Protection of three-phase motors from unbalance (loss of phase and phase rotation)

The loss of phase

The most common cause of unbalance for three-phase motors is the loss of phase resulting from an open fuse, circuit
breaker, connector, or damaged conductor. Unbalances in other connected loads can also affect the motor. A voltage
unbalance of 3.5% can produce a 25% or greater increase in motor temperature. This results primarily from negative
sequence produced by the unbalance.
Protection of three-phase motors from unbalance (loss of phase and phase rotation)

This current produces flux in the motor air gap rotating in the opposite direction to the actual motor direction. The relative
effect is essentially double-frequency current in the rotor. Skin effect results in higher resistance, and negative-sequence
impedance remains essentially at locked-rotor value. Thus, high current and high resistance compound the heating effect.

The total heating in a motor is proportional to: I12 + K22×t (equation 1), where,

I1 and I2 are the positive- and negative-sequence currents, respectively, in the motor

K = Rr2 / Rr1 = conservative estimate as 175 / ILR2 (equation 2)

where,

Rr1 and Rr2 are the motor rotor positive- and negative-sequence resistances, respectively,
ILR the locked-rotor current in per unit.

Equation 1 shows that there is a high increase in heating from the negative-sequence component. The symmetrical
components network for an open phase is shown in Figure 1. This is a simplified circuit showing the total source
system as lumped impedances ZS1 = ZS2.

For any specific case, this circuit can be expanded to show more detail of the source or other loads. The supply transformer,
for example, can be represented by its reactance (impedance) XT.
Figure 1 – Simplified symmetrical component representation for an open phase

For an open phase between the transformer and motor, XT would be added in series with the source impedances for the
equivalent values of ZS1 and ZS2. When the open phase is between the system and the transformer, XT would not be
included in the source equivalents, but added in series with the motor impedance.
This circuit is for an ungrounded motor, as is the common practice.

The zero-sequence network is not involved for one-phase open, unless the systems on either side of the open
are both grounded.

The distribution of currents for an open phase using the network of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 for several situations.

Figure 2 – Values in per unit on the motor base: open-phase sequence currents with motor only

Typical per unit values of impedances shown are all on the motor kVA base, and are:

ZS1×ZS2 = 0.05 ∠90° pu,

ZL1 = ZL2 = 1.0 ∠15° pu for static loads at the motor,
ZM1 = 0.9 ∠25°,
ZM2 = 0.15 ∠85°.
These angles were included in the calculations, but the simplification of assuming all impedances at the same angle gives
close approximations and does not change the trends shown. With all values at 90°, for example, IS1 = 0.87 pu instead of
the 0.96 pu in Figure 2.

From these sequence currents, it is observed that on either side of the open Ia = I1 + (−I2) = 0 correctly. The sound phase
currents are (when I1 = −I2):

Ib = a2I1 + aI2 = −j√3I1

Ic = aI1 + a2I2 = +j√3I1

so in Figure 2, Ib and Ic currents are 1.66 pu. Thus, it is seen that an open phase provides very low-phase currents relative
to the normal motor-load current of about 1 pu. Consequently overcurrent relays are not adequate to detect an open
phase.

When static load is connected in parallel with the motor, as shown in Figure 1 and calculated in the examples of
Figure 3 below, the continued rotation of the motor generates a voltage on the opened phase. This continues to
energize the load connected to this phase.

The power is transferred across the motor air gap and reduces the motor shaft power so that pullout may occur.
Figure 3 – Values in per unit on the motor base: Open-phase sequence currents with static load on
motor bus, phase open on system side of motor.

One example that is indicated shows that the motor would pull out at 20% of rated load, with static load three times larger
than the motor load; or at 50% of rated load, with static load equal to the motor load. In addition, the low value of the motor
negative-sequence impedance implies that a large portion of negative-sequence current flows in the motor to increase
heating.

This distribution is illustrated in Figure 3 above.

The motor negative-sequence current can be low, as shown in Figure 4 below, only when the static load is single phased.
Figure 4 – Values in per unit on the motor base: Open-phase sequence currents with static load on the motor bus, phase open between motor and the load.

The fundamental for an open phase is that the positive- and negative-sequence currents are equal and opposite as long as
zero sequence is not involved. This is useful to develop the unbalance currents through wye–delta transformer banks.

These, as well as the calculations in Figure 2, 3 and 4 are for the conditions immediately after the phase opens and before
the motor slows down, stalls, or its internal impedances change, and so on.

The currents for an open phase on the primary side of a delta–wye transformer supplying a motor are shown in
Figure 5, and in Figure 6 for the open phase on the secondary motor side. If positive-sequence current is shifted
30° in one direction through the bank, the negative-sequence current shifts 30° in the opposite direction.

The current directions shown in the circuit diagram for these two figures are correct for the phasor diagrams. Without these
specific phasor diagrams, the IB in Figure 5 could be shown into the motor as indicated, but at √3 magnitude with IC at √3
flowing to the source. This is actually the flow, and is indicated in Figure 5 by the phasor diagram, showing that IB flows as
indicated but IC is 180° from IB both at √3 magnitude
If IB and IC were shown in opposite directions in the circuit diagram, the correct phasor diagram would be to show IB and IC
in phase. These currents can be traced through the transformer with the unbalances indicated, recalling that 1.0 pu current in
the wye winding appears as 0.577 pu current in the delta winding.
Negative-sequence voltage can be used to detect unbalance in motor circuits. By fundamental definition V2 = −I2Z2. With
reference to the example of Figures 2, 3 and 4, the per-unit negative-sequence voltages on the two sides of the open phase
for situations a and b would follow.

For situation c, V2S = V2M because there is no open phase between the supply and the motor.

CASE A CASE B
V2S = 00.96 × 0.05 = 0.048 1.6 × 0.05 = 0.080

V2M = 00.96 × 0.15 = 0.144 1.5 × 0.15 = 0.227

 Figure 5 – (a) Unbalanced current flow through a delta–wye transformer bank to a motor for
phase A open on the source side. (b) Positive-sequence currents before and after phase
opens. (c) Negative-sequence currents after the phase opens. (d) Total current flow.

When the open phase is downstream or between the V2 measurement and the motor, the negative-sequence voltage relay
will ‘‘see’’ V2S, which can be quite low because of the low-impedance source. When the open phase is upstream or between
the V2 measurement and the supply, the relay will ‘‘see’’ V2M, which is generally larger.

Thus, negative-sequence voltage is most useful for upstream open phases, with phase-current comparison for the
downstream ones.

Unbalance and phase rotation protection

As suggested in above paragraphs, there are several handles available for unbalance detection:

1. Magnitude differences between the three-phase currents,

2. The presence of negative-sequence current, and
3. The presence of negative-sequence voltage. All three are used for protection.

The current balance type (46) compares the phase current magnitudes and operates when one phase current is
significantly different in magnitude from either of the other two phase currents. This is very effective protection for individual
motor feeders to detect open phases or unbalances in that circuit.
Figure 6 – (a) – Unbalanced current flow through a delta–wye transformer bank to a motor
for phase A open on the motor or secondary side. (b) Positive-sequence currents before and
after phase opens. (c) Negative-sequence currents after phase opens. (d) Total current flow

If other loads are supplied by the circuit to which this protection is connected, care should be taken to ensure that any open
phase or unbalance would not be camouflaged by the balanced current to the sound load. One relay should be applied for
each load or feeder. The typical minimum sensitivity of these relays is about 1 A in one phase with zero current in the
other, or 1.5 pu in one phase and 1 pu in the other.

Another type (46) responds to the negative-sequence current, either instantaneously with a fixed time delay added, or
following the I22t = K characteristic, as used for generator protection. These types of relays are not widely applied for motor
protection.

The negative-sequence voltage type (47) is recommended to detect phase unbalance and phase reversal in the
supply or source circuits. Ideal operating sensitivities are about 0.05 pu V2. One such relay should be connected
through VTs (either wye–wye or open-delta VTs) to each secondary supply bus.

As shown in previous section, sufficient V2 voltage is generally available for open phase in the source or upstream system.
They should not be applied for open-phase downstream or between the relay and motor, for as indicated, this V2 voltage
may be quite low.

When the phases are reversed, 1 pu V1 becomes 1 pu V2, so the negative-sequence relay certainly responds to phase
reversals. Phase-reversal relays also are available that are equivalent to a small motor. Normal phase rotation produces
restraint or contact-opening torque, whereas phase reversal causes operation or contact-closing torque.
 Phase Failure Phase Reversal/Sequence Relay
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Source: Protective Relaying Principles and Applications by H. Lee Willis and Muhammad H. Rashid