Overcurrent Protection

Grading Tutorials

Protection Co-ordination

What is Overcurrent Protection Grading/ Objectives of Overcurrent setting co-ordination

To minimise equipment damage To reduce process outage costs To protect equipment from effects of its failures

To determine characteristic ratings and settings of overcurrent

devices To provide information regarding optimum protection and

selectivity

Protection Co-ordination
Methods of Co-ordination

Time based discrimination Current based discrimination Current and time based discrimination Inverse time relays

Protection Co-ordination
Time based discrimination
Source

51 t = 0.9s

51 t = 0.5s

51 t = 0.1s

Radial System

Highest times near to source where fault MVA is highest - disadvantage

Protection Co-ordination
Current Based Discrimination

Fault current magnitude varies with location Cannot distinguish between faults on either side of the breaker Might not trip if source fault level falls

SOURCE

B F2

F1

Protection Co-ordination
Current Based Discrimination

Suitable when there is sufficient intervening impedance

SOURCE

~
F2

F1

Protection Co-ordination
Discrimination combining Current & Time

Inverse time o/c relays - time reduces with increasing fault current Faster clearance times Discrimination easier to achieve

Protection Co-ordination
Current-time curves
Inverse Time Characteristic
Independent Time Characteristic

Time

Current Setting

Current

Protection Co-ordination

Long Time standby e/f

Time

Definite Time Inverse Time Very Inverse Time Extremely Inverse Time Current

Protection Co-ordination

Where & when to Apply

When the available short circuit level in a plant increases When new loads are added or the existing

equipment ratings are increased.

Frequent indiscriminate trippings. New installations

Choice of Inverse Characteristics

Standard Inverse Very inverse

K 0.14
13.5

a 0.02
1.0

Extremely inverse
Long - time inverse

80.0
120.0

2.0
1.0

Actual time, t =

K x TMS a ( I / IS ) - 1

Protection Co-ordination

Information required
SLD & System Fault levels Transformer & Motor inrush currents CT Ratios System equipment sizes and loads Equipment thermal and mechanical force limits

Protection Co-ordination

Information required
SLD & System Fault levels Transformer & Motor inrush currents CT Ratios

System equipment sizes and loads

Equipment thermal and mechanical force limits

Protection Co-ordination

Information required (Contd.)

Type of protective devices Power, voltage ratings, impedance and connection details of all transformers

Normal & emergency switching conditions

Short circuit data - subtransient reactance of all motor, generator and synchronous reactance of generator Starting current and time of motors Relay, direct-acting trip, fuse ratings and characteristics

Protection Co-ordination Terminology

Plug Setting Multiplier PSM = Fault Current Pick-up Setting

Time Multiplier Setting

TMS = Required Operating Time Normal Operating Time (at TMS = 1)

Protection Co-ordination
Grading Margin

To account for: CB operating time - 0.1 s (5 cycles) Relay Overshoot time - 0.15s Relay timing errors - 0.15s Final safety margin - 0.10s
Modern static relays and CBs - margin can be
lowered

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !

ABCD