Transient Testing of Protective Relays:

Study of Benefits and Methodology

(T-30)
Mladen Kezunovic, Texas A&M University
Sakis Meliopoulos, Georgia Institute of Technology
Ward Jewell, Wichita State University

PSerc IAB Meeting

Ames, IA - May 14-16, 2008
T-30

2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Industry Advisors
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Bajarang Agrawal (APS)

Ali A. Chowdhury (Mid American)
John Horwath (Exelon)
Joseph Hughes (EPRI)
Richard Hunt (NxtPhase)
Bill Middaugh (Tri-State)
Don Sevcik (CenterPoint Energy)
2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Overview
Part I: Distance Relay Test
Part II: Generator Relay Test
Part III: Load Shedding Relay Test
Conclusion

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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Part I: Distance Relay Test

Test Methodology
Test Scenarios
Laboratory Setup
Summary

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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Test Methodology
Power System Modeling: Select standard power system
models suitable for creating various disturbance scenarios.
Test Scenarios: Generate a set of test scenarios through
simulation, and/or collect records from disturbances of
interest
Test Implementation: Automate the simulation to minimize
the test time; Implement comparative tests for a set of
different relays with similar functions.
Analysis and Report: Collect relay responses, analyze the
results and summarize them in a test report with
comparative results analysis
Library of Test Cases: Form a library of test cases for easy
reuse and utilization as a future reference.

T-30

2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Test Classification
Conformance Test: To test the basic functionality of the relays,
verify the operating characteristics, calibrate relay settings and
implement periodic maintenance test.
Compliance Test: To verify whether a relay can operate
correctly under peculiar circumstances in power system
particularly during abnormal operating conditions.
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Transient signals
Statistical performance
The trip/no trip response
Tripping/operating time
Faults and non-faults scenarios
2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Test System Model

Two power system models are used to
simulate disturbance for the conformance
test and compliance test
Both automatic and manual simulation
were implemented in ATP
BUS 1

G
3

G
1
5

G
8

BUS 4

BUS 2
(1-n)Z L2

nZ L2

S1
S2

Fault
Location

mZ L1

L5

Z L4

ZM
CT

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PT

TR2
Alternate
Potential
Location

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(1-m)Z L1

SW

Alternate
Potential
Location

RELAY

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BUS 3
RELAY

S3

Z L3

13

Alternate
Potential
Location

14

RELAY

IEEE PSRC system for the Conformance Test

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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

IEEE 14-bus system for

the Compliance Test
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Test Scenarios
Conformance Test
Fault Scenarios (Dependability)
Internal Fault
External Fault
Switch onto Fault
Fault during Power Swing
One-End-Open Internal Fault
Internal Fault during Frequency Fluctuation

Non-fault Scenarios (Security)

Line Closing
Power Swing

Loss of Potential
Restoring the Potential

Loss of Load
Load Encroachment

Compliance Test
Vulnerable Lines (Overload)
Dynamic Conditions (Impedance Trajectory)
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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Test Scenarios
Automate simulation
with various disturbances
with different fault types,
locations, inception
angles and resistances
Batch simulation program block diagram

Output COMTRADE file

for waveform playback
and post-event analysis
ATPdraw model for manual simulation
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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

Laboratory Setup

9 PC based platform
9 Digital simulator
9 Relay Assistant
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Laboratory setup for protective relay test

2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

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Summary
Test Methodology
Test Classification

Power System Modeling Test Procedure

Test Scenarios
Transient-based

Steady State

Dynamic State

Test Laboratory Setup

Test on three distance relays
SEL-321
SEL-421
GE D60
Test results in the Final Report
The library of test cases
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2008 TAMU, GaTech and WSU.

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