This function significantly reduces the tripping time of the circuit breakers

closest to the source. It can be used for zone selective interlocking (ZSI) in
closed ring networks.

The zone selective interlocking logic of protection relays (photo credit: bakkersliedrecht.com)

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 ground fault 50N/51N and directional ground fault 67N protection functions,
definite time and IDMT. Protection relay logic usually includes two logic
groups.

Each group includes:

1. Logic thresholds: protection units that send blocking signals (BSIG)

and may be prevented from tripping by the reception of blocking
signals.
2. Time-based thresholds: protection units that may not be prevented
from tripping by blocking signals and do not send blocking signals.
They are used as backup for the logic thresholds.

When a fault occurs:

1. The logic thresholds detecting the fault send blocking signals upstream
2. The logic thresholds detecting the fault send a tripping command if they
are not blocked by blocking signals
3. The time-based (backup) thresholds detecting the fault send a
tripping command

The logic and time-based threshold assignments of the protection

units depend on the type of application and the parameter
setting of the logic inputs/outputs.

The first logic group is active if one of the following two conditions is met:

1. Blocking reception 1 is assigned to a logic input Ixxx, except for motors

which do not have this input.
2. Blocking send 1 is assigned to an output Oxxx. (O102 by default for
SEPAM relay).

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 SEPAM Series 80 – Breaker AC Control (Typical)

When the second logic group is present in the application, it is active under
one of the following two conditions:

1. Blocking reception 2 is assigned to a logic input Ixxx

2. Blocking send 2 is assigned to an output Oxxx (O103 by default).

Relay software (in this case Schneider Electric’s

software for SEPAM relays serie) usually
indicates the type of threshold, logic or time-
based, according to the input/output
parameter setting.

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 Zone selective interlocking relay – Principle wiring

In case of SEPAM relay, assigning protection devices to the two zone

selective interlocking (ZSI) groups is fixed and cannot be modified. When
ZSI is used, it is important to ensure that the measurement origin and logic
group to which the unit is assigned are in accordance.

By default, the same logic group has the same measurement origin.
When several origins are possible, the main channels Ia, Ib, Ic and Ir are
assigned by default to the first group and the additional channels I’a, I’b, I’c,
I’r to the second.

The duration of blocking signals lasts as long as it takes to clear the fault. If
protection relay issues a tripping command, the blocking signals are
interrupted after a time delay that takes into account the breaking device
operating time and the protection unit reset time.

This system guarantees safety in downgraded operating situations (faulty

wiring or switchgear).

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 ZSI time saving vs time-based coordination

Use the output relay test function in the protection relay software (for
SEPAM – software SFT2841) to test the pilot wires that carry interlocks
between breaker/relay functions.

(T: protection setting time. As an approximation for definite time curves,

this is assumed to be equal to the protection tripping time).

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 The upstream protection units are typically delayed by 0.3 s to give the
downstream protection units time to trip. When there are many levels of
discrimination, the fault clearing time at the source is long.

In this example, if the fault clearing time for the

protection unit furthest downstream is Xs = 0.2 s,
the fault clearing time at the source is T = Xs +
0.9 s = 1.1 s.

(T: protection setting time. As an approximation for definite time curves,

this is assumed to be equal to the protection tripping time).

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 When a fault appears, the protection units that detect it block the upstream
protection units. The protection unit furthest downstream trips since it is not
blocked by another protection unit.

The delays are to be set in accordance with the device to be protected.

In this example, if the fault clearing time for the

protection device furthest downstream is Xs =
0.2 s, the fault clearing time at the source is T =
Xs – 0.1 s = 0.1 s.

Reference // Sepam series 80 protective relays – Instruction Bulletin

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 Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for
design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A)
in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities.
Professional in AutoCAD programming. Present on Google+

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