Webinar: Testing Overcurrent Relays

Revision index:
Date (yy/mm/dd) Version Change Name
10/08/03 1.00 First version EugCar
10/08/05 1.01 Correction of BI's for the examples EugCar

Actual Version: 1.01

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 Webinar: Testing Overcurrent Relays

1 Preface ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Test Module ............................................................................................................................................... 5
3 RIO Device Settings ................................................................................................................................. 6
4 RIO Function Overcurrent ....................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Relay Parameters ................................................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Elements .............................................................................................................................................. 8
4.2.1 Define Element Characteristic ..................................................................................................... 10
4.2.2 Define Element Directional Behavior ........................................................................................... 12
4.2.3 View Resulting Characteristic ...................................................................................................... 13
5 Hardware Configuration......................................................................................................................... 14
5.1 Analog Outputs .................................................................................................................................. 14
5.2 Binary Inputs ...................................................................................................................................... 15
6 Test View, Trigger................................................................................................................................... 16
7 Test View, Fault ...................................................................................................................................... 17
8 Test View, Characteristic Test .............................................................................................................. 18
9 Test View, Pick-up / Drop-off Test ........................................................................................................ 20
10 Out of Range ......................................................................................................................................... 21
11 Report View ........................................................................................................................................... 22
12 Settings for the examples used along the Webinar .......................................................................... 23
12.1.1 Example 1: Non-directional Overcurrent (Definite and Inverse Time) ....................................... 23
12.1.2 Example 2: Example 1 + Directional Earth-Fault ....................................................................... 24

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1 Preface
The Overcurrent test module is designed for testing directional and non-directional overcurrent protective
functions with DMT or IDMT tripping characteristics. In this test module the tripping characteristic and the
trip times measured are shown in the form of a graph. This makes testing very straightforward and
convenient.

This module can be used to test much more than just non-directional inverse time/definite time
overcurrent protection functions. It also supports testing of protection relays with directional overcurrent
protection, unbalanced load protection, thermal overload protection, and zero sequence current protection
functions.

The test module can be found at the Start Page of the OMICRON Test Universe. It can be inserted into
an OCC File as well.

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2 Test Module

Once the test module has been opened, the first thing you see is the predefined overcurrent definite time
characteristic.

However, this definite time characteristic does not accord to our examples, which are to be tested during
this webinar course. This has to be set in the test object first. For that, RIO functions are available.

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3 RIO Device Settings

The general relay settings (e.g. substation, relay ID, or CT and VT parameters) are entered into the RIO
function Device.

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4 RIO Function Overcurrent

A new RIO function called Overcurrent is available for defining the overcurrent elements (stages) to be
tested.

4.1 Relay Parameters

1 Here you can set whether a non-directional or a directional overcurrent protection is to be tested. If
you select the latter option, you have to define the position of the CT starpoint connection
(To protected object or From protected object).
As PT connections also have to be included for directional protection, the corresponding selection
box is checked. You need to define whether the PT connections are busbar or line connections here.
In the former case a voltage is output in the postfault state after the relay has tripped; in the second, a
voltage is not output.
2 As the test module is to carry out an automatic assessment, you need to specify the tolerances for
the currents and the trip times here. These can be found in the technical data section of the relevant
relay manual.

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4.2 Elements

Use this tab to define the overcurrent elements (stages) of the relay:

1 The first step is to select the type of element. This refers to the type of overcurrent protection, the
tested relay uses. You can choose between Phase, Residual, Positive sequence,
Negative sequence and Zero sequence.
2 This list show all defined elements of the selected type. There are command buttons available to
Add, Copy To..., Remove, Move Up or Move down the elements. Each element has different
properties that are shown in the list:
- Active: Use this checkbox to activate or deactivate elements.
- Element Name: A meaningful name helps to distinguish between the stages.
- Tripping Characteristic: Here you will find the name of the used characteristic type.
- I Pick-up: This is the pick-up current as multiples of the nominal current.
- Absolute: Here you find the pick-up value in amperes.
- Time: If the element is a definite time stage, this value represents the trip time in
seconds, if it is an inverse characteristic it is the time index of the stage.

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- Reset Ratio: This is the ration between the drop-off and the pick-up value of the stage.
- Direction: Select whether the element is Forward directed, Reverse directed or
Non Directional.
Not all values can be changed within the list; some have to be accessed from the tabs below.
3 With these three tabs you can define more details properties of the elements. As the settings in these
tabs are very complex, they will be described in the following sections

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4.2.1 Define Element Characteristic

3 5

1
4

2
1 With the Characteristic definition you set the characteristic type, the I pick-up value and the Trip
time. Right to the characteristics name there is a browse button ... that opens the
Manage Characteristics dialog.
2 Within this dialog you can select either a Standard characteristic or a Predefined one from the list on
the left. All characteristic parameters are then shown in this dialog. To enter a custom characteristic
select one of the predefined ones and click OK. Then you can change the parameters in the Define
Elements Characteristic tab (1).
3 Also you have the possibility to restrict the range of the characteristic. Therefore you can enter
minimum and maximum values for current and time. This is used for characteristics with a minimum
tripping time.

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 Testing Overcurrent Relays

4 If a relay with Reset characteristic is to be tested, this option has to be activated. You can either
select Definite time or Inverse time and enter the corresponding data.
5 The resulting characteristic is shown at the right.
Note: This diagram shows only the characteristic for the selected element.

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4.2.2 Define Element Directional Behavior

The directional behavior for each element can be set in this tab.

1 This is only possible, if the Direction of the element is set to Forward or Reverse. This setting is only
an orientation for the user. The trip sector will be shifted by 180 if this setting is changed from
Forward to Reverse or from Reverse to Forward.
2 The trip sector can be defined either by using a Start and an End angle or by using the
Maximum torque angle and the Sector opening.
3 Also a Blinder can be defined. It can be set by using a complex current (active and reactive
components) and an angle. The blinder characteristic line will go through the complex current and will
have the defined angle.

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4.2.3 View Resulting Characteristic

After defining the characteristic, you can use the tab View Resulting Characteristic to have a look at the
results. The characteristic of the chosen element type will be displayed.

If you have defined all the characteristics, which are used in the relay, you can close the test object by
clicking OK.

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5 Hardware Configuration
The global Hardware Configuration has to be defined according to your relay connection.

5.1 Analog Outputs

Note: If you test a non directional overcurrent function you can deactivate the voltage outputs in the
local Hardware Configuration.

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5.2 Binary Inputs

Here the relay's start and trip commands are connected to BI1 and BI2 respectively. The start command
is optional (it is needed if you select Starting as time reference in the test module or if you want to
perform a pick-up / drop-off test). For wet contacts the nominal voltages of the binary inputs have to be
adapted to the voltage of the CB circuit. Or check Potential Free for dry contacts.

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6 Test View, Trigger

You also have to make a number of settings in the test module itself:

You can define whether the binary outputs should be closed or open for testing. As no binary outputs
have been defined for our example, this tab is empty.

The reference for time measurement has to be

defined here. The measured time will be the
difference between the Fault inception and the
trigger or between the Starting signal and the
trigger.

In the lower part of the screen you have to specify

which signals are to be used to measure the trip
time.

Note: This trigger only defines the trip. For the

Pick-Up / Drop-off Test the trigger will be set
automatically by defining the Start contact in the
Hardware Configuration.

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7 Test View, Fault

1 4

2 5

3 6

1 The Load current, which will be injected during the prefault, can be defined here.
2 Here you can set the Prefault time and the Postfault time.
Also you can specify how long the test module waits for a trip in two different ways. The first of these
is Absolute max. time and the second is Relative max. time. The relative time is calculated for the
relevant test point from the trip time setpoint. If, for example, you want to test the trip time of a high-
current stage with a setpoint of 100 ms, a relative max. time of 100% means that the testing of the
test point will be aborted at the latest after 200 ms. To avoid damaging the relay, whichever time is
faster is active.
3 The voltages during the fault can be defined as well. Even if non directional relays are tested, a
voltage output can be enabled.
4 For realistic fault simulation a Decaying DC can be set.
5 The CB characteristic is linked to the RIO function CB Configuration in the test object.
6 For testing thermal overload functions the reset of the thermal image can be defined as well. This
can be done either manual or automatic.

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8 Test View, Characteristic Test

Now all the essential settings have been made, you need to define the test points for the characteristic
test. You can add a new test point, or you can edit an existing one. The highlighted test point can be
edited either in the table on the left (A) or directly in the table of the test points (B). The resulting test
points will be shown in the expected trip time and directional characteristics (C).

Note: If two or more overcurrent protection functions are activated, they may interfere (e.g. a phase
overcurrent and a residual overcurrent protection). But if all of these functions are entered in
the test object, they will be taken into account automatically. The resulting characteristic will
individually be calculated and shown for each test point depending on its fault type and fault
angle, ensuring a proper assessment according to the expected overall relay behavior.

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Each test point needs several settings which have to be defined:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 For the fault type you can choose between three, two or one phase faults as well as phase to ground
faults and zero and negative sequence faults.
2 It is possible to enter your test currents relative to the pick-up currents which you have defined in the
test object. The element, on which the test point will be referenced, can be set here.
3 Here you can enter the relative test current.
Note: If a test point is entered relatively, the absolute test current will be changed automatically,
whenever its pick-up value is changed.
4 The magnitude can be entered as an absolute value as well.
5 For directional overcurrent protection, the test angle has to be set additionally.

The data for the test assessment is shown as well:

6 Here you can see the nominal tripping time of the test point.
7 Also the tolerances are shown for each test point.
8 The measured tripping time will be displayed here after the test.

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9 Test View, Pick-up / Drop-off Test

1 2

3 4 5

Also there is the possibility to perform a pick-up / drop-off test. This is done automatically by ramping
the current. The begin, the end as well as the step size of the ramp are calculated by the test module.

1 For a pick-up test normally a relay with start contact is needed. But it is also possible to test an
electro mechanical (EM) relay without start contact. Digital relays without start contact can only
be tested, if they emulate the behavior of a disc-type EM relay.
2 If you do not want the pick-up test to be assessed automatically you have to clear this check box.
Note: The drop-off value as well as the reset ratio will not be assessed automatically
3 The fault type can be defined similar to the characteristic test.
4 If you test a directional overcurrent relay, the test angle can be set as well.
5 The resolution defines the step length of the ramp. This value has to be set longer than the pick-up
time of the relay.

After the test the pick-up value will be displayed and assessed. The drop-off value and the drop-off ratio
will be displayed as well.

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10 Out of Range

If the test point is indicated blue, the Absolute max. time is shorter than the upper tolerance tmax. In this
case the test cannot be assessed properly. In this case you have to increase the Absolute max. time.

If the test point is indicated pink, the test current is too high. This means that the test current of this test
point is higher than the maximum test current I max which is defined in the test object.

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11 Report View

The report view is also available in the Overcurrent test module. It can be opened via clicking Report on
the View menu.

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12 Settings for the examples used along the Webinar

Test set connection to relay

12.1.1 Example 1: Non-directional Overcurrent (Definite and Inverse Time)

Element 1 I>
Characteristic type I> IEC Very Inverse
I> 1.4 A
Time Multiplier I> 0.2
Element 2 I>>
Characteristic type I>> DT
I>> 3.5 A
t I>> 0.2 s
Directional behavior Non directional

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12.1.2 Example 2: Example 1 + Directional Earth-Fault

Element 1 IN>
Characteristic type IN> DT
IN> 0.2 A
t IN> 0.8 s
Directional IN> Forward
Element 2 IN>>
Characteristic type IN>> DT
IN>> 0.6 A
t IN>> 0.4 s
Directional IN>> Non directional
Relay characteristic angle -45

Direction line example (check the characteristic of the relay you are testing!)

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