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Types of Relays
Types of protection relays are mainly based on their characteristic, logic, on actuating parameter and operation mechanism.
Based on operation mechanism protection relay can be categorized as electro magnetic relay, static relay and mechanical relay.
Actually relay is nothing but a combination of one or more open or closed contacts. These all or some specific contacts the relay
change their state when actuating parameters are applied to the relay. That means open contacts become closed and closed
contacts become open. In electromagnetic relay these closing and opening of relay contacts are done by electromagnetic action
of a solenoid.
In mechanical relay these closing and opening of relay contacts are done by mechanical displacement of different gear level
system.
In static relay it is mainly done by semiconductor switches like thyristor.
In digital relay on and off state can be referred as 1 and 0 state.
Based on Characteristic the protection relay can be categorized as1. Definite time relays

Definite Time Over Current Relay

This relay is created by applying intentional time delay after crossing pick up value of the current. A definite time over current
relay can be adjusted to issue a trip output at definite amount of time after it picks up. Thus, it has a time setting adjustment
and pick up adjustment.
1. Inverse time relays with definite minimum time(IDMT)

Ideal inverse time characteristics can not be achieved, in an over current relay. As the current in the system increases, the
secondary current of the current transformer is increased proportionally. The secondary current is fed to the relay current coil.
But when the CT becomes saturated, there would not be further proportional increase of CT secondary current with increased
system current.
From this phenomenon it is clear that from trick value to certain range of faulty level, an inverse time relay shows exact inverse
characteristic. But after this level of fault, the CT becomes saturated and relay current does not increase further with increasing
faulty level of the system. As the relay current is not increased further, there would not be any further reduction in time of
operation in the relay. This time is referred as minimum time of operation.
Hence, the characteristic is inverse in the initial part, which tends to a definite minimum operating time as the electric current
becomes very high. That is why the relay is referred as inverse definite minimum time over current relay or simply IDMT
relay.

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1. Instantaneous relays.
Instantaneous over current relay, which operates very fast with no intentional time delay and the operating time of these relay can
be as low as 0.01sec . These relay operates only when the impedance between the relay and the source z s is very small
compared to the impedance to the impedance of the protected section z l .
7. Voltage restraint over current relay.
The voltage restrained over current protection function(51V) is used to protect generators. The operation set point is adjusted
according to the voltage to take into account cases of faults close to the generator which cause voltage dips and short circuit
current. This protection function is three-pole. It picks up if one ,two or three phase currents reach the voltage-adjusted operation
set point.
Based on of logic the protection relay can be categorized as1. Differential.
Principle of Differential Protection scheme is one simple conceptual technique. The differential relay actually compares
between primary current and secondary current of power transformer, if any unbalance found in between primary and secondary
currents the relay will actuate and inter trip both the primary and secondary circuit breaker of the transformer.
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif[/IMG]
2. Unbalance.
3. Neutral displacement.
4. Directional.
The over-current protection can be given directional feature by adding directional element in the protection system.
Directional over-current protection responds to over-currents for a particular direction flow. If power flow is in the
opposite direction, the directional over-current protection remains un-operative.
Directional over-current protection comprises over-current relay and power directional relay- in a single relay casing.
The power directional relay does not measure the power but is arranged to respond to the direction of power flow.
Directional operation of relay is used where the selectivity can be achieved by directional relaying. The directional
relay recognizes the direction in which fault occurs, relative to the location of the relay. It is set such that it actuates
for faults occurring in one direction only. It does not act for faults occurring in the other direction. Consider a feeder
AC (Fig. 9) passing through sub-section B. The circuit breaker CB3 is provided with a directional

[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.emz[/IMG](Fig. 9) Principle of directional

protection

Relay `R' which will trip the breaker CB3 if fault power flow in direction C alone. Therefore for faults in feeder AB,
the circuit breaker CB3 does not trip unnecessarily. However for faults in feeder BC the circuit-breaker CB3 trips
Because it's protective relaying is set with a directional feature to act in
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direction AC
Another interesting example of directional protection is that of reverse power protection of generator (Fig. 10). If the
prime mover fails, the generator continues to run as a motor and takes power from bus-bars.

[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.emz[/IMG](Fig. 10) Reverse powers protection

against motoring action of a generator

Directional power protection operates in accordance with the direction of power flow.
Reverse power protection operates when the power direction is reversed in relation to the normal working direction.
Reverse power relay is different in construction than directional over-current relay.
In directional over-current relay, the directional element does not measure the magnitude of power. It senses only
direction of power flow. However, in Reverse Power Relays, the directional element measures mag
nitude and
direction of power flow.
1. Restricted earth fault.

An external fault in the star side will result in current flowing in the line current transformer of the affected phase and at the same
time a balancing current flows in the neutral current transformer, hence the resultant electric current in the relay is therefore zero.
So this REF relay will not be actuated for external earth fault. But during internal fault the neutral current transformer only carries
the unbalance fault current and operation of Restricted Earth Fault Relay takes place. This scheme of restricted earth fault
protection is very sensitive for internal earth fault of electrical power transformer. The protection scheme is comparatively
cheaper than differential protection scheme
6. Over fluxing.
7. Distance schemes.
8. Bus bar protection.
9. Reverse power relays.
10.Loss of excitation.
11.Negative phase sequence relays etc.
Based on actuating parameter the protection relay can be categorized as1.Current relays.
2. Voltage relays.
3. Frequency relays.
4. Power relays etc.
Based on application the protection relay can be categorized as1.Primary relay.
2. Backup relay.
Primary relay or primary protection relay is the first line of power system protection whereas backup relay is operated only when
primary relay fails to be operated during fault. Hence backup relay is slower in action than primary relay. Any relay may fail to be
operated due to any of the following reasons,
1) The protective relay itself is defective.
2) DC Trip voltage supply to the relay is unavailable.
3) Trip lead from relay panel to circuit breaker is disconnected.
4) Trip coil in the circuit breaker is disconnected or defective.
5) Current or voltage signals from CT or PT respectively is unavailable.
As because backup relay operates only when primary relay fails, backup protection relay should not have anything common with
primary protection relay.
Some examples of Mechanical Relay are1. Thermal
(a) OT trip (Oil Temperature Trip)
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(b) WT trip (Winding Temperature Trip)

(C) Bearing temp trip etc.
2. Float type
(a) Buchholz
(b) OSR
(c) PRV
(d) Water level Controls etc.
3. Pressure Switches.
4. Mechanical Interlocks.
5. Pole discrepancy Relay.
WORKING OF SINGLE-POLE DOUBLE-THROW RELAY
SPDT relay is an electromagnetic switch consisting of a coil (terminals 85 & 86), 1 common terminal (30), 1 normally closed
terminal (87a) and a normally open terminal (87).
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg[/IMG]
Fig1. Poles of a SPDT Relay Switch
When the coil of the relay is at rest (not energized), the common terminal (30) and the normally closed terminal (87a) have
continuity.
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg[/IMG]
Fig2. Un-energized Relay Position
When the coil is energized, the common terminal (30) and the normally open terminal (87) have continuity.
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image006.jpg[/IMG]
Fig3. Energized Relay Position
Basically, the coil is an electromagnet that causes the arm that is always connected to the common (30) to pivot when
energized thereby breaking contact with the normally closed terminal (87a) and making it with the normally open terminal (87).
Below is an example of how the connections are made to a load in a circuit using a SPDT relay switch?
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg[/IMG]
Fig4. Connection of an SPDT Relay to Load
When the relay coil is energized, contact is established between the common (COM) and normally-open (NO) terminal thereby
completing the supply connections to the load. Hence, the load is switched on when the relay is energized. Also check this
article to understand the working of relays with the help of pictures, here - How Relay works
Different Types of Relay
1. Single Pole Single Throw (SPST)- these types of relay comprise of 4 terminals. Two terminals are used as coil points and
other two can be used to connect or disconnect the circuit (A and B).
2. Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT)- these types of relay comprise of 5 terminals two for coil one for common terminal(C)
and rest two can be connected to the common terminal.
3. Double Pole Single Throw (DPST)- these types of relay comprise of 6 terminal two for coil and other four for connecting and
disconnecting two device. In other words it contains two SPST relay in one package.
4.DoublePole Double Throw(SPDT)- these types of relay comprise of 8 terminal two for coil and another two as common point
and rest for connecting and disconnecting devices. In another words in this two SPDT relay are connected in one package.
[IMG]file:///C:\Users\arptst\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image008.png[/IMG]
Comparison of Different Type Relay:

Characteristic

Electro Mechanical

Static Relay

Digital Relay

Numerical Relay

Present generation Relays.

Present generation Relays.

Relay
Technology

1st generation

2nd generation

Standard

Relays.

Relays.

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Operating

They use principle of

In this relays

They use Microprocessor. Within built

They use Microprocessor. W

Principle

electromagnetic

transistors and ICs

software with predefined values

software with predefined valu

principle.

r been used

Measuring

Induction

R, L, C, Transistors,

Microprocessors, Digital ICs, Digital

Microprocessor s,Digital ICs

elements/

disc,Electromagnets,

Analogue ICs

Signal Processors

processors

Hardware

Induction cup,

comparators

Balance Beam
Measuring

Electrical

Level

A/D

A/D

method

Qtysconverted

detects,comparison

conversion,Numericalalgorithmtechniques

conversion,Numericalalgorit

intomechanical

withreference value

force, torque

in analogue
Comparator

Surrounding

Depend upon

There value may

Environment

gravitation and the

vary with respect to

value changes to the

temperature also.

surrounding
magnetic fields also.
Relay Size

Bulky

Small

Small

Compact

Speed of

Slow

Fast

Fast

Very Fast

Timing

Mechanical clock

Static timers

Counter

Counter

function

works, dashpot

Time of

Temp .Dependant

Temp. Dependant

Stable

Stable

Reliability

High

Low

High

High

Vibration Proof

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Characteristics

Limited

Wide

Wide

Wide

Requirement

Required

Required

Not Required

Not Required

Response

Accuracy

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of Draw Out
CT Burden

High

Low

Low

Low

CT Burden

8 to 10 VA

1 VA

<0.5 VA

<0.5 VA

Reset Time

Very High

Less

Less

Less

Auxiliary supply

Required

Required

Required

Required

Range of

Limited

Wide

Wide

Wide

Low

High

High

High

Function

Single Function

Single Function

Multi Function

Single Function

Maintenance

Frequent

Frequent

Low

Very Low

Resistance

100 mille ohms

10 Ohms

10 Ohms

10 Ohms

Output

< 1 Pico Farad

> 20 Pico Farads

> 20 Pico Farads

> 20 Pico Farads

Yes

No

No

No

No

Partially

Programmable

Programmable

No

No

Possible

Yes

Not Possible

Possible

Possible

Possible

Flags, targets

LEDs

LEDs, LCD

LEDs, LCD

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

settings
Isolation
Voltage

Capacitance
Deterioration
due to
Operation
Relay
Programming
SCADA
Compatibility
Operational
value
indication
Visual
indication
Self monitoring

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Parameter

Plug setting, dial

Thumb wheel,dual

Keypad for numeric values,through

Keypad for numeric values,th

setting

setting

in line switches

computer

computer

Fault

Not possible

Not possible

possible

possible

Disturbance
Recording

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