Power Transmission Line Protection

Power transmission line protection systems is one of the most

important system under electrical power system. Transmission
system is a system which between the generation and the
distribution centers. . There are two main power transmission
system which use in electrical industry . Distance relays are use
to protect transmission line and this are simple to apply .
Advantage of the distance relays are they are high-speed
operation. In here we are plan to discuss on several factors
which affect on protecting high voltage transmission lines.

Transmission Line systems

Electrical power transmission line systems can classified

according to the type of current .

• Direct current
• Alternative current

the two main types of current which utilized . Following are the
transmission line classification according to the type of current
supply.

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) System – HVDC Power

transmission system are much used for the power transmission
between very long distances.

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High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) System– HVAC power
transmission system are much economical for shorter distance
power transmission.

Factors to Get Protected From

There are several factors which we need to consider while

protection transmission lines. Following are those factors
which got effect on the protection.

▪ Wind and Ice

▪ Contamination
▪ Vandalism
▪ External forces
▪ Equipment Failures
▪ System Disturbances
▪ Overloading of system
▪ Lightning

These factors play vital role on protect against of Transmission

towers and lines of the electrical system.

Transmission Line Protection Systems

If we consider about the protection of transmission line there

are three protection types are used to protect these lines .

▪ Differential Protection
▪ Phase Comparison
▪ Over Current Protection

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 ▪ Earth fault overcurrent protection (Use for protect from
large residual current)
▪ Distance Protection
▪ Thermal overload protection (Use for underground
power system)

We are plan to discuss more about this transmission line

protection systems in our future articles separately.

Transmission Line Protection Relays

Main purpose of the transmission protection relay are to

identify the fault of the location . This relays are also use to
identify the type of the fault in transmission lines too.
Transmission line protections are much based on relays. There
are several relay system are use to protect transmission lines.
Following are some of the protective relay types which use in
transmission lines.

▪ Protective Relays – Protective relays are function as

to detect the fault and also to initiate the appropriate
control signal such as the tripping signal.
▪ Regulating Relays – Regulating relay is a device
which manages the operation of the load of tap
changer on the transformer.
▪ Reclosing and Synchronizing Relays this is a
programmable relay whose the function is to initiate
a sequence of actions leading to the automatic
reclosing of the circuit breaker.
▪ Auxiliary Relays- This relay which assist other relays
by applying supplementary actions.

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Normally protective relays are very important in transmission
line protection. Hope that you have some basic understanding
on the protections of the electrical power transmission lines . In
future articles we are plan to discuss more about the other
protections schemes of power transmission lines in future.

There are several protective schemes for transmission lines and

may be grouped into two groups viz., non-unit type and unit
type.

The non-unit type of protection includes time-graded

overcurrent protection, current-graded overcurrent protection,
and distance protection, while the unit type protection includes
pilot-wire differential protection, carrier-current protection
based on phase comparison method etc.

Separate protection systems are necessary for ground faults

because ground faults are more frequent on overhead
transmission lines than phase fault, and ground fault current is
different from phase fault current in magnitude.

The selection of a particular scheme of protection depends

upon the following factors:

1. Economic justifiability of the scheme to ensure 100%

continuity of supply.

2. Types of feeders-radial or ring mains.

3. Availability of pilot wires.

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4. Number of switching stations in series between supply end
and the far end of the system.

Overload Protection of Transmission Lines

This is the simplest way of protecting a line and is, therefore,
widely used. Overload or overcurrent protection owes its
application to the fact that the fault current in the event of a short
circuit will raise to a value several times that of the maximum
load current. The ratio of minimum fault current to maximum
load current is chosen as criterion in order to prevent the
possibility of mal-operation under normal operating conditions.
This form of protection can be applied only to simple systems.
The overcurrent protection is provided at the supply end of the
line.

Figure 5.1 illustrates the protective scheme against overloading

of feeders. Three CTs are mounted, one on each phase of the
feeder and are connected across the three relay coils. In case of
overloading the solenoid plunger system of the relays operate to
close the trip coil circuit, which in turn opens the circuit breaker,
thereby disconnecting the protected feeder. The relays need
readjustment or even replacement whenever a change in the
system is made. The operation times are generally large.

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The alternative method for overload or overcurrent protection is
the well-known Z-connection which requires only two relays for
the protection of a 3-phase circuit.

Overcurrent and Earth-Fault Protection of Transmission Lines

The general practice is to employ a set of two or three
overcurrent relays for protection against phase-to-phase faults
and a separate overcurrent relay for single line-to-ground faults.
Separate earth fault relays are generally preferred because they
can be adjusted to provide faster and more sensitive protection
for single line-to-ground faults than that can be provided by the
phase relays.

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Earth fault current depends on the type of neutral earthing, i.e.,
whether solidly earthed, insulated or earthed through some
resistance or reactance. Where no neutral point is available,
grounding transformer is employed.

Whatever the type of neutral earthing be employed, the earth-

fault current will be small as compared to phase- fault currents
in magnitude. The relay thus connected for earth fault protection
is different from the ones provided for phase-to-phase faults.

In case of resistance earthed or solidly earthed systems, the

overcurrent element connected in residual circuit of CTs is
preferred. The setting of earth-fault relays may be made less than
rated full-load current of the line. The practice followed is to
apply relays having a setting range of 10 to 40%. A setting of 20%
on 300/5 A CT means the relay operates for primary earth-fault
current of 300/5 x 20/100 = 12 A.

In the above protection scheme two IDMT type overcurrent

relays are connected in two phases through CTs and one earth-
fault relay. In case of phase-to-phase faults or overload the IDMT
relays trip the circuit breaker. Under healthy conditions, the sum
of all the three currents of CTs is zero and the earth-fault relay
remains inoperative. As soon as phase-to-ground fault occurs
unbalancing in currents causes the earth-fault relay to operate,
which in turn trips the circuit breaker.

The earth-fault elements are with inverse characteristics and

time-grading is preferred for earth fault protection of radial
feeders.

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This scheme is employed for 11 kV and 33 kV systems as main
protection and is used as a backup protection for transformers
and transmission lines in EHV systems.

Current-Graded Protection of Transmission Lines

An alternative to time grading or in addition to time grading
current grading protection can be applied when the impedance
between two substations is sufficient. It is based on the fact that
the short-circuit current along the length of the protected circuit
decreases with the increase in distance between the supply end
and the fault point. If the relays are set to operate at a
progressively higher current towards the supply end then the
drawback of long time delays occurring in graded time lag
system can be partially overcome. This is known as current
grading. Current-graded systems normally employ high-speed
high-set overcurrent relays.

A simple current-graded protection scheme applied to a radial

feeder is shown in Fig. 5.8. It consists of high-set overcurrent
relays at A, B and C with settings such that relay at A would
operate for faults between A and B, the relay at B for faults
between B and C and the relay at C for faults beyond C. The
current setting diminishes progressively from the supply end to
the remote end of the line.

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Differential Pilot-Wire Protection of Transmission Lines:
The term “pilot” means that between the ends of a transmission
line there is an interconnecting channel of some sort over which
information can be conveyed. Three different types of such a
channel are presently in use, and they are called “wire pilot”,
“carrier-current pilot” and “microwave pilot”. A wire pilot
consists generally of a two-wire circuit of the telephone-line
type, either open wire or cable. A wire pilot is generally
economical for distances up to 8 or 15 km, beyond which a
carrier-current pilot usually becomes more economical.
Microwave pilots are employed when the number of services
requiring pilot channels exceeds the technical or economic
capabilities of carrier current.

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The differential pilot-wire protection is most satisfactory and is
widely employed on account of the advantages such as
simplicity, flexibility, a high stability ratio, rapid fault clearance
(a time varying between 0.1 and 0.5 second according to the
“break time” of the circuit breaker).

The differential pilot-wire protection is based upon the principle

that the currents compared at each end of the line or feeder by
the use of pilot wires should be same under normal operating
conditions and the equality is lost only when there is a fault in
between the two ends. The system is quite similar to that
employed for the protection of alternators and transformers and
the difference lies only in the length of pilot wires.

Current Balance Differential Protection of Transmission Lines:

Biased differential protection due to McColl is an example of
current balance differential protection.

For understanding its principle let us first consider the

protection of single phase feeders. The scheme is illustrated in
Fig. 5.9. The current transformers CT 1, and CT2 are mounted on
the two ends of the protected line. The secondaries of the two
CTs are connected through the restraining coils R 1 and R2 and
pilot wires P 1 and P2. The operating coils of the relays are also
connected across the secondaries of the CTs through diverting
resistances DR 1 and DR2 as illustrated in Fig. 5.9.

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Each of these two diverting resistances is equal to pilot wire
resistance which will cause same current to flow through the
operating coils O 1 and O2. For equal number of turns on
restraining coil and operating coil equal pull will be exerted on
the sides of the beam relay. However, mechanical biasing can
also be provided by moving the fulcrum towards the operating
coil and such an arrangement can allow 10 to 12 per cent greater
current to flow in the operating coil before it can close contacts.

For an earth fault at point F, the current in CT 1 will exceed that

in CT2. The secondary current of CT 1 will be flowing in two
parallel paths—one path will be through diverting resistance
DR1 and operating coil O 1 and the second path will be through
restraining coil R 1, pilot-wire P1, diverting resistance DR 2,
operating coil O2, restraining coil R2 and pilot-wire P2. Obviously
the resistance of second path (consists of 3 coils, 2 pilot-wires and
one diverting resistance) is 3 times that of first path. Thus three-
fourth of the total current will flow through the operation coil

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O1 and one-fourth through the restraining coil R 1. If the current
flowing through the operating coil O 1 exceeds the relay setting,
the feeder will be disconnected from the supply end.

Figure 5.10 shows the application of biased differential

protection to a 3-phase feeder. The CT sets CT 1 and CT2 are
connected in delta formation because the star-connection would
require four-pilot wires, the fourth pilot-wire being connected
between two star points. The diverting resistances DR 1 and
DR2 need only be one half of the resistance of one pilot-wire, as
the return pilot utilised for the fault current will also include a
resistor equal to one half of this pilot resistance.

Let there be a fault in the R-phase at point F. The excess current

in the secondary of CT 1 will flow to junction a where it will
divide into two parallel paths—one path through operating coil

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O1 and the diverting resistance DR 1 shown by solid arrows, and
another path will be through restraining coil R 1, pilot wire P 1,
restraining coil R 2, junction b, operating coil O 2, diverting
resistance DR 2, junction c and then to junction d through pilot
wire P3, as shown by dotted arrows.

Merz-Price Voltage Balance System of Transmission Lines:

Probably the best known of the differential systems is the Merz-
Price system, which, as applied to feeder protection, utilizes the
principle of voltage balance. In 3-phase systems each conductor
has its own pair of current transformers and relays. The
secondaries of current transformers are connected in series by
means of pilot wires. In normal conditions i.e., when there is no
fault on the feeder, equal currents flow at the two different ends,
so induced voltages in the secondaries of current transformers
are equal.

As the secondaries are connected in opposition their secondary

emfs are equalised resulting into no circulating current in the
relays. But whenever fault occurs, currents differ at two ends, so
induced emfs in the secondaries of current transformers will
differ and circulating current will flow through the pilot wires
and relays and the faulty feeder will be isolated.

It will be clear that the current transformers are critical feature

of this system, since they have to be balanced exactly, not only
initially but permanently. In order, that the induced voltage shall
be proportional to line current, it is essential that the magnetic
circuit shall not reach saturation, and this is accomplished by
employing distributed air gap current transformers.

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To secure initial matching, the CTs are balanced against a
standard, and to ensure that there shall be no change of
characteristics in service they are enclosed within a magnetic
shield which prevents neighbouring iron affecting the
distribution of flux. The pilot wires are usually in the form of a
3-core cable of size 7/0.73 mm.

This system has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

(i) This system is independent of operating voltage and fault

power factor.

(ii) This system can be employed for protection of both, ring

mains as well as parallel feeders.

(iii) This system provides instantaneous protection for ground

faults, so the possibility of these faults involving other phases is
reduced.

(iv) This system provides instantaneous relaying thereby

reducing the amount of damage to overhead conductors
resulting from arcing faults.

Disadvantages:

(i) The trouble due to capacitance currents in the pilot circuit

arises from the fact that, under through-fault conditions,
voltages of the order of 1,000 volts or more are impressed on this
circuit so that capacitance currents are comparatively heavy, and
false operation may take place.

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However, this drawback can be overcome by the introduction of
the Beard-Hunter compensated pilot cable in which means are
provided for diverting the capacitance currents from the relays.
This action is achieved by surrounding each pilot wire with an
insulated metallic screen or sheath which is divided at the centre
of its length so as to form two conductors of equal lengths. When
a heavy overload comes on, a high voltage is induced in the
current transformer secondaries, but the resulting capacitance
current, instead of flowing in the relays, flows in the local circuit
formed by the sheath, current transformer and pilot wire.

(ii) This system does not provide backup protection or overload

protection.

(iii) Difficulties are experienced in balancing the secondaries of

the two current transformers and that is why this system cannot
be used beyond 33 kV.

(iv) The system will not operate in case a break in the pilot wire
occurs.

(v) This system is very expensive owing to the greater length of

pilot wires required.

(vi) There is no time delay.

Translay Protection System:

The name “Translay” is evolved from the fact that the relay
embodies a transformer feature. This system can be employed
for protection of single phase or 3-phase feeders, transformer
feeders, feeders with a tee-off and parallel feeders against both

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earth and phase faults. This system is based on the established
principle of the current entering at one end of the feeder being
equal at any instant to that leaving at the other end. A simple
form of Translay protection for a single phase feeder is shown in
Fig. 5.13. Under healthy conditions the line current transformers
CT1 and CT2, at opposite ends of the feeder carry equal currents
and, therefore, the coils 1 and 1′ connected to them induce equal
emfs in the windings 2 and 2′ respectively.

Since the windings 2 and 2′ are connected in opposition by

means of pilot wires with the operating coils 4 and 4′ in series
with them so no forward torque is exerted on the disc. When a
fault occurs, the current through one CT is greater than that

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through the other so a small current circulates through the
operating coils and pilot wires and when it attains the preset
value the relay is caused to close the tripping circuit and thus
disconnect the faulty feeder. The Translay relay employed is
quite similar in construction to an overcurrent induction type
relay.

The Translay system, employed for a 3-phase circuit has a single-

element relay at each end of the feeder which protects against
both faults between phases and faults to earth. The connections
(omitting trip circuits for sake of clarity) are shown in Fig. 5.14.

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The upper magnetic circuit has three windings, two primaries
and a secondary. The upper and smaller primary is a phase-to-
phase fault winding and is connected across the red and blue
protective current transformer while its mid-point is connected
to the yellow. The lower and larger primary winding acts as a
leakage winding, and is connected between the blue protective
current transformer and the star point of the current
transformers.

The secondary winding provided on the upper magnetic circuit

acts like the opposed-voltage transformer in the Merz-Price
system and is connected in opposition to a similar winding by
means of two pilot wires, at the other end of the feeder. The
secondary windings provided on the lower magnetic circuit are
connected in series with the pilot wires. The rotating disc is
composed of two sectors. Under normal operating conditions no
current flows through the pilot wires as the opposing voltages
are equal. On the occurrence of fault, the voltages in the
windings differ and so a current flows through the lower
elements and pilot wires.

A forward torque is thus exerted on the disc due to interaction

of flux produced in the lower magnetic elements with the
leakage flux of the upper magnetic elements. The phase relation
required is achieved as in an energy meter. The capacitance
currents lead the voltages and tend to rotate the disc in the
opposite direction because of a closed copper ring near the end

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of the projecting limb of the upper magnetic circuit. Thus the
main disadvantages of Merz-Price system have been avoided.

The Translay relay can be biased by an unsymmetrical phase

adjustment, which provides a backward torque when the flux in
the upper element is large.

Split-Conductor Protection of Feeders

This system is another method of securing the benefits of a
balanced method of protection without the necessity of using
pilot wires. The principle of operation depends on the fact that
two conductors of equal length and impedance, when connected
in parallel will share the load equally, provided that the
insulation of the system is sound. When a fault develops on any
one conductor it will carry more current than the other, and this
inequality of currents is arranged to operate a relay and thus
isolate the faulty line.

In this system of protection each phase of the line is split into

two sections having equal impedances. The two sections are
lightly insulated from each other. In this system, a single-turn
current transformer is inserted at each end of the split conductor.
The current transformers consist of laminated iron rings on
which a secondary winding is wound all-round the periphery.

Under healthy conditions the current flowing along the two

splits is equal and since these are threaded through the current
transformers CT1 and CT2 in the opposite directions hence the
voltage across the terminals of the evenly spread secondary
winding is zero. In fault conditions one of the split takes more

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current than the other, thereby giving rise to an unbalance of the
primary side of the current transformers. Due to unbalancing of
currents on the primary side of current transformers resultant
flux will be set up in the core of the one of the current
transformers and so the current will be induced in the evenly
spread secondary and the relay coil R will be energised. The
relay contacts will be closed and the trip coil will trip the circuit
breaker and isolate the fault.

In the best arrangement the splits are carried into the circuit
breakers on both sides of the feeder so that the splits are opened
by the breakers. This is explained as- Let the splits be not carried
into the circuit breakers and a fault develops at the receiving end
of a long line. Under these conditions, the impedance of the
differential current transformer at this end may be insufficient to
cause unbalance between the currents carried by each split
conductor. Hence such a fault will not be cleared by the circuit
breakers since the relay will not operate.

But when the splits are carried into the circuit breakers the fault
current is confined to the faulty split after the sending end circuit
breaker has tripped. In the former case, although the sending
end circuit breaker trips, the fault current is not confined to the
faulty split but it would divide practically equal between the two
splits being solidly connected, so the receiving end circuit
breaker will not trip. But in the latter case, the fault current is
confined to the faulty split, the opening of the receiving end
circuit breaker takes place.

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The disadvantage of this system is that we have to make use of
a special type of cable with the lower limits for the voltages. In
the case of overhead feeders, for each phase, a duplicate set of
conductors, insulators, etc., have to be employed. The lines
having step-up or step-down transformers or voltage regulators
cannot be protected by this method.

Microwave Channel Protection of Transmission Lines:

The microwave channels are used for all types of protections
otherwise based on power line carrier or pilot-wire. The
transmission is generally by line of sight and this must take into
account the curvature of earth and topology of the route cover
which the transmission takes place. This limits the maximum
length of the simplest microwave channel to about 40 to 60 km.

It uses ultra-high frequency (450 MHz to 10,000 MHz)

transmitter-receiver system for connecting the relaying
equipment located at the terminals of the protected line. The
communication channel is space in this case; thus the line need
not be fitted with additional equipment. The transmitters and
receivers are controlled in the same way as the carrier-current
transmitter and receiver.

With radio links (microwave pilots) the signals are

communicated by line of light antenna equipment. These are
most expensive, but provide fast and reliable service. In USA
radio links are used for communication, remote control and
protection.

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Distance or Impedance Protection of Transmission Lines:
The distance protection provides discrimination protection
without making use of pilot wires. Distance protection is widely
employed for protection of high voltage ac transmission lines
because of its inherent advantages.

Figure 5.22 shows the simplest system consisting of feeders in

series such that the power can flow only from left to right. The
relays at A, B, C and D are set to operate with impedances less

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than ZA, ZB, ZC and ZD respectively. For a short-circuit fault at
point F between substations C and D, the fault loop impedances
at power station A and substations B and C are (Z A + ZB + Z), (ZB +
Z), and Z respectively. It is obvious that only relay at substation
C will operate. Similarly for short-circuit faults between
substations B and C, and power station and substation B only
relays at substation B and power station A respectively will
operate.

A system with instantaneous impedance relays, set to act on

impedances less than or equal to the impedance of a section, as
illustrated in Fig. 5.22 (a), would be difficult to adjust; a fault
near the junction of two sections is likely to cause the operation
of two relays. Furthermore, if a fault of finite resistance occurs
near the end of a section, it is possible that total impedance is
greater than that for relay operation. For these reasons it is
advantageous to use impedance time relays, the characteristics
of which are illustrated in Fig. 5.22 (b), for the power system
illustrated in Fig. 5.22 (a).

If a fault occurs on right hand side of a substation B, say, relay at

substation B operates in the minimum time t m and the breaker at
substation B operates t B second later. If t B is made less than the
time difference between consecutive relays, only one relay will
operate. Assume that the fault at F has a resistance causing total
impedance at substation C represented by the point F’ (the fault
resistance being FF’). Relay as substation C operates in time F’C’,
whereas in the previous system it would not operate at all.

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An impedance-time relay is a delicate mechanism and it is
considered worthwhile to replace it by three simple impedance
relays with a definite time of operation. The series combination
can be arranged to provide a 3-step-time characteristic, as
illustrated in Fig. 5.22 (c), which does the same thing as the
previous linear characteristic.

Modern practice is to employ definite distance method of

protection applied in 3 zones (steps). A number of distance relays
are used in association with timing relays so that the power
system is divided into a number of zones with varying tripping
times associated with each zone. The first zone tripping which is
instantaneous is normally set to 80% of the protected section. The
zone 2 protection with a time delay sufficient for circuit breaker
operating time and discriminating time margins covers the
remaining 20% portion of the protected section plus 25 to 50 per
cent of the next section. Zone 2 also provides backup protection
for the relay in the next section for fault close to the bus. Zone 3
with still more time delay provides complete backup protection
for all faults at all locations.

Thus the distance protection provided for line AB (section 1)

serves as backup protection for sections 2 and 3, because in case
of occurrence of faults in line BC (section 2) or line CD (section
3) it will clear those in their respective zone time from tripping
the circuit breaker at end A.

Carrier Aided Distance Protection of Transmission Lines:

The directional comparison carrier-pilot relay schemes presently
employed are built around standard three-zone step-type

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distance relays. This speeds up fault clearance for internal zone
2 faults. The carrier channel is employed either for transmission
of a stabilizing signal preventing tripping of a remote circuit
breaker in the event of a local external zone 2 fault, or for
providing a tripping signal in the event of an internal zone 2
fault. The principal features of plain 3-zone distance protection
schemes.

Carrier signalling is concerned with the end zones of a protected

section A A’. Let the faults occur at points F 1 and F2 respectively.
Fault at point F 1 will be seen at end A in zone 1 and at end A’ in
zone 2. Similarly a fault at point F 2 will be seen at end A’ in zone
1 and at end A in zone 2.

Transfer trip or intertrip technique is employed for speeding up

the fault clearance at the end which clears the fault in zone 2.
This is achieved by control of the carrier transmitter and a carrier
receive relay by zone 1 contact. For a fault at point F 1 the zone 1
relay at end A initiates a carrier signal in addition to completing
the zone 1 trip circuit of this end. Carrier signal on reaching end
A’ trips it immediately by shunting the zone 2 timer contacts
with the help of a carrier receiver relay. A fault at point F 2 is also
cleared in the same way

Power Swings of Transmission Lines:

Power swings are surges of power due to the oscillations of
generators with respect to each other which may occur due to
change in load, switching or faults. The presence of power swing
does not necessarily mean the instability of the system. So, it is

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of utmost importance that the relay must distinguish between a
fault and a power swing, and respond correctly.

In general distance relays having mho characteristics are less

susceptible to power swings because of their narrow
characteristic. Generally, during power swings an out-of-slip
blocking relay operates. If the measuring element operates
within a certain time after operation of blocking relay, then
tripping is allowed. Modern distance relays are stable over a
wide range of power swings, they do not trip un-effectively, if
power swing returns to normal condition fairly soon. If the
condition prevails, the relay trips.

Auto-Reclosing of Transmission Lines:

It has been found that most of the line faults on overhead
transmission system are transient in nature. Statistical evidence
shows that about 90% of the faults are caused by lightning, birds,
vines, tree branches etc. These conditions result in such arcing
faults that if the fault energy infeed is interrupted for a short
period, the arc extinguishes and the line can be re-energised.

This fact is employed as a basis for auto-reclosure schemes. In

such schemes, after the relays at both ends of the line have
picked up, the circuit breakers are tripped as far as possible at
the same time and reclosed after time has been allowed for
deionization.

The fault disappears if it is transient, and line is fully restored to

service after the reclosure. If the fault is not cleared after the first
reclosure, a double or triple attempt of isolation and reclosure

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can be made. If the fault still persists, the breaker may
permanently open till it is reset manually.

An auto-reclosure consists essentially of an oil switch or breaker

actuated by relays which make it to open when predetermined
current values flow through it. Reclosures are usually connected
to protect portions of primary circuits and may take the place of
line fuses.

The switch or breaker is arranged to reclose after a short interval

of time and re-open again should the fault or overload
responsible for excess current flow persist. The reclosure can be
set for 3 or 4 operations before it locks itself open for manual
operation.

Oil circuit reclosures are increasingly employed in unattended

substations and rural distribution schemes, where the circuit
breakers are installed in outlying areas. They obviate the need
for an operator to proceed to the point to close the breaker
manually every time it trips.

Outages are thereby greatly reduced. In case of persisting fault

and getting the reclosure locked, necessitating manual resetting,
and the technician after investigating and clearing the fault
closes the reclosure.

Auto reclosing may be single or three phase type. Mostly single

phase auto-reclosing breakers are preferred as most of the
transmission faults are single phase to ground faults. Auto-
reclosing in single phase also improves stability as the power

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remains transmitted through the two healthy phases when one
phase is interrupted.

The breakers may be rapid auto reclosing type (about 20 cycles

or 0.4 second), or delayed auto reclosing (5 to 30 s) type. It is not
necessary to check synchronism with high speed reclosures
while with delayed auto reclosing breakers, it is necessary to
check synchronism before reclosing. For this purpose,
synchronising relays are employed

Engr Muhammad Zeeshan Page 28 of 28