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Protective Relay Functional Combinations

In some applications, combinations of protective relay functions, combinations of protective relays and control logic, or combinations of protective relays and timers provide enhanced fault detection, better protective device coordination, or improved security when compared to singlefunction protective relays. Some of the combinations are Voltage-Controlled Time Overcurrent Relay Torque-Controlled Time Overcurrent Relay Logic-Controlled Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay Torque-Controlled Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay Logic-Controlled Overvoltage Relay Logic-Controlled Undervoltage Relay Logic-Controlled Distance Relay Current-Supervised Distance Relay Logic-Supervised Differential Relay Current-Supervised Differential Relay Current-Supervised Underfrequency Relay Dual Underfrequency Relays

6.1 Voltage-Controlled Time Overcurrent Relay

A voltage-controlled time overcurrent relay is one that is not permitted to start to time out unless voltage falls below a threshold value for the voltage detector and current exceeds the setpoint of the overcurrent detector. Voltage-controlled time overcurrent relays are used in applications, such as generator backup protection, where the magnitude of available shortcircuit current and magnitude of maximum load current may be almost the same. If an overcurrent relay is set above load, the relay may not be able to detect faults with delayed clearing. If an overcurrent relay is set to detect faults with delayed clearing, the relay may operate on load current. 93
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Protective Relay Principles

One solution is to apply a voltage-controlled time overcurrent relay with an overcurrent pickup setting that is less than maximum load current and to use the voltage unit to block relay operation unless voltage drops to less than the undervoltage setting.

6.2 Torque-Controlled Time Overcurrent Relay

A torque-controlled time overcurrent relay is one that starts to time out when a permissive signal is enabled and current exceeds the setpoint of the overcurrent detector. Torque-controlled time overcurrent relays are designed so that the relay cannot begin timing out until the permissive signal is enabled. Voltage-controlled time overcurrent relays are one type of torquecontrolled overcurrent relay. The permissive signal could also be generated by a directional relay, a distance relay, control scheme logic, etc. Torque-controlled time overcurrent relays are used in applications, such as reverse power protection, where the direction of power flow is an important consideration. (When a directional unit controls relay operation, settings that are sensitive to power flow can be specified.) Another example is directional time overcurrent ground relays used to detect faults on transmission linesthe directional unit prevents operation of the overcurrent unit for faults in the reverse direction.

6.3 Logic-Controlled Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay

A logic-controlled instantaneous overcurrent relay has an overcurrent unit that operates with no intentional time delay when input current exceeds a predetermined pickup value. The permissive enables or blocks relay function. An example of a logic-controlled instantaneous overcurrent relay would be a low-set instantaneous relay used for protection of radial, overhead distribution lines. These relays are blocked from service until the circuit breaker remains closed for several seconds. Another example would be directional ground relays used in pilot schemes for transmission-line protection where the instantaneous ground relay cannot complete its function unless a permissive signal is received from the remote line terminal. Yet another example of logic-controlled instantaneous overcurrent relays are breaker failure fault detectors that only perform their function if a circuit-breaker trip signal is issued and current has not been interrupted
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(as detected by instantaneous overcurrent relays) before a circuit-breaker failure timer times out.

6.4 Torque-Controlled Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay

A torque-controlled instantaneous overcurrent relay has an overcurrent unit that operates with no intentional time delay when a permissive is enabled and input current exceeds a predetermined pickup value. The advantage of torque control is that the current unit will not operate until the permissive signal is enabled. Typically directional instantaneous overcurrent relays are torque controlled if there is a concern that sudden current reversals could cause incorrect relay operation.

6.5 Logic-Controlled Overvoltage Relay

A logic-controlled overvoltage relay operates when input voltage rises above a predetermined pickup value. The permissive enables or blocks relay function. An example of a logic-controlled overvoltage relay would be one that is enabled through two timers. One timer is allowed to time out when overvoltage persists for a long time and a second timer is allowed to time out quickly when permissives associated with circuit-breaker position switches are in predetermined positions.

6.6 Logic-Controlled Undervoltage Relay

A logic-controlled undervoltage relay operates when input voltage drops below a predetermined dropout value. The permissive enables or blocks relay function. An example of a logic-controlled undervoltage relay would be one that is enabled through two timers. One timer is allowed to time out when undervoltage persists for a long time and a second timer is allowed to time out quickly when permissives associated with circuit-breaker position switches are in predetermined positions.
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6.7 Logic-Controlled Distance Relay

A logic-controlled distance relay is one that completes its function when permissives in the control scheme are enabled. Zone-2 and Zone-3 relays are examples of logic-controlled distance relays. Zone-1, Zone-2, and Zone-3 relays are the same type relay. The functional difference is that Zone-1 relays are allowed to trip circuit breakers as soon as the relay actuates whereas Zone-2 and Zone-3 relays initiate timers that facilitate circuit-breaker tripping. Another example would be distance relays used in pilot schemes for transmission-line protection the distance relay cannot complete its trip function unless a permissive signal is received from the remote line terminal.

6.8 Current-Supervised Distance Relay

A current-supervised distance relay is one that completes its function when high line current is detected in addition to low circuit impedance. Distance relays are susceptible to operation if fuses in the voltage input circuit open. Instantaneous overcurrent relays, set above load current, can be used to supervise impedance relays and prevent inadvertent relay actuation if a VT fails or a low-voltage fuse opens. Another example would be current supervised distance relays, utilized for subtransmissionline protection, where variable speed clearing is obtained by utilizing a torque-controlled time overcurrent relay rather than a timer in Zone-2 applications.

6.9 Logic-Supervised Differential Relay

A logic-supervised differential relay is a differential relay that requires a permissive to complete its function. When security from inadvertent operation is a concern, differential relays can be supervised by control scheme logic. An example would be differential relaying for parallel transformers where instantaneous overcurrent relays are utilized to initiate timers that delay differential relay operation for 200 milliseconds for faults that could be associated with adjacent equipment. Another example for parallel series reactors would be directional relays that detect faults on adjacent equipment and block
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the series reactor differential relay from completing its design function until after faults on adjacent equipment are isolated.

6.10 Current-Supervised Differential Relay

A current-supervised differential relay requires an overcurrent permissive to complete its function. When security from inadvertent operation is a concern, differential relays can be supervised by overcurrent relays. An example would be differential relaying for transmission lines where instantaneous overcurrent relays are utilized to block operation of the line differential unless fault current exceeds a preselected value.

6.11 Current-Supervised Underfrequency Relay

A current-supervised instantaneous underfrequency relay is utilized in combination with an instantaneous overcurrent relay. A typical application would be a radial distribution substation that serves customers with large motors. Current supervision would be applied so that underfrequency relays are allowed to complete their function only when circuit load is above a predetermined value.

6.12 Dual Underfrequency Relays

Control scheme logic requires the operation of two underfrequency relays, connected to separate voltage sources, before underfrequency tripping is permitted. When working with multifunction, microprocessor-based relays, the desired protective relay functional pairs can be enabled through the use of menu selections in an interface device. When working with electromechanical relays, the need for protective relay functional pairs must be recognized before relays and relay panels are ordered so that the necessary wiring can be installed between the relays.

2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC