Presentation 1.

Verification of Overcurrent and Earth Fault Coordination Setting in Kuala Lumpur Distribution Network
Ab Halim Abu Bakar , Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohammad , Hazlie Mokhlis , Hazlee Azil Illias
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2,3

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University of Malaya Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Center (UMPEDAC),Level 4,Wisma R&D, University of Malaya, Jalan Pantai Baharu, 59990 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2 Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) 3 Department of electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract
In modern power system protections, reliable protective systems are important to ensure the system operation stability and the reliability of the supply. When a fault occurs, it is important that the protection system in a network isolates the faulted section in the shortest time. One of the most common methods for protection in a distribution system is Over Current and Earth Fault (OCEF) protections. The standard type of over current relay is the Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) relay. This paper focuses on the relay setting and coordination in a power distribution system. A program was developed using Microsoft Excel Visual Basic to study the effect of different grading margins on relay coordination. Studies on characteristics of the relay, scheme and function of the relay in power distribution system were performed. Keywords: Over Current and Earth Fault relays, grading margin, relay coordination

I. Introduction
The main reason of power system protection is to minimize the damage and to ensure reliable supply and in a safe condition. One of the most important components in protection system is relay. A protection relay detects defective lines and apparatus and any intolerable conditions. A protection system includes circuit breakers and relays [1]. A reliable protective system is important to ensure the operation of the system stability. When a fault occurs, it is important that the protection system in a network isolates the faulted section in the shortest time. The coordination and grading of different types of protection devices require different requirements. One of the most common methods for backup protection in a distribution system is OCEF protection. This type of protection is suitable for backup protection because of the robust operating time and versatility of the over current relay. A standard type of over current relay is the Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) relay. The operating principle of IDMT is, the greater the magnitude of a fault current, the faster the relay

operates, thus creating an inverted operating characteristic. Although IDMT over current relays is a form of non-unit protection, discrimination between two adjacent protection zones can be achieved by an appropriate selection of each relay setting [2]. In a radial distribution network, it is common to have one to two substations located in series, which a normal grading margin of 0.4s is applicable. Sometime, there are also three to five substations located in series, which is impossible to use normal grading margin of 0.4s. Therefore, in this paper, a grading margin for over current and earth fault coordination setting in Kuala Lumpur distribution network with five substations in series was verified. The study concentrated on the relay setting and coordination in a power distribution system. A program was developed using to Microsoft Excel Visual Basic study the effect of different grading margins on relay coordination. The analyses involve three phase fault current and single phase to ground fault current, characteristic of the relay, scheme and function of the relay in power distribution system. In the simulation, single line diagram was used to analyse a real distribution network system. From the analysis, the optimum grading margin of OCEF relay in distribution system was obtained. A site testing was conducted to test and verify the grading margin.

II. Over Current And Earth Fault Protection In Distribution Feeders

II.A) Discrimination by both current and time In the case of discrimination only by time, the disadvantage is due to the fact that more severe faults are cleared in a longer operating time. However, discrimination by a current can be applied only when there is appreciable impedance between the two concerned circuit breakers. This is because of the limitations imposed by the independent use of either time or current coordination, which the inverse time over current relay characteristic has evolved. From this characteristic, the time of operation is inversely proportional to the fault current level and the actual characteristic is a function of both time and 'current' settings.

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II.B) Setting over current relays

A modern microprocessor protection has a three phase over current unit and an earth-fault unit within the same case. Setting over current relays involves selection of parameters, which define the required time/current characteristic of time delay and instantaneous units. This process has to be carried out twice, one for the phase relays and the other for the earth fault relays. Although the two processes are similar, a three phase short circuit current should be used for setting the phase relays while the phase to earth fault current should be used for the earth fault relays. In fault currents calculations, the power system network is assumed to be in its normal operating state.

setting range of 50-200% of 5 A is set at 100%. It would not represent a "full load" setting, where the actual setting is 125% of full load current. Therefore, the choice of the current setting depends on the load current and the CT ratio. It is normally near to but above the maximum load current (typically 10%), by assuming the circuit is capable of carrying the maximum load. It is also important to consider the resetting of the relay. The relay will reset when the current is reduced to 90%95% of the setting, depending on the relay design. If the normal load current is higher than this value, the relay will not reset after operating under through fault conditions, which are cleared by other switchgear.

II.C) Setting the parameter of time delay over current relays

The operating time of an over current relay has to be delayed to ensure that, in the presence of a fault, the relay does not trip before any other protection device situated closer to the fault reacts. The curves of inverse-time over current relays associated with two breakers on the same feeder in a typical system are shown in Fig 1. Fig. 1 illustrates the difference in the operating time of these relays at the same fault levels in order to satisfy the discrimination margin requirements. Definite time and inverse time relays can be adjusted by selecting two parameters; the time dial or time multiplier setting and the pick-up or plug setting (tap setting).

II.E) Time multiplier setting

The time multiplier adjusts the time delay before the relay operates when the fault current reaches a value equals to, or greater than the relay current setting. The time multiplier setting is also referred to as the time dial setting. The criteria and procedures for calculating the time multiplier setting to obtain the appropriate protection and coordination for the system were considered. These criteria are mainly applicable to inverse-time relays, although the same methodology is valid for definite-time relays. The criteria are: a) The required operating time of the relay furthest from the source is determined by using the lowest time multiplier setting and by considering the pickup fault level at the instantaneous relay. This time multiplier setting needs to be higher if the load that flows when the circuit is re-energized after supply loss is high (the cold load pick-up), or if it coordinates with devices installed downstream, e.g. fuses or reclosers. b) Referring to Fig 2, the operating time of the relay associated with the breaker in the next substation towards the source, t2a=t1+tmargin is determined. t2a is the operating time of the back-up relay associated with breaker 2 and tmargin is the discrimination margin. The fault level used for this calculation is the same with the determinate of the time t1 of the relay associated with the previous breaker. c) With the same fault current in 1 and 2, knowing t2a and, the pick-up value for relay 2, the time multiplier setting for relay 2 is calculated. The closest available relay time multiplier setting whose characteristic is above the calculated value is used. d) The operating time (t2) of relay 2, is determined but using the fault level which is just before the operation of its instantaneous unit. e) Step (b) is repeated.

Fig. 1 Over current inverse time relay curves associated with two breakers on the same feeder

II.D) Current setting

The current setting of a relay is typically described as either a percentage or multiple of the primary or secondary current setting of current transformer (CT). If the CT primary rating is equal to the normal full load current of the circuit, the percentage setting is referred directly to the primary system. For example, if the normal primary full load current is 400 A but the CT ratio is 500/5, a relay with a

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The procedures mentioned are appropriate if it is assumed that the relays have their characteristic curves scaled in seconds. For relays where the time adjustment is given as a percentage of the operating curve for one second, the time multiplier setting can be determined from the fastest multiplier applied to the curve for time multiplier l. Modern relays the time settings are from 0.1s and in steps of 0.05s.

III. Simulation Results

One main intake has been chosen for the case study and the field test is PMU Segambut, Malaysia. The main intake has four outgoing feeders and 1 feeder. This feeder has been chosen because it has many number of substations connected to it. Fig. 3 shows the PMU Segambut 2L5 circuit. In this case study, simulation was used to check a typical grading margin of 0.4s to be graded with all five substations and a program calculated the relay setting. Then, the other grading margins were tested until the optimum grading was achieved for all five substations. Next, using the calculated setting, site testing was conducted to verify the grading margin. The minimum grading margin was verified on the site testing.

Fig. 2 Example of a distribution radial feeder

II.F) Time discrimination margin

To obtain a correct discrimination, it is necessary to have a time interval between the operations of two adjacent relays. The time interval or grading margin depends on: a) Circuit breaker fault interrupting time b) Overshoot time of the relay c) Errors d) Final margin on completion of operation (safety margin) The discriminating relay can only be de-energized when the circuit breaker has completely interrupted the fault current. It is a normal practice to use a value of 50 100 ms for circuit breaker overall interrupting time. However if it is known that the switchgear is slower than this time, this must be taken into account. PMU Segambut
2L5 X

III.A) Case study data

At PMU Segambut 33kV busbar, the maximum fault current (three phase fault) and earth fault (single phase fault) were calculated [3, 4]. A fault current was used in the analysis and the transmission transformer was assumed as the source. Table 1 shows the fault current at the 33kV busbar of the Main Intake substation. The fault current in the outgoing 33kV feeder was calculated, as shown in Fig. 4
Table 1. Fault Current At PMU Segambut 33kv Busbar
No 1 Name SGBT Level 132/33 kV 3 Phase Fault 1 TX IN 13500 A 2 TX IN 25000 A 1 Phase Fault 1 TX IN 1100 A 2 TX IN 1600 A

132kV Transmission Transformer 33kV

3P5 X 1H0 CB31 11kV CB1

PPU Jalan Duta

4P5 X

5P5X 2H0 CB32 CB2

PPU Istana Negara

6P5X

PPU Plaza Damaz

7P5X X 8P5 3H0 CB33 CB3

PPU One Mont

X 11P5

10P5 X

X 9P5

PPU Sri Hartamas

4H0 CB34

Fig. 3. Example of a distribution radial feeder

CB4

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Fig. 4. Fault calculation and relay setting coordination

III.B) Simulation Results

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Fig. 6. Grading Margin of 0.2s

III.C) Discussion on simulated results

To optimize the coordination setting, the incoming and outgoing feeder relay operating time (ROT) was set with the same value. For example, at the HV outgoing feeder which has ROT of 0.996s, the other end HV incoming feeder at the next substation was also set with the same ROT of 0.996s. In the simulation, over current and earth fault coordinations were graded differently [6]. All earth fault grading was started at the transformer LV side because all distribution power transformers installed in TNBD Kuala Lumpur have a vector group of Dyn11. All single phase to earth fault currents contain only at the LV side of the transformer and seen as over current at the HV side of the transformer. From the simulation, in order to get an optimum OCEF coordination for five radial substations, the grading margin for each relay has been simulate at 0.4s, 0.3s, 0.2s and 0.1s. If the grading margin is 0.4s, the HV and LV sides of the third level substation feeder onwards (e.g. 3H0, 8L5 and CB3) will have the ROT of less than zero (i.e. negative value) for the circuit breaker. Thus, this is not possible. If the grading margin is 0.3s, the LV

side of the third level substation (i.e. CB3) will have the ROT of -0.138s for the circuit breaker which is not possible. When the grading margin was set at 0.2s, there was no relay in the system that has the ROT of less than 0s. All LV outgoing feeders have some margins to coordinate with its respective first leg substation. Therefore, the grading margin of 0.2s is the optimum grading for five radial substations in Kuala Lumpur distribution network.

III.D) Site testing

In order to ensure the minimum grading margin between two adjacent relays, a site testing has been conducted [5]. In the site testing, two 11kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) using Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) has been set to achieve the required margin. In the testing, the incoming circuit breaker has been set with a relay operating time of 1.198s and the outgoing has been set with a relay operating time of 0.798s. This means the grading margin between the incoming and the outgoing is 0.4s. TMS for each relay calculated based on 300A earth fault current, which is five time of earth fault pickup current, i.e. the earth fault pickup setting is 20% of 300/5A CT ratio. The earth fault is

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simulated because of its low current magnitude, whereas over current can be up to few thousand fault current. A 300A earth fault current is selected instead than the nominal earth fault current of 1600A due to the hardware limitation to create a fault current larger than 800A. A 600A earth fault current has been tested, which is tenth time of the earth fault pickup current. This shows that this testing does not depend on the magnitude of the fault current. The equipment used for the testing is OMICRON CMC secondary injection and OMICRON CPC primary injection. OMICRON CMC test set initiated a fault current injection and capture relay and circuit breaker activities. The sampling rate for OMICRON CMC is 10 kHz. Two samples of switchgears have been tested, which was manufactured and installed in year 2010 (PPU A), and the other switchgear was manufactured and installed in year 1998 (PPU B). Both switchgears were made by the same manufacturer, Tamco. This is to ensure that the wear and tear of the old circuit breaker does not affect its timing operation. In this testing, the incoming and outgoing circuit breakers were initially given a 0.4s margin. The margin is then decreased until both circuit breakers trip simultaneously, which confirm the minimum required margin.

III.E) Testing result: PPU A

The PPU A substation has been commissioned in December 2010. No outgoing 11kV feeder was connected. In this testing, PPU A was considered as a sample of a new circuit breaker. To monitor the overall circuit breaker operating time, CT error and relay operating time, normally close circuit breaker status contact was wired out to OMICRON CMC binary input. For example, when a CB close, the status contact is low; when a CB is opened, status contact is high. In this particular testing, relay A trip and relay B trip were referred as the circuit breaker status contact.

III.F) Testing result: PPU B

The PPU B substation has been commissioned in March 1998. Two outgoing 11kV feeders not in service were used for this testing. The circuit breaker has been maintained from the date of the testing conducted. In this testing, the PPU B was considered as a sample of an old circuit breaker. The overall circuit breaker operating time, CT error and relay operating time were monitored by normally open circuit breaker status contact and it was connected to the OMICRON CMC binary input. When a CB is close, the status contact is high. When a CB is opened, status contact is low. In this particular testing, relay A trip and relay B trip were referred as the circuit breaker status contact. Relay A start and relay B start were referred as the relay pickup operation. Relay A and B start were monitored by the normally open contact.

Control signal

Incomin g

CPC

CMC

OCEF relay

Relay pickup indication Breaker status indication Breaker status indication

OCEF relay

Relay pickup indication

Outgoin g

Fig. 7. Primary Injection Testing Connection

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Incoming Incoming Earth fault setting: 300/5A, 5P20 PSM = 20% (60A) TMS = 0.280 ROT = 1.198s Curve = IDMT (IEC) Outgoing Earth fault setting: 300/5A, 5P20 PSM = 20% (60A) TMS = 0.187 ROT = 0.798s Curve = IDMT (IEC) Outgoing
OCEF relay OCEF relay

11kV busbar, calculated maximum busbar fault current = 300A

Fig. 8. Relay setting for the site testing purpose, with grading margin of 0.4s

III.G) Discussion on site testing result

The test was conducted on a well maintained circuit breaker using time based maintenance regime. This testing used a numerical protection relay which gives a very fast response to the current input. From the test results, the minimum grading required for two OCEF relays to be operated simultaneously which lead to an inappropriate tripping is 0.04s grading margin. This is faster than a normal grading margin of 0.4s or 0.3s which is a normal practice for OCEF coordination. However, 0.04s margin does not consider the operation error. This error should be considered when the grading margin is determined. Fig. 9 shows a graphical representation of test results using 0.2s grading margin. ROT is set as the relay operation reference. The tripping time is the actual tripping of the circuit breaker when the test was conducted. The error is the difference between the actual tripping time and the relay operating.

Conclusion
An analysis of over current and earth fault relay in Kuala Lumpur distribution network with a maximum of five radial substations in series has been performed. Satisfactory results between simulation results and site testing have been obtained. From the simulation and testing conducted, the standard grading margin of 0.4s can be reduced to 0.2s to cater for a maximum of five substations in series.

Fig. 9. Graphical presentation on a grading margin of 0.2s

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References
[1] C37.010-1999, IEEE Application Guide for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis, 1999. Davies, T., Protection of Industrial Power Systems, Second Edition, Newnes, 1996 International Standard IEC 60909: Shortcircuit currents in three-phase A.C. systems, 2001. Massimo Mitolo, Ph.D., Chu & Gassman Consulting Engineers, Short-Circuit Calculation Methods, Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) Magazine, October 2004. International Standard IEC 60255151:Measuring relays and protection equipment Part 151: Functional requirements for over/under current protection, 2009 Whiting, J.P., Lidgate, D., Computer prediction of IDMT relay setting and performance for interconnected power system, IEE Proc, Vol. 130, Pt C, No.3, May 1983 TNBD Maintenance Standards, TNB Distribution Division Maintenance Manual: Switchgear 2007, Revision: Section 11.5.14, 30th July 2007

World Best Paper Award in the Conference on the Application of Fault and Disturbance Recorders in 1999 and also won the Outstanding Engineer 2008 Award of the IEEE PES Malaysian Chapter.

[2] [3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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About the Author

Dr. Ab Halim Abu Bakar is the Expert Consultant of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Head of Power Group of University Malaya Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Center (UMPEDAC), the National Centre of Excellence, University of Malaya. Dr. Halim is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Malaysia, member of IEEE, CIGRE, IET, Chartered Engineer (UK) and P.Eng (Malaysia). His research interests include power system protection and power system transients. Dr. Halim has also worked at Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the major utility in Malaysia, for 30 years. He was the Chief Engineer (Protection) and the General Manager of Asset Maintenance inTransmission Division of the utility. Dr. Halim is also a corresponding member for the 7th International Conference on Power SystemProtection, RAI Amsterdam, IEE 2001 Panelist IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference 2002. He also presented papers in various international conferences. He won the

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