MODULE 1: Fundamentals of Power System Protection

LECTURE 3: Protection Paradigms -

System Protection

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.1 Overview of Power System Dynamics
Usually, system protection requires study of the system dynamics and control. To
understand issues in system protection, we overview dynamical nature of the power system.
Power system behavior can be described in terms of differential and algebraic system of equations.
Differential equations can be written to describe behavior of generators, transmission lines, motors,
transformers etc. The detailing depends upon the time scale of investigation.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

 At a larger time scale (order of seconds), response of the electromechanical elements is
perceived. These transients are typically excited by faults which disturb the system equilibrium by
upsetting the generator load balance in the system. As a consequence of fault, electrical power
output reduces instantaneously while the mechanical input does not change instantaneously. The
resulting imbalance in power (and torque) excites the electromechanical transients which are
essentially slow because of the inertia of the mechanical elements (rotor etc).
At a larger time scale (order of seconds), response of the electromechanical elements is
perceived. These transients are typically excited by faults which disturb the system equilibrium by
upsetting the generator load balance in the system. As a consequence of fault, electrical power
output reduces instantaneously while the mechanical input does not change instantaneously. The
resulting imbalance in power (and torque) excites the electromechanical transients which are
essentially slow because of the inertia of the mechanical elements (rotor etc).
MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM
 Detection and removal of fault is the task of the protection system (apparatus protection).
Post fault, the system may or may not return to an equilibrium position. Transient stability studies
are required to determine the post fault system stability. In practice, out-of-step relaying, under
frequency load shedding, islanding etc. are the measures used to enhance system stability and
prevent blackouts. The distinction between system protection and control (e.g. damping of power
swings) is a finer one. In the today's world of Integrated Control and Protection Systems (ICPS), this
distinction does not make much sense. In this, we discuss these issues from distribution system
perspective.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.2 System Protection Relays
Consider a medium voltage distribution system having local generation (e.g., captive power
generation) as shown in fig 3.2 which is also synchronized with the grid. During grid disturbance, if
plant generators are not successfully isolated from the grid, they also sink with the grid, resulting in
significant loss in production and damage to process equipment. The following relays are used to
detect such disturbances, its severity and isolate the inplant system from the grid.
• Under frequency and over frequency relays
• Rate of change of frequency relays
• Under voltage relays
• Reverse power flow relays
• Vector shift relays

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.2.1 Under frequency Relay and Rate of Change of Frequency Relay
In case of a grid failure (figure 3.3), captive generators tend to supply power to other
consumers connected to the substation. The load-generation imbalance leads to fall in frequency.
The under frequency relay R detects this drop and isolates local generation from the grid by tripping
breaker at the point of common coupling. After disconnection from the grid, it has to be ascertained
that there is load-generation balance in the islanded system. Because of the inertia of the machines,
frequency drops gradually. To speed up the islanding decision, rate of change of frequency relays are
used.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.2.2 Undervoltage Relay
Whenever there is an uncleared fault on the grid close to the plant, the plant generators tend to feed the
fault, and the voltages at the supply point drops. This can be used as a signal for isolating from the grid.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

Undervoltage Relay Operation and Application
New generation electrical networks are mainly based three phase system, where it is very important
to protect the connected loads from over voltage and under voltage hazards. Protection devices
like Under Voltage Relay are widely used in control desks, monitoring system, programmable logic
controller which either monitors the system output parameters and/or protect the connected load.
Practically, over voltage and under voltage both are quite harmful for the connected load. The main
function of an under voltage relay is to disconnect the load from power supply side, whenever the
supply voltage drop down from the preset rated voltage. In modern electronics, re settable relay is
introduced where auto reset feature is included, that means if under voltage occurred from supply
side, the load will be isolated instantly, but as soon as the supply voltage picked up into the normal
value, the relay will make a changeover again, which will reconnect the load with the power supply.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

Why under voltage relay protection is important?
You might be thinking, what is the problem with under voltage, right? Okay, let us consider a simple
example. Suppose you have a water pump of rating 2 Kilowatt (2000 Watt), which will operate in
230 Volt AC supply. The current drawn by your load (the pump) = Power/ Voltage = 2000/ 230 = 8.7
Amps. Now imagine, your system supply in dropped down for any reason and become 150 Volt AC.
At the same time, your load is fixed that is 2000 watt, which means your pump will always consume
the power of 2000 watt from the system irrespective of the applied voltage. As per the law,
Power= Applied Voltage X Current, so when the voltage is lowered than the rated value, the pump
will draw more currents from the supply in order to maintain the required power for keep on its
rotation.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

Working principle of under voltage relay
Under voltage condition arise mainly when the load demand is higher than the output of power
transformer. This may happen during peak hour, when the demand of electricity consumption is
very high as compared with rest of the day, we often call it as “Maximum Demand”. Inside a under
voltage relay, there is a comparator circuit which will continuously check the voltage differences of
all three phases, and in some sophisticated version the phase angle also. The three phase input will
be connected with the relay all the time, whenever the system will be turned on.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

On the other hand, the relay will deliver an output by means of relay changeover, that means NO/
NC (normally open and normally close) contact. In healthy condition of system, the relay will give a
NC contact, and whenever under voltage condition knocks, it will change back to NO. The raw
power supply, will be connected to the load (Motor/ Pump or any other loads) via this relay
changeover contacts, and forms a circuit where the relay changeover will act like an automatic
switch which will connect/isolate the power supply automatically based on the supply voltage.
However, the under voltage relay contacts are usually built for tolerate up to 1100 VA burden, if the
connected load is more than this limit you must use an auxiliary contactor which higher rating of
switching capability. In that case, the relay changeover output will be connected with the NV coil of
the starter/ auxiliary contactor.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM
Applications of under voltage relay
• Power control panels where the raw power is controlled and monitored before supplying to the
load.
• Crane/ Hoists where the special application motor protection is very important.
• Motor protection in escalator/ conveyor belts.
• In electrical substations, where the PT secondary is monitored continuously.
• In agricultural sectors, where the pump protection is important because of under voltage supply
in village areas.
• Panels installed in Building, shopping mall to ensure the correct voltage parameters supplied to
costly equipment.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.2.3 Reverse Power Relay
Distribution systems are radial in nature. This holds true for both utility and plant
distribution systems. If there is a fault on the utility's distribution system, it may trip a breaker
thereby isolating plant from the grid. This plant may still remain connected with downstream loads
as shown in fig 3.4 and 3.5. Consequently, power will flow from the plant generator to these loads.

If in the prefault state, power was being fed to the plant, then this reversal of power flow
can be used to island the plant generation and load from the remaining system. This approach is
useful to detect loss of grid supply whenever the difference between load and available generation
is not sufficient to obtain an appreciable rate of change of frequency but the active power continues
to flow into the grid to feed the external loads.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

3.2.3 Reverse Power Relay

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

 Reverse Power Relay Construction and Operation
The relay is made of a lightweight non-magnetic aluminum disc between two soft
laminated iron core electromagnets, and fixed on a spindle running on low friction bearings. The
upper electromagnet is wound with a voltage coil which is then supplied from one phase and an
artificial neutral of the generator output. The other magnet has a current coil from supplied from a
current transformer connected to the same phase as the voltage in the upper electromagnet.
The voltage coil has a high inductance, designed in a way that the voltage lags the current
in the coil by about 90 degrees. This lag ensures that the magnetic field generated from the current
in the upper coil lags the magnetic field produced by the current in the lower electromagnet.
The two magnetic fields which are out of phase, produces eddy current in the aluminium
disc, and this creates a torque that tries to rotate the disc.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

 Reverse Power Relay Construction and Operation
Under normal condition when power is knowing as expected, the trip contacts of the relay
are open, and the disc is against a stop. If a reverse power starts to know, the disc rotates in the
opposite direction, moves away from the stop and towards the trip contacts that activates the trip
circuit.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

 Advantages of Reverse Power Relay
• Prevents power from knowing in the reverse direction and damaging the generator stator
• Prevents damage to the prime mover
• Prevents fire or explosions that may be caused by unburned fuel in the generator

Summary
When power flows into the generator, it starts operating like a synchronous motor and the
turbines or prime mover becomes the active load. This can damage the prime mover and is therefore
undesirable. It is important to detect a reverse power condition and disconnect power as quickly as
possible, and even though the gas turbines and diesel engines may not get damaged immediately, there
is always a risk of explosion or fire from the unburned fuel.
A reverse power relay helps in monitoring the power in the generator, it detects a reverse
power condition, and the relay immediately removes the connection to the parallel utility or other power
source, hence protecting the generator from damage.
MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM
3.3 Lightning Protection
Many line outages result from lightning strokes that hit overhead transmission lines. Lightning discharges
normally produce overvoltage surges which may last for a fraction of second and are extremely harmful.
The line outages can be reduced to an acceptable level by protection schemes like installation of earth
wires and earthing of the towers. Lightning overvoltages can be classified as follows:

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

Lightning overvoltages can be classified as follows:
• Induced overvoltages which occur when lightning strokes reach the ground near the line.
• Overvoltages due to shielding failures that occur when lightning strokes reach the phase
conductors.
• Overvoltages by back flashovers that occur when lightning stroke reaches the tower or the shield
wire.
• The most commonly used devices for protection against lightning surges are the following:
• Shielding by earth wires: Normally, transmission lines are equipped with earth wires to shield
against lightning discharges. The earthwires are placed above the line conductor at such a
position that the lightning strokes are intercepted by them. In addition to this, earthing of tower
is also essential.
• Lightning Arrestors: An alternative to the use of earthwire for protection of conductors against
direct lightning strokes is to use lightning arrestors in parallel to insulator strings. Use of lightning
arrestors is more economical also.
MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM
 ZnO varistor is commonly used as lightning arrester because of its peculiar resistance
characteristic. Its resistance varies with applied voltage, i.e, its resistance is a nonlinear inverse
function of applied voltage. At normal voltage its resistance is high. But when high voltage surges
like lightning strokes appear across the varistor, its resistance decreases drastically to a very low
value and the energy is dissipated in it, giving protection against lightning.

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM
REFERENCES:
• http://www.google.com/images
• http://electricalmantra.com/under-voltage-relay/
• http://engineering.electrical-equipment.org/electrical-distribution/reverse-power-relay-basics-
operation.html
• https://www.electricveda.com/building-services/method-of-lightning-protection-system-for-
building

MEP 313 : FAULT PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEM