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Reverse Power Protection

The document discusses reverse power protection, which protects against reversal of power flow in a power system. Normally power flows from generators to the bus, but if a generator's prime mover fails, the bus can feed power back to that generator. This reverse power is harmful and can overheat steam turbines or cause cavitation in hydro turbines. A reverse power relay senses reversal of power flow. It is a directional relay with a leading characteristic angle since the generator runs as an overexcited synchronous motor during reverse power. The relay has time delay to prevent operation due to transient power reversals and allow differential protection to operate first if an internal fault occurs. It trips the generator if reverse power persists for the set time delay

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niraj
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449 views3 pages

Reverse Power Protection

The document discusses reverse power protection, which protects against reversal of power flow in a power system. Normally power flows from generators to the bus, but if a generator's prime mover fails, the bus can feed power back to that generator. This reverse power is harmful and can overheat steam turbines or cause cavitation in hydro turbines. A reverse power relay senses reversal of power flow. It is a directional relay with a leading characteristic angle since the generator runs as an overexcited synchronous motor during reverse power. The relay has time delay to prevent operation due to transient power reversals and allow differential protection to operate first if an internal fault occurs. It trips the generator if reverse power persists for the set time delay

Uploaded by

niraj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ADVANCED POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION AND SWITCHGEAR

REVERSE POWER PROTECTION

THEORITICAL BACKGROUND: -

Reverse power protection is required against reversal of power in a power


system. Normally power flows from the alternators to the bus. If anyhow the input
to the prime mover of any of the alternators stops, the bus-bar will start feeding
the alternator (or else the alternator will start drawing power from the bus instead
of feeding power) and take it run as synchronous motor. The prime mover will act
as a load on the motor. This means the flow of power is reversed. This does not
pose any harm for the alternator but the reversal of power is very harmful to the
prime mover.

The steam turbine requires protection against overheating when its steam
supply is cutoff. For hydro turbines, the water flow reduces on reversal of power.
Hence bubbles are formed causing cavitations in the turbine, which is harmful.
For diesel engines, there is a danger of fire breakout or explosion from un-burnt
fuel.

Thus to avoid all the above harmful consequences of reversal of power we


use a reverse power relay which senses this reversal of power.
The reverse power relay is basically a directional relay with leading characteristic
angle. This is because the alternator runs as an over-excited synchronous motor.

A reverse power relay is required to be time delayed because of following


reasons: -

1. The overheating of turbine blades does not occur instantaneously with the
generator acting as a motor. In case of steam turbo-alternators the time
required for turbine to overheat varies from 30 seconds to 3 minutes
depending on design of turbine. Hence instantaneous tripping is not
required.
2. If an internal fault occurs in the generator, differential protection will act
instantaneously. But the bus-bar will feed the internal fault and if the
reverse power relay is not equipped with time delaying feature it will also
operate simultaneously not letting us know the reason of the reason of the
fault.
3. Sufficient time delay should be provided to prevent undesired operations
on transient power reversals such as those occurring during synchronizing
or system disturbances.

Thus reverse power relay is required to operate if and only if power reversal
occurs due to prime mover failure.

PREPARED BY PROF. VIJAY H. MAKWANA


ADVANCED POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION AND SWITCHGEAR

The reverse power relay remains in operated condition in normal mode of


generator. These relays are set to drop off when forward power reduces below
0.5% to 3% of rated power of generator. When theses relays drop off de-
energizing an auxiliary relay its contact starts timer. Generator trips after the
preset time delay. Steam stop valve interlock circuitry ensures that the reverse
power protection does not operate while manually starting or stopping the unit.

REVIEW QUESTIONS: -

1. State the necessity and explain the principle and action of the reverse
power protection.
2. How the generator protected against failure of prime mover?
3. Which is the equipment that is protected by reverse power protection of
generator unit? Why is this protection required?
4. What causes loss of prime mover?
5. How is loss of prime mover detected? What are the problems encountered
in implementing this protection?
6. What are the causes and consequences of loss of prime mover?
7. What is the difference between the reverse power relay and the directional
relay?

PREPARED BY PROF. VIJAY H. MAKWANA


REVERSE POWER PROTECTION
N 230 V, 1 PHASE, L
50 Hz, A. C. SUPPLY

C1-1 10/5 A C1-2


18 , 12 A
G1

R1
D1
S1
185 , 1.5 A

C2-1 C2-2
18 , 12 A
G2

PREPARED BY PROF. VIJAY H. MAKWANA


18 , 12 A
ADVANCED POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION AND SWITCHGEAR

POWER CIRCUIT (Figure 1)


PREPARED BY PROF. VIJAY H. MAKWANA (GCET)

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