Electrical Engineering Project on Protective Device Page 1

Introduction
What is the purpose of protective device?

In electricity protection has to basic measures of safety installation, fault in circuitry. In the electricity
circuits can be in danger of several factors, which can destroy its components, or even the device that are
used to being operated. Electricity needs to be regulated carefully and thoroughly this why these devices
or circuits must have a basic design listing its factors (voltage, current, power, energy) dissipated by the
circuits. In case scenario where any issues occurs there are certain protective device used to fix the
problem.

Purpose of an electrical protective device

 Generator sets – In a power plant, the protective relays are intended to prevent damage to
alternators or to the transformers in case of abnormal conditions of operation, due to internal
failures, as well as insulating failures or regulation malfunctions.

 High-voltage transmission network – Protection on the transmission and distribution serves two
functions: Protection of plant and protection of the public (including employees).

 Overload and back-up for distance (overcurrent) – Overload protection requires a current
transformer which simply measures the current in a circuit. Based on this curve if the measured
current exceeds a given level for the preset amount of time, the circuit breaker or fuse will
operate.

 Earth fault ("ground fault" in the United States) – Earth fault protection again requires current
transformers and senses an imbalance in a three-phase circuit.).

 Distance (impedance relay)– Distance protection detects both voltage and current. A fault on a
circuit will generally create a sag in the voltage level. Back-up – The objective of protection is to
remove only the affected portion of plant and nothing else. A circuit breaker or protection relay
may fail to operate. In important systems, a failure of primary protection will usually result in the
operation of back-up protection. Remote back-up protection will generally remove both the
affected and unaffected items of plant to clear the fault. Local back-up protection will remove the
affected items of the plant to clear the fault.

 Low-voltage networks – The low-voltage network generally relies upon fuses or low-voltage
circuit breakers to remove both overload and earth faults.
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Protective Relays
What are Protective Relays

A protective relay is a form of the main types of protective device, that are generally used by power
companies to safely distribute electricity, voltage, power, energy. Protective relays in circuit that can
monitors the current, voltage, frequency etc. from a generating source or to a load for the purpose of
triggering a circuit breaker to open in the event of an issue occurring in the circuit.

Types of Protective Relays

 Electromagnetic Relays (EMRs)

 EMRs consist of an input coil that's wound to accept a particular voltage signal, plus a set
of one or more contacts that rely on an armature (or lever) activated by the energized coil
to open or close an electrical circuit.

 Solid-state Relays (SSRs)

 SSRs use semiconductor output instead of mechanical contacts to switch the circuit. The
output device is optically-coupled to an LED light source inside the relay. The relay is
turned on by energizing this LED, usually with low-voltage DC power.

 Microprocessor Based Relays

 Use microprocessor for switching mechanism. Commonly used in power system

monitoring and protection.

Advantages of protected relays with these three basic components include:

 Safety: protective device provide safer environment for personnel working with the relays.
 Economy: Relays are able to be simpler, smaller, and cheaper given lower-level relay inputs.
 Accuracy: Power system voltages and currents are accurately reproduced by instrument
transformers over large operating ranges.
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Circuit Breaker
What is a Circuit Breaker?

Circuit breakers are electromagnetic switch can close and open major or single circuits. A circuit breaker
works by when the current in circuit rises over the rated value, the closed contacts, the circuit breaker will
open the circuit. A circuit breaker is essential device in the modern world, and one of the most important
safety devices in your home. Without circuit breakers (or any form of a protective device), household
electricity would be impractical because of the potential for fires and other mayhem resulting from simple
wiring problems and equipment failures.

Types of Circuit Breaker

 Magnetic Type Circuit Breakers: The magnetic circuit breaker uses a type of electromagnetism
to interrupt a circuit. Some designs incorporate the use of a solenoid. As current increases, so
does the pulling strength. When excessive current passes through magnetic breakers, the
electromagnetic energy increases as well. As the load reaches a tipping point, the magnetic force
becomes strong enough to flip a switch, moving a contact plate.

 Thermal Type Circuit Breakers: This type of circuit breaker uses heat to interrupt a circuit.
Many electrical distribution boards use thermal circuit breakers. Thermal breakers use a
bimetallic strip in series with a circuit. The heat produced by the current at the time of an
overload deforms the bimetallic strip and flips the breaker.

 Hybrid Type Circuit Breakers: Hybrid breakers use both electromagnetism as well as heat for
protection. These types of breakers have an electromagnet that guards against abrupt surges in the
electrical circuit and a bimetallic strip that shields against extended electrical load and
overheating. Other types of circuit breakers include: Medium voltage circuit breakers, High
voltage circuit breakers and Sulphur hexafluoride high-voltage circuit-breakers.
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Fuse
Fuse, Electric, a protective device for breaking an electric circuit. A fuse consists essentially of a metal
strip or wire that melts at a lower temperature than the wire and other components in the rest of the
circuit. The fuse is connected in series with the source of electric power. When the current flowing in the
circuit becomes too strong, it heats the fuse so that it melts, breaking the circuit.

Household fuses are rated according to the amount of current they are designed to carry before blowing
(melting). The most common causes for blown fuses in the home are (1) short circuits and (2) the
operation of too many appliances at one time on the same circuit. Fuses have been largely replaced in
many applications by circuit breakers.
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RCD
What is an rcd?

An rcd (residual current device) this is term for a device that operates when the residual current in a circuit reaches
a predetermined value. The RCD is, therefore the main component in an RCC (residual current operated circuit
breaker without integral overcurrent protection) or one of the functions of RCBO (residual operated circuit-breaker
with integral overcurrent protection).

PROTECTIONS BY RCDS

I. Where the earth fault loop impedance is too high to provide the required disconnection, for e.g., where the
distributor does not provide a connection to means the earthing- IT earthing arrangement
II. For socket-outlets where used by ordinary persons for general use
III. For all circuits of locations containing a bath shower
IV. For all circuits supplying mobile equipment not exceeding 32A for use outdoors
V. For cables without earthed metallic covering installed in walls or partitions at a depth of less than 50mm
and not protected by earthed steel conduit or similar
VI. For cables without earthed metallic covering installed in walls or partitions with metal parts (not including
screws or nails) and not protected by earthed steel conduit

Applications of RCDs

Installations are required to be divided into circuits to avoid hazards and minimize inconvenience in the
event of fault and to take account of danger that might arise from the failure of a single circuit, such as a
lighting circuit.
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Equipment applied to electric power systems to detect abnormal and intolerable conditions and to
initiate appropriate corrective actions. These devices include lightning arresters, surge protectors, fuses,
and relays with associated circuit breakers, reclosers, and so forth.

From time to time, disturbances in the normal operation of a power system occur. These may be caused
by natural phenomena, such as lightning, wind, or snow; by falling objects such as trees; by animal
contacts or chewing; by accidental means traceable to reckless drivers, inadvertent acts by plant
maintenance personnel, or other acts of humans; or by conditions produced in the system itself, such as
switching surges, load swings, or equipment failures. Protective devices must therefore be installed on
power systems to ensure continuity of electrical service, to limit injury to people, and to limit damage to
equipment when problem situations develop. Protective devices are applied commensurately with the
degree of protection desired or felt necessary for the particular system.