Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent

Protection Settings and Testing

Application Settings
In this application scenario, you will set the overcurrent elements for phase and
neutral/ground fault detection for the example retrofit application explained in this section.
See the previous slides for an explanation of how the settings were developed.

Figure 1. Real-World Retrofit Example

Table 1. Existing Relays Specifications

Phase Relay

Instantaneous Pickup = 65 A
Time Overcurrent Pickup = 10 A

Time Dial = 9

Ground Relay
Instantaneous Pickup = 4 A
Time Overcurrent Pickup = 0.5 A
Time Dial = 0.5

APP 751: Section 3b Copyright © SEL 2018 1

 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

Step 1. Enter the CTR and CTRN settings into ACSELERATOR QuickSet® SEL-5030 Software.

Figure 2. Main Settings

Step 2. Set the instantaneous overcurrent pickup settings as follows:

50P1P = 65 A
50N1P = 4 A
50G1P = 4 A

We will only use one level of each of the phase, neutral, and ground elements. Set
all other levels to OFF.

Figure 3. Instantaneous Phase Overcurrent Settings

Step 3. Set the maximum phase, neutral, and ground time-overcurrent settings as follows:

APP 751: Section 3b 2

 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

51P1P = 10 A
51P1C = U4
51P1TD = 6.65
51P1RS = N
51P1TC = 1

51N1P = 0.5 A
51N1C = U3
51N1TD = 0.56
51N1RS = N
51N1TC = 1

51G1P = 0.5 A
51G1C = U3
51G1TD = 0.56
51G1RS = N
51G1TC = 1

We will only use one level of each of the phase, neutral, and ground elements. Set
all other levels to OFF.

Figure 4. Maximum Phase TOC Settings

Step 4. Verify that directionality is turned off by setting EDIR = N.

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 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

Figure X. Disable directionality

Step 5. The relay SER (Sequential Events Recorder) report will be used to verify element
response times. Verify that the following Relay Word bits are included in the SER1
trigger list in the Report > SER > SER Trigger Lists setting as shown below:
50P1P, 50N1P, 50G1P, 51P1P, 51P1T, 51N1P, 51N1T, 51G1P, 51G1T.

Figure 5. SER Trigger Lists Settings

Step 6. Next, send the new settings to the relay by selecting File > Send so that you can
begin testing.

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 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

Figure 6. Send Relay Settings

Overcurrent Element Testing (Optional)

Pickup Tests
Pickup tests are performed to validate that the element operates at its set point, plus or
minus the stated accuracy. After we connect the test set to the relay, we will select a current
that is slightly less than the element’s pickup setting. For example, if the instantaneous
element has a setting of 15 A, you can elect to start at 14 A. If the time-overcurrent element
has a setting of 6 A, you can elect to start at 5 A. The starting value should be less than the
setting minus its tolerance, and the combination of current and time should remain within
the thermal limits of the input.

Next, we will apply this current to the relay and slowly increase the current until the unit
operates. The element’s Relay Word bit can then be monitored by using an output contact,
the front panel, the TAR command, or the ACSELERATOR QuickSet human-machine interface
(HMI) feature. In this exercise, we will use the TAR command to watch the assertion and
deassertion of Relay Word bits.

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 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

Testing Steps
Step 1. Connect the test set to the relay. Connect single-phase current to relay current
input IA, IB, IC, or IN (use IN only if testing the neutral element).

Important: Consult the relay’s instruction manual to determine allowable continuous

and short-time current/voltage ratings.

Step 2. Start applying current at a value less than the element’s pickup setting. Gradually
increase the current to the overcurrent pickup value and use the TAR n 1000
command in the Terminal to watch the Relay Word bit assert when the test
current level hits the setting.

Step 3. Record the operating current in Table 2 below.

Step 4. Calculate the % difference and record it in Table 2 below.

 recorded − setting 
% difference = 100 •  
 setting 

Table 2. Overcurrent Pickup Testing

Element Name Setting Pickup % Difference

50P1P
51P1P
50N1P
51N1P
50G1P
51G1P

Inverse-Time Overcurrent Element (51) Timing Tests

Timing tests are performed to validate that the timing of the inverse-time overcurrent
elements are within the stated accuracy. The test point is generally selected as a multiple of
the pickup setting. For example, if the element has a pickup of 6 A, your test point could be
5 times pickup: 5 • 6 = 30 A.

Often a time-overcurrent unit is tested at several multiples of pickup. When you are
performing multiple tests on a single element, the reset characteristic must be considered
because the element must be fully reset before attempting another test. This is especially
important if the test is automated.

APP 751: Section 3b 6

 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

The expected operating time and reset times can be calculated using the formulas from the
instruction manual. For example, the expected operating time for a U3 very inverse curve
using a time dial of TD = 3 is as follows:

30
For M = = 5 and TD = 3
6
 3.88   3.88 
t p = TD •  0.0963 + 2  = 3•  0.0963 + 2  = 0.774 seconds
 M −1   5 −1 

where

TD = Time dial setting

M = Test current as a multiple of the pickup setting

Note About Relay Thermal Limits: Keep in mind the thermal limits of the relay. Relays have a
continuous current limit that should not be exceeded during tests that take considerable
time. Tests that are completed very quickly can be performed with currents that exceed the
continuous limit of the relay. However, such tests should not be repeated without allowing
sufficient time for the inputs to cool completely.

Step 1. Calculate the expected operating time for the 51P1T element based on the
respective curve equation in the SEL-751A Instruction Manual under Protection
and Logic Functions, Basic Protection, Time-Overcurrent Curves.

Step 2. Clear the records from the SER using the SER C command in the Terminal.

Step 3. Apply current at 3 • PU to the phase inverse-time overcurrent element to verify

that the relay trips.

51P1T test current at 3 • PU = 3 • 10 = 30 A secondary

Determine the element’s operating time by subtracting the element’s pickup time
(51P1P) from the time-delayed output (51P1T) in the SER report. Use the SER
command in the Terminal window to view the SER report. Record the test time in
Table 3 below.

Calculate the % difference and record it in Table 3 below.

 recorded − setting 
% difference = 100 •  
 setting 

Step 4. Repeat Step 1 to Step 5 for the 51N1T and 51G1T overcurrent elements.

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 Optional Hands-On Exercise: Overcurrent Protection Settings and Testing

Table 3. Inverse-Time Overcurrent Element Testing

Element Calculated Operating Time
Test Time % Difference
Name at 3 • PU

51P1T
51N1T
51G1T

51P1T operating time calculation at 3 • PU:

51P1C = U4, 51P1TD = 6.65

Tp = TD (0.0352 + 5.67 / (M2 – 1))

where M = 3 and TD = 6.65

Tp = 6.65 (0.0352 + 5.67 / (32 – 1)) = 4.95 seconds

51N1T and 51G1T operating time calculation at 3 • PU:

51N1C = U3, 51N1TD = 0.56

Tp = TD (0.0963 + 3.88 / (M2 – 1))

where M = 3 and TD = 0.56

Tp = 0. 56 (0.0963 + 3.88 / (32 – 1)) = 0.33 seconds

APP 751: Section 3b 8