Chapter 7

Distance Protection
EEG413 Power System protection
University of Bahrain

By: Dr. Fadhel Albasri

Outline

Introduction

Principle of operation – review

Type of distance protection

Non-pilot distance protection

Pilot distance Protection

2
 INTRODUCTION

Applications
Applications of distance relays (21):

Widely used as a primary and backup protection on

subtransmssion and transmission lines where high speed

relaying is desired. (normally, above 34.5kv)

Generator backup protection for faults on the system.

3
 INTRODUCTION (cont.)

Advantages
As compared to overcurrent protection

Provide fast operation (instantaneous) for most of line

(80 to 90%)

Greater sensitivity (OC set above 2xload current)

Virtually independent of fault current level (Zs/ZL ratio)

Easier setting calculation and coordination

Fixed zone of protection, relatively independent of

system changes.

Provide backup protection for adjacent line

4
 INTRODUCTION (Contd.)

Principle of operation
Measure positive sequence impedance between relay location

to fault location

Distance relays decide fault location based on the impedance

measured – Basic assumption is that the impedance of the

line is fairly constant

Trips if measured impedance < a preset value

Measures Z, X or R correctly irrespective of system

condition

5
Problem of Instantaneous Protection

6
Problem of Instantaneous Protection

7
Basic principle of Distance Relay

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Impedance seen by a relay

9
Basic principle of Distance Relay

10
Basic principle of Distance Relay

11
Basic principle of Distance Relay

12
Creating an Impedance Characteristic
(Using amplitude comparison)

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 Principles of Distance Protection
ZLine
ZR
Bus A Bus B
CB1
CT Transmission Line

Impedance
VT
ZLine
ZR

VR IR
distance
Fault loc Line length
Inputs

Basic assumption: Line impedance is

fairly constant
VR
ZR  Ideally, Relay trips CB if ZR <= ZLine
IR 14
 Principles of Distance Protection
ZLine
ZR
Bus A Bus B
CB1
CT Transmission Line

Impedance
VT
ZLine
ZR

VR IR
distance
Fault loc Line length
Inputs

Basic assumption: Line impedance is

fairly constant
VR
ZR  Ideally, Relay trips CB if ZR <= ZLine
IR 15
 Principles of Distance Protection
ZLine
Zset
Bus A Bus B
CB1
CT Transmission Line

VT
Generally, Relay trips if ZR <= Zset

IR
Practically Zset< ZLine
VR

Inputs
Zset=80 to 90 % of ZLine

to account for
• relay measurement error
VR • CT & VT error
ZR  • line impedance calculation error
IR 16
 Primary and Secondary Impedance
ZL
Zset
Bus A Bus B
ZF
CT Transmission Line

CB1
ZR=VR/IR=(VF/VTR)/(IF/CTR)
VT
=(VF/IF)*(CTR/VTR)
=(ZF)*(CTR/VTR)
VR IR
Thus, Zseconary = Zprimary*(CTR/VTR)
Inputs The ratio (CTR/VTR) is used to transfer
impedances from primary to secondary
side (relay side)
VR All relay setting must be referred to
ZR 
IR relay side (secondary side) 17
 Example
• For the system shown, calculate line impedance as seen by
the relay and Relay set impedance assuming that relay operate
for all faults within 80% of the line.
CTR  500 / 5  100
500:5
ZL=4+j30 Ω VTR  20000/ 115  173.91
Im pedance Transformation Ratio
CTR 100
20kV:115V
Tr    0.575
VTR 173.91
Z LR  Tr * Z L  0.575(4  j 30)
Relay  2.3  j17.25  17.482.4
 Z set  80%( Z L )
Re lay setting refered to sec onday side is
Z1  0.8( ZL * Tr )
 0.8(17.482.4)  13.9282.4

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Relay characteristics
Self-polarized Mho Characteristic

20
Offset Mho charactristic

21
Quadrilateral Characteristic

22
Lenticular Characteristic

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Lenticular Characteristic

Advantage:
Avoids Load encroachment
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 Distance Zones of protection

• Several trip zones are often used

with distance relays
Zone 1: underreaches the line to protect
most of the line (80 to 90%) by tripping
instantly
Zone 2: protect remaing 20% overreaches
the line to protect the far end by
tripping after a time delay
Zone 3: can be used for other functions
• Remote backup for the adjacent line

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Distance Zones of protection

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Distance Zones of protection

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 Step Distance Relay Setting
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
(optional)
Reach setting 80-90% of 120% of 120%
protected line protected line (protected line
impedance impedance + adjacent
longest line
impedances)
Time setting Instantaneous Time delayed Time delayed
0.3-0.4 sec 0.6 – 1 sec

Comments 10% -20% • Protect entire •Provide

security margin line. remote backup
to account for • It should not for adjacent
errors reach beyond line
50% of adjacent • can be used
shortest line. in some pilot
schemes 28
Principles of Distance Protection
Distance Zones of Protection on R-X Plane
A B C

R
C
Zone 1
(Instantaneous)
X Restrain
Zone 2
(Time delayed)
B
Zone 1

Zone 2 T2 Trip signal

Zone 3 T3

Operation Time delay

T2: 0.3-0.4 sec

Load Area R T3: 0.6-1 sec
A
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 Step distance relay

R 1 S T
2 3 4
G
If
21 Zone 1 Zone 2
Trips instantly

R 1 S T
2 3 4
G
If
21 Zone 1 Zone 2
Trips after time delay

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 Step distance relay

R 1 S T
2 3 4
G
If
21 Zone 1 Zone 2 Relay at 3 trips
Relay at 1 trips breaker 1 breaker 3 instantly
after time delay if 3 fails
to clear fault

Coordination: allow sufficient time delay (0.3-0.4 s)

on zone 2 to allow coordination with next breaker.

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 Relay inputs
• There 6 impedance measuring units, each applied for
one type of type of fault, are used to measure the
correct impedance.
LG faults * L-L faults
AG Fault : Z1 
Va VAB VA  VB
AB or ABG Fault : Z1  
I a  kI0 I AB I A  I B
AG Fault : Z1 
Vb VBC VB  VC
I a  kI0 BC or BCG Fault : Z1  
I BC I B  I C
Vc VCA VC  VA
AG Fault : Z1  CA or CAG Fault : Z1  
I c  kI0
I CA I C  I A
where
For 3  Phase Faults
I0  (I a  Ib  Ic )
Any of the 6 equations can be used
k  residualcompensation factor
 ( Z L 0  Z L1 ) /(3Z L1 )
 Examples

Refer to the Handouts

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 Types of Distance Protection

1. Non-pilot Distance Protection (Stand-alone, step

distance)
– Two distance relays are used
– They operate independently
– No Communication
– Problem: can’t provide fast fault clearing for faults at the end of the line

Zone 2 of RA

Station A Station B
Zone1 of RA

Transmission line
Zone 1 of RB
RA RB

Zone 2 of RB

delayed trip delayed trip

section fast trip section section

10% - 15% 70% - 80% 10% - 15%

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 Types of Distance protection

2. Pilot Distance Protection Schemes (Channel-

aided Schemes)
Relays share information via communication channel
Provide fast tripping for 100% of line (faster than zone 2)

Station A Station B

CB1 CB2

Analog or digital
Distance communication channel Distance
Relay Relay
Media Type: wire, PLC, Microwave, optical fiber
Signal Type: permissive trip, inter-trip, block trip

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 Types of Distance protection

Types of Pilot Distance Protection Schemes:

1. DUTT: Direct Undrreach Transfer Trip
2. PUTT: Permissive Under Transfer Trip
3. POTT: Permissive Overreach Transfer Trip
4. DCB: Directional Comparison Blocking
5. DCUB: Directional Comparison Unblocking

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 Pilot Distance Protection
Direct Under-reach Transfer Trip Scheme (DUTT)
Z1A
A Z1 B C
CB1 CB2
B

V&I

Communication channel

Direct Transfer Trip

Relay 1 Relay 2
Tx : Transmitter
Rx : Receiver
Signal send Signal transmission channel
Tx Tx
Signal receive
Rx Rx

Trip CB1 Trip CB2

Z1A Z1B

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 Pilot Distance Protection
Station A Station B
Z2A: Zone 2 reach of RA

CB1 Z1A: Zone 1 reach of RA CB2

Z1B: Zone 1 reach of RB

Z2B: Zone 2 reach of RB

RA RB

Tx : Transmitter
Rx : Receiver

Tx Tx

Rx Rx

Z2A Z2A
Trip CB1 Trip CB2
Z1A Z1A

POTT scheme logic.

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 Pilot Distance Protection
Station A
Station B
ZRA: Reverse zone of RA
Z2A: Zone 2 reach of RA
CB1 CB2

Z2B: Zone 2 reach of RB

ZRB: Reverse Zone of RB
RA RB

send Tx : Transmitter
Blocking Rx : Receiver
ZRA signal ZRB
Tx Tx

Rx Rx

Tc Tc
Trip CB1 Trip CB2
Z2A Z2A
Tc = coordination time

DCB Scheme logic

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