Journal

of Energy VOLUME 66 Number 1–4 | 2017 Special Issue

journal homepage: http://journalofenergy.com/

ANDREA STOŠIĆ1 ANTE MARUŠIĆ2 JURAJ HAVELKA2

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
1 AECOM, Manchester, UK
2University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Computing

TRANSMISSION LINES PROTECTION USING SIPROTEC

NUMERICAL RELAYS

SUMMARY

This paper analyses the fundamental principles of distance protection

relays while highlighting the importance of correct relay parameterising through
a set of relay tests. Numerical distance relays can have up to 6 distance zones,
and nowadays most of them have a quadrilateral (polygonal) characteristic. The
specific objective of this study was to apply those principles on a SIPROTEC
distance protection 7SA611 relay with the help of Omicron CMC 56 testing
device, as well as to describe the testing process. As a part of the testing, DIGSI
and Test Universe Software were used. Experimental results confirm the
theoretical principles of distance protection and show the advantages of
numerical relays. This paper concludes that optimal choice of reach settings and
time delays between the zones, as well as zone directions, can significantly
impact the selectivity of the protection system, and therefore the scope and time
of the outage.

Keywords: distance protection, numerical relay, polygonal characteristic,

SIPROTEC, zone settings

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
165 Special Issue,
p. 165–183 https://doi.org/10.37798/2017661-4103
1. INTRODUCTION

Transmission lines form a fundamental part of the electrical power system,

as they present the path between generation and load. Often factors like de-
regulated market environment, economics, and environmental requirements urge
utilities to operate transmission lines close to their limits. In a tightly
interconnected system any fault, if not detected and isolated quickly, will cascade
into a system-wide disturbance resulting in widespread outages. Consequently, it
is crucial to equip transmission line terminals with relayed circuit breakers.
Transmission protection systems are designed to identify the location of faults
and isolate only the faulted section, that is to say, a minimum number of circuit
breakers should trip, and preserve the selectivity of the system. The protection
system selected should also provide redundancy to limit the impact of device
failure, and backup protection to ensure dependability. For high-speed clearing
times for faults occurring at any point on a transmission line, it is essential to
produce some form of a communication channel between the transmission line
terminals. This way, protective relaying systems can exchange information to
determine whether the fault is internal or external to the protected line. The
reliability of communications impacts the safety of the protection system. Thus
its importance is vital. For transient faults such as lightning strikes, automatic
reclosing may be applied, followed by fault clearance, to restore the line service
[1].

2. DISTANCE PROTECTION

Bearing in mind that the line impedance is proportional to its length, it is

appropriate to measure the impedance of a line up to a predetermined (reach)
point. Such a relay described as distance relay, operates only for faults occurring
between the point of relay location and the selected reach point, hence giving
discrimination for faults that may occur in different line sections.
The fundamental principle of distance protection involves dividing short-
circuit voltage (USC ) and current (ISC ) at the relay location, as shown in Figure 1.
So calculated apparent impedance (ZLm ) is then compared with the impedance of
the reach point (Z1 ). If the reach point impedance is higher than the measured
impedance, it is assumed that a fault had occurred on the transmission line
between the relay and the reach point. For this basic protection decision, there is
no requirement for further information and the protection, therefore, does not
depend on any additional equipment or signal transmission channels.
Distance protection acts typically as primary protection for overhead lines
and cables. Most commonly used numerical distance protection uses
microprocessor technology with analogue to digital conversion of measured
values (current and voltage), computed distance determination and digital
processing logic. An extra advantage of numerical distance protection is
integrated fault location function [2, 3].

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
166 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Figure 1 Distance protection fundamentals

2.1 Zones of Protection

Cautious choice of the reach settings and tripping times for different zones
allow correct coordination between distance relays on a power system. Basic
distance protection will compromise instantaneous directional Zone 1 protection
and one or more time-delayed zones. Numerical distance relays may have more
than five zones, some of which can be set to measure in the reverse direction.
Typical settings for three forward-looking zones of basic distance protection are
given in the following sub-sections.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
167 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 2.1.1 Zone 1 Setting

Zone 1 is a high-speed, instantaneous zone with no deliberate delay and is

typically set to provide 80-85 % coverage of a two-ended line. The resulting (15-
20 %) safety margins ensure that there is no risk of Zone 1 protection over-
reaching the protected line due to errors in the current and voltage transformers,
inaccuracies in line impedance data provided for setting purposes (usually based
on a calculation and not on a measurement) and errors of relay setting and
measurement [3]. Otherwise, there would be a loss of discrimination with fast
operating protection on the following line section. A time-delayed Zone 2 must
cover the remaining 15-20 % of the line. Zone 1 should never overreach beyond
the remote bus. Its tripping time approximately consists of one to two cycles (20
to 40 ms at 50 Hz) [2].

2.1.2 Zone 2 Setting

Distance protection additionally provides the option of backup protection

for the adjacent line(s) (and for a failed Zone 1). The second stage (over-reaching
zone) is used for this purpose. It reaches through the adjacent busbar and into
the adjacent line(s). Additionally, it ensures full coverage of the line with
allowance for the sources of error already listed (its primary purpose is to clear
faults in the protected line beyond the reach of Zone 1).The reach setting of the
Zone 2 is set to cover the protected line +50% of the shortest adjacent line at the
remote bus or 120% of the protected line, whichever is greater. In many
applications, it is common practice to set the Zone 2 reach to be equal to the
impedance of the protected line section +50% of the shortest adjacent line. It
ensures that the resulting maximum effective Zone 2 reach does not extend
beyond the minimum effective Zone 1 reach of the adjacent line protection [1].
Zone 2 tripping time must be time-delayed to secure grading with the
primary relay on the adjacent line(s) that fall within the Zone 2 reach. Thus
complete coverage of a line section is obtained, with a fast clearance in the
first80-85% of the line and somewhat slower clearance of faults in the remaining
part of the line[3].The tripping time is approximately 250 to 300 ms [2].

2.1.3 Zone 3 Setting

Remote backup protection for all faults on adjacent lines can be provided
by a third zone of protection which needs to be time delayed to discriminate with
Zone 2 protection increased with trip time of circuit breaker for the adjacent line.
Zone 3 reach should cover at least 120% of the impedance given to the
relay for a fault located at the remote end of the second line [1]. Zones 1 and 2
should never overreach the end of the remote line, and Zone 3 should never

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
168 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
underreach it. Equally, Zones 1 and 2 are set using the actual impedance of the
protected line, ignoring current infeed at the remote busbar, while Zone 3 must
be set for a fault at the end of the remote line with maximum infeed conditions at
the remote bus.
The Zone 3 distance element rarely needs to operate; however, it must not
work during extreme loading conditions, stressed power system conditions, or
slow power swings [3, 4]. All three zones are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Zone reach and tripping time setting

2.2 Distance Relays Characteristics

Relay measurements are based on the comparison of either amplitude or

phase quantities. In the case of a numerical relay, algorithms compare measured
voltage and current. When plotted on a set of rectangular coordinates (resistance
R as the abscissa and reactance X as the ordinate), the relay characteristics form
geometric figures. Some of the most used characteristics are plain impedance
characteristic, mho impedance characteristic, offset mho and lenticular
characteristic, fully cross-polarised mho characteristic, partially cross-polarised
mho characteristic and finally, a quadrilateral characteristic which is used by the
SIPROTEC relay series.

2.2.1 Quadrilateral Characteristic

This form of polygonal impedance characteristic is shown in Figure 3. The

characteristic consists of forward and resistive reach settings that are impartially
changeable. As a result, it offers better resistive coverage than any mho-type
characteristic for short lines. This is principally the case for earth fault
impedance measurement, where the arc resistances and fault resistance to earth
contribute to the highest values of fault resistance.
Regarding avoiding unnecessary mistakes in the zone reach accuracy, it is
common to dictate a maximum resistive reach in regards to the zone impedance
reach.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
169 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Figure 3 Quadrilateral characteristic

Quadrilateral elements with plain reactance reach lines can introduce

reach error problems for resistive earth faults where the angle of total fault
current differs from the angle of the measured current. This occurs when the
local and remote source voltage vectors are phase shifted due to pre-fault power
flow. However, it can be overcome by selecting an alternative use of a phase
current for polarisation of the reactance reach line. Polygonal impedance
characteristics are exceedingly flexible regarding fault impedance coverage for
both phase and earth faults. Due to this, most digital and numerical distance
relays now offer this form of characteristic [1].

2.3 Experimental Work

As one of the world’s leaders in manufacturing protection equipment for

power systems, Siemens has designed SIPROTEC relay series which was chosen
for testing. It implements integrated protection, control, measurement and
automation functions in the same device. Another benefit is the possibility of both
local (via integrated keypad and display) and remote (via PC) control [7].

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
170 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 2.3.1 Distance Protection 7SA611 Relay

The following parameterisation and testing were performed on

SIPROTEC 4 7SA611 relay which is used for protection of overhead lines and
cables at all voltage levels from 5 to 400 kV. The unit also enables single-pole,
three-pole and multiple auto-reclosures. Therefore, it can detect power swings
and prevent non-selective tripping. 7SA6 contains a powerful 32-bit
microprocessor which allows utterly numerical processing of all functions in one
device, starting from the acquisition of the measured values to the output of
commands to the circuit breakers. For the quick location of the damage to the
line after a short circuit, there is an integrated fault locator which may also
compensate for the influence of a parallel line and load [5]. The tripping
characteristic is polygonal with separate setting along the X-axis (reach) and R-
axis (arc resistance reserve) and separate R-setting for earth faults.
Furthermore, it offers six distance zones, selectable as forward, reverse or non-
directional reaching, and nine time stages [8].

2.3.2 DIGSI software

The PC operating program DIGSI is the user interface to the SIPROTEC

devices, regardless of their version. The word DIGSI is an abbreviation of a
German expression ‘'Digitalizer Simulator'', which means a digital simulation of
a relay [6]. Its design has a modern and intuitive user interface. It is often
referred to as a powerful all-in-one tool for configuring, setting, testing and
communicating with the device. Moreover, it offers the possibility to display
signals from various fault records in one diagram and synchronise these signals
to a common time base. In addition to finding out the details of the line fault, the
localisation of the fault is of particular interest in order to save time used for on-
site inspection of the fault.

2.3.3 Parameterising Distance 7SA611 Relay

There are two different approaches to parameterisation. The first one is to

proceed in offline mode and later switch to online mode and transfer all the
settings into the relay. The second one (used here) is to parameterise the relay
directly, that is to say, as soon as settings are changed, they are immediately
transferred to the relay. For this experiment, the relay parameterisation contains
data of a real 400 kV line of the length of 79, 9 km (Figure 4).
Some of the critical parameterising settings necessary to set up correctly
are considering transformers, power system, and circuit breakers as shown in the
following figure.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
171 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Figure 4 Relay parameterising
Several further physical quantities are adjustable in different Settings
Groups as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Relay settings group

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
172 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 As the calculation of the line impedance on a phase to ground loop is not
possible only with measured values, additional information regarding the
ratio, 𝑍𝑍𝐿𝐿 /𝑍𝑍𝐸𝐸 needs to be provided to the relay. Here, it is assumed that the ratio is
constant along the line. After individually setting the distance zones (Figure 6), a
graph of the characteristic can be plotted (Figure 7) in which the dotted lines
represent the tolerances of each zone. The type of the characteristic is
quadrilateral, and although the reach of every single zone can be edited, the form
of the characteristic cannot be changed once it is integrated into the relay.
Additionally, it is possible to export the relay characteristic in an RIO File which
then enables easy import into Omicron (test device used).

Figure 6 Distance zones settings

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
173 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Figure 7 Relay characteristic

2.3.4 Testing Distance 7SA611 Relay

The relay was tested with Omicron CMC 56, a device created for testing all
generations and types of protection relays. Its software, Test Universe, is a
helpful tool for advanced secondary testing of protection and measuring devices.
It enables a range of approaches, from manual to entirely automated and
standardised tests, running on a PC or a laptop. For this testing process, the
adequate test module was Distance.
It is possible to test each adjusted distance zone separately, or more zones
at the same time. Different types of faults (one-pole, two-pole or three-pole short
circuit) need to be tested independently. According to the previously set up
parameters in DIGSI, the nominal values for tripping time for each zone are as
following:
- for Zone 1: 0 ms (instantaneous),
- for Zone 2: 350 ms,
- for Zone 3: 800 ms,
- for Zone 4: 700 ms,
- for Zone 5: 1,5 s.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
174 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Table 1 Zone settings (Test Universe)
Label Type Fault loop Trip time Tol.Trel Tol.T abs+ Tol.T abs- Tol.Z rel. Tol.Z abs
Z1 Tripping L-L 0,000 s 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z1 Tripping L-E 0,000 s 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z2 Tripping L-L 350,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z2 Tripping L-E 350,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z4 Tripping L-L 700,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z4 Tripping L-E 700,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z3 Tripping L-L 800,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z3 Tripping L-E 800,0 ms 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z5 Tripping L-L 1,500 s 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ
Z5 Tripping L-E 1,500 s 1,000 % 100,0 ms 100,0 ms 5,000 % 100,0 mΩ

3. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Testing Zone 1 for Single-Pole Short Circuits

Ten different impedances were tested and successfully passed the test as
shown in the results from the Test Universe report.
As expected, the relay tripped for all impedances less than the Zone 1
impedance within the Zone 1 tripping time, whereas for the impedances bigger
than the Zone 1 impedance, it tripped within the Zone 2 tripping time. Nominal
tripping time for Zone 1 is instantaneous, and for Zone 2 equals 350 ms. In both
cases, for every selected impedance, there was an inevitable time delay within
the permitted tolerances which illustrates the real-life situations in power
systems.
Test results consist of the value and the angle of the impedance, nominal
and activating time of the relay, time deviation and the decision of the testing as
presented in the following figure.

Table 2 Zone 1 test results for one-pole short circuit

|Z| Phi t nom t act. Dev. ITest Result
5,869 Ω 85,00 ° 0,000 s 33,60 ms 33,60 ms 2,000 A Passed
6,062 Ω 74,86 ° 0,000 s 34,20 ms 34,20 ms 2,000 A Passed
6,602 Ω 63,76 ° 0,000 s 34,00 ms 34,00 ms 2,000 A Passed
7,459 Ω 50,00 ° 0,000 s 34,00 ms 34,00 ms 2,000 A Passed
8,494 Ω 42,89 ° 0,000 s 34,30 ms 34,30 ms 2,000 A Passed
6,575 Ω 94,58 ° 350,0 ms 384,1 ms 9,743 % 2,000 A Passed
6,596 Ω 85,00 ° 350,0 ms 383,7 ms 9,629 % 2,000 A Passed
6,834 Ω 73,55 ° 350,0 ms 384,3 ms 9,8 % 2,000 A Passed
7,263 Ω 64,47 ° 350,0 ms 383,5 ms 9,571 % 2,000 A Passed
8,890 Ω 46,83 ° 350,0 ms 383,8 ms 9,657 % 2,000 A Passed

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
175 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Furthermore, if the test impedances successfully pass the test, they
become visually green in the graph (Figure 8).

X/Ω

25

20

15

10

-5

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

R/Ω

Figure 8 One-pole short circuit (Zone 1 test)

Further fault analysis results become available as well, such as fault

physical quantities. These test results point out the voltage and the current of
the fault, and consequently, show that the fault had occurred in Phase One.
Table 3 Physical quantities for one-pole short circuit
VL1: 50,7V 0,00 °
VL2 57,7V -120,00 °
VL3: 57,7V 120,00 °
IL1: 2,00A -24,31 °
IL2: 0,00A n/a
IL3: 0,00A n/a
VFault: 50,7V 0,00 °
IFault: 2,00A -24,31 °

Additional graphs of fault voltage and current, as well as tripping time of

the relay, are available for analysis.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
176 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 Fault Trip
Postfault

V/V

60
40
20
0

-20 -0,8 -0,6 -0,4 -0,2 0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 t/s
-40
-60
-80

VL1 VL2 VL3

Figure 9 Short circuit voltage

I/A

2,0

1,0

0,0
-0,8 -0,6 -0,4 -0,2 0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 t/s
-1,0

-2,0

-3,0
IL1 IL2 IL3

Figure 10 Short circuit current

Trip
Start

-0,8 -0,6 -0,4 -0,2 0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 t/s

Figure 11 Relay tripping time

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
177 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
3.2 Testing Zone 3 for Single-Pole Short Circuits

As shown in the graph below, Zone 3 was set to have a reversed direction.
As a result, it provides distance protection against faults behind the relay
(busbar) of the protected transmission line. It is also the reason that the Zone 4
tripping time can be less than the Zone 3 tripping time; otherwise, the zones
would not discriminate.
Eight impedances selected are located within the Zone 3 setting, and one
within Zone 5 and its relay tripping time, thus, equals the Zone 5 nominal time
increased with time deviation.

Table 4 Zone 3 test results for three-pole short circuit

|Z| Phi t nom t act. Dev. ITest Result
8,402 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 855,4 ms 6,925 % 2,000 A Passed
7,174 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 859,7 ms 7,462 % 2,000 A Passed
5,855 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 853,8 ms 6,725 % 2,000 A Passed
4,000 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 860,0 ms 7,5 % 2,000 A Passed
2,649 Ω 160,00 ° 800,0 ms 834,2 ms 4,275 % 2,000 A Passed
2,455 Ω 140,00 ° 1,500 s 1,553 s 3,56 % 2,000 A Passed
4,776 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 853,9 ms 6,738 % 2,000 A Passed
6,334 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 854,2 ms 6,775 % 2,000 A Passed
8,000 Ω 150,00 ° 800,0 ms 853,9 ms 6,738 % 2,000 A Passed

X/Ω

25

20

15

10

-5

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

R/Ω

Figure 12 Three-pole short circuits (Zone 3 test)

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
178 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
3.3 Testing Zone 4 for Three-Pole Short Circuits

Due to Omicron's restraints, tests for Zones 4 and 5 were only possible for
three-pole short circuits; otherwise, impedances selected would appear to be out
of range. In this experiment, six impedances were less than the Zone 4
impedance. Hence the tripping times corresponded to the tripping time of the
Zone 4 (nominal time 700 ms + time deviation). On the other hand, the remaining
four impedances selected were higher than the Zone 4 impedance and their
tripping times consequently corresponded to the tripping time of the Zone 5
(nominal time 1, 5 s + time deviation) as expected. For all the impedances
selected, the relay tripped within the correct times, depending on the zone.

Table 5 Zone 4 test results for three-pole short circuit

|Z| Phi t nom t act. Dev. ITest Result
21,20 Ω 82,85 ° 700,0 ms 733,5 ms 4,786 % 2,000 A Passed
21,25 Ω 85,00 ° 700,0 ms 734,2 ms 4,886 % 2,000 A Passed
21,12 Ω 92,00 ° 700,0 ms 734,1 ms 4,871 % 2,000 A Passed
21,55 Ω 79,30 ° 700,0 ms 733,6 ms 4,8 % 2,000 A Passed
21,96 Ω 74,68 ° 700,0 ms 733,5 ms 4,786 % 2,000 A Passed
24,55 Ω 60,00 ° 700,0 ms 733,6 ms 4,8 % 2,000 A Passed
26,26 Ω 62,80 ° 1,500 s 1,534 s 2,28 % 2,000 A Passed
25,23 Ω 70,00 ° 1,500 s 1,534 s 2,26 % 2,000 A Passed
23,52 Ω 85,00 ° 1,500 s 1,540 s 2,667 % 2,000 A Passed
24,00 Ω 100,00 ° 1,500 s 1,554 s 3,567 % 2,000 A Passed

X/Ω

25

20

15

10

-5

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

R/Ω

Figure 13 Three-pole short circuits (Zone 4 test)

15

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
179 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
3.4 Testing the Complete Characteristic for Three-Pole Short Circuits

In this test, impedances were selected within various zones of the

polygonal relay characteristic and understandably, the tripping times were
different as well.
Bearing in mind that the largest zone determines the fault detection
characteristic of the relay, for two tested impedances which are bigger than the
Zone 5 impedance, as predicted, there was no trip. This means that these
impedances are not part of the protected area and that the protection of this relay
will not interfere with the protection of another relay protecting that area.
For other cases there was always a trip within the nominal tripping time of
the corresponding zone, increased with time deviation within permissible
tolerances. The quickest way to establish which fault impedance belongs to which
zone is by its nominal tripping time. From the results summary, it is evident that
the first fault is located within Zone 1 reach (instantaneous trip), following three
faults are part of Zone 2, further two fit within the Zone 4 reach, and the next
two within Zone 5. Additionally, there is a no trip case for an impedance outside
of the protected area, and there are two simulated faults within the Zone 3
(reversed direction zone), another one within the Zone 5, and finally, the last case
simulated a fault located outside of the characteristic.

Table 6 Complete characteristic test results for three-pole short circuit

|Z| Phi t nom t act. Dev. ITest Result
5,808 Ω 85,00 ° 0,000 s 34,30 ms 34,30 ms 2,000 A Passed
6,329 Ω 80,00 ° 350,0 ms 389,8 ms 11,37 % 2,000 A Passed
6,758 Ω 85,00 ° 350,0 ms 389,8 ms 11,37 % 2,000 A Passed
13,53 Ω 85,00 ° 350,0 ms 383,6 ms 9,6 % 2,000 A Passed
14,24 Ω 85,00 ° 700,0 ms 734,2 ms 4,886 % 2,000 A Passed
21,93 Ω 85,00 ° 700,0 ms 734,5 ms 4,929 % 2,000 A Passed
22,89 Ω 85,00 ° 1,500 s 1,534 s 2,24 % 2,000 A Passed
22,33 Ω 26,43 ° 1,500 s 1,534 s 2,253 % 2,000 A Passed
24,00 Ω 24,74 ° no trip no trip 2,000 A Passed
659,1 mΩ -95,00 ° 800,0 ms 819,0 ms 2,375 % 2,000 A Passed
3,591 Ω -95,00 ° 800,0 ms 813,6 ms 1,7 % 2,000 A Passed
5,204 Ω -95,00 ° 1,500 s 1,534 s 2,287 % 2,000 A Passed
6,387 Ω -95,00 ° no trip no trip 2,000 A Passed

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
180 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
 X/Ω

25

20

15

10

-5

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

R/Ω

Figure 14 Three-pole short circuits (complete characteristic test)

4. CONCLUSION

This study set out to describe the principles of transmission lines distance
protection and to emphasize the importance of correct relay parameterizing as it
is crucial for the security and stability of any power system. The challenge today
is to implement cost-efficient solutions in modern, intelligent and smart grids
where communication and monitoring of the system would enable optimal
functioning of power systems across the globe. Hence, setting the adequate
protection systems, to provide selective tripping, will minimize the extent and
time of the outage. Their communication protocols and precise determination of
the fault location, therefore, contribute to the reduction of the on-site inspection
time.
In this investigation, the aim was to evaluate adequate zone reach settings
and corresponding tripping times of a numerical distance relay and to illustrate
the selectivity between different zones of the characteristic.
The results of this study indicate that correct reach settings and tripping
times of different zones result in the selective acting of a relay on the protected
transmission line and further adjacent line(s), whether in forward or reversed
direction. The analysis undertaken here has also confirmed our knowledge on the
basic protection principles and applied it to a specific relay type.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
181 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
5. LITERATURE

[1] Stosic, A.: Transmission Lines Protection Using SIPROTEC Numerical

Relays. Master Thesis. Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing,
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[4] Power Swing Detection, Blocking and Out - of - Step Relays,
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Accessed: January 4, 2014.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
182 Special Issue,
p. 165–183
[16] Tziouvaras, D., Mooney, J., Alexander, G.: Functional Integration in
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[17] Tziouvaras, D.E., Altura, H., Benmouyal, G., Roberts, JR.: Line
Differential Protection with an Enhanced Characteristic. Pullman,
Washington, USA, 2014.

A. Stošić, A. Marušić, J. Havelka, Transmission lines protection using SIPROTEC numerical relays, Journal of Energy, vol. 66 Number 1–4 (2017)
183 Special Issue,
p. 165–183