Electrical

Protection
Schemes at STPS
An Overview

 Electrical Protection Schemes take

actions only after sensing the
occurrence of the fault and thus
cannot prevent the fault. (Minor
exceptions are there.)
Then why protections are required?
to limit the damage to the
components which are under fault.
to save the rest of the Power
System.

 Basic components of the Protection

Schemes:
Current Transformer (CT) and
Potential Transformer (PT)
Protective & Auxiliary Relays
Circuit Breaker
DC Power Source for operation of the
Circuit Breaker and auxiliary power
for Relays

 Functioning of Protection Scheme:

Getting Inputs from CT and/or PT,
Relay determines whether there is
any fault. If it detects any fault then
gives trip command to the circuit
breaker. Getting command, circuit
breaker
disconnects
the
faulty
sections from rest of the power
system.

Without leaving any portion of the Network

unprotected, different protection schemes are
provided for different areas of the Electrical
Network, e.g.
Generator,
Generator
Transformer
Transformers
Motors
220 kv & 132 kv feeder
220 kv Bus bar
6.6KV Bus and its systems.
Our current discussion will be based on:
Generator,
Generator
Transformer
Transformers Protections.

&

Unit

&

Unit

Protection of Generator, Generator

Transformer & Unit Transformers
Various protections are classified into three major Trip Groups:
Class-A Trip: Results in simultaneous tripping of prime mover and generator.
Covers most Electrical faults.
Class B Trip:
Turbine is tripped first, followed by the generator, through LFP / RP interlock.
Trapped steam is allowed to do useful work as long as possible & when it is
confirmed that the Stop Valve is closed fully/near fully, the generator is tripped.
The closure of the Stop valve verified by the magnitude of power output (Low
forward power) being less than preset value.
Most process protections and thermal protections of the Generator, GT & UT fall
in this category.
Class C Trip:
The Turbine Generator unit is isolated from the grid by opening the GT Breaker
and Generator is allowed to continue supply to station load.

Generator Differential
Protection (87G)
It is one of the important protections to protect generator
winding against internal faults such as phase-to-phase
and three phase-to-ground faults. This type of fault is
very serious because very large current can flow and
produce large amounts of damage to the winding if it is
allowed to persist. One set current transformers of the
generator on neutral and phase side, is exclusively used
for this protection. The differential protection cannot
detect turn-to-turn fault and phase to ground within one
winding for high impedance neutral grounding generator.
Relay: GR-I and GR-II (7 UM 62 of Siemens)
Class A tripping
Instantaneous

Generator Stator Earth Fault

Protection
Normally the generator stator neutral operates
at a potential close to ground. In case of
ground fault in any phase winding of the
stator, the normal low neutral voltage could
rise as high as line-to-neutral voltage (16.5/3
KV in our case) depending on the fault
location. Although a single ground fault will not
necessarily cause immediate damage, the
presence of one increases the probability of a
second. A second fault even if detected by
differential relay, may cause serious damage.

95% Stator Earth Fault

Protection (59NG)
Fault is detected by measuring the voltage across
the secondary of neutral grounding transformer
(NGT).
NGT Voltage Ratio: (16.5/3) KV / 240 V
Relay Setting: 12 volt (5% of 240 volt)
Relay: GR-I and GR-II (7 UM 62 of Siemens)
Class A tripping
Instantaneous
By this protection maximum 95% from the line
end of the winding can be protected. Remaining
5% from neutral end remains unprotected.

100% Stator Earth Fault

Protection (64G)
An external 20 Hz signal is fed to the Stator
winding through secondary of the NGT. If an
earth fault occurs in the stator winding
including star point, the 20 Hz voltage drives
a current through the fault resistance. From
this driving voltage and the fault current the
relay measures the fault resistance.
Relay: GR-I and GR-II (7 UM 62 of Siemens)
Class A tripping
Instantaneous

Generator Rotor Earth Fault

Protection (64 R)
Any rotor field winding of the generator is electrically
isolated from the ground. Therefore the existence of
one ground fault in the field winding will usually not
damage the rotor. However the presence of two or
more ground faults in the winding will cause magnetic
and thermal imbalance plus localized heating and
damage to the rotor metallic parts. The rotor earth
fault may be caused due to insulation failure of
winding or inter-turn fault followed by localized heat.
.

 A DC voltage is applied between rotor shaft

(Earthed) and neutral of the Exciter
Armature. Armature winding of Exciter is
connected to the Generator Field (Rotor)
through Rotating Diode. If an earth fault
occurs in Generator Rotor, the applied
voltage drives a fault current. From this
driving voltage and the fault current the
relay
measures
the
fault
resistance.
Depending on value of the fault resistance,
relay gives signal for Alarm or Trip.
Relay: GR-I and GR-II (7 UM 62 of Siemens)
Class A tripping

Generator Stator Inter Turn

Fault Protection (87 GI)
Generator Stator Inter Turn Fault occurs due to failure of inter
turn insulation resulting in reduction of line to neutral voltage
in the affected phase. PT secondary voltage of the generator
is fed to a star-open delta transformer. In normal condition
(Balanced generator terminal voltage) open delta voltage will
be zero but in case of inter turn fault a voltage will be
appeared there. Sensing this voltage the relay will operate if
the voltage be greater than preset value (corresponding to
single turn inter turn fault).
Open delta voltage also appears In case of stator earth fault
and thus NGT secondary voltage is used as a correction
factor for inter turn fault protection.
Relay: 7SJ62 of Siemens
Class A tripping

GENERATOR UNDER EXCITATION

OR LOSS OF EXCITATION (40G)
This protection is applied to generators to detect
reduction or loss of excitation to the field windings.
This condition of the generator may lead to heating
in turbo alternators.
When the synchronous machine with excitation, is
connected to the grid, it generates reactive power
along with active power to the grid and the rotor
speed is same as that of grid frequency. Loss of field
or loss of excitation results in loss of synchronism
between rotor flux & stator flux. The synchronous
machine operates as an induction machine at higher
speed and draws reactive power from the grid.

 This will result in the flow of slip

frequency currents in the rotor
body as well as severe torque
oscillations in the rotor shaft. As
the rotor is not designed to sustain
such currents or to withstand the
high alternating torques which
results
in
rotor
overheating,
coupling slippage and even rotor
failure.

 A loss of excitation normally indicates

a problem with the excitation system.
Sometimes it may be due to
inadvertent tripping of field breaker,
open or short circuit of field winding
or loss of source to the exciter. If the
generator
is
not
disconnected
immediately when it loses excitation
wide spread instability may very
quickly develop and major system
shutdown may occur.

Generator unbalance load protection or

Negative sequence Current Protection (46G)

This is to protect the generator from sustained

unbalanced
load.
When
the
machine
delivering the equal currents in three phases,
no unbalance or negative phase sequence
current is produced as the vector sum of these
currents is zero, when the generator is
supplying an unbalanced load to a system, a
negative phase sequence current is imposed
on the generator. The system unbalance may
be due to opening of lines, breaker failures or
system faults.

 The negative sequence current in the stator

winding creates a magnetic flux wave in the air
gap which rotates in opposite direction to that
of rotor synchronous speed. This flux induces
currents in the rotor body, wedges, retaining
rings at twice the line frequency. Heating occurs
in these areas and the resulting temperatures
depend upon the level and duration of the
unbalanced currents. The protective relay
extracts the negative sequence component of
the stator current and the relay characteristic is
an inverse current time operation. The setting is
matched with withstand characteristic of the
generator (provided by the manufacturer).

GENERATOR OVER EXCITATION

PROTECTION (99GT)
Per unit voltage divided by per unit
frequency commonly called Volts/Hertz
(V/F) is a measurable quantity that is
proportional to flux in the generator or
step-up transformer cores. Moderate over
fluxing (105-110%) increases core loss
resulting in increase of core temperatures
due to hysterics & eddy currents loss. Long
term operation at elevated temperatures
can shorten the life of the stator insulation.

 Severe over fluxing can breakdown

inter-laminar insulation followed by
rapid local core melting. Over fluxing
normally can be caused by over
excitation during Off-line condition,
and load rejection or AVR malfunctioning during On-line condition.
Relay: GR-I and GR-II (7 UM 62 of
Siemens)
Class A tripping

GENERATOR OVER VOLTAGE

PROTECTION (59G)
Generator voltage is at present value
under normal operating conditions as
selected by operator in AVR. If it parts
from preset value, may be due to AVR
mal-functioning or a system disturbance.
Severe over voltage can cause over
fluxing and winding insulation failure.
Two stage operation with definite time
delay Alarm & trip.

Generator Stand By Earth Fault

Protection (51NG)
Relay gets input from 150/1 A CT of
NGT secondary circuit.
In case of stator ground fault, voltage
induced in secondary of the NGT
drives a current through the NGR
(0.3359 ohm). Sensing this current,
Relay operates.
Class A tripping with normal inverse
characteristics.

Generator Backup Impedance

Protection (21G)

The Backup Impedance

Protection is a definite time
graded protection, for a short
circuit phase fault in Generator,
Generator Transformer, Bus
duct or as back up of uncleared
external network fault.

 Two stage operations are there.

Stage I covers up to the GT and gives Class
A tripping with 0.1 sec delay.
Stage II covers up to the longest 220 kv
feeder and gives Class C tripping with 0.6
sec time delay. Time delay is allowed to
clear the feeder fault through tripping of
the feeder breaker itself.
From output of the CT & PT, Relay
measures the impedance and if it comes
within the protected zone, the relay
operates. Relay characteristic is polygon
shaped.

Low Forward Power Protection

(37G)
and
Reverse Power Protection (32G)
Due to stoppage of steam supply, motoring of
the TG can occur. It will not affect the generator
but the turbine blades. To avoid such situations
Low Forward power Protection (37 G) and
Reverse Power Protection (32G) are used.
Low Forward power (0.5%):
with Turbine trip delay 2 sec Class B trip
without Turbine trip delay 10 sec Class A trip
Reverse power (-0.5%):
with Turbine trip delay 1 sec Class B trip
without Turbine trip delay 9 sec Class A trip

GENERATOR DEAD MACHINE

PROTECTION (50GDM)
Employed for protection against
accidental energisation of Generator
unit under S/D.
Appearance of current before normal
terminal voltage is established,
within the preset time.
Employed for protection against
accidental closing of Circuit Breaker.
Class A protection.

Under Frequency (81 UG) and

Over Frequency (81OG) Protection
Under frequency may occur due to sudden outage of
huge amount of Power Input to the Network and Over
Frequency due to outage of a massive load of the
Network. These are associated with System
Disturbance. Protection is required to prevent
abnormal vibration of the turbine.
Under frequency bellow 48.5 Hz 3sec delay
Alarm
- below 47.5 Hz 0.5 sec delay Class C trip
Over frequency above 51.0 Hz 1sec delay Alarm
-above 53.0 Hz 0.5 sec delay Class C trip

Generator Out Of Step

Protection (78G)
To protect the Generator going out of
synchronism or stability due to heavy
external faults, insufficient excitation
etc.
The relay measures the rate of
change of impedance seen by the
Generator.
The relay has a polygon impedance
characteristics defined by the
impedance of the Generator, GT and

 Out Of Step is detected if

the no. of swing of the measured
impedance through the impedance
characteristics in a predetermined
period exceeds the preset value.
positive sequence current is greater
than preset value.
negative sequence current is less
than preset value. (as it is a
symmetrical fault)

Overall Differential Protection

(87 OA)
Inputs to the Relay are from secondary of four
CTs:
Generator neutral side CT
GT 220 KV side CT
UAT- A 16.5 KV side CT
UAT- B 16.5 KV side CT
Protect the Generator, GT, 16.5 KV Bus Duct
from phase to phase fault, three phaseground fault etc.

 The Relay is of Biased Differential

characteristics.
Relay settings are as follows:
Pick up: 0.2 I/In
Slope I: 0.25 Base point I: 0.0 I/In
Slope II: 0.5 Base point I: 2.5 I/In
2nd Harmonic Restraining: 15%
5th Harmonic Restraining: 30%
High Set: 7.5 I/In
Relay:7UT635 of Siemens
Class A tripping

GT HV side Restricted Earth

Fault
(64 HGT)
For protection of HV winding of GT.
HV winding is star connected.
Neutral and three phase Bushing CTs
are used.
Operates in Differential principle with
Stabilising resistance.
Setting: 0.2 A
CTR: 800/1

 Calculation for Stabilising Resistance:

GT full load current 315000/1.732/220= 826.68 A
Max fault current = 826.68/0.145 = 5701 A
(%Impedance 14.5)
Secy. Fault current = 5701/800 = 7.13 A
Stabilising voltage
= 1.3 x If x (Rct+Rrelay+2 x R lead)
= 1.3 X 7.13 X (4 +0+2 x 1.1)
= 57.44 volt
Stabilising Resistance = 57.44/0.2 = 287 ohm (relay
setting 0.2 A)
Relay:7UT635 OF Siemens
Class A tripping

GT Over current
Protection (51 GT)

Relay type: 7SJ61 of Siemens

Pick up : 0.9 A (CTR 1000/1)
Time setting 0.25 sec
Normal Inverse characteristics
High set : 8 A (Inst)
Class A tripping.

UAT Differential protection

(87UAT) and 6.6 kv side REF (64R)

Biased Differential Protection

Pick up: 0.2 I/In
Slope I: 0.25 Base point I: 0.0 I/In
Slope II: 0.5 Base point I: 2.5 I/In
2nd Harmonic Restraining: 15%
5th Harmonic Restraining: 30%
High Set: 12.0 I/In
I-REF : 0.2 A
Stabilising resistance : 1000 ohm.
Relay:7UT613 of Siemens
Class A tripping

UAT Over current Protection

(50/51 UAT)

Relay type: 7SJ61 of Siemens

Pick up : 5 A (CTR 800/5)
Time setting 0.6 sec
Normal Inverse characteristics
High set : 60 A (Inst)
Class A tripping.

GT /UAT
PROTECTIONS
(Mechanical)

 Gas operated Buchholtz relay protection

Operates when gases produced by Electrical
discharge/arcing inside the transformer travel from
Tank to Conservator.
Alarm element operates by the slow
collection of gas in the gas trap of the relay
while the gases are escaping from the
transformer tank to the conservator. The
collected gases displaces oil downward and
the float switch operates.
Sudden or rapid rush of gases and oil to the
conservator, for rapid arcing or a severe fault
pushes a flap in the flow path, to operate the trip
element.
Also trips for very low oil level in Transformer,
in case of tank leakage, which is sensed by
fall in Oil level in conservator.

 Pressure Relief Device (Diaphragm):

Operates for excessive pressure rise and / or
rate of rise of pressure.
Its purpose is to Avoids rupture of tank, in
case of an internal fault/flashover leading to
Oil spillage and spread of fire.
Oil surge protection:
Normally provided for OLTC Chamber
It is similar to Buchholtz relay, but with only
oil surge element (no gas collection chamber
and float)

 OIL TEMPERATURE (ALARM & TRIP):

Set as per manufacturers recommendation
Operates for condition like sustained over load or loss of cooling
which cause abnormal Oil temperature rise which can reduce
the life of the transformer insulation.
WINDING TEMPERATURE (ALARM & TRIP):
Top oil temperature corrected for I2R heating by proportional current
in replica resistance, otherwise functionally identical to OTI system
above.
Mercury contact switches mounted on the temperature
indicating dial Gauge gives alarm
In case, the Unit operator ignores or neglects Alarm, trip contact
operates and initiates Unit tripping.
OIL LEVEL (MAGNETIC OIL GAUGE) ALARM:
MOG alarm operates on Conservator oil level low condition,
before Buchholtzs relay trip occurs, to give early warning;
NOTE: Regular noting of OTI and WTI should be done

THANK YOU