Distance Tutorial
Distance Tutorial
Application Guide
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Contents
1 Introduction 3
1 Introduction
This tutorial demonstrates the modeling and editing of protective devices typically found in trans-
mission networks. For most of the tutorial, the network that is used can be found, as an applica-
tion example, in the 1987 edition of Protective Relays Application Guide (PRAG) published by
GEC Measurements, paragraph 11.32. Some differences from the original example in the text
have been introduced to demonstrate specific PowerFactory applications, as well as to model a
more realistic example. Only for the Mutual Compensation Factor and Implementation chapter,
a different network is used.
As it is assumed that the user is familiar with basic editing of data, the network has been pre-
pared for use, only requiring the editing of protection devices. Instructions to perform load flows
and the observations of the results are thus left to the students discretion. It is also assumed
that the student has completed the overcurrent protection tutorial so that the basics of relay
modeling are familiar.
The textbook example uses a Quadramho relay. In this tutorial however, a Micromho relay will
be used, which is very similar. The Micromho type characteristics are available in the tutorial
project library. The steps we follow to model the relay are as follows:
Right click on the cubicle feeding Line G from Station P. Select New Devices / Relay
Model. . . as is shown below.
A relay element data input window opens, where the new relay is named Relay G.
We select the relay type using the select button and look for the relay type in the project
library. The project library should open with the relay type filter activated.
There is only one distance relay type saved in the library, this has been placed there for
use in this tutorial and of course this relay type is the Micromho that we want to use in this
example.
We select this Micromho relay by double clicking on the relay type icon. The relay element
data input window is now updated as shown below.
Select Create CT to model a CT input to the relay. The CT data input window as shown
below, opens.
The CT element can be given a special name such as CT G, but this is not absolutely
necessary.
Again we need to select a CT type from the project library. This is done by pressing
selecting a type from the project library once again. Then select the 600/1 CT Type from
the project library.
The CT element data window is updated to show a 600/1 ratio. Of course, had the CT
type been a multi-ratio CT, we would also need to select the CT ratio.
The Location is not specified and therefore the CT is automatically modeled in the same
cubicle as the relay. A specific location, other than the local cubicle, would only be used
if current measurement was required from a different feeder that that in which the relay is
located.
Press OK and the CT element is correctly modeled and visible in the relay element model.
Now a VT element must be created. To do this, the Create VT button is pressed. A
element data input window, as shown below, opens.
The Relay G has been modeled in place, but has not yet been set. This is our next step.
The relay elements are set individually using the same settings proposed in the textbook, as
follows:
Double click on the polarizing element. The window shown below opens.
Note that the line k0 (described as kn, residual compensation factor adjustment in the ref.
book) value is automatically calculated and displayed. As should be expected, the value
of 0.49 at an angle of 7.8 degrees matches the textbook exactly. By pressing Assume k0,
the k0 setting is changed to 0.48, which is the closest available setting to 0.4893 for this
relay. Press OK.
Double clicking the starting element opens the next setting window:
The starting element consists of earth fault and over-current elements. It is important that
these elements are set sensitively enough to pick up for all faults at the end of the setting
zones. To determine this sensitivity we can use PowerFactory to calculate the 3-phase and
earth fault currents at the end of zone 3 for relay on Line G. Using a fault impedance of,
say, 10 Ohms, we give us a conservative value for setting the starting elements. For this
tutorial the busbar at Substation R/B1 at the end of Line J is faulted, using the complete
calculation method. Respective resultant fault currents of 600 A and 410 A for 3-phase-
and earth fault through Line G are calculated.
Set the Current, 3I0 to 0.6 sec.A and Current I>> to 1 sec.A. Press OK.
Double click on the earth fault measuring element for phase 1 called PGZ1. The window
shown next opens.
The secondary ohm impedance values of the first line are automatically calculated and
shown. Assuming we want to set this element to 80% of the impedance of Line G, we
calculate a value of 8.78 sec.Ohms (10.981 x 80%). Set the Replica Impedance to 8.78
and the Relay Angle to 65 deg. The branch angle reach is automatically calculated as
79.93% of the line impedance, confirming that the setting is correct. Press OK.
The Zone 2 reach must be set to cover the protected line plus 50% of the shortest adjacent
line or 120% of the protected line whichever is the greater. For the application under
consideration Zone 2 is set to cover the protected line plus 50% of the shortest adjacent
line. Using the same procedure as for setting PGZ1, we set PGZ2 Replica Impedance to
15.37 sec ohm and the Relay Angle to 65 deg.
Again we set PGZ3 using the same procedure as for PGZ1 and PGZ2. This time we
set the PGZ3 Replica Impedance to 65.89 sec ohm and Relay Angle to 65 deg. The
Character Angle is kept at 90 deg (to maintain a circular tripping characteristic) and the
Offset Impedance is set to 2.2 sec ohm.
The phase elements of PPZ1, PPZ2 and PPZ3 are all respectively set to be exactly the
same as the earth fault elements of PGZ1, PGZ2 and PGZ3.
Double clicking on the Z2GD element (earth fault timer), opens the following window:
When there are several relays in a system and one would like to check the settings of some of
these distance relays, in series, it is beneficial to define a path. We define a path as follows:
Multi-select the busbars and lines from Station P Busbar B3 (132 kV) to Station R Busbar
B1 by clicking on each of the elements along this path, while holding down the Control
key.
Right click anywhere on this multi-selection. A drop down menu appears. Select Path. . . /
New. . . as shown.
The path to be created can be given a unique name for identification. Press OK.
The path selected should appear in red on the single line diagram.
Right click anywhere on the path and select Path. . . / Create R-X Plot on the drop down
menu as shown next.
An RX Plot appears showing the settings of Relay G, as well as some line impedances.
Note that the earth fault and phase fault impedance elements are on top of each other for
each zone. This can be seen by double clicking on, say, the outer zone setting (Zone 3).
The following window appears:
Relay elements can be set directly from the RX plot by double clicking on the displayed
characteristic. In case of there being more than one plot being on top of another, as we
have here, a window will open in which we must then select the relevant relay setting to
be edited.
After selecting the element to be set or changed, press the Edit Object tool on the toolbar,
and the setting sheet of the selected element appears. Alternatively, double click on the
element icon to arrive at the setting sheet.
Double click anywhere on the diagram (but not on a plot) and the relay plot editor appears.
Select Options and the window shown below appears.
Select Ph-Ph & 3-Ph in the Relay Units options. Press OK and OK again to return to the
graphic.
Now only the Phase-Phase and 3-Phase Distance elements are shown on the RX Plot.
The vertical lines represent the impedance of the power transformers.
The aim of any protection engineer is to ensure that coordination between different distance
and overcurrent relays is correct. This coordination can be checked using RX plots, Time-
Distance plots and time Overcurrent plots. Defining paths for the relays to be coordinated is a
tool that may be used in order to make maximum use of these different plots. Before this can
be demonstrated, more relays must be added to our project. In the next few steps, we add an
overcurrent relay to the source side (Station Q side) of Line K, and a distance relay at the source
side of Line J, as follows:
Right click on the Substation Q cubicle connected to Line K. Select New Devices. . . / Relay
Model.
Name the relay Line K OC.
Select the Standard OC Relay type relay from the library.
Select Create CT. From the library select the type to be a 400/200/1 CT and press OK.
Note that the CT defaults to the lowest available ratio of 200/1. We want to use the 400/1
ratio and must select it in the Primary Tap drop down menu. Press OK.
Set the three-phase over-current element to 5 p.u. and the time multiplier to 0.2 (double
click on the Toc3Ph element field to access these setting fields). Press OK.
Right click on the Station Q cubicle connected to Line J. Select New Devices. . . / Relay
Model.
Name the relay Relay J.
Select the Micromho type relay from the library.
Select Create CT. On the window that appears, select the Type arrow down. From the
library select the 600/1 CT and press OK.
Select Create VT. Define both primary and secondary VT type as before for Relay G.
Set the relay as follows:
PGZ1 = PPZ1 = 18 sec.Ohm; PGZ2 = PPZ2 = 30 sec.Ohm;
PGZ3 = PPZ3 = 60 sec.Ohm; Relay Angle = 65 degrees;
Z3 Offset Impedance = 0; Characteristic Angle = 90 degrees
The new distance relay Relay J is already in the defined path. The relay can either be added
to the existing RX plot, or a new RX plot could be generated containing all relays in the path.
The second option is chosen:
Right click on the red path in the grid and select Path. . . / Create R-X Plot.
A new RX plot appears showing both Relay G and Relay J impedance plots.
Say we need to check the tripping coordination between Relay G and Line K OC relays. One
way to do this would be to use a time-distance plot. First a new path needs to be defined:
Multi-select the new path shown below holding down the control key. Make sure the Station
Q 132 kV bussection cubicle/breaker is also selected in the path, or you will receive a
warning Path not complete. To do this, you may need to enlarge the area around the
bussection.
Select Path. . . / New. . . .
A dialogue for the new path appears. Change the path colour to green to differentiate from
the first path. Select OK. The new path will appear in green.
Right click on the newly created green path and select Path. . . / Create Time-Distance
Diagram. Make sure that you do not right click on a combined path, but select a part of
the path that is unique to the green path in order to create the correct diagram.
Two plots are shown, but these need to be further defined. Double click anywhere on the
plots. The screen shown will appear.
Only a forward plot is required. In the drop down menu next to Diagrams, select Forward.
The curves may not appear immediately as the scale could be incorrect. Press the Scale
X-Axis Automatically and Scale Y-Axis Automatically buttons on the second toolbar, and
the curves should appear as shown next.
From the diagram it is noticed that the distance relay (Relay G) will operate faster than the
overcurrent relay. This would cause incorrect tripping. To set this right, take the following
steps:
Double click on the green curve of the over-current relay. Change the Current Setting to
1.5 p.u. and Time Dial to 0.1.
Press OK.
Double click on the Zone 2 part of the red distance relay (Relay G). The PPZ2 window
opens. Select Timer. The Z2PD window opens. Set the Time Setting to 0.5 seconds.
Press OK and OK.
Double left click on the Zone 3 part of the red distance relay. The PPZ3 window opens.
Select Timer. The Z3PD window opens. Set the Time Setting to 1.0 seconds. Press OK
and OK.
Press the Rebuild button on the second toolbar.
After the recalculation has been completed, rescaling the Y-Axis may be required. This is
done by pressing the Scale Y-Axis Automatically button on the second toolbar.
It is now clear that for three-phase faults without any fault impedance along the green path,
tripping coordination will be correct.
Distance protection usually involves teleprotection schemes in order to improve the protection
degree offered by the distance relays. Several schemes have been developed, among which
can be found:
The reader can find more details about each of the mentioned teleprotection schemes above,
consulting the specialized literature. For this tutorial, we will implement a blocking scheme,
whose main characteristics are summarized below:
The scheme will use a blocking signal by means of a reverse zone detection.
The blocking signal will be sent to the relay of the opposite side of the transmission line.
If no blocking signal is received, and the relay detects a fault in zone 2, it will operate
instantly.
If a blocking signal is received, then the fault is outside the transmission line and the relay
will start the timer of zone 2.
A model has been prepared for use in the library. It includes two slots, where two relays can be
assigned for the blocking scheme. It must be only at one side of the transmission line, but has
to refer to each distance relays at both sides. The procedure to include the blocking scheme is
as follows:
Go to the library folder and locate the Micromho relay model. Make a copy and name it as
Micromho wBlock.
Right click on the new copied relay model and select Show Graphic.
Since the Micromho model relay has only six distance protection zones, three for Phase
faults and three other for Residual faults, we will use the Zone 3 as reverse zone, to detect
and block the external relay. Locate inside the connection diagram the PPZ3 and PGZ3
blocks.
Create a slot and enter the data as shown in the figure below.
Connect a signal from the output of the PPZ3 block to the first input of the Logic OR
block. With the same procedure, connect the signal from the PGZ3 block to the second
input of the Logic OR block.
Connect a signal from the output of the Logic OR block to the output frame, as shown
below.
Now, the relay must discriminate if the fault is inside Zone 2 and check if the blocking signal
has been received. Edit the Logic block and add three more input signals: y receive, Z2P
and Z2G.
Use the same procedure as before to connect the outputs of the PPZ2 and PGZ2 blocks
to the corresponding inputs (Z2P and Z2G as defined before) of the Logic block.
Connect a signal at the beginning of the frame to the input of the y receive signal in the
Logic block, as shown below.
Please note that, in general, the procedure to adapt the relay model for a teleprotection scheme
will be the same. The difference relies on the location of each signal and the blocks to connect
to in order to achieve the blocking scheme.
Since we have made modifications to the internal structure of the relay, it must be updated.
Also, we have to define the logic for the blocking scheme. The procedure is as follows:
Edit the Micromho wBlock relay and click on Slot Update. This will update all slot defini-
tions and create any Types if they do not exist at the moment. Please ensure that the Slot
quantity is 17 and the Logic OR is assigned to the relay.
Edit the Logic OR block. Set Breaker Event up to None and insert the input signals
y send ph and y send gnd and the output signal y send.
Go to the Logic tab and insert the following code: y send=y send ph.or.y send gnd.
Click OK.
Now edit the Logic block. Insert the input signals y receive, Z2P and Z2G and the output
signals REVBLOCK and REMTRIP.
Set User Defined Settings to only Logic.
Go to the Logic tab. Insert the following code:
REVBLOCK=NOTRIP
REMTRIP = Z2P.or.Z2G.and..not.y receive.and.REVBLOCK
Add at the end of the tripping signals, 94 1ABC and 94 2ABC, the value .not.REMTRIP.
Now we will test the blocking scheme. First of all, we have to add some relays to our model.
Edit the devices inside the Line G cubicle and copy the Relay G, CT G and VT G
elements. Click Close.
Edit the other cubicle and paste the elements.
Set the relay as follows:
PGZ1 = PPZ1 = 8.78 sec.Ohm
PGZ2 = PPZ2 = 15.37 sec.Ohm
PGZ3 = PPZ3 = 7.91 sec.Ohm
Relay Angle = 65 degrees
Z3 Offset Impedance = 0
Characteristic Angle = 90 degrees
PPZ3 and PGZ3 Tripping Direction = Reverse
Z3PD and Z3GD Time Setting to the max. possible value .
Edit the Starting unit of the relay and set the Current, 3I0 to 0.2 sec.A and Current I>>
to 0.2 sec.A. Press OK and OK.
Now we have to add the blocking relay to whichever cubicle in the transmission line.
Copy the newly added relay and edit the opposite cubicle at Substation P.
Create a New Object and select Relay Model.
Assign the Blocking Model Relay Type from the Library to the new relay.
Paste the Relay object onto the Slot Relay 2. Click OK.
Copy the relay Relay G and paste it in the the Slot Relay 1. The relay should look as
shown below
Now that everything has been set, is time to create a Time-Distance Diagram and see the
operation of the blocking scheme. Follow the procedure described before to create a Time-
Distance Diagram. After some scale adjustments and showing only the relays of Line G, the
diagram should look like in the figure below.
As you can see, the operation of the relay for Zone 1 covers 100% of the line, meanwhile the
Zone 2 will operate for faults beyond the Line G Transmission Line.
When a distance relay is protecting a transmission line, which goes through a parallel circuit at
the same tower, a coupling effect will take place. Meanwhile a full transposition of the circuits
can overcome most of the mutual impedances between phases, until they reach a very small
or negligible value, the mutual zero sequence coupling will still be present. This is due to the
fact that the I0 zero current components are in phase, and the zero sequence flux linking to the
other transmission line in parallel will not add to zero. Due to this, the impedance measured by
a distance relay under phase to earth fault conditions will not represent exactly the impedance
to the fault point.
It can be proven that the positive sequence impedance measured by a distance relay, under a
single phase to ground fault at m in per unit of the line, will be as described in the equation
below:
Va
mZ1L = Z0L-Z1L Z0m
(1)
Ia + 3Z1L 3I0 + 3Z1L 3I0m
Equation ( 1) implies that two factors are needed to be known in order to have an accurate
measure of the apparent impedance to the fault. The first factor in bold corresponds to the k0
factor, while the second is the k0m compensation factor. With the help of PowerFactory we can
determine this factors, although one of them (k0) can be automatically calculated inside the
relay model and only an update of the value is actually needed.
To illustrate this scenario, a test model has been prepared for use. It includes two 220 kV
busbars and two transmission lines coupled at the same tower, and an external grid is feeding
a 100 MW load. We will be using a Siemens relay model, the 7SA513 internal version 14.1.7
for PowerFactory . The 7SA513 relay uses a special definition to compensate earth faults and
mutual coupling effects. Instead of directly using the k0 and k0m values as per definition, it
decouples the resistive and inductive components. The definition, as included in the Siemens
relay manual, is as follows:
RE 1 R0
= 1 (2)
RL 3 R1
XE 1 X0
= 1 (3)
XL 3 X1
RM 1 R0M
= (4)
RL 3 R1
XM 1 X0M
= (5)
XL 3 X1
Since R1 , X1 , R0 and X0 can be obtained directly from the transmission line dialog, the factors
corresponding to equations ( 2) and ( 3) can be calculated. The dialog can be accessed by
editing any of the coupled lines.
The factors of equations ( 6) and ( 7) for mutual compensation, need the R0M and X0M values
in order to be properly calculated. To obtain this values, please follow the following procedure:
Edit any of the coupled lines by left-clicking on one of them and select Edit Data. . . .
Look up for the mutual zero sequence Resistance and Inductance in the corresponding
matrices. They are in the row 1, column 2 and row 2, column 1 position for both matrices.
We can see that the value for the R0M is 0.1408 Ohm/km and for X0M is 0.9243 Ohm/km.
Note that another option to display the R0M and X0M values would be to click on the
Calculate button. This will display the matrices in the Output Window of PowerFactory .
RM XM
Now we can determine the values of RL and XL , as shown below.
RM 1 0.1408
= = 1.2383 [] (6)
RL 3 0.0379
XM 1 0.9243
= = 0.6944 [] (7)
XL 3 0.4437
These values must be entered in the polarization block of our next new relay model. However,
since we need the current value from the adjacent line, is easier to first define a CT in the
corresponding cubicle. To do this follow this procedure:
Right click on the adjacent cubicle where the relay is not going to be inserted and select
Edit Devices
Add a new Current Transformer and use the 600/1 Type.
Click OK and Close.
Now that we have defined the Mutual CT, is time to create our new relay.
Follow the procedure as stated in previous chapters to define a relay model. Use the
7SA513 1A model.
Define a CT of 600/1 A and a VT of 220000/110 V for the relay.
Define the Ct-Mutual slot to be referenced to the CT of the adjacent line.
Check if the secondary values of the measurement blocks are properly defined according
to the CT and VT values.
Edit the Polarizing block. Ensure that the values entered are as in the figure below.
Please note that clicking on the Assume Re/Rl and Assume Xe/Xl buttons, the corre-
sponding values for the Earth Factor are automatically updated. However, the values for
the Mutual Earth Factor must be entered manually.
Edit the starting block. Since it is starting from an Impedance Z type, we have to define
the area from which is going to detect a fault condition. For our purpose we will define the
widest area possible. Go to the Impedance tab and insert the values as shown in the
figure below.
Timer Value
ZT1 0s
ZT2 0.40 s
ZT3 0.80 s
ZT4 10.00 s
T5 Out of Service
Now that the relay has been set, we will create a RX plot and check if the mutual compensation
is working correctly.
Edit the RX Plot. Change the x-Min. and y-Min. values to -7 and -4 respectively.
Set Auto scale to On. Click OK.
Now perform a Single Phase to Ground fault at 75% of the line where the relay is. Use the IEC
60909 Method. Click on Execute and go to the created RX Plot. You should see something as
in the figure below.
We can see that the relay is operation inside Zone 1, as it should be. To see the effect of the
mutual coupling on the relay impedance measure without the proper compensation, we could
define the Mutual Earth Factor values to zero, or also we could reset the CT reference to the
adjacent transmission line. Do any of them inside the relay dialog and perform the same fault
calculation as before. You should see that the fault is located by the relay outside the Zone 1,
due to the Mutual Coupling Effect.