Electromagnetic Relays (Part-1)

Dr. Shahzad
Electrical Engineering Department
ISP, Multan
 What are Relays?

 Relays are electrical

switches that open or close
another circuit under
certain conditions.
Relay Types
 Electromagnetic Relays (EMRs)
 EMRs consist of an input coil that's wound to accept a
particular voltage signal, plus a set of one or more
contacts that rely on an armature (or lever) activated
by the energized coil to open or close an electrical
circuit.
 Solid-state Relays (SSRs)
 SSRs use semiconductor output instead of mechanical
contacts to switch the circuit. The output device is
optically-coupled to an LED light source inside the
relay. The relay is turned on by energizing this LED,
usually with low-voltage DC power.
 Microprocessor Based Relays
 Use microprocessor for switching mechanism.
Commonly used in power system monitoring and
protection.
How a Relay Works
Sold-State Relay
Advantages/Disadvantages
 Electromagnetic Relays (EMRs)
 Simplicity

 Not expensive

 Mechanical Wear
 Solid-state Relays (SSRs)
 No Mechanical movements

 Faster than EMR

 No sparking between contacts
 Microprocessor-based Relay
 Much higher precision and more reliable and durable.
 Improve the reliability and power quality of electrical
power systems before, during and after faults occur.
 Capable of both digital and analog I/O.
 Higher cost
 A-Electromagnetic Attraction Relays
1. Attracted armature type relay
 It consists of a laminated
electromagnet carrying a coil & a
pivoted laminated armature.

 The armature is balanced by a

counter weight & carries a spring
at its free end.
 Under normal operating
conditions, the current through
the relay coil is such that counter
weight holds the armature in the
position shown.

 When a short circuit occurs, the

relay armature is attracted. The
contacts on the relay armature
bridge stationary contacts
attached to the relay frame.
 The trip circuit is completed which results in the opening
of the circuit breaker & disconnects the faulty circuit.

 The minimum current at which the relay armature is

attracted to close the trip circuit is called the pick up
current.

 It is a usual practice to provide a number of tapping’s,

on the relay coil so that the number of turns in use and
the setting value can be varied.

Abro
 2. Solenoid type relay

 It consists of a solenoid and a

movable iron plunger arranged as
shown.
 Under normal operating condition
the current through the relay coil is Fixed
Contact Coil
such that it holds the plunger by
gravity or spring in the position
shown.
 On the occurrence of a fault, the curr Plunger
Moving
ent through the relay coil becomes
Contact
more than the pick up value, causing
Spring
the plunger to attract into the
solenoid. The upward movement of
the plunger closes trip circuit
thus opening the circuit breaker and
disconnecting the faulty section.

Dr Abro
 3. Balanced beam type relay

 It consists of an iron armature

fastened to a balance beam.

 Under normal operating

conditions, the
current through the relay coil is Iron Armature Spring
such that the beam is To Trip Circuit
held in the horizontal position
by the spring.
Fixed Coil
 When a fault occurs, the
current through the
relay coil becomes greater than
the pick up value and the
beam is attracted to close the
trip circuit. This causes the
opening of the circuit breaker
to isolate the faulty circuit.
 To Trip Circuit

Beam

Operating Coil Restraining Coil

Balance
Point
 B-Induction Disc relay
Φ1
Φ2
Torque is produced by
interaction between flux &
θ
eddy currents in the disc It
(produced by flux Φ1 & Φ2. α
E1
I1
 Induction Relays
 Electromagnetic induction relays operate on
the principle of induction motor and are
widely used for protecting relaying purpose
involving a.c. quantities.
 The induction relay essentially consists of a
pivoted aluminum disc placed in two
alternating magnetic fields of the same
frequency but displaced in time and space.
 The torque is produced in the disc by the
interaction of one of the magnetic fields
with the currents induced in the disc by the
other.
 The two ac. fluxes Ф1 and Ф2 differing in
phase by an angle α induce e.m.f.’s in the
disc and cause the circulation of eddy
currents i1 and i2 respectively These current
lags the respective fluxes by 90°.
Let Ф1 = Ф1max sin ωt
Ф2 = Ф2max sin (ωt+ α)
Where, Ф1 and Ф2 are the instantaneous values of fluxes
and Ф2 leads Ф1 by an angle α.

i1 α dФ1/dt α d(Ф1max sin ωt)/ dt α Ф1max cos ωt

And, i2 α dФ2 /dt α Ф2max cos (ωt + α)
Now, F1 α Ф1 i2 and F2 α Ф2 i1
As the two forces are in phase opposition. So net force F at the
instant can be considered is:
F α F2 – F1 α Ф2 i1 – Ф1 i2
α Ф2max sin (ωt + α) Ф1max cos ωt – Ф1max sin ωt Ф2max cos (ωt + α)
α Ф1max Ф2max [sin (ωt + α) cos ωt – sin ωt cos (ωt + α)]
α Ф1max Ф2max sinα
α Ф1 Ф2 sinα -------------------------------- (i)
Where Ф1 and Ф2 are the r.m.s. values of the fluxes.

The following points may be-noted from exp. (i)

a) The greater the phase angle α between the fluxes, the greater is
the net force applied to the disc. Maximum force will be produced
when the two fluxes are 90º out of phase.

b) The net force is same at every instant.

c) The direction of net force and hence the direction of motion of the
disc depends upon which flux is leading.

Dr Abro
The following three types of structures are commonly used
for obtaining the phase difference in the fluxes and hence
the operating torque in induction relays:

(a) Shaded-pole structure

(b) Watt-hour-meter or double winding structure

(c) Induction cup structure

Dr Abro
 1-Shaded pole Structure

 It consists of pivoted aluminum disc

free to rotate in the air-gap of an
electromagnet.
 One half of each pole of the magnet
is surrounded by a copper band
known as shading ring.
 The alternating flux Фs in the shaded
portion of the poles will lag behind
the flux Фu in the un-shaded portion
by an angle α.
 These two fluxes differing in phase
will produce the necessary torque to
rotate the disc.
 And the driving torque T is given by,
T α Фs Фu sin α

Dr Abro
Assuming the fluxes Фs and Фu to be proportional to current I in
the relay coil,
T α I2 sin α
This shows that driving torque is proportional to the square of
current in the relay coil.

Dr Abro
 2-Watt-hour-meter structure

 This structure gets its name from

the fact that it is used in watt hour
meters.

 It consists of a pivoted aluminum

disc arranged to rotate freely
between the poles of two
electromagnets. The upper
electromagnet carries two windings
the primary and the secondary.
The primary winding carries the
relay current I1 while the
secondary winding is connected to
the winding of the lower magnet.

Dr Abro
 The primary current induces e.m.f in the secondary and so
circulates a current I2 in it.

 The flux Ф2 induced in the lower magnet by the current in the

secondary winding of the upper magnet will lag behind Ф1 by
an angle α.

 The two fluxes Ф1 and Ф2 differing in phase by α will produce a

driving torque on the disc proportional to
Ф1 Ф2 sin α.
 An important feature of this type of relay is that its in operation
can be controlled by opening or closing the secondary winding
circuit if this circuit is opened no flux can be set up by the
lower magnet whatever be the value of current.

Dr Abro
 3-Induction cup structure
 It resembles an induction motor,
except that the rotor iron is
stationary, only the rotor
conductor portion being free to
rotate.

 The moving element is a hollow

cylindrical rotor, which turns on its
axis.

 Two pairs of coils wound on four

poles as shown produce the
rotating field.

 The rotating field induces current;

in the cup to provide the necessary
driving torque.
Dr Abro
 If Ф1 and Ф2 represent the fluxes produced by the
respective pairs of poles, then torque produced is
proportional to Ф1 Ф2sinα where α is the phase difference
between the two fluxes.

 A control spring and the backstop for closing of the

contacts carried on an arm are attached to the spindle of
the cup to prevent the continuous rotation.

 Induction cup structures are more efficient torque

producers than either the shaded pole or the watt-hour
meter structure. So this type of relay has very high speed
and may have an operating time less then 0.1 second

Dr Abro
 Relay Timing

1. INSTANTANEOUS RELAY
In this type of relays no intentional time delay is provided.

Dr Abro
2. INVERSE TIME CHARACTERISTICS RELAY
 An inverse time relay is one in which the operating time is
approximately inversely proportional to the magnitude of the
actuating quantity.

 At values of current less than pickup, the relay never operates.

At higher values, the time of operation of the relay decreases
steadily with the increase of current.

 The inverse-time delay can be achieved by associating

mechanical accessories with relays.
 In an induction relay, the inverse-time delay can be
achieved by positioning a permanent magnet in such a way
that relay disc cuts the flux between the poles of the
magnet. When the disc moves, the current set up in it
produce a drag on the disc, which slows its motion.

Dr Abro
Dr Abro
 In other types of relays, the inverse time delay can be
introduced by oil dashpot or a time limit fuse. The piston in
the oil dashpot attached to the moving plunger slows its
upward motion. At a current value just equal to the pickup,
the plunger moves slowly providing maximum time delay.
 The inverse-time characteristics can also be obtained by
connecting a time-limit fuse in parallel with the trip coil
terminals. The shunt path formed by time-limit fuse is of
negligible impedance as compared with the relatively high
impedance of the trip coil. Therefore, so long as the fuse
remains intact, it will divert practically the whole secondary
current of the CT from the trip Coil. When the secondary
current exceeds the current carrying capacity of the fuse will
blow and the whole current will pass through the trip coil,
thus opening the circuit breaker. The time lag between the
incidence of excess current and the tripping of the breaker is
governed by the characteristics of the fuse. Careful selection
of fuse can give the desired inverse-time characteristics. Dr Abro
Inverse Time Dashpot Time Limit
Relay Fuse

Dr Abro
3. DEFINITE TIME LAG RELAY
In this type of relay, there is a definite time elapse
between the instant of pick up and the closing of relay
contacts.

Dr Abro
 Important Terms
(i) Pick-up current:
It is the minimum current in the relay coil at which
the relay starts to operate when the current in the
relay is less than the pick-up value there lay does
not operate and the breaker controlled by it
remains in the closed position. When the relay coil
current is equal to or greater than the pickup
value, the relay operates to energies the trip Coil
that opens the circuit breaker.

Dr Abro
(ii) Current setting:
It is often desirable to adjust the pickup current to any
value. This is know as current setting and is usually
achieved by the use of tapping on the relay coil. The
taps are brought out to a plug bridge, which permits to
alter the number of turns on the relay coil, this
changes the torque on the disc and the hence the time
of operation of the relay.
Pickup current = Rated secondary current of CT x
Current setting.

Dr Abro
50 75 100 125 150 175 200

Dr Abro
Example:
Over current relay having a current setting of 125% is connected
to a supply circuit through a current transformer of 400/5.
Determine the relay coil current.

Solution:
Pick up current = Rated secondary current of CT X Current setting

= 5 X 1.25 = 6.25 A
With above current setting, the relay will actually operate for a
relay coil current equal to or greater than 6.25A.

Dr Abro
(iii) Plug setting multiplayer (P.S.M):
It is the ratio of fault current in the relay coil to the pick–up
current.

P.S.M = Fault current in relay coil

pick up current
= _______fault current in relay coil___________
rated secondary current of CT x current setting

Dr Abro
Example:
A relay is connected to a 400/5 transformer and set at 150%.
With a primary fault current of 2400 A calculate the plug setting
multiplier.

Solution:
Pick up value = Rated secondary current of CT X Current setting

= 5 X 1.5 = 7.5 A
Fault current in relay coil = 2400 X 5/400 =30 A

PSM = _______fault current in relay coil___________

rated secondary current of CT x current setting

Therefore, PSM = 30/7.5 = 4

Dr Abro
(iv) Time-setting multiplier:

A relay is generally provided with control to adjust the time

of operation. This adjustment is known as time setting
multiplier. The time setting dial is calibrated from 0 to 1 in
steps 0.05. These figures are multipliers to be used to
convert the time derived from time/p.s.m curve into the
actual operating time.
The actual time of operation is calculated by multiplying
the time setting multiplier with the time obtained from
time/ p.s.m curve of the relay.

Dr Abro
(v) Time/ P.S.M:
It’s the curve between time
of operation and plug
setting multiplier of a relay.

The actual time of operation

is obtained by multiplying
this time by the time-
setting multiplier.

Dr Abro
 CALCULATION OF RELAY
OPERATING TIME
 In order to calculate the actual relay operating
time, the following things must be known:
(a) Time/ p.s.m curve
(b) Current setting
(c) Time setting
(d) Fault current
(e) Current transformer ratio
 The procedure for calculating the actual relay
operating time is as follows
(i) Convert the fault current into the relay coil current by
using the current transformer ratio.
(ii) Express the relay current as a multiple of current
setting i.e. calculate the P.S.M.
(iii) From the Time P.S.M. curve of the relay, read off the
time of operation for the calculated P.S.M.
(iv) Determine the actual time of operation by
multiplying the above time of the relay by time setting
multiplier in use. Dr Abro
Example:
Determine the time of operation of a 5-amperes, 3-
seconds over current relay having a current setting of
125% and a time multiplier of 0.6 connected to a supply
circuit through a 400/5 transformer when the circuit
carries a fault current of 4000 A.

Solution
Rated secondary current of CT = 5 A
Pickup current = 5 x 1.25 = 6.25 A
Fault current in relay coil = 4000 x 5/400 = 50 A
Plug-setting multiplier (P.S.M.) = 50/6.25 = 8
Given when P.S.M is 8 time operation is 3.5 Sec.
Actual relay operating time = 3.5 x Time-setting
= 3.5 x 0.6 = 2.1 seconds

Dr Abro
 References:

1. Power System Protection & Switchgear, Badri Ram, D N

Vishvakarma, Tata MicGraw-Hill Publishing Company Ltd,
2006,ISBN 0-07-462350-8.
2. Switchgear & Protection, Sunail S. Rao, Khana Publishers,
1997.
3. Power System Protection & Switchgear, B Ravindarnath & M
Chandar, New Age Int. Publishers, 2008, ISBN-81-085226-
758-4.
4. Principles of Power System, V K Mehata & Rohit Mehta, S.
Chand & Company Ltd, 2006, ISBN-81-219-0594-X.
5. A Text Book of Power System Engineering, R K Rajput,
Laxmi Publication, 2006.
6. Switchgear & Power System Protection, Ravidra P. Singh,
PHI Learning Private Ltd, 2009, ISBN-978-81-203-3660-5.
7. http://www.circuitmaniac.com
Dr Abro