Practical Example of Use

Testing Directional Overcurrent Protection

Author
OMICRON electronics

Date
September 2010

Related OMICRON Product

Test Universe

Application Area
Overcurrent

Version
DirOvcrEx.AE.1

© OMICRON Page 1 of 22
Content

Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Application Example ............................................................................................................................ 3
2 Theoretical Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Tripping Characteristics ................................................................................................................. 4
2.2 IDMT-Characteristics (51, 51N, 67) ............................................................................................... 5
2.3 Directional Overcurrent Protection (67) ......................................................................................... 6
3 Practical Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Defining the Test Object ................................................................................................................ 9
3.1.1 Device Settings ................................................................................................................................. 9
3.1.2 Defining the Overcurrent Protection Parameters ............................................................................ 10
3.2 Global Hardware Configuration CMC .......................................................................................... 14
3.2.1 Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 1 A ................... 14
3.2.2 Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 5 A ................... 15
3.2.3 Analog Outputs ............................................................................................................................... 16
3.2.4 Binary Inputs ................................................................................................................................... 16
3.2.5 Wiring of the Test Set ..................................................................................................................... 17
3.3 Defining the Test Configuration ................................................................................................... 18
3.3.1 General Approach ........................................................................................................................... 18
3.3.2 Pick-up Test .................................................................................................................................... 18
3.3.3 Trip Time Characteristic Test .......................................................................................................... 19
3.3.4 Directional characteristic test .......................................................................................................... 21

Please use this note only in combination with the related product manual which contains several
important safety instructions. The user is responsible for every application that makes use of an
OMICRON product.

OMICRON electronics GmbH including all international branch offices is henceforth referred to as OMICRON.

© OMICRON 2010. All rights reserved. This application note is a publication of OMICRON.
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© OMICRON 2010 Page 2 of 22

 Preface
This paper describes how to test directional and non-directional overcurrent protection stages. It
contains an application example which will be used in the whole paper. The theoretical background
of the directional and non-directional overcurrent protection will be explained. Also this paper covers
the definition of the overcurrent Test Object as well as the Hardware Configuration for directional
overcurrent tests. Finally the Overcurrent test module is used to perform the tests which are needed
for the directional overcurrent protection function.

Supplements: Sample Control Center file Overcurrent Example.occ (referred to in this document).
Requirements: Test Universe 2.40 or later; Overcurrent and Control Center licenses.

1 Application Example

10.5 kV Protection functions

I> stage (67) / directional characteristic forward (IDMT)

I>> stage (50)

non-directional characteristic (DMT)
200/1

Figure 1: Feeder connection diagram of the application example

Parameter Name Parameter Value Notes

Frequency 50 Hz
VT (primary/secondary) 10500 V / 110 V
CT (primary/secondary) 200 A /1 A
I> stage IEC Very Inverse Tripping characteristic
Directional Fwd Directional characteristic Forward
300 A Pick-up value = 1.5 x In CT primary
1.2 Time multiplier (TD; TMS; P, etc.
(only for IDMT characteristics)
45 ° Relay characteristic angle (only
for directional protective function)
I>> stage DMT Tripping characteristic
600 A Pick-up value = 1.5 x In CT primary
100 ms Trip time delay

Table 1: Relay parameters for this example

© OMICRON 2010 Page 3 of 22

2 Theoretical Introduction

2.1 Tripping Characteristics

Tripping characteristics

Definite Minimum Time overcurrent Inverse-Definite Minimum Time

relay overcurrent relay

trip-time characteristic of a two-step trip-time characteristic of a

DMT-overcurrent relay IDMT- overcurrent relay

t[s] t[s]

t I> t I>

t I>> t I>>

I> I>> I/In IP I>>

I/IP
50-1 or 50N-1 50-2 or 50N-2 51 or 51N or 67

Characteristic Formula Annotation

120
t T
LTI (long time inverse)
 IP   1 P
I
Suitable for motors, for example.

0.14
SI (standard inverse) t  TP
I IP 0.02  1
13.5
t T
VI (very inverse)
I IP   1 P
80
EI (extremely inverse) t  TP Good adjustment on fuse tripping
I IP   1
2
characteristics possible.

Table 2: IDMT tripping characteristics (range / show IEC 60255-3 or BS 142, section 3.5.2)

t = trip time in seconds

TP or TMS = setting value of the time multiplier
I = fault current
IP = setting value of the pick-up current

© OMICRON 2010 Page 4 of 22

2.2 IDMT-Characteristics (51, 51N, 67)
As these characteristics differ considerably from each other, the operational equipment to be
protected has to be taken into account (overload, short-circuit behavior, etc.).

1 1
3 3 2 2
4 4

5 5 6 6
7 7

8 8

Figure 2: Parameters of an overcurrent relay (AREVA)

1. Tripping characteristic for the I> stage (for this example IDMT IEC very inverse)
2. Directional function (for this example forward)
3. Pick-up value of I> stage
4. Time multiplier for the I> stage
5. Tripping characteristic for the I>> stage (DMT for this example)
6. Pick-up value of I>> stage
7. Trip time delay of I>> stage
8. Relay characteristic angle RCA (only for the directional function)

4 4

1 1

7 7 3 3 6 6

Figure 3: Comparison of IEC very inverse tripping characteristics with different time multiplier

© OMICRON 2010 Page 5 of 22

2.3 Directional Overcurrent Protection (67)
A factor which is characteristic to the short-circuit is the angle between short-circuit voltage and
short-circuit current. This angle depends on the voltage level and the respective operational
equipment (overhead line, cable and transformer). First of all it shall be examined more closely.

380 kV 220 kV 110 kV 10 – 30 kV Electric arc

Short circuit
Approx. 85 ° Approx. 80 ° Approx. 72 ° 30 - 50 ° Approx. 0 °
angle

Table 3: Short-circuit angle of overhead lines and cables depending on the voltage level

The short-circuit angle sc can be calculated from the resistance R and the reactance X of the
protected object.

X
sc  arctan
R

It is clear that the short-circuit current has to be used for determining the direction. For the selection
of the voltage to be applied the following conditions have to be taken into account:

 For a close fault the short-circuit voltage is almost zero.

 The angle of the directional characteristic depends on the fault type (L1-E, L2-E, etc.). In order
to determine the correct position of the forward and the reverse direction, the relay needs a
reference voltage.

For this, relay connections have been developed which make use of different reference voltages with
corrected phase angles.

Connections Advantages Disadvantages


0 Iph , Vph  Maximum sensitivity with
arc faults.
Not feasible in HV-systems, no
decision with a close fault.

30 Iph , Vph  Vph  a  Reference voltage depending on
the fault.
60  Iph ,  Vph  a 


90 Iph , Vph  a 2  Vph  a  Maximum reference voltage
with PhE- and PhPh- faults.
Not feasible for arc faults.

Table 4: Relay connection for determining the reference voltage.

Note: The method that is used for the reference voltage depends on the relay manufacturer. For the
following discussion, we use the overcurrent relay P14x (AREVA).

© OMICRON 2010 Page 6 of 22

 Im
reverse
direction
Vc
forward
direction

Va  Vsc
φsc
Re

Vb
directional
characteristic line 45° Isc
-45°
Vref
-Vc

Vref =Vb -Vc

Figure 4: 90 ° relay connection with a relay characteristic angle of 45 ° (L1-E fault)

Note: The forward direction for the measuring element "phase A" results from the angle range
45 ° > sc > -135 °.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 7 of 22

3 Practical Introduction
The Overcurrent test module is designed for testing directional and non-directional overcurrent
protective functions with DMT or IDMT tripping characteristics (short-circuit, thermal overload, zero
sequence, negative sequence, and customized curve characteristics).

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.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 8 of 22

3.1 Defining the Test Object
The first step of testing is defining the settings of the relay under test. In order to do that, the
Test Object has to be opened. This can be done by double clicking the Test Object in the OCC file
or by clicking the Test Object button in the test module.

3.1.1 Device Settings

General relay settings (e.g., substation, relay ID, CT and VT parameters) are entered at
Device Settings.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 9 of 22

3.1.2 Defining the Overcurrent Protection Parameters
More specific data concerning the overcurrent relay can be entered in the RIO function
Overcurrent Protection Parameters. The definition of the overcurrent characteristic has to be done
here as well.

Relay Parameters

This first tab contains the definition of the directional behavior as well as the relay tolerances.

1 1 2 2 3 3

4 4

1. Since we want to test a directional overcurrent relay, this has to be activated.

2. Regarding the feeder connection diagram (Figure 1) the VT is placed At protected object. If
you choose Not at protected object, the voltage will have the nominal value after tripping.
3. The CT starpoint connection has to be set according to the connection of the secondary
windings of the CT. For this example the feeder connection diagram shows, that the CT
grounding is towards the protected object.
4. The current and time tolerances have to be looked up in the relay manual.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 10 of 22

 Elements

This tab defines the characteristic of the different overcurrent stages.

1 1
5 5

2 2

3 3

4 4

The default overcurrent characteristic is shown above. It contains an IEC Definite Time scheme with
one stage for a phase overcurrent protection. This characteristic has to be adjusted to parameters of
the relay (Table 1):

1. In order to define the elements of the phase overcurrent protection, select Phase as the
Selected element type. Note: In case other element types would also be present in the relay
select the related element types one after another in (1) to enter these elements. The selection
field shows the number of already defined related stages and how many of these are marked as
active.
2. This table shows the elements which define the tripping characteristic for the selected element
type. The name of the first element may be changed according to the name used in the relay,
e.g. "I> stage".
3. The characteristic type of the first element has to be changed to IEC Very inverse (Error!
Reference source not found.).
4. Afterwards I pick-up and the Time index have to be set.
5. Now the second element can be added. It has an IEC Definite Time characteristic, which might
be renamed to "I>> stage". Also I pick-up and the Trip time have to be set.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 11 of 22

 3 3

4 4

The list of the elements after these adjustments is shown below.

1 12 2

1. The Reset Ratio has to be looked up in the manual as well.

2. In order to define the directional behavior, the Direction of the "I> stage" has to be set to
Forward. Note: This setting is an orientation help for the reader, and, once it is set, it will rotate
the directional limits by 180 ° if changed to Backward.

The adjustments of the directional characteristic have to be done in the tab Define Element
Directional Behavior:

3. As the relay characteristic angle cannot be entered in the Test Object directly, the Trip sector
definition has to be calculated. Figure 5 shows the difference between the relay characteristic
angle, which is a relay setting, and the Maximum torque angle that can be set in the
Test Object.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 12 of 22

 Im
reverse
direction
Vc
forward
direction

Va  Vsc

Re

maximum torque angle

(MTA)

Vb
directional -45°
Vref MTA = -90° + RCA
characteristic line
-Vc

Vref =Vb -Vc relay characteristic angle

(RCA)

Figure 5: Difference between the relay characteristic angle and the maximum torque angle.

The resulting overcurrent characteristic is shown below.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 13 of 22

3.2 Global Hardware Configuration CMC
The global Hardware Configuration has to be defined according to your relay connection. It can be
started by double clicking the Hardware Configuration entry in the OCC file.

3.2.1 Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 1 A

VA VC
VB Vn

IA
IB
IC
In

© OMICRON 2010 Page 14 of 22

3.2.2 Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 5 A

VA VC
VB Vn

IA IC
IB In

© OMICRON 2010 Page 15 of 22

3.2.3 Analog Outputs

The analog outputs as well as the binary inputs and binary outputs can be activated individually in
the local Hardware Configuration of the specific test module.

3.2.4 Binary Inputs

4 4

3 3

1 1
2 2

1. 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).
2. The trip command has to be connected to a binary input. You can use BI1 … BI10.
3. For wet contacts the nominal voltages of the binary inputs have to be adapted to the voltage of
the CB trip command. Or check Potential Free for dry contacts.
4. The binary outputs, the analog inputs etc. will not be used for the following tests.
Start
Trip

© OMICRON 2010 Page 16 of 22

3.2.5 Wiring of the Test Set
Note: The following wiring diagram is an example, only. Depending on the protective functions of the
relay such as sensitive earth fault protection, the wiring of the analog current inputs (IE separately) is
different.

Protective
Relay

Va
Vb
Vc
(-) (-)

Ia
Ib
Ic
IE

Trip
(+)
optional
Start
(+)

© OMICRON 2010 Page 17 of 22

3.3 Defining the Test Configuration
3.3.1 General Approach
When testing the directional overcurrent protection, the following steps are recommended:

 Pick-up Test: Testing the pick-up value of the overcurrent protection (only if start contact is wired
for this relay).
 Trip time characteristic: Verifying the trip times of every element of the tripping characteristic.
 Directional characteristic: Verifying the angle of the directional characteristic.

Each of these tests can be done with the Overcurrent test module.

3.3.2 Pick-up Test

2 1 2 1

3 3

4 54 5 6 6

1. The trigger for this test has to be set in the Trigger tab. For this example the trigger will be the
start contact. This is the reason why this test cannot be performed if the start contact is not
wired.
2. Settings in the Fault tab will not be needed in this test.
3. As we use the start contact to trigger, Relay with start contact has to be chosen.
4. The phase overcurrent function is tested with a three phase fault. Otherwise a ground fault
protection or a negative sequence protection may interfere.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 18 of 22

 Note: If these functions or elements are present they may be specified in the Test Object in the
same manner as the phase elements were entered in this example. The resulting characteristic
will individually be calculated and shown for each test shot depending on its fault type (4) and
fault angle (5), ensuring a proper assessment according to the expected overall relay behavior.
5. The test angle for the forward direction should be the maximum torque angle.
6. As the pick-up is not delayed, a step length of 50 ms should be sufficient.

Note: The pick-up value will be measured and assessed automatically. The drop-off value will be
measured as well, but it will not be assessed. The assessment of the drop-off value and the reset
ratio has to be done manually.

You can add more test lines if needed, e.g., a test in backward direction.

3.3.3 Trip Time Characteristic Test

Trigger and Fault tabs:

2 2

1 1
3 3

1. The trigger for this test will be the trip contact.

2. A Load current during the prefault state will not be used.
3. The Absolute max. time has to be adjusted. It has to exceed the upper tolerance of the test
point with the longest trip time. Otherwise an assessment will not be possible. On the other
hand, it should not be set to an unnecessarily high value since for shots where No trip is
expected this will be the waiting time until the assessment 'no trip' is done, before continuing
with the next shot, so this would unnecessarily prolong the test duration.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 19 of 22

 Characteristic Test tab:

1 1 2 2

3 3
4 4
5 5

6 6

1. As the function to test is a phase overcurrent function, a three phase fault is used. Otherwise a
ground fault protection or a negative sequence protection may interfere.
NOTE: If these functions or elements are present they may be specified in the Test Object in the
same manner as the phase elements were entered in this example. The resulting characteristic
will individually be calculated and shown for each test shot depending on its fault type (1) and
fault angle (2), ensuring a proper assessment according to the expected overall relay behavior.
2. The Angle for the forward direction should be the Maximum torque angle. For reverse
direction it has to be entered shifted by 180 °.
3. As the trip time of the IDMT stage depends on the current, this element has to be confirmed with
more than one test point.
4. Whereas the trip time of the "I>> stage" can be confirmed with only one test point.
5. The directional behavior is tested with one shot in each zone in reverse direction.
6. The value of the "I>> stage" is also confirmed by placing two test points outside of the tolerance
band of this setting.
Instead of directly entering the magnitude value you can express the magnitude by its relation to
an element setting, e.g., set Relative to: to "I>> stage" and set the factor to 1.06 (i.e. 6 % above
the threshold) or 0.94 (i.e. 6 % below the threshold).

Note: Regarding the ways to enter and modify test data please also have a look at the Help of the
module (press F1).

© OMICRON 2010 Page 20 of 22

3.3.4 Directional characteristic test

The Trigger and Load settings are the same as explained for the trip time characteristic test. The
Absolute max. time can be reduced, because the test current will be set shortly below the lower
tolerance of the "I>> stage" value.

As this test confirms the angle of the directional characteristic, the test points have to be placed on
both sides of the directional characteristic line. In order to get a correct assessment, they should be
placed just outside of the angle tolerance.

Feedback regarding this application is welcome under TU-feedback@omicron.at.

© OMICRON 2010 Page 21 of 22

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