3.

Check the measurements and the tripping slopes

(see documentation)

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
7.4

(AP) 6-43

General Substation information

Only a few system parameters are required and it is vital that these are included.

7.5

Number of feeders, bus couplers, bus sections

Positions of bus sections

Positions of switchgear plant i.e. circuit breakers, isolators

Positions of CTs (including the polarity (P1/P2 S1/S2))

Planned future extensions with circuit breaker, isolator and current transformer (CT)

Type of electrical network earthing (Solid or impedance)

Short Circuit Levels

Maximum external fault current (phase to phase and phase to ground faults)

Solid:
- Minimum two phase busbar fault current
- Minimum load current on the smallest feeder
- Maximum load current on the biggest feeder or coupler
- Optional: Maximum three phase busbar fault current

With impedance:
- Minimum two phase busbar fault current
- Minimum single phase to earth busbar fault current
- Minimum load current on the smallest feeder
- Maximum load current on the biggest feeder
- Optional: Maximum three phase busbar fault current

Maximum substation short-circuit withstand time

7.6

Switchgear

7.7

Nominal CT ratio

Substation Architecture
Due to the flexibility of the differential busbar protection there is a number of busbar
configurations that can be accommodated via the topology. Each may have very different
architecture and, therefore, vary in complexity.
You will find in the following pages topology examples of layouts most frequently
encountered. For each example, the number of P746 necessary to protect the busbars is
specified.
Generally, the elements of the protection architecture will be identified in a similar manner to
the principal parts of the substation e.g. by the letters A and B.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-44

8.

STANDARD CONFIGURATIONS
The following information relates only to the more common standard schemes. For further
information on the accommodation of other busbar configurations consult your AREVA
representative.
Here after is summarised the solution identification:
P746 mode selection
Single bus or radial bus with no CT coupling (1 zone)
Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 18

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 or 1

Mode

One box mode

3 boxes mode

Radial bus with 1 or 2 CT coupling (2 zones)

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 12

Up to 18

Up to 36

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 to 2

0 or 2

0 to 2

Mode

One box mode

One box
mode

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

Note

AP

2 sets of

2 sets of

Double bus with no transfer bus (2 zones)

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 6

Up to 18

Up to 18

Set of VTs

0 or 1

0 to 2

0 or 1

0 or 2

Mode

One box mode

3 boxes
mode

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

Up to 18

Up to 18

One & half breaker (2 zones)

Set of CTs

Up to 6

Up to 6

Up to 12

Set of VTs
Mode

0 or 1

0 to 1

One box mode

3 boxes
mode

One
mode

Note

box

2 sets of

Double bus with transfer bus or Triple bus (3 zones)

NOT POSSIBLE
Three buses (3 zones) or Four buses (4 zones), etc
POSSIBLE if can be split in simpler bus topology.

Up to 36

0 or 1

0 or 2

0 to 2

3 boxes mode

3 boxes
mode

3 boxes
mode

1 sets of

2 sets of

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-45

The general rule to calculate the number of P746 to use is:

1 off P746 from 1 to 6 sets of CTs or 6 breakers (up to 7 isolators) and 2 sets of 1 P746 up to
12 sets of CTs when possible.
3 off P746 from 7 to.18 sets of CTs or 18 breakers (up to 37 isolators) and 2 sets of 3 P746
up to 36 sets of CTs when possible.

AP
FIGURE 22: SINGLE BUSBAR APPLICATION WITH BUS SECTION ISOLATOR
The above example shows a single busbar with a bus section isolator. It is split into two
zones.
There are up to 6 feeders connected to the busbar. This configuration requires 1 P746.
If it was up to 18 feeders connected to the busbar. This configuration would require 3 P746.
There is no solution for more feeders.
The type of P746 used will depend on the i/o requirements of the scheme in question.

FIGURE 23: SINGLE BUSBAR APPLICATION WITH BUS SECTION CIRCUIT BREAKER
The above example shows a single busbar with a bus section circuit breaker. It is split into
two zones.

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-46

There are 4 feeders connected to the busbar. The bus section circuit breaker has CTs on
either side. This configuration requires 1 P746.
If it was up to 10 feeders connected to the busbar. This configuration would require 2 sets of
1 P746 or 3 P746.

AP

If it was up to 14 feeders connected to the busbar. This configuration would require 3 P746.

1 P746 per CT phase

BB1

BB2

The voltages can be shared either

via HB/HS contacts -> Optos or via
Ethernet (61850-8.1 gooses)
P0853ENa

If it was up to 34 feeders connected to the busbar. This configuration would require 2 sets of
3 P746.
The type of P746 used will depend on the i/o requirements of the scheme in question.
It is recommended that the CTs for feeder protection are sited such as to overlap with the
CTs defining the limits of each busbar protection zone.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-47

FIGURE 24: BREAKER AND A HALF SCHEME

The above example shows a breaker and a half scheme.
There are 3 feeders connected to each busbar. This configuration requires 1 P746
If it was up to 12 feeders connected to the busbars, the scheme would require 2 sets of 1
P746 or 3 P746.
If it was up to 18 feeders connected to the busbars, the scheme would require 3 P746.
If it was up to 36 feeders connected to the busbars. Each scheme would require 3 P746.
The type of P746 used will depend on the i/o requirements of the scheme in question.

FIGURE 25: DOUBLE BUSBAR APPLICATION WITH BUS COUPLER

The above example shows a double busbar with a bus coupler. It is split into two zones.
If there is a bus coupler with a single CT (solution 1) and up to 5 feeders connected to the
busbar. This configuration requires 1 P746
If there is a bus coupler with CTs on both sides (solution 2) and 4 feeders connected to the
busbar. This configuration requires 1 P746
If there is a bus coupler with a single CT (solution 1) and up to 17 feeders connected to the
busbar. This configuration requires 3 P746
If there is a bus coupler with CTs on both sides (solution 2) and 16 feeders connected to the
busbar. This configuration requires 3 P746

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-48
The additional P746 being for the bus section isolators is optional.

The number of additional P746 being dependant on the number of bus section/bus coupler
CTs. The type of P746 used for each bay will depend on the i/o requirements of the bay in
question.

P3792ENa

AP

FIGURE 26: DOUBLE BUS BAR WITH TWO CIRCUIT BREAKERS PER FEEDER

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

9.

(AP) 6-49

APPLICATION OF NON PROTECTION FUNCTIONS

The non-protection features for the scheme are summarised below:

9.1

Scheme is centralised.

Local, zone and scheme measurements various measurements are available locally
via the relay LCD or remotely via the serial communication link.

Event, fault and disturbance recording Comprehensive post fault analysis available via
event lists, disturbance records and fault records which can be accessed locally via the
relay LCD or remotely via the serial communication link.

Real time clock/time synchronisation Time synchronisation available via IRIG-B input.

Four settings groups Independent remotely selectable setting groups to allow for
customer specific applications.

CB and isolator state monitoring indication of the circuit breaker/isolator position via
the auxiliary contacts, scheme acts accordingly should discrepancy conditions be
detected.

Commissioning test facilities.

Continuous self monitoring extensive self checking routines to ensure maximum

reliability.

Graphical programmable scheme logic allowing user defined protection and control
logic to be tailored to the specific application.

Function keys
The following default PSL logic illustrates the programming of function keys to enable/disable
the commissioning mode functionality.

FIGURE 27: COMMISSIONING MODE DEFAULT PSL

Note:

Energizing two inputs to an LED conditioner creates a YELLOW

illumination.

Function Key 2 is set to Toggle mode and on activation of the key, the commissioning mode
will be in service as long as the function has been enabled in the Configuration menu. The
associated LED will indicate the state of the protection function in service as GREEN and
RED for the Overhaul mode.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-50

10.

CT REQUIREMENTS

10.1

Notation
IF max fault

maximum fault current (same for all feeders) in A

IF max
cont

maximum contribution from a feeder to an internal fault (depends on the

feeder) in A

int

Inp

CT primary rated current

In

nominal secondary current (1A or 5A)

RCT

CT secondary winding Resistance in Ohms

RB

Total external load resistance in Ohms

Vk

CT knee point voltage in Volts

SVA

Nominal output in VA

KSSC

Short-circuit current coefficient (generally 20)

General recommendations for the specification of protection CTs use common rules of
engineering which are not directly related to a particular protection.

AP

10.2

87BB Phase CT Requirements

10.2.1

Feeders connected to sources of significant power (i.e. lines and generators)

The primary rated current is specified above a 1/20th of the maximum contribution of the
feeder to internal faults.
i.e.

Inp = IF max int/20

e.g. A power line likely to import electricity at 20 kA gives rated primary current Inp as
1000 A.
In any case the maximum peak current shall be less than 90 In (90A for 1A input and 450A
for 5A Input) i.e. 32 In RMS fully offset.
This recommendation is used for the majority of line or transformer protection applications.
The CT must be sized so as not to saturate during internal faults:
For each CT, IFeederMax = maximum contribution of the feeder to an internal fault (could be
different for each feeder):
Vk > IFeederMax * (RCT + RB)
Note:

This specification is valid for internal faults.

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746
10.2.2

(AP) 6-51

CT Specification according to IEC 185, 44-6 and BS 3938 (British Standard)

1.

Class X according to British Standard: Minimum knee point voltage for saturation
Vk min = secondary IF max x (RCT + RB)
With secondary IF max not less than 20 (if IF max < 20 In then IF max = 20)
Note:

This specification is valid for external faults.

This provides a sufficient margin of security for CT saturation immunity.

2.

Class 5P to IEC 185. Conversion of class X (BS) with the 5P equivalent (IEC)

3.

Class TPX and TPY according to IEC 44-6. IEC defines a composite error as a
percentage of a multiple of the rated current (IN) on a definite load SVA.
e.g.

CT 1000/5 A 50VA 5P 20 [CT Inp / InA SVA Accuracy P Kscc]

This definition indicates that the composite error must be lower than 5%, for a primary
current of 20Inp when the external load is equal to 2 ohms (50VA to In). If secondary
resistance, RCT, is known it is easy to calculate the magnetising EMF developed with the
fault current (20In). Actually if the error is 5% (= 5A) with this EMF, the point of operation is
beyond the knee point voltage for saturation. By convention one admits that the knee point
voltage, Vk, is 80% of this value. For a conversion between a class 5P (IEC) and a class X
(BS) CT one uses the relation:
Vk=0.8 X [(SVA x Kssc)/In + (RCT x Kssc x In) ]
SVA = (In x Vk/0.8 Kssc) RCT x In2
In particular cases, calculation could reveal values too low to correspond to industrial
standards. In this case the minima will be: SVA min = 10 VA 5P 20 which correspond to a
knee point voltage of approximately Vkmin = 70 V at 5A or 350V at 1A. Class TPY would
permit lower values of power, (demagnetisation air-gap). Taking into account the weak
requirements of class X or TPX one can keep specifications common.
For accuracy, class X or class 5P current transformers (CTs) are strongly recommended.
The knee point voltage of the CTs should comply with the minimum requirements of the
formulae shown below.
Vk

k (RCT + RB)

Where:
Vk

Required knee point voltage

Dimensioning factor

RCT

CT secondary resistance

RL

Circuit resistance from CT to relay

RB

Burden resistance

k is a constant depending on:

If

Maximum value of through fault current for stability (multiple of In)

X/R

Primary system X/R ratio (for the P746 system, X/R up to 120)

The following CT requirement can be developed for the P746 scheme

Vk

>

secondary If max x (RCT + RB)

With RB = 2 RL

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-52
10.3

Support of IEEE C Class CTs

MiCOM Px40 series protection is compatible with ANSI/IEEE current transformers as
specified in the IEEE C57.13 standard. The applicable class for protection is class C, which
specifies a non air-gapped core. The CT design is identical to IEC class P, or British
Standard class X, but the rating is specified differently. The following table allows C57.13
ratings to be translated into an IEC/BS knee point voltage.
IEEE C57.13 C Classification (volts)

AP

C50

C100

C200

C400

C800

Vk

Vk

Vk

Vk

Vk

0.04

56.5

109

214

424

844

200/5

0.8

60.5

113

218

428

848

400/5

0.16

68.5

121

226

436

856

800/5

0.32

84.5

137

242

452

872

1000/5

0.4

92.5

145

250

460

880

1500/5

0.6

112.5

165

270

480

900

2000/5

0.8

132.5

185

290

500

920

3000/5

1.2

172.5

225

330

540

960

CT Ratio

RCT (ohm)

100/5

TABLE 3: IEC/BS KNEE POINT VOLTAGE VK OFFERED BY C CLASS CTS

Assumptions:
1.

For 5A CTs, the typical resistance is 0.0004 ohm secondary per primary turn (for 1A
CTs, the typical resistance is 0.0025 ohm secondary per primary turn).

2.

IEC/BS knee is typically 5% higher than ANSI/IEEE knee.

Given:
1.
2.

IEC/BS knee is specified as an internal EMF, whereas the C class voltage is

specified at the CT output terminals. To convert from ANSI/IEEE to IEC/BS requires
the voltage drop across the CTs secondary winding resistance to be added.
IEEE CTs are always rated at 5A secondary

3.

The rated dynamic current output of a C class CT (Kssc) is always 20 x In

Vk

= (C x 1.05) + (In. RCT. Kssc)

Where:
Vk

= Equivalent IEC or BS knee point voltage

= C Rating

In

= 5A

RCT

= CT secondary winding resistance

Kssc = 20 times

Application Notes

P746/EN AP/F21

MiCOM P746

11.

(AP) 6-53

AUXILIARY SUPPLY FUSE RATING

In the Safety section of this manual, the maximum allowable fuse rating of 16A is quoted. To
allow time grading with fuses upstream, a lower fuselink current rating is often preferable.
Use of standard ratings of between 6A and 16A is recommended. Low voltage fuselinks,
rated at 250V minimum and compliant with IEC60269-2 general application type gG are
acceptable, with high rupturing capacity. This gives equivalent characteristics to HRC "red
spot" fuses type NIT/TIA often specified historically.
The table below recommends advisory limits on relays connected per fused spur. This
applies to MiCOM Px40 series devices with hardware suffix C and higher, as these have
inrush current limitation on switch-on, to conserve the fuse-link.
Maximum Number of MiCOM Px40 Relays Recommended Per Fuse
Battery Nominal Voltage

6A

10A Fuse

15 or 16A Fuse

Fuse Rating > 16A

24 to 54V

Not permitted

60 to 125V

12

Not permitted

138 to 250V

10

16

Not permitted

Alternatively, miniature circuit breakers (MCB) may be used to protect the auxiliary supply
circuits.

AP

P746/EN AP/F21

Application Notes
MiCOM P746

(AP) 6-54

AP
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