Section

Contents5

Section 5
System and Equipment Protection
Page
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 5-2

PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................... 5-2

Basic System Protection............................................................................... 5-2
Phase Overcurrent Protection ....................................................................... 5-2
Ground Overcurrent Protection ...................................................................... 5-4
Directional Phase Overcurrent Protection ..................................................... 5-5
Directional Ground Overcurrent Protection .................................................. 5-5
High Impedance Ground Fault Detection ....................................................... 5-5
Differential Protection ................................................................................... 5-5
Open Phase Protection ................................................................................ 5-6
Automatic Reclosing ..................................................................................... 5-6
Directional Power, Underfrequency, and Undervoltage Protection ................ 5-6

Basic Equipment Protection ............................................................................... 5-7

Circuit Breaker Control and Control Power Protection ................................... 5-7
Instrumentation, Current, and Voltage Transformers ....................................... 5-8
Metering and Test Block ................................................................................ 5-9
Surge Protection ........................................................................................... 5-9
Surge Suppressors ....................................................................................... 5-9

5-1
System and Equipment Protection

INTRODUCTION
This selection Guide covers some of the ba- Overcurrent relays today are available with the
sic considerations used when selecting relays for standard ANSI inverse, very inverse, or extremely
the protection of Medium Voltage Power Systems. inverse and definite time characteristics. Many
It is organized by protection packages according microprocessor-based relays also offer the IEC
to the types of equipment generally encountered time characteristics. In the absence of additional
in medium voltage systems. Feeders, Incoming system information, for a single characteristic
Lines, Bus, Transformers, Motors, Generators and device the very inverse characteristic is most likely
Metering will be addressed. to provide optimum circuit protection and selectiv-
ity with other system protective devices. This char-
Protection considerations can be provided by acteristic is intended for application where the
either single phase and multi-function three phase magnitude of fault current is determined primarily
relays that can include phase and ground direc- by the distance from the source to the fault. If
tional, non-directional relays, overcurrent, differen- selectivity with fuses or reclosers is a requirement,
tial, directional power, under-frequency and under- the extremely inverse characteristic is well suited
over voltage relaying. for applications. The inverse characteristic is useful
in those rare applications in which selectivity with
Newer multifunctional digital relays offer sev- other inverse or definite time relays is a concern.
eral benefits; expanded relay functions, digital me- It is also useful on systems that have a multiplic-
tering, diagnostics, reduction in relay costs per ity of local generators at the distribution voltage
function, reduction in wiring and increased panel and where the magnitude of fault current is deter-
space with the reduction in the quantity of relays. mined primarily by how many generators are in
GE Multilin Relay product reference guide can be service at the same time. Most microprocessor-
found at www.GEMultilin.com. based relays have all the above characteristics
field-selectable which would allow the specifier to
Instrumentation, metering, current and voltage select a relay with minimal information and select
detection considerations include selection of in- a characteristic when more complete information
strument transformer ratios, as well as scales of is available.
analog meters if used.
INCOMING LINESIncoming line phase-over-cur-
Control considerations include a discussion rent protection is typically time delay only (51),
of permissive control operation as well as supervi- furnished without instantaneous attachments (50),
sion of trip coils by indicating lamps. or on digital multi-function relays, the instanta-
neous is disabled but the functions stays avail-
Since all AC power systems are subject to tran- able. This allows the relay to be selective with
sient voltages, a discussion of surge protection is feeder relays having instantaneous attachments
also included. (50/51).

PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS FEEDERS Instantaneous phase-overcurrent re-

lay (50) settings for radial utility distribution feed-
BASIC SYSTEM PROTECTION ers are set usually as low as possible consider-
ing, among other things, cold-load pickup and
Phase-overcurrent Protection other circuit requirements. Instantaneous phase-
overcurrent relays for industrial or commercial build-
Recommended phase over-current protection ing radial circuits are usually set high enough (but
consists of one time and instantaneous phase- well below the available short-circuit current) to
overcurrent element (50/51) in each phase oper- prevent false tripping for faults at the lower-voltage
ated from a current transformer in each phase. terminals of large transformer banks and to pro-
This arrangement provides complete phase- vide selectivity with groups of large motor start-
overcurrent protection for the circuit, even when ers. Instantaneous settings should be low enough
one phase element is removed from the circuit for so that the combination of time and instantaneous
testing; it also provides local backup if one of the settings provides protection below the conductor
three phase elements is inoperative. short-circuit heating limit.
GE Multilin SR750/760, SR735/737, F650 or MIF
II digital multi-function relays provide complete in-
coming line or feeder protection and monitoring.
5-2
 Section 5

FEEDER TIES For feeder-tie (cable connected) The three most commonly used connections
circuits to downstream distribution circuit-breaker for ground-overcurrent relays are the residual con-
lineups, selectivity is enhanced by disconnecting, nection (51N), the ground-sensor (balanced-flux
disabling, or delaying the instantaneous element or zero-sequence) connection (50GS or 51GS),
(50) of the phase-overcurrent relays and setting and the neutral current transformer connection
the time-overcurrent (51) element to trip at less (51G).
than the short-circuit heating limit of the conduc-
tors. Residually connected ground-overcurrent re-
lays (51N) are wired in the ground (neutral)-return
BUS TIESBus-tie circuits, within the same lineup current transformer lead of three current transform-
of switchgear including two incoming lines, are fre- ers connected in wye. The relay detects the cur-
quently specified without overcurrent-protection. rent of a ground fault by measuring the current
When overcurrent protection is provided for this remaining in the secondary of the three phases of
type of circuit, relays are connected in what is the circuit as transformed by the current trans-
termed a current summation connection. The formers. The minimum pickup of the relay is de-
use of this connection provides the opportunity for termined by the current transformer ratio. On sys-
selectivity between main or tie breakers and feeder tems with line-to-neutral connected loads, the
breakers minimizing relay operating time delay. ground-overcurrent relay (51N) pickup must be set
(See the one-line diagram on page 2-7 for an ex- above any expected maximum single-phase un-
ample of this connection.) balanced load. If an instantaneous ground-
overcurrent element (50N) is used, it must be set
TRANSFORMERSTransformer-overcurrent pro- above any expected unbalance due to unequal
tection criteria are specified in Section 450 of the current transformer saturation on phase faults or
2005 National Electrical Code. Permissible short- transformer inrush currents. Residually connected
circuit capabilities for transformers are specified ground-overcurrent relays are usually applied on
in ANSI Standard C57.12. Selection of trans- solidly grounded systems.
former-overcurrent protection is governed by these
criteria. Ground-sensor (GSCT) relaying schemes use
The NEC requirements determine the pickup an instantaneous (50GS) or time-delay (51GS)
of the time-overcurrent phase protective relays. The overcurrent relay or relay element connected to
ANSI requirements and the connection of the trans- the secondary of a window-type current transformer
former determine the time dial setting. The inrush through which all load current-carrying conductors
and short-circuit current magnitudes determine the pass. The relay detects the ground current di-
instantaneous setting of the phase-overcurrent pro- rectly from this current transformer, provided the
tective relays. equipment ground conductor and cable shielding
bypass the current transformer. Ground faults 15
GENERATORS Overcurrent relays, applied on amperes (or less) in the primary circuit can be
generator circuits, are used for feeder backup rather detected with this scheme. Ground-sensor relay-
than overload protection. These overcurrent re- ing schemes are usually applied on low resistance
lays are typically voltage-restrained overcurrent or solidly grounded systems.
relays (51V). They operate faster and are more
sensitive for faults close to the generator than for Neutral ground relaying typically uses a time-
faults remote from the generator. The GE Multilin delay overcurrent relay (51G) connected in the
SR489 relay provides complete generator protec- secondary of the current transformer, located in
tion, metering and monitoring. the neutral of a wye-connected transformer, wye-
connected generator, or the neutral of a neutral-
Ground-overcurrent Protection deriving transformer bank.

Ground-overcurrent protection is provided by Some systems are designed with no inten-

either time-overcurrent or instantaneous overcurrent tional grounds. To detect the first ground on this
relays. Sensitive ground-fault protection is desir- type of system, a sensitive directional ground
able to minimize damage to circuit equipment and overcurrent device may be employed. Optionally,
circuit conductors. a set of potential transformers wired wye-wye or
wye-broken delta with indicating lights or voltme-

5-3
System and Equipment Protection
ters can be used to indicate the presence of a circuits with metal-enclosed conductors (non-seg
ground fault on an otherwise ungrounded system. Bus Duct) because of the impracticability of pass-
ing the phase conductors through a single current
INCOMING LINES Incoming line ground-over-cur- transformer. Ground-sensor relaying is rarely ap-
rent relay protection consists of either a residu- plied to circuits terminated with potheads because
ally connected relay (51N) or a relay (51G) con- of the special installation procedures required for
nected to a current transformer in the transformer mounting the potheads.
neutral ground connection. Ground-sensor relay-
ing (51GS) on incoming lines is not recommended Residual-ground relaying (51N or 50/51N) is
because of the size, number, and construction of suitable for feeders on solidly grounded systems
the incoming line conductors. or resistance grounded systems with available
ground-fault currents greater than about twice the
For solidly grounded systems with source maximum current transformer rating. It is also
transformers located remote from the switchgear, required for feeders, which must be selective with
residually connected ground-overcurrent relays other downstream feeders having residual-ground
(without instantaneous) are most often applied. overcurrent relaying.
Some utility users omit all incoming line ground
relays on solidly grounded systems and rely on TRANSFORMERS AND GENERATORS
three phase-overcurrent relays to provide complete Ground-overcurrent relaying for wye-connected
phase- and ground-fault protection. transformers, wye-connected generators and neu-
tral-deriving transformers usually employs neutral-
For impedance or resistance grounded sys- ground relaying, as discussed previously under In-
tems with local source transformers, a ground re- coming Lines. This provides system backup
lay (51G) connected to a current transformer in ground relaying. Settings, however, are normally
the transformer neutral connection is most appli- too high to provide good ground-fault protection for
cable. A typical current transformer ratio for the the apparatus. Ground-fault protection is better
neutral current transformer is one-half to one-quar- obtained by using a scheme of differential relay-
ter the maximum ground-fault current, e.g., a 200:5 ing, which is described later in this section.
CT ratio is appropriate for the neutral CT in series
with a 400A, 10-second neutral grounding resis- Directional Phase-overcurrent Protection
tor. This ratio permits sensitive settings of the
ground relay and selective operation with down- Directional phase-overcurrent relays (67) op-
stream ground-sensor relays. The ground relay is erate for current flow in only one pre-determined
the system backup relay for the medium-voltage direction. Incoming lines, operating in parallel from
system. It also provides ground-fault protection separate sources, require directional phase-
for the transformer and its secondary conductors. overcurrent relay protection to provide sensitive
If a transformer primary circuit breaker is used, operation and to assure selectivity between incom-
the secondary ground-overcurrent relay (51G) in ing-line breakers for phase faults on the source
the transformer neutral connection should trip both side of one of the breakers. This directional phase-
the transformer primary and secondary circuit overcurrent protection is furnished by using relays,
breaker. polarized to operate on current flowing toward the
source. The directional- overcurrent relay without
FEEDERS Ground-sensor (zero-sequence) re- instantaneous function is appropriate for most
lay arrangements use instantaneous-overcurrent applications. The pickup of this relay should be
relays (50GS) or time-overcurrent relays (51GS) set at a value slightly below full-load current. The
and are appropriate for both resistance grounded time delay function can be set to permit selectiv-
and solidly grounded systems. These arrange- ity with upstream feeder breaker or line instanta-
ments provide sensitive ground-fault protection for neous relays.
both branch circuits and feeder-distribution circuits.
Good selectivity can be obtained for a distribution Occasionally a directional-overcurrent relay
system incorporating this type of relaying on all (67) with directional instantaneous function is ap-
branch and feeder distribution circuits; however, a plied to incoming lines fed by long dedicated
feeder breaker with ground-sensor relaying usu- service lines, the instantaneous directional unit is
ally cannot be made selective with downstream set to operate for faults located approximately 80
feeders using residual ground relaying. In addi- to 90 percent of the distance from the incoming
tion, ground-sensor relaying is not applicable to line to the source. For large local transformers,
5-4
 Section 5

the instantaneous unit on a high side directional High Impedance Ground Fault Detection
overcurrent relay is set slightly above the low-volt-
age symmetrical rms amperes contributed through Many distribution system ground faults do not
the transformer to a fault on the higher voltage side generate enough current to be detected by tradi-
of the transformer. tional overcurrent protection. These faults fre-
quently result from a broken conductor falling in
Directional phase-overcurrent relays can be contact with a poor conducting surface or an ob-
voltage polarized from bus VTs connected in open- ject having relatively high impedance (tree
delta, delta-delta or wye-wye. Polarization is nec- branches, dry ground). A high percentage of arc-
essary to establish the current phase relationships ing downed conductors may be detected by new
between voltage and current to determine the di- digital relays with High Z capabilities, specifically
rection of current flow. designed for this purpose, such as the GE Multilin
F60 Feeder Protection Relay.
While earlier electromechanical directional-
overcurrent relays usually had only one time-cur- Differential Protection
rent characteristic, digital multi-function versions
are available in three-phase (and ground, if desired) Differential Protection is a method of equip-
packages with inverse, very inverse, and extremely ment protection in which an internal fault is identi-
inverse (and other) characteristics that are field- fied by comparing electrical conditions at all in-
selectable. coming and outgoing terminals of the equipment.
By virtue of the connection and settings, this pro-
Directional Ground-overcurrent Protection tection only operates for faults in the apparatus
being protected, or in the zone of protection.
Incoming lines operated in parallel from sepa- Hence differential protection does not need to co-
rate grounded sources require directional-ground- ordinate with devices protecting other downstream
overcurrent relays (67N) to assure selectivity be- conductors and equipment. Differential protection
tween incoming-line breakers for ground faults on considerations for specific equipment will be dis-
the source side of each of the incoming-line break- cussed in the later sections.
ers. For solidly grounded systems and many im-
pedance-grounded systems, a multi-functional BUS PROTECTIONBus-differential relays should
digital relay usually is appropriate. This relay is be applied to generator buses, buses with high
set at a low pickup to permit selectivity with the available short-circuit current, and buses which, if
other incoming-line non-directional ground- faulted, create system disturbances which could
overcurrent relaying. lead to system instability in other portions of the
system if the fault is not rapidly isolated. High-
All directional-ground relays must be polar- speed bus differential can also reduce the level of
ized. For systems with local, grounded supply incident energy released during an internal arcing
transformers, the current transformer located in fault, increasing operator safety and reducing
the transformer neutral-ground connection may be equipment damage. This type of relaying uses
used for polarizing. For systems with remote-sup- equally rated phase-current transformers of like
ply transformers, a set of local wye-broken delta characteristics in each circuit connected to or from
connected voltage transformers (or wye-wye VTs the bus to be protected. Bus-differential relays
with wye-broken delta auxiliary transformers) may (87B) are available in both single phase, or three
be used for polarization. On occasion, dual polar- phase designs, such as the GE Multilin PVD
ization may be desirable. (single phase) or MIB (three phase) relay.

As mentioned in the phase units above, digi- TRANSFORMER PROTECTION Transformer-

tal versions are available in packages with inverse, differential relays (87T) are high-speed relays with
very inverse, and extremely inverse (and possibly harmonic restraint. These relays use current trans-
other) characteristics field-selectable. This func- formers of different ratios and connections and
tion (67N) may also be packaged in with all three compensating relay taps. Liquid-filled transform-
phases of directional phase overcurrent. ers, larger than approximately 5000 kVA, are pro-
tected usually with both differential and fault-pres-
sure relays (63FP) and occasionally with gas-de-
tector relays.

5-5
System and Equipment Protection
Open-phase Protection (Negative-sequence
Differential relays protect the internal trans-
Voltage)
former circuit, including conductors, bushings and
windings. Fault-pressure relays provide excellent
Incoming line open-phase operation occurs
internal tank-fault protection for liquid-filled trans-
when one conductor is opened due to either a
formers, but do not include the entire circuit in the
single upstream fuse melting or a single-line con-
protected zone.
ductor or circuit breaker pole opening. System
protection for either of these events for systems
Transformers connected delta-wye, with the
without local generation consists of a negative-
secondary neutral grounded through resistance,
sequence voltage unbalanced relay (60). To avoid
frequently require ground-fault as well as phase-
tripping on system transient disturbances, this
fault differential protection because the pickup of
relay should operate through a time delay usually
phase-differential relays may not be low enough
set from 2 to 4 seconds. For systems subject to
to detect secondary ground faults. This results
harmonics, a harmonic filter applied to the input
from the large CTs necessary to carry transformer
to this relay may be required. The negative-se-
load currents at forced air ratings. For such sys-
quence voltage function (60) may also be incorpo-
tems, the GE Multilin SR745 Transformer Protec-
rated in a multi-function motor protection relay.
tion relay can be used for complete protection.
Automatic Reclosing
MOTORS Motor differential relays are usually
Radial feeders supplying overhead lines, with or
applied to motors 1500 hp and larger. Three-phase
without line sectionalizing, sometimes employ
motor-differential relays (87M) used for this appli-
automatic reclosing for better service continuity.
cation employ the balanced-current principle. This
Relaying for this type of application is used for
type of protection provides for detecting motor-fault
open-wire overhead circuits, which are prone to
currents as small as 15 amperes. An example for
develop non-persistent faults. A series of three or
a typical application is shown in the one-line dia-
four attempts to close a breaker at variable times
gram in Section 2. In some applications, differen-
may either be programmed with an immediate ini-
tial relay schemes are used to protect both the
tial reclosure or an initial time-delay reclosure. A
motor and its feeder cable. These schemes use
multi-shot automatic reclosure option is utilized
three CTs on each side of the motor.
for this function. The use of the immediate initial
reclosure option is not recommended on feeders
LINES Line-differential protection (87L) for short
serving large motors or on feeders originating on a
lines and important tie lines between medium-volt-
generator bus. Frequently, the automatic reclosing
age switchgear lineups is obtained by using pilot-
relay is programmed to block an instantaneous
wire relays. These relays compare the currents
overcurrent relay (50 or 50N) after the initial trip,
at each end of a two-terminal line. These high-
for part of or all of the reclosing schedule. This
speed relays are sensitive to both phase and
function may also be incorporated as part of a multi-
ground faults. Pilot wire supervision and transfer
function microprocessor-based protection relay,
tripping relays are used in conjunction with the
which is directional or non-directional.
pilot-wire relays.
Directional Power, Underfrequency, and
GENERATORS All generators should be pro-
Undervoltage Protection
tected with differential relaying. Generator-differ-
ential relays (87G) are high-speed relays sensi-
Systems with local generation or large mo-
tive to phase faults and many ground faults. These
tors require relaying to detect fault conditions on
relays compare the currents in and out of genera-
the utility tie circuit or to detect loss of the utility
tors using three CTs on each side of the genera-
source. Relays used to detect these circum-
tor. For small generators, balanced-current-differ-
stances should be high-speed to trip the utility tie
ential relaying may be used. This type of relaying
prior to any automatic reclosing operations and to
is described under Differential Protection Motors.
promptly initiate any programmed load shedding.
Complete protection for these circumstances is
provided by a combination of functions including
under frequency (81); a sensitive directional-power
(32); and undervoltage (27). For some applica-
tions where the (32) and (27) functions are only
5-6
 Section 5

instantaneous, a timer is used which is set at are two indicating lamps, one red and one green.
about 0.2 second. The directional-power element The red lamp indicates a closed breaker and su-
may be connected to current transformers either pervises the trip coil integrity. The green lamp in-
in the incoming line circuit or in a large motor cir- dicates an open breaker. This lamp is connected
cuit depending on the application. A study of the through a breaker b contact.
specific system is required to select the appropri- For switchgear applications requiring remote
ate relays and connections for this type of protec- control, a permissive control (69CS) function is
tion. available. This function provides local or remote
control of a circuit breaker under certain defined
GE Multilin multi-function relays, such as the conditions, and is available in three schemes as
SR489G or G60 use a combination of relay func- shown in Table 5-1. Scheme C is recommended
tions including under frequency (81), sensitive di- for remote control, since it provides maximum op-
rectional-power (32), undervoltage relay (27), and erating flexibility. When a local trip operation is
timing functions to provide complete protection. initiated, the breaker cannot be closed remotely
until the local switch handle is returned to the
BASIC EQUIPMENT PROTECTION NORMAL AFTER CLOSE position. When the
breaker is in the TEST position, closing and trip-
Circuit Breaker Control and Control Power ping can only be done locally.
Protection

Basic circuit breaker control consists of a

control switch, located at the breaker to close and
trip the breaker. Associated with the control switch

Table 5-1 Remote Control Schemes

Control Location Local Remote

Breaker Operation Close Trip Close Trip Devices Required
Breaker Position Conn Test Conn Test Conn Test Conn Test (in addition to remote control switch)
Local permissive switch (69CS), plus
A X X X X X X
breaker position sw (52POS)
Remote
Local control switch (52CS), plus
Control B X X X X
breaker position sw (52POS)
Scheme
Local control switch (52CS), plus
C* X X X X X
breaker position sw (52POS)

Basic Control X X X X Control Switch, (52CS)

X = This manually initated operation is possible

* = This scheme uses same devices as scheme B, but different wiring

5-7
System and Equipment Protection
An optional white breaker disagreement lamp CURRENT TRANSFORMERS AND VOLTAGE
is also available. This lamp is by-passed by a slip TRANSFORMERSStandard window-type current
contact of the control switch and connected to a transformers are available in ratios ranging from
b contact of the breaker and provides indication 50:5 to 4000:5 amperes. The basic ground-sen-
of a breaker opening not initiated by the control sor window-type CT (GSCT) ratio is 50:5 amperes,
switch. An alternate option for this white lamp is with a 7.25" window, and an optional GSCT with a
to provide indication of the circuit breaker spring- 12" window is available for circuits with a large
charged condition. number of conductors. Relay accuracy class is
per IEEE C37.20.2-1999, Table 4. Higher accu-
Each breaker trip and close circuit is individu- racy classes may be available, however space for
ally protected by a two-pole fuse-block with prop- mounting is limited.
erly selected fuses, or molded case breaker.

Instrumentation, Current, and Voltage Trans-

formers. Table 5-2 SINGLE RATIO CTS

INSTRUMENTS Basic current or voltage in- Standard High

dication in Power/Vac switchgear can be via a Accuracy
CT Ratio Accuracy
switchboard type analog meter and transfer switch,
a digital meter or can be a feature of a multifunc-
Class Class (1)
tion protective relay. 50:5A C10 C10
Most all solid-state multi-function relays to-
day offer metering capabilities too, including volt- 100:5A C10 C20
age, current, watts, vars, frequency and the de-
150:5A C20 C50
mand functions.
200:5A C20 C50
SCALES, CURRENT TRANSFORMER, AND
VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER RATIOS Ammeter 250:5A C20 C50
scales are determined by the CT ratio. Current
300:5A C50 C100
transformer ratings are normally selected based
on approximately 125% of the ampacity of the 400:5A C50 C100
feeder circuit conductors. Current transformer ra-
tios selected in this manner permit settings of cir- 500:5A C100 C100
cuit overcurrent-protective relays to provide good 600:5A C100 C200
selectivity and protection. For a properly designed
circuit, operating at full load, this means a maxi- 800:5A C100 C200
mum scale reading of between half and three-quar-
ter scale. For a circuit which provides for sub- 1000:5A C200 C400
stantial future expansion, lower scale readings will 1200:5A C200 C400
indicate initial-load conditions.
1500:5A C200 C400
The voltmeter scale, determined by the volt-
age transformer ratio, is 125 percent of the nomi- 1600:5A C200 C400
nal line-to-line VT rating. Optional wattmeters and 2000:5A C200 C400
varmeters, switchboard type, are available for most
equipment. Wattmeter and varmeter scales are 2500:5A C200 C400
determined by the CT and VT ratios.
3000:5A C200 C400
4000:5A C200 C400
5000:5A C200 C400
1 - High accuracy requires twice the
mounting space of a standard
accuracy CT.

5-8
 Section 5
Metering and Test Blocks

Test blocks and plugs can be furnished to fa-

Table 5-3 MULTI RATIO CTS cilitate circuit testing, using portable instruments
and meters. The current test block is arranged so
MULTI RATIO CTS that the current circuit is maintained when the plug
is removed from the block.
Standard High
CT Ratio Accuracy Accuracy SURGE PROTECTION
Class Class (1)
600:5A Every medium voltage AC power system is
50/100/150/200 subject to transient voltages in excess of the nor-
C100 C200 mal operating voltages. There are many sources
250/300/400
450/500/600 of transient voltages. The most prominent ones are:
1200:5A Lightning
100/200/300/400
Physical contact with a higher voltage
C200 C400 system
500/600/800/900
1000/1200 Resonant effects in series inductive-capaci-
2000:5A tive circuits
Repetitive restrikes (intermittent grounds)
300/400/500/800 C200 C400
1100/1200/1500
Switching surges.
1600/2000
3000:5A To mitigate the effects of these transient volt-
ages, both surge arresters, and where appropri-
300/500/800/1000 C200 C400 ate, surge capacitors should be used. Surge ar-
1100/1500/2000 resters limit the crest voltage of a voltage surge;
2200/2500/3000
surge capacitors reduce the steepness of the volt-
4000:5A age wave which reaches the protected equipment.
500/1000/1500 Surge capacitors, to be most effective, should
C200 C400 be located as close to the protected equipment
2000/2500/3000
3500/4000 (usually motors) as possible with minimum induc-
tance connections.
1 - High accuracy requires twice the
mounting space of a standard Surge arresters and capacitors should be ap-
accuracy CT. plied per the recommendations found in standards
such as IEEE 141, IEEE 242, ANSI C62 and IEEE
C37.20.2.

SURGE SUPPRESSORSIt has been a policy

Current transformer relaying accuracys and of Power/Vac since 1980, to furnish GE Surge Sup-
excitation characteristics are particularly impor- pressors on all outgoing feeders controlled by
tant when considering lower-rated current trans- Power/Vac circuit breakers connected to rotating
formers on systems with high available short-cir- equipment, dry type transformers, or other low BIL
cuit currents and for all differential relay applica- equipment. For equipment with surge suppres-
tions. Excitation characteristics and accuracy sors, the peak transient line-to-ground voltages
classes are available upon request. which can appear across the load side of the
breaker during the application of a 200-ampere
Standard voltage transformers are mounted in switching surge to the surge suppressors, are those
draw-out trays, with primary and secondary fus- shown in Table 5-4.
ing. Models are available rated for line-to-line, or
line-to-neutral applications with system voltages Surge suppressors are manufactured with zinc
from 2400V to 14400V. oxide (MOV) discs. These discs are a ceramic
material with special voltage limiting properties. The
discs are manufactured by GE and are the same
CONTROL AND TRANSFER SWITCHES GE as used in GE Tranquell arrestors. The device is
Type SB control and transfer switches are fur- called a surge suppressor however, because we
nished, or as specified.
5-9
System and Equipment Protection

do not hold the narrow protective level required by The surge suppressor 200 ampere rating and
the IEEE C62.11 standard for surge arresters. The characteristics are shown in Table 5-4 for
goal is to provide a bank of protective levels which machine voltages in these voltage classifications,
are below the BIL levels of rotating machines and to illustrate the margin of protection. The BIL
ventilated dry-type transformers. See Table 5-5. ratings of ventilated dry-type transformers are
above the machine characteristics shown and are
The discs used in the surge suppressor are relatively insensitive to front time in contrast to
approximately two inches in diameter and one and the motor characteristic. Note that steep front
one-quarter inches thick. Mechanically and ther- transient may be above the machine characteris-
mally they are very strong. The material is not sub- tics at fast front times.
ject to deterioration by repeated surges. Its cur-
rent when energized line-to-ground is a few micro-
amperes.
Tests on surge suppressors indicated that
switching surges rarely produced a 200 ampere
surge through the surge suppressor. For this rea-
son the surge suppressor is rated at a protective
level at 200 amperes.

Table 5-4 Surge Suppressor Peak Transient

Line-to-ground Voltages

Nominal Switchgear or Peak L-G

System Equipment BIL Voltage (kV)
Voltage (kV) (kV)

4.16 60 11

7.2 9.5 23
13.6 9.5 36

Table 5-5 Surge Suppressor Ratings

Nominal System Test Voltage 200 IR (kV) 10,000 IR

Voltage (kV) (kV) (kV)

4.16 4.75 9.25-10.9 13.9-15.6

7.2 8.25 17.2-23.0 25.9-33.0
13.6 15.0 32.1-36.0 46.3-54.5

5-10