Overcurrent Protection

OMICRON Academy Protection Knowledge

Copyright

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You are not allowed to record or otherwise copy
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© OMICRON Page 3
Contents

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Introduction
Why do we have
to protect against
too high currents?
What does an
How does overcurrent
overcurrent protection relay do?
arise basically?

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Tree vs. Overhead Line

>

Source: YouTube – Dirk M, 2010-11-03

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Why do we have to protect against too high currents?

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What does an overcurrent protection relay do?
criterion

operating faulty
condition condition

I>

Definition:
The overcurrent protection relay operates, if the current
exceeds a predetermined value.

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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The protection criterion „current"

operating
area faulty area

0 Ioc max Isc min I

Idrop-off Ipickup

Ioc max: max. operating current

Isc min: min. short circuit current
Ipickup: current, where start signal is given by the relay
Idrop-off: current, where start signal falls back

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Application of the protection criterion „current"

operating
area faulty area

0 Ioc max Isc min I

Idrop-off Ipickup

Ipickup = 0.7 ∙ Isc min

drop-off ratio (Rdo): Idrop-off / Ipickup = 0.95
Idrop-off = 0.95 ∙ Ipickup = 0.95 ∙ 0.7 ∙ Isc min = 0.67 ∙ Isc min

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More in detail: calculation principle I>

operating valid pickup and

area drop-off area faulty area

0 Ioc max Isc min I

Idrop-off Ipickup

Calculation 1st element OC protection (I>):

ks ∙ Ioc max ∙ 1/Rdo < I> (Ipickup) < Isc min ∙ 1/ka

ks: safety factor to Ioc max

ka: safety factor to Isc min

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Connection example of an overcurrent relay

Trip
signal
I
CT 50/51

Start
signal
Overcurrent relay

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More in detail: 3-phase relay connection example
A B C
50/51 relay

IA A

CT

IB B

CT

IC C

CT

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Time measurement by the relay

single phase fault:

fault inception

faulty area

operating area

pickup

trip drop-off
response time trip time drop-off time

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Time measurement by the CMC

single phase fault:

fault inception

faulty area

operating area

pickup

trip drop-off
response time drop-off time

trip time

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Short circuit current on a single line

A B C Isc min
Isc Isc Isc
I> I> I>

Isc: short circuit current

Isc min: min. short circuit current

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Setting calculation 1st element (I>)

Isc min
A B C
Isc Isc Isc
500A 500A 500A

max. operating current Ioc max = 300 A

min. short circuit current Isc min = 1 kA
drop-off ratio Rdo = 0.95
ks = 1.5
ka = 1.7

ks ∙ Ioc max ∙ 1/Rdo < I> < Isc min ∙ 1/ka

473 A < I> < 588 A → I> = 500 A
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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Time grading

t
tA

tB

tC

I> I> I>

tA tB tC

A B C

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Time grading: calculation delta t

tA
Δtmin
tB

I> I>
tA tB

A B

Δtmin = 2 ∙ tresponse + tCB + ttol + tadd-on

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Time grading: single line

I> 500 A I> 500 A I> 500 A

tI> 900 ms tI> 500 ms tI> 100 ms
A B C

Δtmin Δtmin

Δtmin = 400 ms
tI>(C) = 100 ms
tI>(B) = tI>(C) + Δtmin = 100 ms + 400 ms = 500 ms
tI>(A) = tI>(B) + Δtmin = 500 ms + 400 ms = 900 ms

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Tripping characteristics

Definite Minimum Time Inverse-Definite Minimum Time

overcurrent relay (DMT) overcurrent relay (IDMT)

t t

tripping area
tripping area

tI>

tI>> tI>>

I> I>> I/IP IP I>> I/IP

50-1 or 50N-1 50-2 or 50N-2 51 or 51N

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Overview IDMT curves (IEC60255-3 & BS142 - standard)

Characteristic Formula
NI 0.14
=t ⋅ TP
(normal inverse) (I / IP )0.02 − 1
VI 13.5
=t ⋅T
(very inverse) (I / IP ) − 1 P
80
EI =t 2
⋅ TP
(extremely inverse) ( P)
I / I − 1

LTI 120
=t ⋅T
(long-time inverse) (I / IP ) − 1 P
STI 0.05
= t ⋅ TP
(short-time inverse) (I / IP )0.04 − 1

t: trip time in seconds

TP: setting value of the time multiplier
I: fault current
IP: setting value of the pickup current

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IDMT curves (IEC60255-3 & BS142 - standard)

IEC / BS Normal Inverse IEC / BS Very Inverse IEC / BS Extremely Inverse

IEC / BS Long-Time Inverse IEC / BS Short-Time Inverse

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Overview IDMT curves (ANSI & IEEE - standard)

Characterisitc Formula
 
ANSI NI  0.1797 +
t=
8.934  ⋅ TP
(normal inverse) 
 ( P)
I / I
2.094
− 1 

 3.922 
ANSI VI 
t= 0.0982 + ⋅T
(very inverse)  ( I / I ) 2
− 1  P
 P 
 5.64 
ANSI EI t = 0.02434 + ⋅T t: trip time in seconds
(extremely inverse)  ( I / I ) 2
− 1  P
 P  TP: setting value of the time multiplier
  I: fault current
ANSI LTI  2.186 + 5.614  ⋅ TP
t=
(long-time inverse)  (I / IP )1 − 1  IP: setting value of the pickup current

 
IEEE MI  0.114 + 0.0515  ⋅ TP
t=
(moderately inverse)  (I / IP )0.02 − 1 


IEEE VI  19.61 

t= 0.491 + ⋅T
(very inverse)  ( I / I ) 2
− 1  P
 P 
 28.2 
IEEE EI 
t= 0.1217 + ⋅T
(extremely inverse)  ( I / I ) 2
− 1  P
 P 

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IDMT curves (ANSI - standard)

ANSI Normal Inverse ANSI Very Inverse ANSI Extremely Inverse

ANSI Long-Time Inverse

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IDMT curves (IEEE - standard)

IEEE Moderately Inverse IEEE Very Inverse IEEE Extremely Inverse

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User defined curves (depending on manufacturer)

only few examples:

GE DFP 100 EI SEL VI curve U3 ABB VI

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IDMT curves: influence of the time multiplier

t formula IEC very inverse curve:

13.5
=t ⋅T
(I / IP ) − 1 P

TP

IP I

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Specialty: pickup value of IDMT curves

formula IEC very inverse curve:

13.5
t ⋅ TP
( P)
I / I − 1

with IP = 1 A at a test current I of 1 A:

→ t = +inf 1.0 1.1

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Time grading with DMT and IDMT curves

IP (A) = IP (B) = IP (C)

t

Δtmin
Δtmin

IP (A) IP (B) IP (C)

A B C

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Calculation 2nd element (I>>)

Isc

I>>
security factor high current stage I>>:

I>> (A) = ka ∙ Isc max (B)

Isc max (B) Isc max

Isc min

length

I>>
I> I>
tA tB

A B

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More in detail: calculation 2nd element (I>>)

Isc

I>>
security factor high current stage I>>:

Isc max (A) = 7.0 kA

Isc max (B) Isc max
Isc max (B) = 4.0 kA
Isc min ka = 1.2
I>> (A) = ka ∙ Isc max (B)
length = 4.8 kA

I>>
I> I>
tA tB

A B

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More in detail: calculation 2nd element (I>>)

Validation of the calculated value:

∙ 1.2
I>> = 7.2 kA > Isc max (A)

I>>
I> I>
tA tB

A B
Isc max (A) = 7.0 kA Isc max (B) = 6.0 kA

Important:
I>> (A) < Isc max (A)

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More in detail: calculation results

I>> 4.8 kA I>> 3.6 kA

I> 500 A I> 500 A
tI>> 0 ms tI>> 0 ms I> 500 A
tI> 900 ms tI> 500 ms tI> 100 ms

A B C
Isc max (A) = 7.0 kA Isc max (B) = 4.0 kA Isc max (C) = 3.0 kA

I>> (B) = ka ∙ Isc max (C) = 1.2 ∙ 3.0 kA = 3.6 kA

I>> (A) = ka ∙ Isc max (B) = 1.2 ∙ 4.0 kA = 4.8 kA

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Reverse interlocking

blocking I>> 2

R R

1
starting I> / I>>

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Limits of non-directional OC protection

Example 1: tI> 1.2 s

tI> 2.2 s

tI> 1.2 s

Example 2:

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Limits of non-directional OC protection

Solution: directional OC protection

Example 1: tI> 1.2 s

tI> 0.5 s

tI> 1.2 s

Example 2:

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Connection example of a directional overcurrent relay

VT connected to line: VT connected to busbar:

VT

Trip
I signal
Trip
CT 67
I signal

Start CT 67

signal
Overcurrent relay Start
signal
Overcurrent relay
VT

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Directional overcurrent
one phase fault in phase A:
Im

directional
characteristic line

VC

reverse
direction forward
direction
VA = Vsc

Re
φSC

φsc: short circuit angle

VB
IA = Isc

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More in detail: directional overcurrent
one phase fault in phase A: 90° relay connection

Im

directional
characteristic line*
VC

forward
direction

VA = Vsc

Re
1
φSC

φsc: short circuit angle

φrotation: rotation angle
reverse 1 VB
(*): settable in the relay
direction IA = Isc
Vref
φrotation

3
-VC

Vref = VB - VC

2
2
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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection

Isc

Isc max

Isc min

t
tA

tB

tC

A B C

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Examples for alternative protection principles

Z< Distance Protection

communication

Line Differential Protection

ΔI ΔI

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Agenda

> Introduction
> Protection criterion current
> Connection example overcurrent relay
> Time measurement
> Setting calculation stage I>
> Time grading
> Tripping characteristics
> Setting calculation stage I>>
> Reverse interlocking
> Limits of non-directional overcurrent
> Directional overcurrent
> Disadvantages and limits of overcurrent protection
> Protection testing principle

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Protection testing principle

Current
OC relay
Start / Trip - Signal

useful Test Universe modules:

Quick CMC (pickup test, trip time test)

State Sequencer (trip time test)

Ramping (pickup test)

Pulse Ramping (test of higher current stages)

Overcurrent (pickup test, characteristic tests)

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