Introduction

Power system protection is a branch of electrical power engineering that deals with the
protection of electrical power systems from faults through the isolation of faulted parts from the
rest of the electrical network. The objective of a protection scheme is to keep the power system
stable by isolating only the components that are under fault, whilst leaving as much of the
network as possible still in operation. Thus, protection schemes must apply a very pragmatic and
pessimistic approach to clearing system faults. For this reason, the technology and philosophies
utilized in protection schemes can often be old and well-established because they must be very
reliable.
We need to balance reliability and cost in designing a power system. While it is
impossible to avoid the occurrence of faults and other abnormal operation conditions that
produce large power system disturbances, a protection system is intended to take preventive or
corrective actions in such cases. The first line of defense is the protection of power system
elements. The function of this type of protection is to detect faults and abnormal conditions and
to disconnect the faulted element in order to prevent further damage in the element or a system
disturbance. Modern power systems operate near the security limits. The system also needs
protection functions at the system level that can include low frequency or low voltage load
shedding among others. Protection operation disconnects system elements. It is then important to
provide automatic restoration functions. Among these functions, we might mention automatic
reclosing of transmission lines, automatic transfer to alternate power supplies, and automatic
synchronization.
Protection systems usually comprise five components:

Current and voltage transformers to step down the high voltages and currents of the
electrical power system to convenient levels for the relays to deal with.

Protective relays to sense the fault and initiate a trip, or disconnection or order.

Circuit breakers to open/close the system based on relay and autorecloser commands.

Batteries to provide power in case of power disconnection in the system.

Communication channels to allow analysis of current and voltage at remote terminals of a

line and to allow remote tripping of equipment.

In electrical engineering, a protective relay is an electromechanical apparatus, often with

more than one coil, designed to calculate operating conditions on an electrical circuit and trip
circuit breakers when a fault is detected. Unlike switching type relays with fixed and usually illdefined operating voltage thresholds and operating times, protective relays have well-established,
selectable, time/current (or other operating parameter) operating characteristics. Protection relays
may use arrays of induction disks, shaded-pole magnets, operating and restraint coils, solenoidtype operators, telephone-relay contacts, and phase-shifting networks. Protection relays respond
to such conditions as over-current, over-voltage, reverse power flow, over- and under- frequency.
Over-voltage Relay
An over-voltage relay operates when the current produced by a load, or device connected
to the output of a circuit, exceeds a predetermined value. The over-voltage relay connects to a
transformer, or device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another. The relay is
calibrated to operate at or over a preset voltage level. When the relay is switched on, one or
multiple contacts trip, or open a circuit breaker.

Over-voltage relay

Over-current relay
An over-current relay is an electrical protection device designed to cut off the power
supply to a circuit, appliance, or machine in the event of an overload or failure. These devices
typically consist of a manual circuit breaker or contactor and a current sensing relay which
interlocks with it. Should the appliance or circuit be damaged or overloaded, it will begin to draw
current in excess of its normal operating parameters. This causes the current sensing relay to trip
the circuit breaker or deactivate the contactor and cut the power supply. As many machines draw
very high current when starting up, most over-current relays have a built in lag feature to
accommodate a high current draw for a preset period before activating.

Over-current relay

Objective
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

To study the applications of relay in electrical system protection.

To understand the function of relay in electrical system protection.
To investigate the operation of over-voltage relays.
To investigate the operation of over-current Definite Time Relays.
To investigate the operation of over-current IDMT relays.

Equipment and Apparatus

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

LN trainersion plugs.
Connect
Stopwatch
Multimeter
Over voltage relay (S03301 4N)
Over current definite time relay (S03301 4J)
Over current IDMT relay (S03301 4C)

Procedure
Task 1: Over-voltage Relay
1. Construct the circuit as in Figure 1.
2. Nominal voltage for the relay is 0-400V. Set the over-voltage range, Un = 90%.
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3. Set the ts = 2.5s

4. Turn on the switch on the trainer. Starting from 0V, increase the voltage until the red LED
(Un) starts to blink. Record the voltage.
5. Turn off the switch. Now, turn the switch on again but this time without changing the
variable voltage. Record the time taken for the relay to operate.
6. Repeat step (4) till step (5) for the overvoltage setting (>Un) at 100% and 110%.Record
all the readings in the Table 1.

Figure 1
Settings
Reading of voltage (V)
Time taken for the relay to
operate, (s)

Over-voltage =
90%
208v
3.2s

Over-voltage =
100%
240v
3.6s

Over-voltage
= 110%
260v
3.3s

Table 1

Task 2: Over-current Relay

A: Definite Time Relay (Current-independent relay)
1. Construct the circuit as in Figure 2.
To deactivate the circuit, set the undercurrent setting, I<In = 0%. Set tI = 0s.
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2. Nominal current of the relay is 1A.

Set the over-current relay setting (I<In) = 75% and the time factor tI = 5s.
3. Switch the power supply.
4. Starting from 0V, increase the voltage until the primary current reaches 0.75A.
Record the secondary current obtains.
5. Open the cut-out switch, reset the stopwatch and reclose the cut-out switch.
6. Record the time taken for the relay to close the circuit.
7. Repeat step (4) till step (6) for the primary currents as in Table 2 and record all the
readings.
8. Now, change the time factor tI10s.
9. Repeat step (3) till step (7) for the new setting as in Table 3 and record all the readings.

Figure 2

I<In = 75%, time factor tI5s

6

Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.34

0.45

0.56

0.71

0.67

0.82

No trip

No trip

No trip

No trip

7.5s

6.4s

Table 2
I<In = 75%, time factor tI10s
Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.35

0.47

0.59

0.7

0.74

0.81

No trip

No trip

No trip

No trip

6.5s

7s

Table 3

B: Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) Relay (Current-depandant relay)

1. Construct the circuit as in Figure 3.
2. Nominal current of the relay is 1A.
Set the over-current relay setting I<In = 0.5 and the time factor tI = 0.4s.
3. Switch the power supply on.
4. Starting from 0V, increase the voltage until the primary current reaches 0.75A.
Record the secondary current obtains.
5. Open the cut-out switch, reset the stopwatch and reclose the cut-out switch.
6. Record the time taken for the relay to close the circuit.
7. Repeat step (4) till step (6) for the primary currents as in Table 4 and record all the
readings.
8. Change the time factor tI 1.0. Repeat step (4) till step (7) for the new setting as in
table 5. Record all the readings.
9. Next, change the setting of the over-current relay, I<In = 1.0 with time factor tI 0.4
and I<In = 1.0 with time factor tI 1.0. Record the readings in table 6 and table 7.

Figure 3

I<In = 0.5, time factor tI0.4

Primary

0.75

1.0

1.25
8

1.5

1.75

2.0

Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.49

0.48

0.57

0.45

0.77

0.64

42.7s

18.5s

10.3s

6.7s

3.1s

2.9s

Table 4
I<In = 0.5 time factor tI1.0
Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.33

0.48

0.61

0.69

0.87

0.34

infinity

139s

24.25s

12.2s

11.5s

10s

Table 5

Task 3: Analysis and Discussion

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1. From task 1
a) Analyze and discuss the operation of overvoltage relay.
Overvoltages relays can be used to identify overvoltages and isolate equipment.
These relays operate when the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined ser-point.
The voltage is usually measured using a potential transformer. The details of the ratio
of the potential transformer are also entered into the relay. These relays are usually
provided with a time delay. The time delay can be either instantaneous, fixed time or
for IDMT (inverse definite minimum time) curves.
Generally, overvoltage relays are provided with sufficient time delay in order to
avoid unwanted tripping due to transients
These relays can be used to isolate feeders and other equipment connected to the
network. In the case of generators, these relay also switch off the excitation system to
the generators thereby preventing voltage build up.
b) Discuss the applications of overvoltage relay in electrical power protection by
giving examples where the usage of these relays is important.
The overvoltage relay is very useful in electrical power protection, in examples
we take a house that is given with 240v supply. The house will have the overvoltage
relay to protect the equipment inside the house. If there is something happen like
lightning or the voltage supply supplied more than needed, the overvoltage relay will
trip and it will save the equipment inside the house from damaged.

2. From task 2:

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a) Draw the graph of current vs t for definite time over-current relay and IDMT
over-current relay
i)

Definite time relay (current independent relay)

I<In = 75%, time factor tI5s

Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.38

0.52

0.62

0.75

0.87

1.00

5.44

6.17

6.10

6.09

Table 2

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5
2
1.5
10.75
0.38
0.5
Current(A)

1
0.52

1.25
0.62

1.5
0.75

1.75
0.87

2
1
Primary current, I1

Secondary current, I2

Time(s)

Table 2 graph

I<In = 75%, time factor tI10s

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Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to
trip, t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.38

0.50

0.62

0.75

0.87

0.99

10.04

10.09

10.12

9.98

Table 3

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5
2
1.5
10.75
0.38
0.5
Current(A)

1
0.5

1.25
0.62

1.5
0.75

1.75
0.87

2
0.99
Primary current, I1

Secondary current, I2

Time(s)

Table 3 graph

ii)

Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) Relay (Current dependent

relay)

I<In = 0.5, time factor tI0.4

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Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to trip,
t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.38

0.50

0.60

0.75

0.87

1.0

4.625

3.805

4.095

4.355

4.265

Table 4

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5

1.75

1.5
1.25
1.5
1
0.87
10.75 0.5 0.6 0.75
0.38
0.5

2
1
Primary current, I1

Current(A)

Secondary current, I2

Time(s)

Table 4 Graph

I<In = 0.5, time factor tI1.0

Primary

0.75

1.0
13

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to trip,
t(s)

0.37

0.50

0.62

0.75

0.87

1.0

10.26

10.11

10.09

10.21

10.26

Table 5

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5
2
1.5
10.75
0.37
0.5
Current(A)

1
0.5

1.25
0.62

1.5
0.75

1.75
0.87

2
1
Primary current, I1

Secondary current, I2

Time(s)

Table 5 Graph

I<In = 1.0, time factor tI0.4

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Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to trip,
t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.36

0.51

0.62

0.74

0.87

1.0

4.21

Table 6

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5
2
2

1.75
1.5

1.5
Current(A)

1.25

Primary current, I1

1
10.75
0.50.36
0

0.51

0.62

0.74

Time(s)

Table 6 Graph

I<In = 1.0, time factor tI1.0

15

0.87

4.21

Secondary current, I2

Primary
Current,I1
(A)
Secondary
Current,I2
(A)
Time to trip,
t(s)

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.5

1.75

2.0

0.37

0.48

0.61

0.75

0.87

0.99

10.06

Table 7

Graph Current(A) vs Time(s)

2.5
2
2

1.75
1.5

1.5
Current(A)

1.25

Primary current, I1

1
10.75
0.50.37
0

0.48

0.61

0.75

0.87

Time(s)

Table 7 Graph

b) Discuss the difference between two relays

16

0.99

10.06

Secondary current, I2

Inverse definite minimum time relay (IDMT) relays have such tripping
characteristics that, for a particular range of low values of current the tripping time
varies inversely with the value of current. But beyond a certain current limit the
tripping time becomes constant (definite) and causes tripping in minimum time.
IDMT means inverse definite minimum time. In this type of relay as the value
of operand that is current increase time taken by the relay to operate decrease. Higher
the current lower is the time taken by the relay to operate and DMT definite minimum
time (DMT) relay take its minimum time to operate regardless of the value of the
current. The definite mean time lag in disc type EM relays is inverse to current as the
disc is faster at higher current and hence the less time. Definite mean time lag is
possible in static relays by setting the time lag.

Conclusion

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The overvoltage protection and over-current protection are completely different.

Overvoltage relay meant for sensing over voltages and protects the system from insulation break
down and firing. Over-current relay meant for sensing any internal short circuit, over load
condition, earth fault thereby reducing the system failure and risk of fire. So, for a better
protection of the system, it should have both over voltage and over current relay. In this lab we
can see the differences between the over current relay and overvoltage relay. We can see the
differences between the time when there are over voltage and over current are happening. In
electrical system building this over current and overvoltage protection is needed to protect the
devices and equipment that using power supply from damage. That is why in circuit breaker this
system protection is installed.

Reference
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_system_protection
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2) http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-overcurrent-relay.htm
3) http://www.ehow.com/facts_7488098_works-voltage-relay.html

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