Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
2
Content
Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1 Application Example ............................................................................................................................ 5
2 Theoretical Introduction to Directional Ground Fault Determination ............................................. 7
2.1 Characteristic of the Ground Fault Current.................................................................................... 7
2.2 Determination of the Fault Direction .............................................................................................. 8
2.2.1 Physical Background of the Transient Ground Fault ......................................................................... 8
2.2.2 Directional Determination based on Transient Signals ..................................................................... 8
2.3 Voltage Measurement for Directional Ground Fault Determination .............................................. 9
3 Practical Introduction to Transient Directional Ground Fault Testing.......................................... 11
3.1 Defining the Test Object .............................................................................................................. 11
3.1.1 Device Settings ............................................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Global Hardware Configuration of the CMC Test Set ................................................................. 12
3.2.1 Example Output Configuration for the Directional Ground Fault Function ...................................... 13
3.2.2 Analog Outputs ............................................................................................................................... 14
3.2.3 Binary Inputs ................................................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Local Hardware Configuration for Transient Directional Ground Fault Testing........................... 15
3.3.1 Analog Outputs ............................................................................................................................... 15
3.3.2 Binary Inputs ................................................................................................................................... 15
3.4 Defining the Test Configuration ................................................................................................... 16
3.4.1 General Approach ........................................................................................................................... 16
3.4.2 Ground Fault Test Module .............................................................................................................. 17
3.4.3 Directional Test ............................................................................................................................... 22
Support....................................................................................................................................................... 23
The theoretical background of the transient directional ground fault determination function will be explained.
This paper also covers the definition of the necessary Test Object settings as well as the
Hardware Configuration for testing this function.
Finally the Ground Fault test module will be used to test the directional decision of the transient ground fault
determination.
Note: Testing the steady-state ground fault protection is not described in this document. For further
information regarding this subject, see Example_GroundFault_SteadyState.pdf.
110kV
600/1
IN Transient Ground
Fault Relay
A N a n da dn
A N a n da dn
VResidual
A N a n da dn
Note: In this example, the transient ground fault function indicates the direction of the fault (forward or
reverse), but it does not trip.
Therefore, the time signal of the ground fault current consists of two basic components:
1 2
1. The transient ground fault current, which is caused by discharging and charging of the power system
components. The peaks of this current can be several times higher than the nominal current of the power
system. It has a frequency range between 500 Hz and 8 kHz for the discharge and 70 Hz and 4 kHz for
the charge of the phase-to-ground capacities of the power system. After the fault inception, it lasts only
for a few periods of the nominal frequency of the power system. Transient ground fault relays can use
this current to determine the direction of a ground fault.
2. The steady state ground fault current, which is caused by the phase-to-ground capacity of the non-faulty
phases and – for compensated networks only – by the Petersen coil. The magnitude of the ground fault
current depends on the phase-to-ground capacities and on the network configuration (isolated or
compensated) and therefore, can be much smaller than the magnitude of the nominal current. As it is a
steady-state current, it has the nominal frequency of the network (50 Hz or 60 Hz). This ground fault
current can be used by the directional ground fault determination function (sensitive, permanent or watt-
metrical ground fault determination) to determine the direction of the ground fault.
Note: The following document will only focus on the directional ground fault determination based on
transient values.
1 2
a) b)
Figure 3: Transient ground fault forward (a) and reverse (b)
Figure 3 shows typical behavior of the residual voltage and the sum current directly at the fault inception of a
ground fault in a compensated network.
1. In the faulty feeder, the signs of the residual voltage and the current sum are in opposition. Therefore, the
transient ground fault relay will detect "ground fault forward".
2. In the non-faulty feeder, the sign of the residual voltage and the current sum are the same. Therefore, the
transient ground fault relay will detect "ground fault reverse".
Note: This method applies to isolated, compensated, and high impedance grounded networks.
A N a n da dn
A N VA a n V Residual da dn
A N VB a n da dn
VC
VC VC
+90° +90°
180° N G 0° 180° 0°
VResidual VResidual
VB VB
-90° -90°
VC VC
+90° +90°
180° N G 0° 180° 0°
V0 V0
VB VB
-90° -90°
It is possible to either measure the residual voltage at an open delta winding or to calculate the zero
sequence voltage out of the phase voltages.
VResidual
V A VB V C
3
V0
V A VB V C
3
1
V 2 1 a a VB
2
V A 0 kV 0°
V A 0 V 0°
V A VB V C 3
1 1
1 VC
V B 110 kV -150° V B 100 V -150° VResidual V 0
3
V C
110 kV +150°
V C
100 V +150° 100 V 180°
V0
V A VB V C
3
57.74 V 180°
Table 2: Example of the voltages during a ground fault
The Ground Fault test module is designed for simulation-based testing of transient ground fault relays and
directional ground fault relays based on steady-state values. It is able to simulate the power system and to
directly output the simulation results with a CMC test device.
This test module can be found on the start screen of the OMICRON Test Universe. It can also be inserted
into an OCC file (Control Center document).
Note: The parameters V max and I max limit the output of the currents and voltages to prevent
damage to the device under test. These values must be adapted to the respective
Hardware Configuration when connecting the outputs in parallel or when using an amplifier.
The user should consult the manual of the device under test to make sure that its input rating
will not be exceeded.
VResidual
N
IA IB IC N
Note: Depending on the relay type, the three phase-to-ground voltages might be used instead of the
residual voltage.
The analog outputs, binary inputs and outputs can all be activated individually in the local Hardware
Configuration of the specific test module (see chapter 3.3 ).
1. The binary contacts of the directional indicators have to be connected to binary inputs. Any free binary
input can be used.
2. For wet contacts, adapt the nominal voltages of the binary inputs to the voltage of the respective signal,
or select Potential Free for dry contacts.
3. The binary outputs and analog inputs etc. will not be used for the following tests.
Forward Direction
Reverse Direction
This test is performed with the Ground Fault test module. It verifies the directional decision of the transient
ground fault relay by simulating the voltages and currents at a faulty and a non-faulty feeder.
Transient Ground
Fault Relay
VResidual
IN
(-) (-)
Forward Dir.
(+)
Reverse Dir.
(+)
Figure 7: Wiring of the CMC test set for testing the directional decision of transient ground fault relays
Note: Always check the manual of the relay to make sure that the test set is wired correctly.
1 2 3
The Ground Fault test module simulates ground faults in a power system that consists of:
Feeder E
Feeder D
Feeder C
Feeder B
Feeder A
Figure 8: Definition of the network elements of the test module Ground Fault
To test a ground fault relay, the parameters of these elements have to be set.
Protected Protected
Feeder object; Feeder object;
Protection Relay e.g. line Protection Relay e.g. line
Transient Transient
Ground Fault Ground Fault
Relay Relay
Busbar Busbar
Figure 9: CT connection of transient ground fault relays depending on the CT star point location
Network tab
Measurement View
4 5 6 7 8
Right-click the measurement, and select Add to add more measurements if necessary.
The time signal view shows analog and binary signals of the test. It can be used to check whether the binary
contacts of the relay reacted as expected. Also the cursors (1) can be used via dragging to measure times
manually.
Note: The test can always be assessed manually by selecting Manual Assessment on the Home
ribbon.
When you are working with our products we want to provide you with the greatest
possible benefits. If you need any support, we are here to assist you!
At our technical support hotline, you can reach well-educated technicians for all of
your questions. Around the clock – competent and free of charge.
Additionally, you can find our Service Center or Sales Partner closest to you at
www.omicron.at or www.omicronusa.com.
Browse through the knowledge library and find application notes, conference papers,
articles about daily working experiences, user manuals and much more.
Learn more about your product in one of the training courses offered by the
OMICRON Academy.
OMICRON electronics GmbH, Oberes Ried 1, 6833 Klaus, Austria, +43 59495