2014 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPE 2014), 16-18 October, Iasi, Romania

Overload Protection of Power Lines

Aneta Hazi Gheorghe Hazi
Power Engineering Department Power Engineering Department
University “Vasile Alecsandri” University “Vasile Alecsandri”
Bacău, Romania Bacău, Romania
ahazi@ub.ro gheorghe.hazi@ub.ro

Abstract— The paper looks into configuring thermal image-type where the heating time constant, T, is highlighted as well as
protections within the power lines numerical protections. The the final temperature, θmax:
first part of the paper proposes a method to determine the time
constant for the power line heating process. It is an essential
measure for these protections. The cable lines are considered
m⋅c
T= (3)
separately from the overhead lines. The protection characteristics α ⋅ S − R0 ⋅ α R ⋅ I 2
offered by various numerical terminal providers are analyzed.
Several configuration options are proposed depending on the
specific situations. Examples are presented for cable lines and R0 ⋅ (1 − α R ⋅ θ 0 ) ⋅ I 2 + α ⋅ S ⋅ θ a
overhead lines. θ max = (4)
α ⋅ S − R0 ⋅ α R ⋅ I 2
Keywords - numerical protections; time constant; cable lines;
overhead lines Determining the global heat transfer coefficient, α, poses a
challenge. A detailed analytical method can be used and it
I. INTRODUCTION implies having detailed characteristics for the cables (widths
of the isolation layers and their thermal conductivity) [2], [3],
Most technical regulations impose an overload protection
[4]. For the overhead lines the heat transfer calculation is, as
for cable or mixed cable-overhead lines [1]. Currently, when
well, time intensive and influenced by a big number of factors
working with numerical protections, it is necessary to
[5], [6]. The paper presents a method based on global data
determine the heating time constant in order to configure the
obtained from regulations for sections checking in cables and
protections. The time constant depends on several factors:
conductors.
• The conductors heat capacity, dependent itself on the
mass and on the specific heat. II. DETERMINING THE TIME CONSTANT FOR CABLE LINES
• The heat transfer conditions from the conductors to the The design regulations [7], [8], as well as some
environment. These conditions vary considerably between manufacturer manuals [9], offer simple procedures to
buried cables and overhead lines. determine the maximum continuous load current depending on
• The currents through the conductors. the cable install conditions.
The temperature of the conductors in the transition regime is
calculated based on the differential equation which relates the For the maximum continuous load current, relation (1)
heat from the Joule effect to the heat transferred to the becomes:
environment and to the heat stored in conductors:
R0 ⋅ [1 + α R ⋅ (θ ad − θ 0 )]⋅ I ad
2
= α ⋅ S ⋅ (θ ad − θ a ) (5)
R0 ⋅ [1 + α R ⋅ (θ − θ 0 )] ⋅ I ⋅ dt = m ⋅ c ⋅ dθ + α ⋅ S ⋅ (θ − θ a ) ⋅ dt (1)
2

where θad is the maximum temperature for continuous load

where R0 – the conductors resistance at θ= θ0, [Ω] (θad=90°C for XLPE cables and 65°C for cables with PVC
αR – the temperature coefficient of the resistance, [°K-1] isolation), and Iad, is the maximum current for this regime.
I – the current value, [A] From (5) we can obtain the global coefficient of heat
m – the mass of the conductors, [kg] transfer, α:
c – the median specific heat of the conductors, [J/kg °K]
α – the coefficient of heat transfer, [W/m2 °K]
R0 ⋅ [1 + α R ⋅ (θ ad − θ 0 )]⋅ I ad
2
S – the external heat transfer surface, [m2] α= (6)
θa – the temperature of the environment the heat is S ⋅ (θ ad − θ a )
transferred to [°K].
As an example, if we consider the ABB cable [9], XLPE
The compact form of relation (1) is: 3x150 mm2, Al, 20 kV, θad= 90°C, with the cable mass m0=1.5
dθ θ θ max kg/m, the conductor mass m0c=2700 kg/m3·150 mm2=0.405
+ = (2) kg/m, cAL=913 J/kg °K, αR= 0.004 °K-1, θa= θ0 =20 °C, the
dt T T

978-1-4799-5849-8/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 968

conductor diameter Φ=14.2 mm, R0=0.206 Ω/km, Iad=325 A We can see from table 1 that the time constant is
(in standard conditions θa =20 °C, the laying depth h=1m, the significantly influenced by the ground thermal conductivity.
ground thermal resistivity RT=1 m °K /W, the distance It’s worth mentioning that the correction coefficients values
between phases in the ground s=De+70mm, the external cable can by greater than one (for example when s>De+70 mm or
diameter De=35 mm), we obtain: h<1 m). The values from table 1 don’t practically vary too
S = π ⋅ Φ ⋅10 −3 ⋅1 = 0.045 m 2 / m much for identical installation conditions. The time constant
α = 8.919 W/m2·°K variation in figure 1 is due to the load current variation. For
this reason some numerical relays [10] allow introducing 2-3
The time constant results from relation (3), with m= m0c values for the time constant for different load conditions.
and I=Iad:
III. DETERMINING THE TIME CONSTANT FOR OVERHEAD
T = 1189.57 s = 19.826 min LINES
As we can see from (3) this value depends on the current. The overhead line conductors are, at least for medium and
This is not taken into account by all numerical relays. If we high voltage, made from steel-aluminum. For this reason, to
represent the time constant variation T (minutes) in relation to evaluate the heat stored in the conductor we have to determine
the relative current value I/Iad, we get the curve from figure 1. the equivalent specific heat:
The values for the admissible current and for the time
constant vary according to the local cable installation c AL ⋅ m AL + cOL ⋅ mOL
c= (8)
conditions. These variations are illustrated in table 1. The m AL + mOL
admissible current is modified according to relation [9]:
where cAL, mAL, cOL, mOL are the specific heat and the mass
I ad = I adst ⋅ f1 ⋅ f 2 ⋅ f 3 ⋅ f 4 (7) related to the length unit for the two materials.
The heat transfer coefficient, α, and the time constant, T,
where Iadst is the reference admissible current and f1-f4 are
are determined with relations (6) and (3), with some
observations in specific conditions.
Example. We consider a 20 kV overhead line ACSR 3x50
mm2 OL-AL conductors with the following characteristics
[11]: Iad=302 A (for reference conditions θa=20 °C, vair=
1m/s, solar radiation = 900 W/m2, emissivity coefficient =
0.6), m0=195 kg/km, cAL=913 J/kg °K, cOL=420 J/kg °K,
aluminum section SAL= 48.25 mm2, steel section SOL= 8.04
mm2, aluminum density γAL=2700 kg/m3, αR= 0.004 °K-1 (only
for aluminum, the current through the steel core s negligible),
conductor diameter Φ=9.6 mm, θad=80 °C, θa= θ0 =20 °C.
Aluminum mass and steel mass:
m AL = γ AL ⋅ S AL ⋅1⋅10−3 = 130.275 kg/km
mOL = m0 − m AL = 64.725 kg/km
The weighted specific heat (rel. (8)):
Figure 1. The influence of the load current on the time constant
c= 749.362 J/kg °K
correction coefficients established according to the installation S = π ⋅ Φ ⋅10 −3 ⋅1000 = 30.16 m 2 / km
conditions. α= 37.124 W/m2·°K

TABLE I. THE INFLUENCE OF THE LAYING CONDITIONS ON THE ADMISSIBLE CURRENT AND ON THE TIME CONSTANT
f1 f2 f3 f4 α Iad T
No Condition
(h) (θa) (RT) (s) [W/m2 °K] [A] [min]
1 Standard 1 1 1 1 8.92 325 19.83
2 Phase cables touching
1 1 1 0.93 7.714 302 22.92
(s=De)
3 Laying depth
0.98 1 1 0.93 7.41 296 23.87
h=1.2 m
4 Ground thermal resistivity
0.98 1 0.84 0.93 5.23 249 33.8
RT=1.5 m°K/W
5 Ground thermal resistivity
0.98 1 0.67 0.93 3.33 198 53.17
RT=2.5 m°K/W
6. Ground temperature
0.98 0.96 0.67 0.93 3.06 190 57.7
θ0=25°C

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 The time constant results from relation (3), with m= m0
From (4) we can see (after θa is subtracted) that the
and I=Iad:
temperature rise above ambient, , is practically
T = 161.84 s = 2.7 min proportional to I2. The time delay until the protection must
trip is determined from the condition = ad, ad being
The value thus obtained is not feasible as the
given by the admissible current for the line, Iad.
environmental conditions θa =20 °C, vair=1m/s do not cover
our country. Moreover the Iad=175 A value, recommended
by [12], will be used. For θa =40 °C and vair=0.2 m/s, the ⎛ ϑmax − ϑ p ⎞ ⎛ I 2 − I 2p ⎞
t = T ⋅ ln⎜⎜ ⎟ = T ⋅ ln⎜ ⎟ (11)
heat transfer coefficient, α, will be determined using the ⎟ ⎜ I 2 − I ad ⎟
⎝ ϑmax − ϑad
2
⎠ ⎝ ⎠
method from [5].
The median temperature is determined as: Relation (11) is the basis for how the numerical
θ +θ protections work against overloads, also being
θ m = a ad = 60 °C recommended by [13]. The relay manufacturers have
2
The kinematic viscosity: different ways to apply it.
The relay manufacturer SEPAM [14] recommends the
ν = 1.32 ⋅10 −5 + 9.5 ⋅10 −8 ⋅θ m = 1.89 ⋅10-5 m2/s relation:
g =9.807 m/s2
⎛ ⎛ I ⎞
2 ⎞
The air thermal conductivity: ⎜ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 1 ⎟
λa = 2.42 ⋅10 −2 + 7.2 ⋅10 −5 ⋅θ m = 0.029 W/m·°C ⎜ ⎟
t = T ⋅ ln⎜ ⎝ Ib ⎠ ⎟ (12)
2 2
The Reynolds number: ⎜⎛ I ⎞ ⎛ I ⎞ ⎟
v ⋅Φ ⎜⎜ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − ⎜⎜ ad ⎟⎟ ⎟⎟
Re = aer = 91.429 ⎝ ⎝ Ib ⎠ ⎝ Ib ⎠ ⎠
ν
The B1 and n constants from table 1 [5] are determined where Ib, the base current, is Iad/1.4. This means the
based on the Reynolds number: protection will start for I>Ib=0.714 Iad. In this case we
B1=0.641 configure only Iad (1-1.73Ib) and T (a single value, 1-600
n= 0.471 min). Note that Ib is determined based on the rated current of
The Nusselt number: the current transformer. The trip curves are given in figure 2.
Nu = B1 ⋅ Re n = 5.377 The cold curve is obtained when Ip=0, that is when the line is
The heat transfer coefficient α: coupled to the load after having been decoupled for some
Nu ⋅ λa time.
α= = 15.97 W/m2 ·°K
Φ
T = 356.59 s =5.94 min
The obtained value is practically double that determined
from the conditions given by the manufacturer.
For overhead lines the regulations do not impose
installing overload protections but, in some situations (lines
loaded at the thermal limit), these can be useful.
IV. TUNING NUMERICAL OVERLOAD PROTECTIONS Figure 2. Trip curves for SEPAM relays
The numerical relays use the equation (2) solution:
For ABB relays, [15], the maximum temperature
t reached, θfinal, for current I is calculated based on the
θ (t ) = θ max − (θ max − θ p )⋅ e
−
T (9) relation:
2
⎛ I ⎞
where θp (preload) is the conductor temperature at t=0, θ final =⎜ ⎟ ⋅ θ ref (13)
⎜ I ref ⎟
when the overload occurs. ⎝ ⎠
The relation also applies to temperature rises because by where θref is the allowed temperature (θad=90 for XLPE
subtracting the ambient temperature θa from (9) the equality cables). Note that ABB allows the cable lines to go over θref
remains. By noting =θ-θa we have: for a few hours a year. In manual [9] it is mentioned that
t these cables can work for a limited time up to 105 °C. Iref is
ϑ (t ) = ϑmax − (ϑmax − ϑ p )⋅ e
−
T (10) the current that would generate the θref temperature, within
local installation conditions (it is Iad in our paper). The

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temperature calculation is iterative, using the following Choosing the overload protection level for cable lines
relation (a modified form of (9)): must be based on the following:
• The maximum continuous load current which is
⎛ Δt ⎞ dependent on the installation conditions
θ n = θ n −1 + (θ final − θ n −1 )⋅ ⎜1 − e
−
T ⎟ (14)
⎜ ⎟ • The maximum temperature for continuous load
⎝ ⎠ • The maximum temperature for a limited time
where • The maximum short-duration current which is
θn - calculated present temperature dependent on the installation conditions
θn-1 - calculated temperature at previous time step • The load curve characteristics for the analyzed line.
θfinal - calculated final temperature with actual current
Δt - time step between calculation of actual temperature Following analysis the authors recommend:
T - thermal time constant for the protected device (line or • For cable lines where the maximum continuous load
cable). current is much smaller than the maximum continuous
The operating time is estimated with a relation similar to admissible current of the cable the tripping should be
the first equality of (11). The configured parameters are: θa – set at the maximum temperature for continuous load.
ambient temperature, Iref – the reference current (0.05÷4)·In, This way the cable lifespan (30-40 years) is protected,
θref – the reference temperature, T – the time constant, θmaxad and the overload tripping risk is very small.
> θref the trip temperature, θalarm – the alarm temperature (it • For cable lines where the maximum continuous load
starts the protection), θreclose – the temperature at which the current is very close to the maximum continuous
line can be reclosed. admissible current cable the tripping should be set at
Siemens relays, [16], apply a relation similar to (14): temperature values between the maximum temperature
for continuous load and the maximum temperature for
a limited time. In this case it should be checked that
⎛ −
t ⎞ the cable supports, for limited periods, higher
θ op = θ amb + Δθ max ⋅ ⎜1 − e T ⎟ (15)
⎜ ⎟ temperatures.
⎝ ⎠ • For cable lines that take a temporary overload, the
tripping will be set over the temperature generated by
where ∆θmax is the temperature rise above the ambient
the overload current, but not over the maximum
temperature generated by the maximum short-duration
temperature for a limited time.
current, Imaxad. θamb is the temperature for normal operation.
• In cases where the overload protection is set to trip at
Siemens relays work with the k factor:
higher temperatures than the maximum temperature for
continuous load, the overcurrent protections and the
distance protections will be checked so as to not trip in
I max ad
k= (16) these regimes.
In
V. CONCLUSIONS
where In is the rated primary current of the relay. From the above paper we can draw the following
conclusions:
Note that Siemens recommends that the relay should trip
at temperatures above the maximum continuous operation • To activate the overload protections for power lines it
temperature (90°C for the XLPE cable). The parameters to is necessary to determine their heating time constant.
set are: k – the factor given by relation (16), T- the time • The determination can be made experimentally,
constant, θalarm – the alarming temperature (90%), Ialarm – the through detailed analytical calculation or through a
current at which the overload operation begins ( SIEMENS quick method presented in this paper. The method is
recommends the Iad value). based on calculating the heat transfer coefficient for
the continuous load maximum current and maximum
From the data presented above it follows that most of the temperature.
numerical relay manufacturers (ABB and Siemens • The time constant depends on the load current. It
explicitly) recommend overload relay tripping for varies by 30-40% when the current varies between 0.5
temperature values above the temperatures corresponding to and 1.3 of Iad. It is recommended to use numerical
the maximum continuous load current. This applies if the relays that allow setting multiple values for the time
cables respect the ICEA requirements [17]. Technical constant.
specifications from distributor operators in Romania [18] • The overload protections may be also installed, if
also impose a supported temperature in overload regime necessary, on overhead lines (for example when the
much higher than θad=90°C (for XLPE cables). For power system suffers from congestions).
example, in [18], the maximum admissible temperature is • The overload numerical protections tripping will be
130 °C for a minimum of 8 hours. usually set at the maximum continuous operation
temperature. This ensures an increase in the cable

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 lifespan. Tripping at higher temperatures, up to the Distribution Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society,
2006.
maximum admissible short term temperature, will be
[7] ANRE, “Standard for the design and construction of cables network”,
applied where justified by the capacity of the cable to NTE 007/08/00, approved through order no. 38 din 20. 03. 2008
support this regime. from the ANRE president.
• The signaling temperature will be set at lower values [8] I 7—2011, “Standard for the design, construction and operation of
than the maximum temperature for continuous load, electrical installations on buildings”, approved through order nr.
usually at 80-90% of its value. 2741/2011 of the regional development and tourism minstry.
[9] ABB, “XLPE Land Cable Systems, User ́s Guide”, ABB’s high
• Most of the numerical relays provided by voltage cable unit in Sweden, www.abb.com/cables .
manufacturers offer a wide array of overload [10] ABB, “REF 542plus. Protection Functions: Configuration and
protection settings with the possibility to real time Settings. Protection manual”, Version: E/04.11.2009, www.abb.com
remote monitor through SCADA systems. [11] SC IPROEB SA Bistriţa, “Bare conductors for overhead power
transmission lines&steel wire ropes”, www.iproeb.ro
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secondary circuit”, NTE 011/12/00, vol. I, II, III, approved through NTE 401/03/00, approved through decision no. 269 from 4.06.2003
order no. 41/14.11.2012 from the ANRE president. from the ANRE president.
[2] IEC 60287-2, “Electric cables. Calculation of the current rating. Part [13] IEC 60255-8, “Thermal electrical relay”, International
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2006. [14] Schneider Electric, “Sepam series 80. Protection, metering and
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[4] Ludvig Lindström, “Evaluating Impact on Ampacity According to version5.0, www.abb.com .
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[5] CIGRE, “Brochure on thermal behaviour of overhead conductors”, [17] Insulated Cable Engineers Association Standard, P32-382-1994,
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