Overcurrent and Earth Fault

Relay Setting
Electrical Engineer Application
Introduction
An IDMT relay is designed to protect electrical systems from overcurrent
and earth faults. The operating time of an IDMT relay is inversely
proportional to the magnitude of the fault current, meaning the higher
the fault current, the faster the relay operates. These relays are
commonly used in power systems to ensure that faults are isolated
quickly to protect equipment and prevent system instability. In general,
an IDMT relay provides two types of protection:
• Overcurrent Protection (O/C): Protects the system against excessive
current that exceeds the predetermined threshold, typically caused by
short circuits or overloads.
• Earth Fault Protection (E/F): Protects the system when current flows to the
ground due to insulation failure or grounding issues.
Operation Principle of IDMT Relay
The relay's operating time is given by the following equation, as per IEC or IEEE standards:

• T = Relay operating time (seconds)

• K = Constant based on relay characteristics (for standard inverse: K=0.14, for very
inverse: K=13.5, for extremely inverse: K=80)
• If = Fault current (amps)
• Is = Relay pick-up current or plug setting (amps)
• n = Constant based on the relay type (for standard inverse: n=0.02, for very inverse:
n=1, for extremely inverse: n=2)
• TMS = Time Multiplier Setting, which adjusts the relay’s operating time
Overcurrent Protection (O/C) Calculation
For overcurrent protection, the relay is set to operate when the current
exceeds a certain value, known as the plug setting. The calculation for relay
operation can be broken down into the following steps:
1. Determine the relay’s pick-up current (Is): The pick-up current is
determined by the plug setting multiplier (PSM) applied to the current
transformer (CT) ratio. The plug setting is typically a percentage (e.g.,
100%, 150%) of the rated CT current.
Is = PS x ICT
Where:
PS = Plug setting (in percentage)
ICT = CT secondary current (typically 1A or 5A)
Overcurrent Protection (O/C) Calculation
2. Calculate the fault current (If): The fault current is the actual current
measured by the relay during a fault condition.
3. Calculate the plug setting multiplier (PSM): The plug setting multiplier is
the ratio of fault current to the pick-up current.

Where :
If : Fault Current (A)
Is : Pick-up Current (A)
4. Calculate the relay operating time: Based on the type of IDMT curve
selected (standard inverse, very inverse, or extremely inverse), use the
relay operating equation mentioned earlier.
Earth Fault Protection (E/F) Calculation
The earth fault relay protects against ground faults, which may occur due
to insulation failures or direct contact between the live conductor and
the earth. The calculation steps are similar to those for overcurrent
protection, but typically the fault current is lower in magnitude.
1. Determine the pick-up current (Is): For earth fault relays, the pick-
up current is generally lower than for overcurrent relays, as earth
faults often produce smaller currents.
2. Calculate the earth fault current (If): Measure or estimate the
current that flows through the earth during a fault.
3. Calculate the plug setting multiplier (PSM)
4. Calculate the relay operating time: Use the same formula as for
overcurrent protection, adjusting based on the selected curve
characteristics.
Time Multiplier Setting (TMS)
The TMS is a scaling factor that
adjusts the relay's operating time.
A lower TMS results in faster relay
operation, while a higher TMS
delays the tripping time. The value
of TMS is chosen based on system
coordination requirements to
ensure selectivity among multiple
relays.
Relay Coordination
Relay coordination ensures that
the nearest relay to the fault
operates first, while upstream
relays provide backup
protection. This requires careful
setting of TMS and plug settings
to achieve proper time
discrimination between relays on
different protection zones.
Example Calculation
Let’s assume a relay with the following parameters:
▪ Plug setting: 125% of 5A CT secondary (I_s = 6.25A)
▪ Fault current: 20A
▪ Time multiplier setting: 0.1
▪ Relay type: Standard inverse (K = 0.14, n = 0.02)
1. Calculate the PSM :

2. Calculate the operating time:

In this example, the relay will operate in approximately 0.98 seconds.

Conclusion
IDMT overcurrent and earth fault relays provide reliable protection by
operating inversely with respect to fault current. Their calculation
involves setting appropriate values for pick-up current, fault current,
PSM, and TMS to ensure proper relay operation and coordination with
other protective devices in the system.
IDMT Low Over Current Relay Calculation
IDMT (Inverse Definite Minimum Time) low overcurrent relays are
widely used for protecting power systems from overcurrent
conditions, especially in distribution networks. These relays
operate inversely to the magnitude of the fault current — higher
fault currents result in shorter operating times, while lower fault
currents lead to longer operating times. The IDMT characteristic
ensures selective coordination between relays in a system, avoiding
unnecessary tripping and allowing for safe fault clearance.
Key Concepts in IDMT Relay Calculation
1. Pickup Current (Ip) : The pickup current is the minimum current that
causes the relay to start timing. It is set as a multiple of the rated
current and is typically denoted as Ip.
2. Time Multiplier Setting (TMS) : The TMS adjusts the operating time of
the relay. A lower TMS results in faster relay operation, while a higher
TMS makes it slower. The operating time is directly proportional to the
TMS.
3. Fault Current (If) : This is the actual current seen by the relay during
a fault condition. The operating time of the relay depends on the ratio
of fault current to pickup current (If/Ip)
4. IDMT Characteristic Curves : IDMT Characteristic Curves: Several
IDMT relay characteristics are used based on different applications,
such as: Normal Inverse (NI), Very Inverse (VI), Extremely Inverse (EI).
Each of these characteristics defines how quickly the relay operates
in response to overcurrent.
General Formula for IDMT Relay Time Calculation
The operating time for an IDMT relay is given by the following equation
(for a Normal Inverse characteristic):

Where:
• t: Relay operating time
• TMS: Time multiplier setting
• If: Fault current
• Ip: Pickup current
• k and n: Constants that depend on the type of IDMT curve.
Steps for IDMT Relay Calculation
1. Determine the Pickup Current (Ip): The pickup current is generally set as
a multiple of the full load current (or rated current) of the system. For
example, if the full load current is 100A and the relay is set with a pickup of
1.5, then the pickup current is:
Ip = 1.5 x 100A = 150A
2. Determine the Fault Current (If): The fault current is usually calculated
from the short-circuit analysis of the system or from protective
coordination studies. Let's assume the fault current is 600A.
3. Calculate the Time Multiplier Setting (TMS): The TMS is chosen based on
coordination studies with other protection devices in the system. Suppose
the TMS is set to 0.2.
4. Select the IDMT Characteristic: Based on the protection scheme, choose
the appropriate IDMT characteristic. Assume we are using the Normal
Inverse characteristic with constants k = 0.14 and n: 0.02
Steps for IDMT Relay Calculation
5. Calculate the Operating Time (t): Using the formula:

Thus, the relay will operate in approximately 0.97 seconds under this
fault condition.
Practical Considerations
1. Coordination : Relays at different locations on the network
must coordinate to ensure that only the relay nearest to the fault
trips first. This is done by adjusting TMS and pickup settings.
2. CT Ration : The relay is often connected via a current
transformer (CT), and its settings need to account for the CT
ratio.
3. Verification : It’s important to verify the operating times for
different fault levels to ensure proper coordination with other
protective devices.
Conclusion
The calculation of an IDMT relay’s operating time involves
determining the pickup current, fault current, TMS, and selecting
the appropriate IDMT characteristic. These factors are then plugged
into the IDMT equation to find the operating time. Proper
coordination and setting of the relay are crucial for ensuring system
protection and stability.
IDMT (Inverse Definite Minimum Time)
Overcurrent Relay Calculation
An IDMT Overcurrent Relay is a protective device used in electrical
power systems to detect overcurrent conditions. The operation of
this relay is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the current —
as the current increases, the relay operates faster. The "definite
minimum time" refers to the minimum operating time for very high
overcurrents.
Key Components of IDMT Relay Calculation
1. Pickup Current (Ip) : The relay is set to operate when the current
exceeds a preset value, called the pickup current. This is
typically a multiple of the full load current or based on the rating
of the protected equipment.
2. Time Multiplier Setting (TMS) : The TMS is used to adjust the
operating time of the relay. It is a multiplier applied to the basic
inverse time characteristic. Lower TMS values will cause the
relay to trip faster, while higher TMS values delay the operation.
3. Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM) : The PSM is the ratio of the actual
fault current to the pickup current of the relay. It represents how
far the fault current is from the threshold set by the relay.
Key Components of IDMT Relay Calculation
4. Time-Current Characteristic: The IDMT relay operates based
on predefined time-current characteristics, such as:
- Standard Inverse (SI) k=0.14 n=0.02
- Very Inverse (VI) k=13.5 n=1.0
- Extremely Inverse (EI) k=80 n=2.0
Each characteristic provides a different trip time based on the fault
current and TMS. The general formula for calculating the operating
time of the relay is:
Where :
t : operating time of relay
TMS : Time Multiplier Setting
PSM : Plug Setting Multiplier
k&n : constants based on selected curve
Example Calculation
Data :
Pickup Current (Ip) : 200A
Fault Current (If) : 600A
TMS : 0.1
Relay Characteristic : Standard Inverse
Solving :
1. Calculate PSM
PSM = If / Ip = 600 / 200 = 3
2. Using the formula for Standard Inverse Characteristic

In this example, the relay will trip approximately 0.61 seconds

Key Points
• The IDMT relay operates faster with higher fault currents due to its
inverse characteristic.
• The choice of TMS and characteristic curve affects the overall
protection scheme. A proper relay coordination study ensures that
the relay settings provide optimal protection without causing
unnecessary outages.
• Applications: IDMT overcurrent relays are used for : Feeder,
Transformer, Motor and Generator Protection
IDMT Earth Fault Relay Calculation
Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) Relays are protective
devices used in power systems to detect and clear faults, such as
overcurrent and earth faults (also known as ground faults). The
IDMT relay operates based on both the magnitude of fault current
and the time delay before tripping. The relay's time delay is inversely
proportional to the fault current, meaning the higher the current,
the shorter the operating time. The relay also has a definite
minimum time below which it will not operate, hence the name
"Inverse Definite Minimum Time."
Earth Fault Relay Operation
An earth fault occurs when the live conductor makes contact with the
ground or any grounded component, causing a flow of fault current to
the earth. IDMT relays are specifically designed to detect such faults
and initiate the opening of the circuit to isolate the faulty section of the
system.
Key Parameters for Earth Fault Relay
1. Pickup Current : This is the minimum current required to activate the relay.
It is typically set as a percentage of the full load current (e.g., 20% to 40%)
depending on the system design and sensitivity requirements.
2. Time Multiplier Setting (TMS) : This setting controls the time delay before
the relay operates. The time multiplier scales the operation time of the
relay, allowing adjustments to the protection scheme. Lower TMS means
faster tripping.
3. Current-Time Characteristic : IDMT relays follow predefined current-time
curves, which define the relationship between the fault current magnitude
and the relay tripping time. The common curves are: NI, VI, EI. These
curves are used to coordinate the relay's operation with other protective
devices
4. Fault Current : This is the magnitude of current during a fault condition.
The relay detects this fault current and calculates the appropriate time
delay before tripping.
IDMT Relay Time Equation
The tripping time for an IDMT relay is governed by the following
equation:
Example
Data :
Ip : 100A
If : 400A
TMS : 0.2
Using normal inverse characteristic curve (k=0.14, n=0.02)
Solving :

Thus, the relay will trip after approximately 0.966 seconds for a fault current
of 400 A.
Advantages of IDMT Earth Fault Relays
• Coordination: IDMT relays provide easy coordination with other
protective devices, allowing selective tripping of faulty sections
without affecting the entire system.
• Flexibility: The adjustable TMS and pickup current allow flexible
operation to suit different system conditions.
• Sensitivity: The relay can detect low-level earth faults, ensuring
system protection even in cases of small leakage currents.
Conclusion
IDMT earth fault relays are essential components in protecting
electrical systems from ground faults. By adjusting the time-current
characteristic and pickup settings, they ensure reliable and
coordinated protection, improving system stability and reducing the
risk of equipment damage. The calculations based on the relay's
characteristic curve allow for precise and responsive fault
clearance, ensuring optimal protection of the system.
Example
The IDMT (Inverse Definite Minimum Time) relay is used for overcurrent
and earth fault protection in transformer systems. For a 1600 kVA
transformer with 11kV/415V ratings, the relay settings need to be
carefully calculated to ensure proper protection against overcurrent and
earth faults without unnecessary tripping. Here's a step-by-step outline
for calculating the IDMT relay settings for such a transformer:
• Transformer Rating: 1600 kVA
• Primary Voltage (HV side): 11kV
• Secondary Voltage (LV side): 415V
• Transformer Impedance: Assume 6% (can vary based on the actual
transformer specification)
Step-1 : Calculate Full Load Current
The full load current of the transformer on both the primary and
secondary sides needs to be calculated.
a. Primary Side (HV side) Current:
𝑆 1600𝑘𝑉𝐴
𝐼𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 = = = 84𝐴
3. 𝑉𝐿−𝐿 3. 11𝑘𝑉
b. Secondary Side (LV side) Current:
𝑆 1600𝑘𝑉𝐴
𝐼𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 = = = 2225𝐴
3. 𝑉𝐿−𝐿 3. 0,415𝑘𝑉
Step-2 : Overcurrent Relay (OCR) Setting
a. Primary Side CT Selection
For the 11kV side, current transformers (CTs) are used to step down the
high current to a manageable value for the relay. Typically, a CT ratio of
100/1 or 100/5 might be used. For example, if we select a CT ratio
of 100/1, the relay will see:
𝐼𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 84
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 = = = 0.84𝐴
𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 100
b. Relay Plug Setting (PS)
The plug setting is a percentage of the rated CT secondary current
(typically 1A or 5A). The plug setting multiplier (PSM) defines the pickup
value for the relay. Assume a plug setting of 125% (common for
transformers). Therefore, the current setting becomes:
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑢𝑝 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑃𝑙𝑢𝑔 𝑆𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑥 𝐶𝑇 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 = 1.25 𝑥 1 = 1.25𝐴
Step-2 : Overcurrent Relay (OCR) Setting
c. Time Multiplier Setting (TMS):
The TMS defines how quickly the relay responds once the current
exceeds the pickup value. Typical settings range from 0.1 to 1. The
exact value depends on the coordination with downstream
devices.
Step-3 : Earth Fault Relay (EFR) Setting
Earth Fault Current
The earth fault current typically flows only in fault conditions, and the
setting is lower than the overcurrent setting. For the earth fault relay, the
setting is usually a lower multiple of the full load current. Assuming we set
the earth fault relay to 20% of the full load current on the primary side:
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑢𝑝 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 0.20 𝑥 84 = 16.8𝐴
For the CT ratio of 100/1, the earth fault relay will see:
16.8
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑢𝑝 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 = = 0.168𝐴
100
The time multiplier for the earth fault relay is also set depending on
coordination with the rest of the protection scheme.
Step-4 : Coordination
• Overcurrent Protection: The OCR must be coordinated with
downstream protection devices (like LV breakers) to ensure
selectivity.
• Earth Fault Protection: The EFR should be set with a lower time
delay than the OCR to clear earth faults faster, but still needs to
coordinate with other earth fault devices.
Step-5: Final Settings Example
For an IDMT Relay on a 1600 kVA transformer
Overcurrent Relay Setting:
• Primary Overcurrent Pickup Setting (PS): 1.25A
• Time Multiplier Setting (TMS): 0.2 (example)
Earth Fault Relay Setting:
• Earth Fault Pickup Setting: 0.168A
• Earth Fault TMS: 0.15 (example)
These settings are a starting point, and they must be tested and adjusted
during commissioning based on actual system behavior and
coordination requirements.
 THANK YOU

https://electrical4learning.blogspot.com/