Index

Section Page Number

Index 1
1.Synopsis 2
2.Introduction 3
3.Experimental Procedure 4
3.1 Injection of a single IDMT overcurrent relay 4
3.11 Objective 4
3.12 Procedure 4
3.2 Co-ordination of 3 IDMT overcurrent relays 5
3.21 Objective 5
3.22 Procedure 5
3.3 IDMT protection of a closed ring 6
4.Results 7
4.1 Tabulated results. 7
4.2 Graphical results 8
4.2 Graphical results 9
5.Disscussion 10
5.1 IDMT operation 10
5.11 The effect of plug setting (p.s.) 10
5.12 The effect of Time Multiplier (TM) setting 10
5.2 Standard Characteristic of relay 11
5.3 Advantage of IDMT relays 11
5.4 Calculation of TM 12
6.Conclusion 13
7.Reference Material 14
8.Equipment used 14
9.Index of drawings, tables and graphs 15
- 1 -
1.Synopsis

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the operation, inverse characteristic
and to determine the purpose of time and plug settings for overcurrent relays in
electrical supply systems.
By configuring these settings correctly, and by co-ordinating the operation of the
relays, it is possible to isolate the smallest section of the system in the shortest time
possible, thereby minimising unnecessary disruption to other consumers whilst
preventing damage to equipment within the faulty section.
- 2 -
2.Introduction

In a radial feeder configuration, supplied from one end only, discrimination of faults
can be achieved by incorporating time delays at each relay point. This enables the
relay closest to the fault to trip, isolating the faulty circuit without affecting the other
non-faulty circuits. A disadvantage of this system is that for faults near the source the
fault current can be much greater than at the opposite end of the feeder due to the
impedance.

AC
1.5s 1.0s 0.5s
F
Low impedance =
high fault current
Greater impedance =
less fault current
A B C

Fig. 1 Radial feeder

For a fault at F in fig.1, the circuit breaker at C opens before those at A and B,
leaving most of the feeder operational. The relays have a time grading of 0.5s (to
allow for relay and circuit breaker operation plus error allowance), illustrating
discrimination by time grading only.

The disadvantage can be overcome by employing relays with an inverse current /
time characteristic i.e. the time delays are reduced for higher currents. These relays
are known as IDMT relays (inverse definite minimum time). A minimum time of
operation is incorporated to ensure co-ordination between the relays when the fault
level does not vary along the feeder.
- 3 -
3.Experimental Procedure

3.1 Injection of a single IDMT overcurrent relay

3.11 Objective

To investigate the inverse characteristic and to determine the purpose of time and
plug settings.

3.12 Procedure

Variac
Fault 1
A2
A
10:1
Current
transformer
Ammeter
Timer
module


Fig.2 Circuit diagram for testing of single IDMT relay

The relay to be tested is at position A2. An ammeter was connected in series via a
10:1 current transformer. With fault switch F1 closed and circuit breaker A2 activated,
power is applied and a timer activated. The current can be varied by the variac.

Using currents in the range 1 to 10A, obtain a family of time/current graphs for:

A) A constant ps=100% (plug setting) and a set of TMs (time multiplier) of
0.5,0.75 and 1
B) A constant TM=1 and a set of pss of 0.5, 0.75, 1

From the above the Standard characteristic of the relay can be determined (i.e. t vs.
p.s.m)

- 4 -
3.Experimental Procedure (cont.)

3.2 Co-ordination of 3 IDMT overcurrent relays

3.21 Objective

To attempt to achieve optimum co-ordination from the relay setting available.

3.22 Procedure

Supply
Load Load
Fault on 1
Fault on 2
Fault on 3
A1 A2
C1
B2
C2
B1

Fig.3 Power system simulator

Only relays A2, B2 and C2 have timing facilities. An ammeter should be connected
between the ammeter terminals. Series resistors (representing feeder impedances) in
the primary circuit are set to give currents of 5A and 3A for the faults at F2 and F3
respectively if the variac is set to have 10A for a fault at F1.

All timers are started by closure of A2. Circuit breakers at B2 and C2 can be
prevented from tripping by connection of the appropriate trip link. However, all timers
will be stopped by the appropriate relay.

The following steps were taken:

i) Set variac to 100% o/p
ii) Set the plug setting on each relay to 1.0 (100%)
iii) Set the time multiplier of relay C2 to 0.1
iv) With the fault at F3, the time of operation of C2 was measured. (t
3
=0.66s)
- 5 -

3.Experimental Procedure (cont.)

v) Relay C2 was disabled by setting TM very high. With the fault at F3, the
TM of B2 was adjusted by trial and error until it tripped at (t
3
+0.5)s. The
value of B2 TM and operation time was noted (TM=0.28 and 1.10s). B2
and C2 were now co-ordinated.
vi) Relays B2 and A2 were now co-ordinated in a similar manner with the
operation of relay A2 being 0.5s slower than B2. (t
2
=1.30s, t
1
=0.8s, A2
TM=0.24)
vii) The circuit was now tested to ensure correct operation and co-ordination
of the relays in the clockwise direction.

Relay
position
TM
A2 0.24
B2 0.28
C2 0.1

3.3 IDMT protection of a closed ring

In order to achieve disconnection of the faulty section only, the following procedure
should be followed.

a) Set the relays A2, B2 and C2 as per the procedure above
b) Set the relays at A1, B1 and C1 to have the same p.s. and TM as A2, B2 and
C2 respectively.
c) The ring is now protected. Check for the correct tripping of the circuit breakers
for faults on each section at one time (i.e. apply fault at F3, then F2, then F1)
and note the operation of the relays.

Fault at: Relays operated:
1 A2,C1
2 B2,B1
3 C2,A1




- 6 -
4.Results

4.1 Tabulated results.

Current (I) Time (S) p.s.m.
2.10 13.34 4.20
3.05 7.68 6.10
4.00 5.78 8.00
5.05 4.74 10.10
6.13 4.08 12.26
7.10 3.66 14.20
8.20 3.32 16.40
9.35 3.06 18.70
10.00 2.96 20.00

Fig. 4 Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and ps=0.5


Current (I) Time (S) p.s.m.
2.24 27.70 2.99
3.30 10.98 4.40
4.40 7.72 5.87
5.40 6.22 7.20
6.40 5.32 8.53
7.55 4.66 10.07
8.70 4.22 11.60
9.90 3.82 13.20

Fig. 5 Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and ps=0.75


Current (I) Time (S) p.s.m.
2.90 28.22 2.90
4.00 12.70 4.00
5.10 8.88 5.10
6.15 7.18 6.15
7.25 6.10 7.25
8.30 5.44 8.30
9.55 4.86 9.55

Fig. 6 Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and ps=1.0


The plug setting multiplier is calculated using:
r
s
I p.s.
I
p.s.m.
!
"
Where I
s
=secondary current in amps, p.s.=plug setting and I
r
=rated current (1A)
- 7 -
4.Results (cont.)

4.2 Graphical results

Current versus time
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00
Time (s)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
I
)
ps=0.5
ps=0.75
ps=1

Fig. 7 Current versus time graph for various values of ps (tm=1)


Current versus Time
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0
Time in seconds
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

i
n

a
m
p
s
tm=0.5
tm=0.75
tm=1
Fig. 8 Current versus time graph for various values of tm (ps=1)

- 8 -
4.Results (cont.)
4.2 Graphical results
Time versus plug setting multiplier
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Plug setting multiplier
T
i
m
e

i
n

s
e
c
o
n
d
s
ps=0.5
ps=0.75
ps=1
Fig. 9 Time versus plug multiplier setting


"Standard Characteristic" of the relay
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Plug setting multiplier
T
i
m
e

i
n

s
e
c
o
n
d
s

Fig. 10 Standard characteristic of the relay derived from the results obtained in fig. 8
- 9 -
5.Disscussion

5.1 IDMT operation.

The IDMT relay works on the induction principle, where a aluminium or copper disc
rotates between the poles of an electromagnet and a damping magnet. The fluxes
induce eddy currents in the disc which interact and produce rotational torque. The
disc rotates to a point where it operates a pair of contacts that break the circuit and
remove the fault condition.

5.11 The effect of plug setting (p.s.)

The plug setting (p.s.) of the relay changes the number of turns in the exciting coil.
The winding of the coil is provided with seven taps, which are brought to the front
panel and the required tap is selected by a push-in plug. With the plug in the first
position (0.5), the whole of the coil is utilised, and the relay is most sensitive. In the
seventh position (2.0), only a quarter of the coil is utilised and hence four times more
current is required to operate the relay. The seven plug positions are marked 0.5,
0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2.0 (or 50%, 75%, 100% etc). Should the plug be
removed altogether, the relay automatically defaults to the 2.0 or 200% setting.

The effect of altering the plug setting is that for a given current, the greater the
plug setting, the longer the time of operation (see fig.6).

E.g.:
For a fault current of 6A (from fig.6):
Plug Setting 0.5 0.75 1
Approximate Operation Time (s) 4.74 6.66 8.88

Fig.11 Example of differing times of operation for different plug settings

5.12 The effect of Time Multiplier (TM) setting

The TM (time multiplier) setting of the relay adjusts the backstop of the rotating disc.
The time of operation is proportional to the distance through which the disc must
rotate in order to operate the contacts. With the time multiplier set to one, the
backstop is as far back as it can go (180#), and the disc has to move through its
maximum travel in order to operate the contacts. If the time multiplier is set to zero
then the backstop is positioned so that the contacts are permanently closed.

TM setting 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Degrees of travel
before contacts operate
0# 18# 36# 54# 72# 90# 108# 126# 144# 162# 180#

Fig.12 Table of degrees of disc rotation for differing time multiplier settings

The effect of altering the time multiplier setting is that for a given current, the
greater the time multiplier setting, the longer the time of operation (see fig.7).

- 10 -
5.Disscussion (cont.)

5.2 Standard Characteristic of relay

The standard characteristic is a graph of time versus the plug multiplier setting
(psm), this avoids one graph with many curves and can be used to calculate the
actual time of operation for the relay.
Psm can be calculated where:

r
s
I p.s.
I
p.s.m.
!
"
Where I
s
=secondary current in amps, p.s.=plug setting and I
r
=rated current (either 1A
or 5A)

As the standard curve is for a TM = 1, then the actual time of operation (T
a
) is given
by:
1 a
T T.M. T ! "
Where T
1
= time obtained from standard characteristic graph for given fault condition.

Example

Using fig.9,

A 5A relay is supplied via a 200/10 current transformer with a plug setting of 175%
and a time multiplier of 0.2. Find the operating time if the fault current is 1.5kA.

Secondary current I
s
=(1500!10)/200=75A

r
s
I p.s.
I
p.s.m.
!
" =
5 1.75
75
!
" p.s.m. = 8.57

From fig.9, T
1
=5.4s $ = 0.2 ! 5.4 =
1 a
T T.M. T ! " 1.08s

5.3 Advantage of IDMT relays

The major advantage of IDMT relays is their ability to discriminate. As discussed
earlier (see introduction) without this feature faults near the source would receive a
large fault current, but by the introduction and correct setting of the IDMT relay this
can be reduced to a minimum. By correct setting of the relays only the parts of the
system after the fault will suffer a loss of supply and therefore only the smallest
portion of the system will be affected. If the fault is closer to the source, a large part
will be affected , but this will still be the smallest possible portion.

By using IDMT relays in conjunction with directional relays, the protection of a ring
system can be achieved. Once the system is set correctly, then discrimination is
possible so that the nearest relay to the fault operates to isolate the smallest possible
section in the shortest time.
- 11 -
5.Disscussion (Cont.)

5.4 Calculation of TM

Given that the assumed fault currents for F1=10A, F2=5A and F3=3A, calculate the
TM for B2 and A2 (CT=1:1) and compare with measured results, give % difference
and possible sources of error.

If ps=1 then:
(B2)
r
s
I p.s.
I
!
" p.s.m. =
1 1
5
!
" p.s.m. =5
With reference to fig.9, T
1
=9
T
a
=1.1 s (measured value)
If T , then
1 a
T T.M. ! "
1
a
T
T
T.M. " =
9
1.1
=0.122

(A2)
r
s
I p.s.
I
p.s.m.
!
" =
1 1
10
p.s.m.
!
" =10
With reference to fig.9, T
1
=4.8
T
a
=0.8 s (measured value)
If , then
1 a
T T.M. T ! "
1
a
T
T
" T.M. =
4.8
1.3
=0.271


Our measured results were B2 TM=0.28 and A2 TM=0.24

Percentage error B2 TM=
0.28
0.122
!100%=43%
Percentage error A2 TM=
0.24
0.271
!100%=12%

Possible errors could arise from:
% Reading of the graph
% Reading of the instruments
% Calibration of relay scales and instruments
% The use of assumed values of current rather than measured values
- 12 -
6.Conclusion

The purpose of protection is to monitor for unwanted conditions and when such
conditions arise to remove the fault condition in the shortest time possible whilst
leaving unaffected areas operational. The design of the system must have a high
level of sensitivity to fault conditions whilst remaining operational during non-fault
conditions.
- 13 -
7.Reference Material

% Lecture/experiment notes A.Farah


8. Equipment used

Equipment number Description
Ammeter 7157
Current transformer 5087
Relay (A1) EE6602
Relay (B1) EE6273
Relay (C1) EE6271
Relay (A2) EE6601
Relay (B2) EE6580
Relay (C2) EE6278
Timer (A2) EE6380
Timer (B2) EE6381
Timer (C2) EE6378
Variac EE732

Fig.13 Serial numbers of equipment used
- 14 -
9.Index of drawings, tables and graphs

Figure number Description
1 Radial feeder
2 Circuit diagram for testing of single IDMT relay
3 Power system simulator
4 Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and ps=0.5
5
Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and
ps=0.75
6 Current and time readings with calculated psm for tm=1 and ps=1.0
7 Current versus time graph for various values of ps (tm=1)
8 Current versus time graph for various values of tm (ps=1)
9 Time versus plug multiplier setting
10
Standard characteristic of the relay derived from the results
obtained in fig. 8
11 Example of differing times of operation for different plug settings
12 Table of degrees of disc rotation for differing time multiplier settings
13 Serial numbers of equipment used

- 15 -