Application Note

[Type here] [Type here] 1MAC004548-AP Rev A October 2015

PPMV DA Application Solutions

Modeling Relion Thermal Overload Curves in Engineering Software

Objective and Scope

This application note is a supplement to the technical manual for validating unpublished thermal curve equations
expressed in terms of measured load and pre-load current for the purpose of modeling in engineering software.
Included are all thermal protection functions (ANSI device no. 49) in the 611, 615, 620 and 630 series Relion
relays. The examples in the following sections show how the settings for each type of thermal protection function
are taken into account when determining the operate time. Practical guidelines for overcoming modeling limitations
are also discussed. There are several references made to derivations in the appendices that show the steps
leading to the development of the first order thermal differential equation and how it is solved [6].

For a complete list of overcurrent and thermal overload curve equations, setting ranges and applicable functions
contact customer support. Calculation tools and technical notes can be downloaded from the DA support line.

Three-phase thermal overload protection for overhead lines and cables (T1PTTR)
This section pertains to feeder thermal overload protection functions (49F) in Relion 611, 615, 620 and 630
series relays. To solve the operate time in terms of load and pre-load current, the mathematical solution of the
differential equation from the first order thermal model (Appendix 1) needs to be solved:

1
1

temperature (above ambient)

t time
I measured RMS current
R resistance
Time constant
H heat transfer coefficient
A surface area of conductor

The solution (Appendix 2) to the first order thermal differential equation for constant current is:

1 2

where;

, ,

initial temperature (above ambient)

final temperature (above ambient)
I nominal current (reference current)
nominal temperature at reference current (above ambient)

Page 1 of 10
Solving (2) for time (Appendix 3) the equation becomes:

for T1PTTR model;

preload current 4

Current reference 5

trip/operate value 6

Temperature rise 7

Substituting (4) through (7) into (3) yields:

Set Time constant

I measured current (highest phase)
Ip pre-load current
Iref set Current reference (nominal)
Tmax set Maximum temperature (level for tripping)
Tenv set Env temperature set (ambient)
Trise set Temperature raise (above ambient)

Thermal overload protection for motors (MPTTR)

This section pertains to motor thermal overload protection functions (49M) in Relion 611, 615, 620 and 630 series
relays. The time solution to first order thermal differential equation in the form shown can be used if the weighting
factor (p) is set to 100% and negative sequence current neglected (refer to technical note Thermal equations of
MPTTR-function for details). For MPTTR model:

/ overload factor 9

motor rated current 10

motor starting time constant 11

motor running time constant 12

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For a motor starting condition, substituting equations (9), (10), (11) & (4) into (3) yields:

.

13

set Time constant start (I > 2.5 x Irate)

I measured current (highest phase)
Ip pre-load current
k set Overload factor
Irated set Rated current

For a motor running condition, substituting equations (9), (10) & (12) & (4) into (3) yields:

14

set Time constant normal (0.12 x Irate < I < 2.5 x Irate)
I measured current (highest phase)
Ip pre-load current
k set Overload factor
Irated set Rated current

Three-phase thermal overload protection for transformers (T2PTTR - one time constant)
This section pertains to transformer thermal overload protection functions (49T) in Relion 615, 620 and 630
series relays. For the time solution of the first order thermal differential equation to be applicable, the weighting
factor (p) must be set to zero (only long time constant used). For T2PTTR model:

operate value 15
100%

Temperature rise 16

long time constant 17

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Substituting equations (15), (16), (17) & (4) into equation (3) yields:

18

100%

set Long time constant

I measured current (highest phase)
Ip pre-load current
Iref set Current reference (nominal)
Ttrip set Trip temperature (% of set Maximum temperature)
Tmax set Maximum temperature
Tenv set Env temperature (ambient)
Trise set Temperature rise (above ambient)

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Appendix 1

Derivation of thermal differential equation from first order thermal model

The total heat (QT) generated in a conductor for an RMS current (I) flowing through its resistance (R) is equal to
the heat imparted to the resistance (QR) plus the heat dissipated to its surrounding (QS):

Q Q Q 1

where,

Q I t R dt 2

Q c m d 3

Q h A dt 4

c = specific heat capacity
m = mass
d = temperature rise (above ambient) in resistor
h = heat transfer coefficient
A = surface area of conductor
= surface temperature (above ambient)

and,

heat time constant

Substituting (2), (3), & (4) into (1) the heat balance equation becomes:

I t R dt c m d h A dt 5

Re-arranging equation (5):

1
6

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Appendix 2

Solution to first order thermal differential equation

The first order thermal differential equation from Appendix 1 for constant current is:

1
1

The solution to the differential equation is the sum of the steady state and transient components:

To solve the steady state component the differential equation is re-arranged with the terms on the left side:

1 1
3

After enough time reaches its steady state value and no longer changes:

0 4

Substituting (4) into (3) and solving for yields the steady state component:

5

For the transient component the right side of equation (3) is set to zero:

1
0 6

This is the homogeneous part of the differential equation which can be solved by separation of variables:

1
7

Integrating both sides of the equation,

1 1

| | where C is the integral constant

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 8

and substituting coefficient K for yields:

To determine for K, substitute (9) into (2),

10

evaluate at time equal zero (initial temperature),

11
and solve for K:

12

Substituting (12) into (9) the transient solution is:

13

Substituting (5) & (13) into (2) the solution to the differential equations becomes:

14

Re-arranging to express in same form as numerical equation in technical manual:

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 1

1 1

1 1

1 15

After infinite time (t =) the final temperature becomes:

1 0

Therefore in (15):

16

Similarly:

17

where,

18

I nominal current (reference current)

nominal temperature at reference current (above ambient)

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Appendix 3

Calculation for time required to reach specified temperature based on load and pre-
load measured current

Solving (15) for time:

1

Expressing natural log argument in terms of common denominator:

Applying rule for negative natural log (reciprocate argument and remove negative sign) yields:

19

Substituting (17) into (19) yields:

Which reduces to:

20

Substituting (18) into (20) and re-arranging the time solution is:

2 2
0
2 21
2

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Reference list

/1/ 1MRS757454 611 series Technical Manual.

/2/ 1MAC050144-MB 615 series Technical Manual.

/3/ 1MAC504801-IB 620 series Technical Manual.

/4/ 1MRS756508 630 series Technical Manual.

/5/ 1MRS757209 EN Technical Note: Thermal equations of MPTTR - function.

/6/ EUROPLOT + Thermal differential equation theory description MICROENER -PRELIMINARY VERSION-
PROTECT HUNGARY

Contributed by:
Karl Smith P.E.
Revision A, 11/2015

ABB, Inc.
4300 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
800-523-2620 Fax 954-345-5329
Web: www.abb.com

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