P34x/EN AP/J65

Application Notes

(AP) 6-84

MiCOM P342, P343, P344, P345

For any protection function requiring current to operate, the relay uses operation of
undercurrent elements (<) to detect that the necessary circuit breaker poles have tripped
and reset the CB fail timers. However, the undercurrent elements may not be reliable
methods of resetting circuit breaker fail in all applications. For example:

Where
non-current
operated
protection,
such
as
under/overvoltage
or
under/overfrequency, derives measurements from a line connected voltage transformer.
Here, < only gives a reliable reset method if the protected circuit would always have
load current flowing. Detecting drop-off of the initiating protection element might be a
more reliable method.

Where
non-current
operated
protection,
such
as
under/overvoltage
or
under/overfrequency, derives measurements from a busbar connected voltage
transformer. Again using < would rely upon the feeder normally being loaded. Also,
tripping the circuit breaker may not remove the initiating condition from the busbar, and
hence drop-off of the protection element may not occur. In such cases, the position of
the circuit breaker auxiliary contacts may give the best reset method.

2.28.1.1 Breaker fail timer settings

156B

Typical timer settings to use are as follows:

tBF Time Delay

Typical Delay for 2 Cycle

Circuit Breaker

Initiating element reset

CB interrupting time +
element reset time (max.) +
error in tBF timer + safety
margin

50 + 50 + 10 + 50 = 160 ms

CB open

CB auxiliary contacts
opening/closing time (max.)
+ error in tBF timer + safety
margin

50 + 10 + 50 = 110 ms

Undercurrent elements

CB interrupting time+
undercurrent element
(max.) + safety margin
operating time

50 + 12 + 50 = 112 ms

CB Fail Reset Mechanism

AP

Note:

All CB Fail resetting involves the operation of the undercurrent

elements. Where element reset or CB open resetting is used the
undercurrent time setting should still be used if this proves to be the
worst case.

The examples above consider direct tripping of a 2 cycle circuit breaker.

Note:

2.28.2

Where auxiliary tripping relays are used, an additional 10 - 15 ms

must be added to allow for trip relay operation.

Breaker fail undercurrent settings

96B

The phase undercurrent settings (<) must be set less than load current, to ensure that <
operation indicates that the circuit breaker pole is open. A typical setting for overhead line or
cable circuits is 20% n, with 5% n common for generator circuit breaker CBF.
The sensitive earth fault protection (SEF) and standby earth fault (SBEF) undercurrent
elements must be set less than the respective trip setting, typically as follows:
SEF< = (SEF> trip)/2
N<

= (N> trip)/2