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P.K. Pattanaik
Asst. Manager (Elect.)
E & MR Divn. GRIDCO
BURLA, ORISSA
1. INTRODUCTION :
It is termed as “Restricted Earth Fault” relay and used for the protection of the equipment, like transformer,
alternator etc from earth fault that occurred within a restricted zone. This zone is basically between the line CT and the
equipment (say transformer). The restricted zone fault can be termed as internal fault of the equipment. Consider the case
of winding fault, for which this relay actuates. Total portion of the winding can not be protected from fault, by this relay.
Because, the voltage available for driving earth fault current becomes small, for the fault, occurrence near the neutral
point of the transformer. Moreover if the relay would be used for too sensitive to the faults for 100 % Protection then, the
relay operation can not be differentiated from the spurious signal (harmonic signal), external faults and switching surges.
So this relay protects only a restricted part of the winding. Practically the setting of the relay is so used of the order with
minimum availability of the rated current. Because of this restricted protection, the relay is named as REF.
The use of resistance (Impedance) on the neutral path, limits the earth fault current and changes the % protection
from earth fault to the winding of the transformer. Following formula can be used for determining the protected portion of
the winding.
Where
R= Impedance or resistance in Ohms between neutral and ground.
*I0= Minimum operating current in primary of CT
V= Line to Neutral voltage.
*I0= x I, where x = % setting of the relay
I Rated primary phase current = (Rated MVA) / ( 3 VL x 10-6)
So for the case of solid ground neutral, maximum part of the winding can be protected from fault. But total
portion of the winding can not be protected in any manner. So, along with REF protection, it is always advisable to use
differential protection also.
2.1 Stabilizing resistor : The external resistor such used in series with the relay coil circuit is termed as stabilizing
resistor. For the restricted earth fault protection scheme, usually residual current (Vector sum of all three phase current)
and NCT secondary current, play the important role for protection. But because of unequal status of CT (saturation, CTR,
class burden etc), some times spill currents in the relay circuit may cause indiscriminate operation. To avoid unwanted
operation, a stabilizing resistor is connected in series with relay coil.
2.1.1 Setting of stabilizing resistor : The value of this resistor should be so chosen that, under maximum steady state
through fault condition, there will be developed insufficient voltage across the bus wires to cause a spill current equal to
the relay operating current. So for calculation of stabilizing resistor, following assumptions are to be made.
ASSUMPTIONS
i. One set of CTs is completely saturated.
ii. The whole of primary fault current is perfectly transformed by the remaining CTs.
iii. The maximum loop lead burden between the relay and CT is used.
For one set of CT saturation, the maximum voltage appears across the relay circuit is
V = {If(Rc + Rb)} / N volts
c) Stability check of REF Protection: This check is also done with circuit being in connection with the
transformer. For this check primary current is injected to any one of the CT and allowed to return through the NCT,
as like shown in the figure. For correct connection and polarity of CT, in the circuit the ammeter that connected will
not show any current. But for wrong connection or reverse connection of CT polarity, the current through relay
circuit will show double as that of the secondary reflected current of each CT. This check should be confirmed for all
the phases one after another. This check is helpful for knowing the following.
i) CT ratio of the CT core used in the circuit, along with the NCT.
ii) Polarity of each CT core used.
iii) Confirmation of correct circuit connection.
d) Load balancing test of the circuit with REF : For load balancing check, usually 3 supply of 440 V is
supplied to * one side of the transformer with other side being short circuited. So, this condition can be stated as the
load charging of transformer at 440 V supply. The different circuit behaviour at the relay terminals can be checked.
Now current behaviour to different relay like B/U relays, Differential relay and REF relay can also be obtained. This
check can be termed as the preliminary charging of transformer with 440V Supply.
*Note:- 3 supply to LT side with HT side short circuited, provides considerable current for proper study of the current
flow behavior to different relay circuit. Study with REF relay is done with following principle.
Important Note ( CAUTION) : The S.C Current calculation should be done for supply to LT and shorting to HT
condition and according to the value obtained, proper care should be taken with provision of fuse protection.
Primary Currents.
Secondary current
8. CASE STUDIES
8.1 Problem: - Newly installed 100 MVA, 220/132 KV Auto transformer was tripping on REF relay, for the fault on any
of the External Feeder Sometimes REF relay was tripping without any fault on any feeder.
8.1.1 Data : -
1. On the date of Commissioning the Transformer was charged and stood o.k.
2. After Two days the transformer tripped on REF (CAG 14) relay for the E/F on one of the 220 KV feeder.
3. On 4th and 5th day, similar incident was repeated.
3. REF relay
21 mA ? (Doubt)
3. REF relay
0 mA
1) The current measured by instruments are not accurate and dependent on the accuracy factor of measuring
instruments and equipment like C.T, A.C.T etc in the circuit.
2) The circuit is assumed being in the connection as fig. No.
(Without physical check up of the secondary circuit).
(A) The transformer was idle charged and current were measured.
IDEL CHARGE
REF Nil (1.2 mA), E/F 3.8 mA, R 4.2 mA, Y 2.8 mA, B 5.5 mA
LOADING CONDITION
REF Nil (1.2 mA), E/F 18 mA ? (Doubt), Over R 0.45 A, Y 0.45 A, B 0.45 A
8.2 PROBLEM
Again the same problem repeated as mentioned in the data above i.e. tripping of transformer on REF with
tripping of External feeder sometimes only REF relay.
8.2.3 PLAN : - The circuit was planned to be connected as described fig. No. 9
Suppose “y” Amp is the residual current on 220 KV CT secondary. Then corresponding primary current = 300 x
Amp. This current will pass through neutral i.e. neutral primary current = 300y Amp. As VA i.e. rating if transformer on
primary and secondary side being same.
i.e. VI = constant.
I (1/V) for transformer
Neutral primary current for 132 KV side = 300y (200/132) = 500y Amp
Residual secondary current = 500y/300 = 1.66666y = (5/3)y
Net NCT secondary current = Net NCT primary current / 300 = (500y-300y)/300= (2/3)y
Net residual current through REF
= (Net residual 132 KV side current – Net residual 220 KV side current) = {(5/3)y-y}=(2/3)y
[For direction of current flow, refer fig ]
Hence for any kind external fault due to which the residual current only will be increased, but not the REF relay.
But for internal fault, the REF will actuate.
* Separate core should be selected for REF only on 220 KV side if available, or else otherwise the back up core
can be chosen for this practice in this case.
** Separate core, particularly (300/1) ration must have to used on 132 KV side. This core no way should be
mixed with back up or any other protection.
Then shut down was taken and physically circuit was checked on the 220 KV C/R panel
i. The differential core was separated and used only for differential circuit.
ii. Separate core from 132 KV line CT was changed from (600/1) to (300/1) ratio and used for REF circuit.
iii. Circuit was used as per the standard Auto Transformer circuit .