SwithGare2022 Solved Question Paper
SwithGare2022 Solved Question Paper
relay?
An attracted armature type relay, also known as an electromechanical relay, is a type of relay that
uses an electromagnetic force to operate its contacts. It consists of an armature, a coil, a stationary
contact, and a movable contact. The principle of its working involves the attraction of the armature
towards an electromagnet when a current flows through the coil.
Here are the key characteristics and working principles of an attracted armature type relay:
1. Electromagnetic Force: The relay operates on the principle of electromagnetic attraction. When a
current flows through the coil, an electromagnetic field is generated around it. This field attracts
the armature towards the electromagnet.
2. Armature: The armature is a movable iron core that is attracted towards the coil when the coil is
energized. It is usually spring-loaded in its normal state, so when the coil is de-energized, the
armature returns to its initial position due to the force of the spring.
3. Contacts: The relay has two types of contacts, namely stationary contacts and movable contacts.
The stationary contact is fixed and remains in its position, while the movable contact is connected
to the armature and moves along with it. When the armature is attracted towards the
electromagnet, the movable contact closes the circuit with the stationary contact, allowing current
to flow.
4. Control Circuit: The coil of the relay is connected to the control circuit. When a current passes
through the coil, it generates a magnetic field that attracts the armature. The coil is typically
wound around a soft iron core to enhance the magnetic field.
5. Voltage and Current Ratings: Attracted armature relays have specific voltage and current ratings.
The coil must be supplied with the correct voltage to ensure proper operation. Similarly, the
contacts of the relay are designed to handle specific current levels, ensuring they can safely switch
circuits of different loads.
6. Applications: Attracted armature relays are widely used in various applications, including power
systems, industrial automation, control panels, telecommunications, and electronic circuits. They
are commonly employed for switching high currents or controlling circuits that require electrical
isolation.
Q2) What are Different types of Distance Relays explain impedance relay in de- tail.?
Distance relays are protective relays used in power systems to detect and locate faults in
transmission lines. They operate based on the measurement of impedance, which refers to the
opposition to the flow of electrical current. Impedance relays are one of the types of distance
relays commonly used in power system protection. Let's delve into the details of impedance relays:
Impedance Relay: Impedance relays, also known as impedance-type distance relays, determine the
distance to a fault location by measuring the impedance seen by the relay. They compare the
measured impedance to a pre-set impedance characteristic curve to determine if the fault is within
the protected zone or outside it. If the fault is detected within the zone, the relay initiates a
tripping action to isolate the faulted section.
Working Principle: The working principle of an impedance relay involves measuring the apparent
impedance of the power system. Apparent impedance combines the resistance and reactance of
the transmission line, taking into account the voltage and current phasor relationship.
The relay measures the current and voltage signals using appropriate current and voltage
transformers installed in the power system. These signals are then used to calculate the apparent
impedance. The relay compares the measured impedance value with a predetermined
characteristic curve stored in its settings.
The characteristic curve is typically shaped as a circle or an ellipse in the impedance plane. The
relay determines the fault location by comparing the measured impedance with the characteristic
curve. If the measured impedance falls within the operating zone, it indicates that a fault is present
within the protected zone, and the relay initiates a trip signal to isolate the fault.
1. Distance Measurement: Impedance relays provide an accurate measurement of the distance to the
fault location, allowing for precise fault identification and localization.
2. Adaptability: Impedance relays can be adjusted to different system configurations and fault
conditions by modifying the characteristic curve settings.
3. Zone Selectivity: By setting appropriate characteristic curves, impedance
Q3) Explain Microprocessor based overcurrent relay with diagram and flow chart.
A microprocessor-based overcurrent relay is an electronic device used in electrical power systems to detect and
respond to overcurrent conditions. It uses a microprocessor as the core component to process and analyze the
electrical signals, allowing for precise and customizable protection settings. Here's an explanation of its operation
along with a simplified diagram and flowchart:
Diagram:
```
+----------------------+
| Microprocessor |
+----------------------+
| |
| Analog-to-Digital |
| Converter |
| |
+-----------+----------+
| +------------------+
+-------->| Protective |
| | Relaying |
+-------->| Algorithms |
| | |
| +--------+---------+
| |
| +--------+---------+
| | Control Logic |
| | |
| +--------+---------+
| |
| +--------+---------+
| Circuit |
| |
+------------------+
```
Flowchart:
```
+-----------------------------------------+
| Start Program |
+-----------------------------------------+
v
+-----------------------------------------+
| Initialize Microprocessor |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| (A/D Conversion) |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| Algorithms |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| Conditions |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| Requirements |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| Circuitry |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| Tripping and/or |
| Control Operations |
+-----------------------------------------+
+-----------------------------------------+
| End Program |
+-----------------------------------------+
```
Explanation:
1. The microprocessor-based overcurrent relay starts by initializing the microprocessor, ensuring that all components
are ready for operation.
2. It reads the current and voltage inputs from the electrical power system. These inputs are usually obtained
through current transformers and voltage transformers.
3. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog current and voltage signals into digital form, allowing the
microprocessor to process the data.
4. The protective relaying algorithms analyze the digital inputs to detect any overcurrent conditions.
Q4) Explain construction and working principle of Minimum oil Circuit Breaker?
A Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker (MOCB) is a type of circuit breaker that uses minimum oil as an
insulating and arc-quenching medium. It is commonly used in high-voltage applications, such as
power substations and industrial installations. The construction and working principle of a MOCB
can be explained as follows:
Construction:
1. Tank: The MOCB is housed in a tank that contains the minimum amount of oil required for proper
insulation and arc quenching. The tank is made of a non-magnetic material such as steel or
aluminum.
2. Contacts: Inside the tank, there are stationary and moving contacts. The stationary contacts are
fixed and connected to the electrical system, while the moving contacts are connected to the
operating mechanism.
3. Arcing Chamber: The space between the stationary and moving contacts is known as the arcing
chamber. It contains the oil that serves as the arc-quenching medium.
4. Insulating Material: The tank and other components are insulated using materials like porcelain or
epoxy to prevent any leakage or electrical breakdown.
Working Principle:
1. Closed Position: When the MOCB is in the closed position, the stationary and moving contacts are
in contact with each other, allowing the electrical current to flow through.
2. Opening Operation: When a fault occurs or the breaker needs to be opened, the operating
mechanism is activated. The operating mechanism moves the moving contacts away from the
stationary contacts.
3. Arc Formation: As the contacts separate, an arc is initiated due to the interruption of the current
flow. This arc generates heat and ionizes the surrounding oil in the arcing chamber.
4. Oil Jet: The ionized oil forms a conductive path for the arc and creates a high-pressure oil jet that
cools and quenches the arc. The oil jet quickly extinguishes the arc by removing the ionized
particles and isolating the contacts.
5. Arc Extinguishing: The oil's insulating properties and the rapid cooling action of the oil jet
extinguish the arc within a few milliseconds. The arc's energy is dissipated, and the circuit is
interrupted.
6. Arcing Chamber Design: The design of the arcing chamber, including the shape and size, is crucial
for effective arc extinguishing and rapid oil flow to cool down the arc. The geometry of the
chamber promotes a strong oil flow to enhance arc quenching capabilities.
7. Closing Operation: When the fault is cleared or the breaker needs to be closed, the operating
mechanism brings the moving contacts back into contact with the stationary contacts. The circuit is
reestablished, and normal current flow resumes.
Q5)For 132KV system, the reactance and capacitance up to the location of C.B is
Answare: To calculate the requested values, we need to use the following formulas:
a) Frequency of Transient Oscillation: The frequency of transient oscillation can be calculated using
the formula: f = 1 / (2π√(L * C)) where: f is the frequency of transient oscillation L is the reactance
(inductance) C is the capacitance
Plugging in the given values: L = 3 ohm C = 0.015 microfarad = 0.015 * 10^(-6) farad
b) Maximum Value of Restriking Voltage Across the Contacts of C.B: The maximum value of the
restriking voltage can be calculated using the formula: Vmax = √(2 * E0) where: Vmax is the
maximum value of restriking voltage E0 is the initial energy stored in the system (0.5 * L * I^2) L is
the reactance (inductance) I is the current
In this case, we need to assume a value for the current (I) to calculate the maximum value of
restriking voltage.
c) Maximum Value of RRRV (Rate of Rise of Restriking Voltage): The maximum value of RRRV can
be calculated using the formula: RRRVmax = Vmax / t where: RRRVmax is the maximum value of
RRRV Vmax is the maximum value of restriking voltage t is the time required for the restriking
voltage to rise from 10% to 90% of its maximum value
Similarly, to calculate RRRVmax, we need to know the maximum value of restriking voltage (Vmax)
and the time required for the restriking voltage to rise..
Q6) What are characteristics of SF6 gas and explain Puffer type SF6 Circuit breaker?
SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas is widely used in high-voltage circuit breakers due to its excellent
insulating and arc-quenching properties. Some of the characteristics of SF6 gas are:
1. High Dielectric Strength: SF6 gas has a high dielectric strength, allowing it to withstand high
voltages without electrical breakdown. This property makes SF6 gas an effective insulating medium
for high-voltage applications.
2. Excellent Arc Quenching Ability: SF6 gas has superior arc-quenching capabilities. When an arc is
formed between the contacts of a circuit breaker, SF6 gas rapidly absorbs the released energy and
extinguishes the arc by dissociating into sulfur and fluorine ions. The by-products of this process
do not conduct electricity, ensuring interruption of the fault current.
3. Thermal Stability: SF6 gas has excellent thermal stability, allowing it to withstand high
temperatures without decomposing or degrading its properties. This characteristic is crucial for
reliable and continuous operation of SF6 circuit breakers.
4. Chemical Inertness: SF6 gas is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with other materials. This
inertness prevents the formation of corrosive by-products during arc interruption, ensuring the
long-term reliability of SF6 circuit breakers.
Puffer Type SF6 Circuit Breaker: A puffer type SF6 circuit breaker is a common design used in high-
voltage applications. It consists of the following key components:
1. Interrupter Unit: The interrupter unit contains the contacts and the arc quenching chamber. It is
filled with SF6 gas at a high pressure.
2. Puffer Mechanism: The puffer mechanism is responsible for generating a high-pressure flow of SF6
gas into the arc quenching chamber to create a pressure blast that extinguishes the arc.
3. Operating Mechanism: The operating mechanism controls the opening and closing of the circuit
breaker. It includes the control panel, drive mechanism, and associated linkages.
4. Insulating Housing: The circuit breaker components are housed within an insulating enclosure to
ensure proper insulation and protection from external environmental factors.
Working Principle:
1. Closed Position: In the closed position, the contacts of the circuit breaker are touching, allowing
the electrical current to flow through.
2. Opening Operation: When a fault occurs or the breaker needs to be opened, the operating
mechanism is activated. It initiates the puffer mechanism, which rapidly releases a high-pressure
blast of SF6 gas into the arc quenching chamber.
3. Arc Formation: As the contacts separate, an arc is formed due to the interruption of the current
flow. The released energy ionizes the SF6 gas in the arc quenching chamber
Q7) Explain Numerical protection working principle,types and advantages and disadvantages of numerical relay?
Numerical protection relays, also known as digital relays, are advanced protective devices that
utilize microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) to provide precise and reliable
protection for electrical power systems. They operate based on numerical algorithms and
measurements, offering a range of benefits over traditional electromechanical relays. Let's explore
the working principle, types, and advantages/disadvantages of numerical relays:
Working Principle: The working principle of numerical protection relays involves the following
steps:
1. Measurement: The relay continuously measures electrical quantities such as current, voltage,
power, frequency, and phase angle using appropriate sensors like current transformers (CTs) and
voltage transformers (VTs).
2. Analog-to-Digital Conversion: The measured analog quantities are converted into digital format
using analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). This conversion allows the microprocessor to process
and analyze the data digitally.
3. Numerical Algorithms: The microprocessor applies various numerical algorithms and logic to
analyze the digital measurements. These algorithms can include Fourier analysis, digital filtering,
differential equations, and mathematical models to accurately detect faults, abnormalities, and
operating conditions.
4. Protection Functions: Based on the analyzed data and pre-programmed protection settings, the
relay performs specific protection functions such as overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage,
directional protection, distance protection, differential protection, and more. These functions aim
to detect faults and initiate appropriate actions like tripping circuit breakers to isolate the faulty
section.
Types of Numerical Relays: Numerical relays can be classified into different types based on their
functionality and applications. Some common types include:
1. Enhanced Accuracy: Numerical relays offer high accuracy in measuring electrical quantities,
resulting in precise fault detection and improved system protection.
2. Flexibility and Programmability: These relays can be easily programmed and configured to adapt
to different power system configurations and fault conditions.
3. Advanced Protection Functions: Numerical relays provide a wide range of advanced protection
functions and coordination capabilities, allowing for comprehensive and selective protection.
4. Communication Capabilities: Digital relays can communicate with supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) systems, enabling remote monitoring, control, and data logging.
5. Self-Diagnostics and Maintenance: Numerical relays often include self-diagnostic features that
detect internal faults or abnormalities, facilitating proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
1. Complexity: Numerical relays are more complex compared to traditional relays, requiring
specialized knowledge for programming, configuration, and maintenance.
2. Cost: Digital relays tend to be more expensive than electromechanical relays due to the advanced
technology and additional features they offer.
3. Dependence on Power Supply: Numerical relays require a stable and reliable power supply to
function properly. Power interruptions or failures can affect their operation.
4. Cybersecurity Risks: As digital devices, numerical relays are susceptible to cybersecurity threats,
requiring appropriate measures to protect them from unauthorized access or malicious attacks.
Q8) What are different method of Earthing explain its advantages explain one in detail.
There are several methods of earthing, also known as grounding, used to provide a safe path for
electrical currents to flow into the ground. The choice of the earthing method depends on various
factors such as the type of electrical system, soil conditions, fault current levels, and safety
requirements. Some common methods of earthing include:
1. Rod Earthing: In this method, a metallic rod, usually made of copper or galvanized iron, is driven
into the ground. The rod is buried deep enough to ensure a low resistance path to the earth. The
electrical equipment or system is connected to the rod using a conductor, typically a copper wire.
This method is suitable for small-scale installations and domestic applications.
2. Plate Earthing: Plate earthing involves burying a large metal plate, often made of copper or
galvanized iron, in the ground. The plate is buried horizontally at a certain depth to ensure good
contact with the earth. Similar to rod earthing, the electrical system is connected to the plate using
a conductor. Plate earthing is commonly used in industrial and commercial installations.
3. Pipe Earthing: Pipe earthing utilizes a metallic pipe, such as a GI (galvanized iron) pipe, to create an
earthing electrode. The pipe is driven into the ground vertically and connected to the electrical
system. This method is often used in rocky soil conditions where it may be difficult to install rods
or plates.
4. Strip Earthing: Strip earthing involves using a long metallic strip, such as a copper strip, buried
horizontally in the ground. The strip is connected to the electrical system, providing a low-
resistance path to the earth. Strip earthing is suitable for areas with limited space or where a large
contact area with the ground is required.
Advantages and Detailed Explanation: Let's focus on the advantages and detailed explanation of
rod earthing, as it is a commonly used method:
1. Cost-effective: Rod earthing is generally more cost-effective compared to other earthing methods,
as it requires fewer materials and simpler installation.
2. Suitable for Various Soil Conditions: Rod earthing can be effectively used in different types of soil
conditions, including sandy, rocky, or dry soil. It provides reliable grounding even in areas with
high resistivity soil.
3. Easy Installation: The installation process for rod earthing is relatively straightforward. The rod is
driven into the ground, and the electrical system is connected to the rod using a conductor.
4. Maintenance: Rod earthing requires minimal maintenance once properly installed. Periodic checks
for corrosion or damage to the rod may be necessary, but it generally does not demand regular
upkeep.
Detailed Explanation of Rod Earthing: In rod earthing, a metallic rod is driven vertically into the
ground. The rod is typically made of copper or galvanized iron and is buried to a suitable depth,
depending on the soil conditions. The rod's length and the depth of burial are chosen to achieve a
low resistance path to the earth, ensuring effective dissipation of fault currents.
The rod is connected to the electrical system or equipment using a conductor, often a copper wire.
This connection allows the electrical system to be grounded, meaning that any fault currents will
be safely diverted into the ground. The rod's metal composition and its deep burial help reduce
the resistance between the electrical system and the earth, ensuring efficient grounding.
A surge absorber, also known as a surge suppressor or surge protector, is a protective device used
to limit or divert excessive voltage spikes or surges that occur in electrical systems. It is designed to
safeguard sensitive equipment and prevent damage caused by voltage transients. Let's explore the
construction, working principle, and applications of surge absorbers:
1. Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV): The primary component of a surge absorber is a metal oxide varistor.
It is a semiconductor device made of a ceramic material containing zinc oxide particles. The
varistor has nonlinear voltage-current characteristics, meaning it exhibits a high resistance under
normal operating conditions but rapidly decreases in resistance when subjected to high voltage
surges.
2. Protective Housing: The surge absorber is enclosed in a protective housing, typically made of a
non-conductive material. This housing shields the internal components from external
environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and physical damage.
Working Principle: The surge absorber operates on the principle of voltage clamping. When a high
voltage surge or transient occurs in the electrical system, the surge absorber diverts the excess
energy away from the protected equipment by effectively clamping the voltage at a safe level. The
metal oxide varistor plays a crucial role in this process.
During normal operating conditions, the MOV exhibits a high resistance, allowing only a negligible
amount of current to pass through. However, when a voltage surge exceeds a certain threshold,
the varistor rapidly switches to a low-resistance state. It effectively absorbs the excess energy by
diverting the surge current through itself and bypassing it to the ground.
As a result, the voltage across the protected equipment is limited to a safe level, protecting it from
potential damage caused by the transient voltage spike. Once the surge event subsides, the surge
absorber returns to its high-resistance state, ready to protect against subsequent surges.
Applications: Surge absorbers find widespread applications in various electrical and electronic
systems where protection against voltage surges is essential. Some common applications include:
1. Residential and Commercial Buildings: Surge absorbers are installed at the main electrical panel or
distribution boards to protect household appliances, computers, televisions, and other sensitive
electronic devices from lightning-induced or utility-related voltage surges.
2. Industrial Facilities: Surge absorbers are used in industrial environments to safeguard machinery,
control systems, and critical equipment from voltage transients caused by switching operations,
electrical faults, or lightning strikes.
Q) Explain the circulating current protection of Busbar also explain linear couplers?
Circulating current protection, also known as differential protection, is a method used to protect
busbars in electrical power systems. It detects and responds to fault currents by comparing the
currents entering and leaving the busbar section. The goal is to identify any imbalance in these
currents, which could indicate a fault, and initiate appropriate actions to isolate the faulted section.
Linear couplers play a crucial role in facilitating the operation of circulating current protection. Let's
explore these concepts in more detail:
Circulating Current Protection for Busbars: Busbars are critical components in power systems that
interconnect various electrical devices and equipment. To protect busbars from faults such as short
circuits or ground faults, circulating current protection is employed.
The principle of circulating current protection is based on the fact that in a healthy system, the
sum of currents entering the busbar section is equal to the sum of currents leaving the busbar
section. When a fault occurs, there is an imbalance in the currents, indicating the presence of a
faulted section. The circulating current protection system detects this imbalance and initiates
appropriate actions to isolate the fault.
The circulating current protection system consists of current transformers (CTs) installed at the
entry and exit points of the protected busbar section. The currents measured by these CTs are
compared using a differential relay. If the differential current exceeds a certain threshold,
indicating an imbalance, the relay sends a trip signal to the circuit breaker or disconnecting device,
isolating the faulted section.
Linear Couplers: Linear couplers, also known as zero sequence current transformers (ZSCTs), are
essential components of circulating current protection systems for busbars. They provide a means
to measure and compare the zero-sequence currents entering and leaving the busbar section.
Zero-sequence currents are the unbalanced currents in a three-phase system that flow in a
common path, such as during fault conditions. Linear couplers are specifically designed to measure
these zero-sequence currents. They consist of three single-phase windings connected in series,
with the neutral of the busbar section passing through these windings.
When a zero-sequence current flows in the busbar section, it induces a current in the windings of
the linear couplers. The linear couplers then provide the measured zero-sequence currents to the
circulating current protection system. These currents are compared by the differential relay, which
detects any imbalance and triggers the necessary protective actions.
1. Fast Fault Detection: Circulating current protection provides rapid fault detection, allowing for
prompt isolation of the faulted section and minimizing disruption to the rest of the power system.
2. Selectivity: By comparing the currents entering and leaving the busbar section, circulating current
protection offers selectivity, ensuring that only the faulted section is isolated while other healthy
sections remain operational.
3. High Sensitivity: The use of differential relays and precise current measurement allows for high
sensitivity in detecting even small imbalances in the currents.
4. Flexibility: Circulating current protection can be applied to various types of busbar configurations,
including single bus, double bus, and ring bus arrangements.
In a busbar system, current transformers (CTs) are installed at each incoming and outgoing circuit
connected to the busbar. The currents measured by these CTs are compared using a differential
relay. The relay measures the difference between the currents entering and leaving the busbar
section. In a healthy system, where no internal faults exist, the differential current should be zero or
negligible due to the balanced currents.
However, during an internal fault, such as a short circuit or ground fault within the busbar section,
there will be an imbalance in the currents. The differential relay detects this imbalance and initiates
a trip signal to the circuit breaker or disconnecting device associated with the busbar, isolating the
faulted section.
High Impedance Setting: The key characteristic of high-impedance differential protection is the use
of high impedance settings in the differential relay. The relay is designed with a high impedance
characteristic that limits the flow of fault currents through the relay, ensuring sensitivity to small
fault currents.
The high-impedance setting of the relay makes it highly sensitive to even slight imbalances in the
currents. This sensitivity allows for the detection of internal faults at an early stage, enabling
prompt isolation and minimizing potential damage to the busbar or connected equipment.
Parallel Feeder Protection: Parallel feeder protection is a scheme used to protect parallel feeders in
an electrical power distribution system. In parallel feeder arrangements, multiple feeders are
connected in parallel to supply power to a common load. The objective of parallel feeder
protection is to detect and isolate faults in the individual feeders while maintaining power supply
to the remaining healthy feeders.
The protection scheme for parallel feeders typically involves the following components:
1. Overcurrent Protection: Overcurrent relays are employed to detect overcurrent conditions caused
by faults or abnormal operating conditions in the feeders. These relays are set with appropriate
current thresholds to identify and respond to faults accurately.
2. Time-Graded Coordination: Time coordination is implemented between the overcurrent relays of
the parallel feeders to achieve selective tripping. This coordination ensures that only the relay
closest to the fault operates to isolate the faulted feeder while leaving the healthy feeders in
operation.
3. Communication: In more advanced systems, communication capabilities may be utilized to
improve coordination and enable faster fault detection and isolation. Communication links
between the relays allow them to exchange information and coordinate their tripping actions more
effectively.
Ring Main Protection: Ring main protection, also known as ring main unit (RMU) protection, is
employed to protect ring main feeders in an electrical distribution network. A ring main consists of
multiple interconnected feeders arranged in a loop configuration. The primary objective of ring
main protection is to detect and isolate faults occurring within the ring while maintaining power
supply to the rest of the network.
The protection scheme for ring main feeders typically includes the following components:
1. Pilot Wire Protection: Pilot wire relays are commonly used in ring main protection schemes. These
relays are connected to pilot wires or communication cables that run parallel to the ring main. The
pilot wires carry signals that provide real-time information about the status of the feeders and the
occurrence of faults.
2. Directional Protection: Directional overcurrent relays or directional earth fault relays are utilized in
ring main protection to determine the direction of fault currents and ensure selective tripping.
These relays only operate when faults occur in the protected zone, preventing unnecessary
tripping of healthy feeders.
3. Communication: Communication plays a crucial role in ring main protection. By establishing
communication links between the pilot wire relays, fault information can be exchanged, and
coordinated actions can be taken to isolate the faulted feeder and restore power supply to the
unaffected sections of the ring.
The main difference between parallel feeder protection and ring main protection lies in the
configuration and purpose of the protection schemes. Parallel feeder protection aims to protect
individual feeders in a parallel arrangement, while ring main protection focuses on protecting a
looped configuration of interconnected feeders in a distribution network. Both schemes employ
overcurrent protection, coordination techniques, and communication to achieve selective tripping
and fault isolation.
The combination of these protective measures ensures the reliable operation of the
alternator and minimizes the risk of stator winding damage or catastrophic failures.
Early fault detection, selective tripping, and appropriate maintenance and repair actions
contribute to the effective protection of the stator winding in alternators.
Q14) Explain Unbalanced load protection for alternator.(Negative phase sequence [NPS]
protection
Unbalanced load protection, specifically negative phase sequence (NPS) protection, is a technique
used to protect alternators or synchronous generators from adverse effects caused by unbalanced
loading conditions. Unbalanced loading occurs when the three phases of an alternator experience
unequal or unbalanced current or voltage conditions. This can be due to faults, single-phase loads,
or other system disturbances. NPS protection is designed to detect and respond to such
unbalanced conditions. Let's delve into the details of NPS protection:
Negative Phase Sequence (NPS): In a balanced three-phase system, the phase voltages and
currents are equal in magnitude and 120 degrees apart in phase. However, during unbalanced
conditions, the phase voltages and currents become unequal, leading to a negative phase
sequence component. The negative phase sequence component has a frequency of three times
the fundamental frequency and rotates in the opposite direction.
Working Principle of NPS Protection: The NPS protection scheme typically involves the following
steps:
1. Measurement: The alternator's phase currents and voltages are continuously monitored using
current transformers (CTs) and voltage transformers (VTs) respectively. These measurements are
fed to the NPS protection relay.
2. Negative Phase Sequence Detection: The NPS protection relay uses mathematical algorithms or
Fourier analysis to determine the presence and magnitude of the negative phase sequence
component in the measured voltages or currents. If the NPS component exceeds a pre-defined
threshold, it indicates an unbalanced condition.
3. Tripping Action: Upon detecting an excessive negative phase sequence component, the NPS
protection relay initiates a trip signal to the circuit breaker connected to the affected alternator.
This disconnects the alternator from the system, protecting it from the adverse effects of
unbalanced loading.
1. Fault Detection: NPS protection is effective in detecting unbalanced conditions caused by faults,
such as phase-to-ground faults or single-phase faults. It helps identify and isolate faulty sections
promptly.
2. Protection against Unbalanced Loads: NPS protection safeguards the alternator from the
damaging effects of unbalanced loads, such as overheating, increased losses, mechanical stresses,
and reduced performance.
3. System Stability: By detecting and responding to unbalanced conditions, NPS protection
contributes to maintaining system stability and voltage quality.
4. Selectivity: NPS protection is selective, meaning it operates only for the affected alternator
experiencing unbalanced conditions. This allows other healthy alternators to continue supplying
power to the system.
Working Principle: The Buchholz relay works on the principle that faults inside the transformer,
such as partial discharges, arcing, or overheating, generate gas and oil vapor. This gas and vapor
rise towards the upper part of the transformer and accumulate in the Buchholz relay chamber. The
relay senses the accumulation of gas, indicating the presence of a fault, and initiates appropriate
protective actions.
1. Fault Detection: When a fault occurs inside the transformer, gas and oil vapor are generated. The
accumulated gas rises to the upper part of the transformer and enters the Buchholz relay chamber
through the oil-filled pipe.
2. Float Mechanism: The Buchholz relay contains a float mechanism that operates based on the
buoyancy of the accumulated gas. As the gas accumulates in the relay chamber, the float rises,
actuating the relay's contacts.
3. Alarm and Trip Contacts: The contacts in the Buchholz relay are connected to an alarm circuit and
a trip circuit. When the float rises due to gas accumulation, it triggers the alarm circuit, providing
an early warning indication. If the fault severity increases, causing excessive gas accumulation, the
float reaches a critical level and activates the trip circuit, initiating the tripping of the transformer's
circuit breaker.
1. Fault Detection: The Buchholz relay provides early detection and warning of internal faults in oil-
filled transformers, allowing for timely maintenance and repair actions to prevent further damage.
2. Sensitivity: The relay is highly sensitive to gas accumulation, even in the early stages of fault
development, ensuring prompt fault detection and response.
3. Dual Protection: The Buchholz relay provides both alarm and trip functions, providing a two-tiered
protection scheme. The alarm function alerts operators or maintenance personnel of a fault
occurrence, while the trip function initiates immediate disconnection of the transformer from the
power system.
4. Low Maintenance: The relay requires minimal maintenance once installed. Periodic checks for oil
level, gas accumulation, and float operation are typically sufficient.