‫‪Lecture 4‬‬

‫‪OVER CURRENT‬‬
‫‪PROTECTION‬‬

‫األستاذ الدكتور ‪ :‬سعدي عبد الحميد السيد‬

 OC protection is that protection in which the relay picks up
when the magnitude of current exceeds the pickup level.
The basic element in OC protection is an OC relay.
The OC relays are connected to the system, normally by
means of CT's
HRC fuses, drop out fuses, etc. are used in low voltage,
medium voltage and high voltage distribution systems,
generally up to 11 kV

Thermal relays are used widely for over load & over-current
protection
When normal current flows through relay coil, the magnetic
effect is not sufficient to move the moving element of the relay,
But when the current through the coil increased, The force
generated by the magnetic effect increase the restraining force, as a
result, starts moving to change the contact position in the relay
 OC protection includes the protection from overloads which is
generally provided by thermal relays.
 OC protection includes short-circuit protection. SC currents are
generally several times (5 to 20) full load current. Hence fast fault
clearance is always desirable on short-circuits
OC protection should not operate for starting currents,
permissible over-current, and current surges. To achieve this, the
time delay is provided (in case of inverse relays). If time delay
cannot be permitted, high-set instantaneous relaying is used.
 The protection should be coordinated with neighboring over
current protections so as to discriminate.
 Overcurrent relays
It Is the simplest and cheaper type of protection used for
lines, transformers, generators and motor.

Overcurrent relays Types:-

Based on operating time characteristics, normally defined by
the time vs. current curve (or T-I curve), there are three
main types :
a- Instantaneous
b- Time-dependent ( Definite time or Inverse time)
c- Mixed ( Definite time + Inverse time)
 Types of Overcurrent Relays
a. Instantaneous Overcurrent Relays.
These relays operate, or pick-up at a
specific value of current, with no time
delay. The pick-up setting is usually
adjustable by means of a dial, or by plug
settings in mechanical relays.
The simplest form of these relays are
the magnetic attraction types, Solid-
State, digital and numerical over-current
relays .
Instantaneous Overcurrent Relays operate without time delay, (
0.1s). In digital relay the operating time is less than 3 cycles
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b. Timed Overcurrent Relays. Operate with a time delay.
Time delay is adjustable. Pick up current is also adjustable
Two types are used: 1. Definite Time Lag
2. Inverse Relay (IDMT Inverse definite minimum time)
1- Definite-Time Overcurrent Relays (DT)

Relay has Definite-

Time lag before
pick up for all
faults level

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2 Inverses-Time
This type of relay have an operating time depending on the value
of the current, generally with an inverse characteristic,(increasing
time decreasing current or voice versa)
The operation time of the relay is smaller as the current gets
larger (small value of time compared with current value).
Also have two settings: (pick-up current and - time level).
There are Four different types (depends on their time-current
characteristic curves) :-
a) Moderately inverse
a) Inverse (Normal)
b) Very inverse
c) Extremely inverse
Comparison of Inverse Characteristics for Modified Inverse, Very
Inverse, and Extremely Inverse Characteristics
 Characteristics of Relay Units for
Over-current Protection
In definite characteristic
the time of operation is almost definite
I0 t = K
where I = Current in relay coil, t = Relay time, K Constant

In inverse characteristic
time is inversely proportional to current
I1 t = K
In more inverse characteristic
In t = K
where n can be between 2 to 8. The choice depends on discrimination
desired
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3- Mixed Curves Over-Current Relays
Mixed curves have all the advantages of the different types of
overcurrent relays. As the over current elements are built as separate
units, we may implement the over-current protection principles
using:
a) a combination of instantaneous and definite-time elements .
b) a combination of instantaneous and inverse-time elements.
c) a combination of instantaneous, definite-time and inverse-
time elements.
d) a combination of definite-time and inverse-time
elements(IDMT).
Mixed Curves (Inverse-Time +Definite -Time) IDMT –
Characteristics

The most commonly used type of relay is the inverse definite with
minimum time lag relay (IDMT) in which inverse characteristic
plus definite time characteristic are used.
The operating time is approximately inversely proportional to the
fault current near pickup value and become substantially constant
slightly above the pick up value of the relay
Induction type can be used to obtain this characteristic.
(Inverse-Time +Definite -Time) IDMT –Characteristics
Standard Time and Inverse definite minimum time
(IDMT) Relay Characteristics
In American standard the time over-current relay are
five different types of characteristic curves.
- CO-6 Definite minimum,
- CO-7 Moderately inverse,
- CO-8 Inverse,
- CO-9 Very inverse,
- CO-11 Extremely inverse,
The time level settings are selected so that all relays
operate in 0.2 sec at 20 times the tap setting.
These time-current characteristics are compared in Figure in next
slides.
Curve Equation for IDMT relays
The typical time curves for CO-8 American over-current
relay(normal inverse) characteristics can be approximated by the
following equation.
The typical time curves for IEC standard overcurrent
relay(normal inverse) characteristics can be approximated by
the following equation.
IDMT Relay Characteristics
(IEC 60255)
Setting Overcurrent Protection
„ I- Load current to be carried – safety margin of 30 to
50%
„ II- Minimum fault current to be detected
1- Phase to phase or phase to earth
2- Allowance for fault resistance
3- Back-up for failure of adjacent protection
„ III- Maximum fault current to be detected
„ - Short-time rating of protected equipment
„ Time coordination margin between adjacent protection
schemes
The pickup current

“is the minimum value of the operating current of the

relay”

a- Phase Relay

■ 1/3 Ifmin ≥ Ipu ≥2ILmax

b- Ground Relay

• Ipu >I permissible unbalance

Line Protection
The lines (feeders) can be protected by
1. Instantaneous over-current relays.
2. Definite time Over-current relays
3. Inverse time over-current relays.
4. Directional over-current relay.

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Transformer Protection
Transformers are provided with OC protection against
faults, only, when the cost of differential relaying cannot be
justified.
OC relays are provided in addition to differential relays to
take care of through faults. Temperature indicators and
alarms are always provided for large transformers.
Small transformers below 500 kVA installed in distribution
system are generally protected by fuses, as the cost of relays
plus circuit-breakers is not generally justified

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Motor Protection
OC protection is the basic type of protection used against
overloads and short-circuits in stator windings of motors.
Inverse time and instantaneous phase and ground OC relays
can be employed for motors above 1200 H.P.
For small/medium size motors where cost of CT's and
protective relays is not economically justified, thermal
relays and HRC fuses are employed, thermal relays used for
overload protection and HRC fuses for short-circuit
protection.

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 Example :
A three phase induction motor of 900 HP , Vr = 4.16
KV, cos (phi) = 0.87 , Eff. = 0.94, f = 50 s / c is
protected against phase and earth faults in the stator
windings by using two overcurrent relays in phases
and one earth fault relay in the residual circuit.
If the motor starting current at full load condition
is 5Ir , where Ir is the motor rated current.
(1) Find the C. t. ratio
(2) Determine the overcurrent and earth fault relays
settings
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