K-Factor

Line Impedance Measurements

Abha, KSA

September 4, 2016

Main Requirements for Protection

4. September
2016

fast

selective

reliable

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Settings of Distance Relays

Positive Sequence Impedance

Zero Sequence Impedance (sometimes)
k-factor (Z0/Z1, ZE/ZL or XE/XL and RE/RL)
All settings need to be correct within a few
percent!

4. September
2016

Distance Protection Principles

Z3
Z2

Z1
A

Z1

Z2
Z3
Send
Z1
Rec
Z2
Z3
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2016

Trip

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Permissive Under Reach Scheme

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Permissive Under Reach Scheme

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2016

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Permissive Under Reach Scheme

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Faults in the Power System

Q: What are the faults types?

A:
- Phase Faults ( 25% )
- Ground Faults ( 75% )

4. September
2016

K-Factor Calculation
- In case of ground faults , so we should include the grounding
factor (K) to the relay zones settings:
So, it will be as follow:

Z KL * ZL
ZE
KL
ZL

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2016

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Incorrect K-Factor

* Incorrect Grounding Factor means:

- Higher Grounding Factor.
- Lower Grounding Factor.

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Higher Grounding Factor

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Lower Grounding Factor

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Unsolved problem in protection!

A wrong k factor setting can lead to:
worse power quality
higher risk to lose system stability
loss of power supply!

The only method to prevent this problem is

to measure the k- factor!
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2016

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Calculation of Line Parameters

Parameters depend on:

Wire type of both ground wire or shield and phase
conductor: geometry, spiraling, DC resistance...
Construction: line length, tower geometry, average
sag, average height of wires above ground, distance
between ground wire(s) and phase conductors, cable
data and cross bonding configuration on underground
cables...
Soil resistivity

Calculation is possible but prone to error as too

many parameters are needed
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2016

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Unsolved Problem !
The k- factor can be
calculated but
The error of the calculation
goes up to 50% and more!
The measurement, up to
now, was extremely
expensive!

Most distance
relays dont work
sufficiently!

In fact nobody measures

the k- factor.

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2016

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Statistics on Typical Errors Found

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Measurement is major effort!

was

Connections to Line

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System components

CPC 100
Signal Generation &
Measurements

CP CU1
Coupling Transformer &
Measurement
Transformers

CP GB1
Grounding Box for easy
connection and safe
grounding
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Measurement Setup

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Variable Frequency Principle

Generated signal differs from mains

frequency
Measurement is frequency selective
measuring only the generated frequency
filtering out all other signals
Suppression
of mains
disturbances

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2016

Applications of CPC100+CP CU1

Line Impedance and k-factor measurements
Mutual Coupling of power lines
Ground Impedances of Large Substations
Step and Touch voltage measurements
Coupling of power lines into signal cables

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2016

Line Impedance Measurements:

> 4. September 2016

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4. September
2016

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> Please visit our website www.omicron.at

> Questions?

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> Thank You for your attention !!

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2016

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