Institute of Technology of Cambodia

Department of Electrical and Energy

Engineering

Overcurrent Relay

Prepared by
Lyhour YOU and Sokleap HEANG

Academic Year
2024-2025
 General
● A protective relay which operates when the load current exceeds a preset value, is
called an overcurrent relay.

● The value of the preset current above which the relay operates is known as its pick-up
value.

● Overcurrent relays offer the cheapest and simplest form of protection.

● These relays are used for the protection of distribution lines, large motors, power
equipment, industrial systems, etc.

● A scheme which incorporates overcurrent relays for the protection of an element of a

power system, is known as an overcurrent protection scheme or overcurrent protection.
Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
2
 Time-Current Characteristics
● Based on the relay
operating characteristics,
overcurrent relays can be
classified into three groups:

○ definite current or
instantaneous,
○ definite time, and
○ inverse time.

Figure ‒ Time-current operating characteristics of overcurrent relays.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
3
Definite-current OC Relay
● This type of relay operates instantaneously when the
current reaches a predetermined value.

● The setting is chosen so that, at the substation

furthest away from the source, the relay will operate
for a low current value and the relay operating
currents are progressively increased at each
substation, moving towards the source.

● Thus, the relay with the lower setting operates first

Figure ‒ Definite -current characteristic.
and disconnects load at the point nearest to the fault.
Source:
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205. 4
 Definite-current OC Relay

● There is no intentional time -delay.

● It operates in 0.1 s or less.

● Sometimes the term like “high set” or “high speed” is used for very fast relays having
operating times less than 0.1 s.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
5
Definite-current OC Relay
● On the other hand, when the feeder impedance or the impedance of the element to
be protected is high, instantaneous protection has advantages of reducing the relay’s
operating time for severe faults and avoiding loss of selectivity when the system uses
relays with different characteristics

● This type of protection has the drawback of having little selectivity at high values of
short-circuit current.

● Another disadvantage is the difficulty of distinguishing between the fault current at one
point or another when the impedance between these points is small in comparison to
the impedance back to the source, leading to the possibility of poor discrimination.
Source:
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
6
 Instantaneous OC Relay Setting
● The adjustment of instantaneous overcurrent relay setting depends on relay location
and type of element to be protected.

Location and Type of Element Setting of Instantaneous Overcurrent Relays

minimum of 1.25 times the rms current for the maximum

lines between substations
symmetrical fault level at the next substation
50% of maximum short-circuit current at the
distribution lines ended
point of CT connection or in the range from 6 to 10 times
by MV/ LV transformers
the maximum circuit rating
lies between 1.25 and 1.50 times the short-circuit current
primary side of the transformer flowing into the bus bar on the LV side, referred to as the
high-voltage (HV) side

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric

Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
7
Definite-time OC Relay

● A definite -time overcurrent relay operates after a

predetermined time when the current exceeds its
pick-up value.

● This type of relay enables the setting to be varied

to cope with different levels of current by using
different operating times.

Figure ‒ Definite -time characteristic.

Source:
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205. 8
 Definite-time OC Relay

● Since the operating time for definite -time relays

can be adjusted in fixed steps, the protection is
more selective.

● The big disadvantage with this method of

discrimination is that faults near to the source,
which result in bigger currents, may be cleared in a
relatively long time. Figure ‒ Definite -time characteristic.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
9
Inverse-time Characteristics

● The fundamental property of these relays is that

they operate in a time that is inversely proportional
to the fault current.

● Their advantage over definite-time relays is that,

for very high currents, much shorter tripping times
can be obtained without risk to the protection
selectivity.
Figure ‒ Inverse-time characteristic.

Source:
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205. 10
Inverse-time Characteristics
● Inverse-time OC relay are generally classified in
accordance with their characteristic curve that
indicates the speed of operation; based on this
they are commonly defined as being

○ Inverse-time,
○ very inverse, and
○ extremely inverse.

● Inverse-time are also referred to as inverse definite

minimum time or IDMT.
Source: Figure ‒ I.D.M.T., very inverse -time
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. and extremely inverse -time
A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United characteristics.
Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed. Tata
McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248. 11
 Setting of OC Relay
● The operating time of an overcurrent relay has to be delayed to ensure that, in the
presence of a fault, the relay does not trip before any other protection situated closer
to the fault.

● The adjustment of definite-time and inverse-time relays can be carried out by

determining two settings:

○ time-dial (time multiplier) setting and

○ Pick-up or plug (tap setting) setting.

Source:
[1] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press,
2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
[2] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 12
 Pick-up Setting

● The pick-up setting, or plug setting, is used to define the pick-up current of the relay,
and fault currents seen by the relay are expressed as multiples of this.

● This value is usually referred to as the plug setting multiplier (PSM), which is defined as
the ratio of the fault current in secondary amps to the relay pick-up or plug setting.

● The plug-setting (current-setting) can either be given directly in amperes or indirectly as

percentages of the rated current.

Source:
[1] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press,
2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
[2] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 13
Pick-up Setting
● An overcurrent relay which is used for phase -to-phase fault protection, can be set at 50%
to 200% of the rated current in steps of 25%.

● The usual current rating of this relay is 5 A. So it can be set at 2.5 A, 3.75 A, 5 A, ...,10 A.

● When a relay is set at 2.5 A, it will operate when current exceeds 2.5 A.

● When the relay is set at 10 A, it will operate when current exceeds 10 A.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
14
Pick-up Setting
● The relay which is used for protection against ground faults (earth -fault relay) has settings
20% to 80% of the rated current in steps of 10%.

● The current rating of an earth-fault relay is usually 1 A

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
15
 Pick-up Setting
● It is determined by allowing a margin for overload above the nominal current as in the
relation here

𝐾𝐾𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 × 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 − 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 =
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
where

𝐾𝐾𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 = Overload factor (OLF) that depend on element being protected

𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = Nominal rated current [A]

𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = Current transformer ratio

Source:
[1] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press,
2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
[2] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 16
Pick-up Setting
● In any case 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 has to be smaller than those of the CT and the thermal capacity of the
conductor; otherwise the smallest value has to be taken to calculate the pick-up setting.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
17
 Overload Factor
Figure ‒ The recommended value of 𝐾𝐾𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 .

Location and Type of Element Value

Motor 1.05

Lines, Transformers and Generators 1.25 – 1.5

Distribution feeders under emergency conditions

2
where it is possible to increase the loading

Source:
[1] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press,
2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
[2] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 18
Plug Setting Multiplier
● The actual r.m.s. current flowing in the relay expressed as a multiple of the setting
current (pickup current) is known as the plug setting multiplier (PSM).

● Suppose, the rating of a relay is 5 A and it is set at 200%, i.e. at 10 A.

● If the current flowing through the relay is 100 A, then the plug setting multiplier will be
10.

● The PSM = 4 means 40 A of current is flowing, PSM = 6 means 60 A of current is

flowing and so on.

● If the same relay is set at 50%, i.e. at 2.5 A, the PSM = 4 means 10 A; PSM = 6 means
15 A; PSM = 10 means 25 A and so on.
Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
19
Plug Setting Multiplier
● Hence, PSM can be expressed as
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 =
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓, 𝑖𝑖. 𝑒𝑒. 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
=
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 × 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶

● While plotting the time-current characteristic, if PSM is taken on the X-axis, there will be
only one curve for all the settings of the relay.

● The curve is generally plotted on log/ log graph. Only this curve will give the operating
time for different settings of the relay.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
20
Plug Setting Multiplier
● Suppose the relay is set at 5 A.

Figure ‒ Standard I.D.M.T. characteristic.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
21
Plug Setting Multiplier
● If the same relay is set at 10 A, the corresponding
operating times for different currents

Figure ‒ Standard I.D.M.T. characteristic.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
22
 Time-dial Setting
● The time dial setting adjusts the time delay before the relay operates whenever the fault
current reaches a value equal to, or greater than, the relay current setting.

● Time-dial setting, sometimes referred to as time multiplier setting, is determined for the
different relays installed on the system by defining the time delay of each relay, keeping
the time grading and discrimination margin.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric

Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
23
 Time-Grading

● The operating time of both overcurrent definite -time relays and overcurrent inverse-time
relays must be adjusted in such a way that the relay closer to the fault trips before any
other protection.

● This is known as time-grading.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric

Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
24
Discrimination Margin

● The settings can be adjusted in such a way that the breaker nearest to the fault is
tripped in the shortest time, and then the remaining breakers are tripped in succession
using longer time delays, moving back towards the source.

● The difference between the tripping times for the same current is called the
discrimination margin.

● It is typically taken in the order of 0.25 to 0.4 s for electromagnetic and static relays and
0.2 s for the digital relays

Source:
[1] J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds.,
2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
[2] A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205. 25
 Discrimination Margin
● The curves of inverse-time
overcurrent relays associated
with two breakers on the same
feeder in a typical system
illustrating the difference in the
operating time of these relays at
the same fault levels in order to
satisfy the discrimination margin
Figure ‒ Overcurrent inverse-time relay curves associated with two
requirements. breakers on the same feeder .

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
26
 Time Multiplier Setting
● There are 10 steps in which time can be set. The term
time multiplier setting (TMS) is used for these steps of
time settings.

● The values of TMS are 0.1, 0.2, ..., 0.9, 1. Suppose that
at a particular value of the current or plug setting
multiplier (PSM), the operating time is 4 s with TMS = 1.

● The operating time for the same current with TMS = 0.5
will be 4 × 0.5 = 2 s.

● The operating time with TMS = 0.2 will be 4 × 0.2 = 0.8 s Figure ‒ Time-current characteristics for
different values of TMS.
Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
30
 Example
The current rating of an overcurrent relay is 5 A. The relay has a plug setting of 150% and
time multiplier setting (TMS) of 0.4. The CT ratio is 400/ 5. Determine the operating time of
the relay for a fault current of 6000 A. At TMS = 1, operating time at various PSM are given
in the Table 5.3.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
31
Time Discrimination Margin
● A time discrimination margin between two successive time/current characteristics of the
order of 0.25 to 0.4 s should be typically used.

● This value avoids losing selectivity due to one or more of the following [44]:

○ breaker opening time;

○ relay overrun time after the fault has been cleared;
○ variations in fault levels, deviations from the characteristic curves of the relays (for
example, due to manufacturing tolerances), and errors in the current transformers.
In numerical relays there is no overrun, and therefore the margin could be chosen
as low as 0.2 s.

33
 IEC Operate Curves
0.14 13.5
● Curve C1 Inverse 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 ● Curve C3 Extremely Inverse 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
(𝑀𝑀0.02 −1) (𝑀𝑀 − 1)

120 80
● Curve C2 Very Inverse 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 ● Curve C4 Long Time 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
(𝑀𝑀 − 1) (𝑀𝑀2 − 1)

where

𝑡𝑡 = Operating time or tripping time [s]

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = Time dial setting or Time multiplier setting (TMS)

𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀 = Multiple of pick up =
𝐼𝐼𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶

Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
34
 Example
● For a basic pick up of 2 A and time dial (TD) of 0.5, the operate time at 20 A (10 x pick
up).

● Calculate the operating time of

○ Curve C1 Inverse
○ Curve C2 Very Inverse
○ Curve C3 Extremely Inverse
○ Curve C4 Long Time

Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
35
 Time Delay to Reset
● Each set of curves also has a corresponding functions that defines the time to reset the
disc to its normal position after it has closed contacts.

● This happens when the actuating current has disappear as would happen when the
breaker trips to eliminate the fault current.

● The time delay to reset is calculated as follow

−𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 × 1.08
𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑟 =
(𝑀𝑀2 −1)
where

𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑟 = Time delay to reset [s]

Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
37
 Typical US Curves (ANSI/IEEE)
● Curve U1 Moderately Inverse ● Curve U3 Very Inverse
0.0104 5.95
𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 0.0226 + 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 0.180 +
(𝑀𝑀0.02 −1) (𝑀𝑀2 −1)
● Curve U2 Inverse ● Curve U4 Extremely Time
3.88 5.67
𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 0.0963 + 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 0.0352 +
(𝑀𝑀2 −1) (𝑀𝑀2 −1)
where

𝑡𝑡 = Operating time [s]

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = Time dial setting

𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀 = Multiple of pick up =
𝐼𝐼𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶

Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
38
 Example
● For a basic pick up of 2 A and time dial (TD) of 0.5, the operate time at 20 A (10 x pick
up).

● Calculate the operating time of

○ Curve U1 Moderately Inverse

○ Curve U2 Inverse
○ Curve U3 Very Inverse
○ Curve U4 Extremely Time

Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
39
Use of Mathematical Expression for the
Relay Characteristics
● The procedure indicated above for phase and earth units can easily be used when the
operating characteristics of the relays are defined by mathematical formulae instead of
by curves on log-log paper.

● IEC and ANSI/ IEEE Standards define the operating time mathematically by the following
expression

𝑘𝑘 × 𝛽𝛽
𝑡𝑡 = + 𝐿𝐿
𝐼𝐼 𝛼𝛼
−1
𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
40
Use of Mathematical Expression for the
Relay Characteristics

where

𝑡𝑡 = Relay operating time [s]

𝑘𝑘 = Time-dail (TD) or time multiplier setting (TMS)

𝐼𝐼 = Fault current level in secondary [A]

𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠 = pick-up current selected [A]

𝐿𝐿 = constant

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
41
Use of Mathematical Expression for the
Relay Characteristics
Table ‒ ANSI/ IEEE and IEC constants for standard
overcurrent relays.

● The constants α and β determine the

slope of the relay characteristics.

● The values of α, β and L for various

standard overcurrent relay types
manufactured under ANSI/ IEEE and
IEC Standards.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne
Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108.
42
 Figure ‒ IEC overcurrent relay curves. Figure ‒ ANSI/ IEEE overcurrent relay curves.
Source: C. John and C. Aaron, "Basic Types of Protection Relays and Their Operation," in Power System Protection,
(Power and Energy Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey: IEEE-Wiley, 2021, ch. 4, pp. 57-94.
43
 Coordination for Overcurrent Protective
● Overcurrent protective Coordination are widely used for the protection of distribution lines.

● A radial feeder may be sectionalized and two or more overcurrent relays may be used, one
relay for the protection of each section of the feeder.

● For proper selectivity of the relays, one of the following schemes can be employed,
depending on the system conditions:

i. Time-graded system
ii. Current-graded system
iii. A combination of time and current grading.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
44
 Time-graded Overcurrent Protection of a
Feeder (1/3)
● In this scheme, definite -time overcurrent relays are used.

● When a definite-time relay operates for a fault current, it starts a timing unit which trips
the circuit breaker after a preset time, which is independent of the fault current.

● The difference in the time setting of two adjacent relays is usually kept at 0.5 s.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
45
 Time-graded Overcurrent Protection of a
Feeder (2/3)
● When a fault occurs beyond C, all relays come into action as the fault current flows
through all of them. The least time setting is for the relay placed at C.

● So it operates after 0.5 s and the fault is cleared. Now the relays at A and B are reset.

Figure ‒ Time-graded overcurrent protection of a feeder. Figure ‒ Fault detection by three protection units.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
46
 Time-graded Overcurrent Protection of a
Feeder (3/3)
● If the relay or circuit breaker at C fails, the fault remains uncleared. In this situation,
after 1 s, the relay at B will operate and the circuit breaker at B will trip. If the circuit
breaker at B also fails to operate, after 1.5 s, circuit breaker at A will trip.

Figure ‒ Time-graded overcurrent protection of a feeder. Figure ‒ Fault detection by three protection units.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
47
 Advantages
● This coordination system has the advantages of simplicity and providing its own backup:
for example, if R1 fails, R2 is activated Δ𝑡𝑡 later.

● On the other hand, in the presence of a large number of cascading relays, since the
farthest-upstream relay has the largest time delay, the fault clearing time becomes
incompatible with short-circuit current withstand

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric

Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
48
Drawback
● The drawback of this scheme is that for faults near the power source, the operating
time is more.

● If a fault occurs near the power source, it involves a large current and hence it should
be cleared quickly.

● But this scheme takes the longest time in clearing the heaviest fault, which is
undesirable because the heaviest fault is the most destructive

49
 Types of Time Delay

● The principle of time -based coordination is applied to radial distribution systems.

● The time delays set are activated when the current exceeds the relay settings.

● Three types of time delay are applied according to protection characteristics:

○ definite-time,
○ inverse-time and
○ combined inverse-time and instantaneous protection systems.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric

Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
50
 Definite-time Protection
● Where the time delay is constant and independent
of the current as shown by the protection tripping
curves plotted.

● The current threshold setting, Iset,Ri, of relays R1,

R2 and R3 must be such that

𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠,𝑅𝑅𝑅 > 𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠,𝑅𝑅2 > 𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠,𝑅𝑅1

Figure ‒ Time-delay coordination for definite-time

protection.

Figure ‒ Fault detection by three protection units.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
51
 Inverse-time Protection
● If the current thresholds are set at a value close
to the nominal currents, In,Ri (e.g., Iset,Ri = 1.2
In,Ri), protection against both overloads and short
circuits is ensured.

● The time delays are set to obtain the coordination

interval Δt for the maximum current seen by the
downstream protection relay

Figure ‒ Time-delay coordination for IDMT

protection.
Figure ‒ Fault detection by three protection units.
Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
52
 Combined Inverse-time and
Instantaneous Protection
● It has the same principle of IDMT as well as the
instantaneous tripping at maximum downstream
short-circuit current, max Isc,Ri.

Figure ‒ Fault detection by three protection units.

Figure ‒ Time-delay coordination for combined

inverse-time and instantaneous protection.
Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
53
 Current-graded System (1/6)
● In a current -graded scheme, the relays are set to pick-up at progressively higher values
of current towards the source.

● The relays employed in this scheme are high set (high speed) instantaneous overcurrent
relays.

● The operating time is kept the same for all relays used to protect different sections of
the feeder.

● The current setting for a relay corresponds to the fault current level for the feeder
section to be protected.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
54
 Current-graded System (2/6)
● In a current -graded scheme, the relays are set to pick-up at progressively higher values
of current towards the source.

● The relays employed in this scheme are high set (high speed) instantaneous overcurrent
relays.

● The operating time is kept the same for all relays used to protect different sections of
the feeder.

● The current setting for a relay corresponds to the fault current level for the feeder
section to be protected.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
55
 Current-graded System (3/6)
● Ideally, the relay at B should trip for faults
any where between B and C.

● But it should not operate for faults beyond C.

Similarly, the relay at A should trip for faults
between A and B.

● The relay at C should trip for faults beyond C.

Figure ‒ Instantaneous overcurrent protection of a
● This ideal operation is not achieved due to feeder.

the following reasons:

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
56
 Current-graded System (4/6)
i. The relay at A is not able to differentiate
between faults very close to B which may be
on either side of B. If a fault in the section
BC is very close to the station B, the relay
at A ‘understands’ that it is in section AB.
This happens due to the fact that there is
very little difference in fault currents if a Figure ‒ Instantaneous overcurrent protection of a
feeder.
fault occurs at the end of the section AB or
in the beginning of the section BC.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
57
 Current-graded System (5/6)

ii. The magnitude of the fault current cannot

be accurately determined as all the circuit
parameters may not be known.

iii. During a fault, there is a transient conditions

and the performance of the relays is not Figure ‒ Instantaneous overcurrent protection of a
feeder.
accurate.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
58
 Current-graded System (6/6)

● Consequently, to obtain proper

discrimination, relays are set to protect only
a part of the feeder, usually about 80%.

● Since this scheme cannot protect the entire

feeder, this system is not used alone.

● It may be used in conjunction with I.D.M.T.

Figure ‒ Combined instantaneous and I.D.M.T.
relays, protection.

Source: R. Badri and V. D N, "Overcurrent Protection," in Power System Protection and Switchgear, 2nd ed.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008., 2011, ch. 5, pp. 221-248.
59
 Drawback
● On the other hand, current -based
coordination has drawbacks where the
upstream protection unit R2 does not
provide backup for the downstream
protection unit R1.

● In addition, practically, in the case of

MV systems except for sections with
transformers, there is no notable
decrease in current between two
Figure ‒ Current-based coordination: (a) line diagram; (b)
adjacent areas. tripping curves.
Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
60
 Drawback

● Therefore, to define the settings for

two cascading protection units and
ensure the coordination is difficult

Figure ‒ Current-based coordination: (a) line diagram; (b)

tripping curves.
Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
61
 Logic Coordination (1/5)
● It is designed and developed to solve the drawbacks of both time -based and current-
based coordination.

● With this system, coordination intervals between two successive protection units are not
needed.

● Furthermore, the tripping time delay of the CB closest to the source is considerably
reduced.

Figure ‒ Logic coordination principles.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
62
 Logic Coordination (2/5)
● When a fault occurs in a radial system, the protection units upstream from the fault (R1,
R2, R3) are activated and those downstream are not.

● Each protection unit activated by the fault sends a blocking signal to the upstream level
as an order to increase the upstream relay time delay.

● Only the first CB, CB1, directly upstream of the fault is tripped since the protection unit
R1 has not received a blocking signal from the downstream level.

Figure ‒ Logic coordination principles.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
63
 Logic Coordination (3/5)
● Therefore, protection unit R1 gives a tripping order to CB1 and sends a blocking signal
to R2, which in turn sends a blocking signal to R3.

● The tripping order given by R1 is provided after a time delay t R1, and the duration of
blocking signal to R2 is limited to t R1 + t 1, where t 1 is the sum of opening and arc
extinction time of CB1.

Figure ‒ Logic coordination principles.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
64
 Logic Coordination (4/5)
● Thus, if CB1 fails to trip, protection unit R2 gives a tripping order at t R1 + t 1 as a backup
protection.

● Of course, if a fault occurs between CB1 and CB2, the protection unit R2 triggers
tripping after a time delay t R2.

Figure ‒ Logic coordination principles.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
65
 Logic Coordination (5/5)
● To implement the logic coordination, extra wiring is needed for transmitting logic signals
between the different protection units.

● This causes difficulty in the case of long links, as the protection units are far apart from
each other.

● This problem may be solved by using logic coordination in the nearby switchboards and
time-based coordination between zones that are far apart.

Figure ‒ Logic coordination principles.

Source: A. S. Abdelhay and P. M. Om, "Protection: Current-Based Schemes," in Electric
Distribution Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019, ch. 7, pp. 163-205.
66
 Example (1/3)
For the system shown in Figure, and starting from the data
that are given there, carry out the following:

1. Calculate the nominal currents and three-phase short-

circuit levels at each breaker.

2. Select the transformation ratios of the CTs.

3. Determine the values of the pick-up setting, time dial

and instantaneous settings of all phase relays to ensure
a co-ordinated protection arrangement.

Figure ‒ Schematic diagram for Example.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution
Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and
Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 67
 Example (2/3)
4. Draw the time/ current characteristics of the relays on
the system.

5. Find the percentage of the line BC protected by the

instantaneous unit of the overcurrent relay associated
with breaker 2.

Figure ‒ Schematic diagram for Example.

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution
Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and
Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 68
 Example (3/3)
Take into account the following considerations:

1. The discrimination margin to be 0.4 s.

2. All relays have inverse time characteristics, as

shown in Figure.

3. Relay data:

○ Pick-up setting: 1 to 12 A in steps of 1 A

○ Time dial setting: as in Figure
○ Instantaneous: 6 to 144 A in steps of 1 A.

Figure ‒ Typical operating curves for an

Source: J. M. Gers and E. J. Holmes, "Overcurrent protection," in Protection of Electricity Distribution
Networks, P. A. T. Johns and D. F. Warne Eds., 2nd ed. The Institution of Engineering and
inverse-time relay.
Technology, London, United Kingdom: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2004, ch. 5, pp. 63-108. 69
Thank You for Your Attention

93