Distribution Feeder Principles

Distribution Feeder Principles

Introduction

Distribution Feeder Protection

Electrical distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electricity

to end users. The distribution systems network carries electricity
from the transmission system and delivers it to consumers. Since
the transmission system is typically rated from 130kV up to 700kV,
substation step-down transformers are used to bring the voltage
levels down to under 50kV levels for distribution to consumers.
As the distribution system is rated up to 50kV many large industrial
end users will be fed at these voltage levels and will supply their own
on-site substation that will step-down the voltage to more useful
voltage levels for their facility.
For consumer consumption various step-down transformers and
pole mounted transformers will be located in the geographical
region that will supply electricity for consumer use.

The purpose of Distribution Systems

With power generating stations being remote to urban centers,
its required that the generated voltage be to stepped up to higher
voltage levels for transmission in order to reduce the electrical losses
in the overhead transmission lines. By transmitting the electricity at
high voltage levels, this reduces the transmission line losses and
makes the transmissions line more efficient.
Since transmission voltage levels cannot be used by consumers it
is required to step-down the transmission voltage to more usable
voltages.

The transmission power lines will enter a distribution substation

where the voltage will be stepped down to distribution levels where
it will be distributed for use by industrial, commercial and residential
customers.
As the distribution network will typically be rated at no greater than
50kV, this voltage will be distributed to geographical areas where
connection to industrial and commercial customers will be achieved.
It is most common to find that industrial and large commercial
customers are connected to the grid at this distribution level. It is
then the responsibility of the industrial or commercial customer
to employ their own on-site substation that will step-down the
distribution voltage to levels that are required within the facility.
Residential consumers are typically supplied from overhead or
underground feeders emanating from utility-owned substations.
Pole mounted transformers are typically used in older residential
neighborhoods and rural areas. Pole mounted transformers will be
limited in the number of customers they supply in order to minimize
the interruption time should a fault occur. Connection from the pole
mounted transformer is made to each home.
In newer developed areas, residential and commercial distribution is
done via underground services Distribution feeders use underground
cables and padmount transformers for the final service connection
to each home or business.

Distribution in the Power System

Residential 120V - 240V

Generating Station

Distribution
Substation

Transmission Substation
138kV - 765kV

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Feeder Distribution

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Commercial 4kV - 13kV

Industrial 26kV - 69kV

Distribution Feeder Principles

Distribution networks are typically of two types, radial or networked.

A radial feeder leaves the station and passes through the service
area with no normal connection to any other supply. This is typical
of long rural lines with isolated load areas.
A networked system, having multiple connections to other points
of supply, is generally found in more urban areas. These points of
connection are normally open but allow various configurations by
the operating utility by closing and opening switches. Operation
of these switches may be by remote control from a control centre
or by a lineman. The benefit of the networked model is that in the
event of a fault or required maintenance a small area of network
can be isolated and the remainder kept on supply.

Radial Network

Within these networks there may be a mix of overhead lines utilizing

traditional utility poles and wires and, increasingly, underground
construction with cables and indoor or cabinet substations.
Underground distribution, however, is significantly more expensive
than overhead construction and therefore often co-located with
other utility lines in what are called common utility ducts.
Distribution Feeder Protection

Distribution System Configurations

Distribution feeders emanating from a substation are generally

controlled by a circuit breaker which will open when a fault is
detected. Automatic Circuit Reclosers may be installed to further
segregate the feeder thus minimizing the impact of faults.

Abnormal Conditions
Common distribution system faults occur on above ground
distribution lines. In most cases these faults are caused by trees
coming in contact with a distribution lines, or rodents coming in
contact with phase connections. Usually, these faults can be
cleared by the system, quickly restoring power with the use of
auto-reclosers.
Fault conditions can also be caused by the contamination of
connections and insulators. When the insulation in the connection
degrades, the insulation properties are lost and may cause a
flashover between phases or to ground. Common causes of
insulation failure is salt, air pollution, water, and ice.
System transformer faults can also interrupt the distribution system.
As transformers become older and insulating material degragades
from age, overload conditions, weather, etc. this may also cause a
fault in the system.

Interconnected Network

Typical Distribution Substation

Lightning Arrester

Incoming Transmission Lines

Perimeter Fence

Step-down Transformer

Outgoing LV
Distribution Line

Control House

Distribution Bus

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Circuit Breakers

Underground Line to
Ditribution Circuit

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Distribution Feeder Protection

Feeder Protection
Introduction
Faults occurring on overhead and underground distribution feeders
caused by various sources including:

Distribution Feeder Protection

Faulty equipment
Environmental induced faults: wind, lightning, ice, snow-storm,
sag due to extreme temperature, salt spray
Falling tree limbs
Animal contacts
People induced including: pole and overhead contacts and
underground digging
Faults occurring in the distribution system must be sensed quickly
and immediately isolated to prevent hazards to the general public
and utility personnel. Protective relays are used to sense short circuit
conditions caused by faults in distribution protection schemes and
the use of proper schemes and settings can help to maximize
sensitivity and selectivity.
Some permanent faults can be equipment failures or cables cut or
short-circuited by excavation equipment. The type of grounding of
the distribution system affects the voltage and current characteristics
during a fault. Proper protection strategies should be employed to
make dependability an utmost criterion.
Basic feeder protection principles are well-known. Phase and ground
overcurrent functions reliably detect most faults. Reclosing is often
applied to restore service following temporary faults on overhead
circuits. Security is maintained through time and pickup coordination
between overcurrent devices that may operate for a specific fault
event. The challenge in feeder protection is reliable operation during
unusual fault events such as high impedance ground faults and
adjacent feeder faults. A key advantage of microprocessor based
feeder relays is the ability to protect against these unusual faults,
while improving the operation of the distribution system through
flexibility, programmability, and communications. The following
applications illustrate ways that GE Multilin products can improve
feeder protection and system reliability.

High Impedance (Hi-Z) Fault Detection

Arcing and downed distribution conductors, although not necessarily
of immediate concern from an equipment damage point of view, do
pose a safety threat from a personnel and property perspective.
An energized downed conductor can cause fires, injuries, and even
fatalities. Traditional protection devices typically do not detect the
fault current levels resulting from these fault conditions. Distribution
protection engineers are being challenged with the detection of
these high impedance (Hi-Z) faults. The ability to detect Hi-Z faults

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has been a topic of research and development for over 30 years.

The IEEE Power System Relay Committees working group on High
Impedance Fault Detection Technology defines Hi-Z faults as
those that do not produce enough fault current to be detectable
by conventional overcurrent relays or fuses. As such, it should be
noted that whereas traditional protection is designed to protect the
power system, Hi-Z protection is primarily focused on the protection
of property and the safety of personnel .
High impedance faults can be caused by a number of events,
including:
Broken conductor laying on the ground (Downed Conductor)
Broken pole allowing line to contact ground or other surface
Broken pole or tree limb causing primary conductor to sag
Contact with tree limb or other objects
Contaminated or failing equipment (insulators, transformers,
conductors, etc.)

Common Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about Hi-Z faults and a lack of
understanding of high impedance fault phenomena may lead to
injuries and fatalities. The following table lists a few of the common
misconceptions about Hi-Z faults.
Importance of Hi-Z detection:
If not detected and isolated, live Downed Conductors can be fatal
to public and lines crewmen
Hi-Z faults often arc and can be a significant fire hazard.
Detect failing insulation before complete device failure, which
can lead to power outages and loss of production.
Inability to detect Hi-Z can cost utilities liabilities and customer
service issues

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Distribution Feeder Protection

Reality

Properly set
overcurrent
protection will trip
and clear all faults.
Sensitive ground
protection typically
used to detect low
ground current, will
clear Hi-Z faults.

Hi-Z faults often draw less current (10

100 amps) than the minimum allowable
overcurrent pickup setting, making
overcurrent protection impossible.
Hi-Z faults can occur where the primary
conductor remains intact while in
contact with ground through a high fault
impedance. No change in the primary
current means no change in neutral
current to be detected.
In most cases, the fault current decreases
as the arcing heats the contact surface
and the fault impedance actually
increases (moisture evaporates, sand
fuses). Overcurrent protection seldom
operates after first minute.

Over time, the

fault current will
increase and
cause overcurrent
protection to operate.

Sympathy Feeder Trip Prevention

Feeder sympathy trips may be defined as incorrect operation of
a feeder relay for faults in other areas of the power system or
abnormal operating conditions. The likelihood of a sympathy trip
is dependent on the system configuration, the types of loads on
the circuits, system grounding configuration and protective relay
settings. There are many possible causes for sympathy trip. One
cause is a system undervoltage, resulting in higher load currents to
serve constant VA devices such as large motors. Another cause is
adjacent circuit ground faults and adjacent intercircuit coupling.

Distribution Feeder Protection

Misconceptions

System undervoltage sympathy trips

Faults always clear on Operations staffs believe the Hi-Z fault

my system.
rate is low, but many line crews report
many downed conductors are still
energized when they arrive on scene.
Table 1: Misconceptions about Hi-Z faults.
R

The GE Multilin Hi-Z Solution

The Hi-Z element in the F60 provides reliable detection of faults
caused by downed conductors and high impedance arcing faults.
This unique, field proven algorithm incorporates a signature-based
expert pattern recognition system developed at Texas A&M
University. Harmonic energy levels in the arcing current are used
for HiZ fault detection and a sophisticated expert system assures
security and dependability for detection of Hi-Z faults. This algorithm
has shown a success rate in detecting downed conductors of almost
90% based on actual in-service utility data.

Key benefits of Hi-Z detection using the F60:

Reliable detection of faults caused by downed conductors, high
impedance arcing faults
Allows for fast response to hazardous situations
Dependable and secure operation
Easy retrofit to existing F60 installations through addition of a
single module

Out-of-Zone
Fault

Depressed
Voltage

M
Figure 2. System undervoltage sympathetic trip.

This type of sympathy trip occurs when a fault occurs on an

adjacent feeder depresses the system voltage at the distribution
bus (Figure 2). Motors run at a constant VA, and demand a larger
current if the voltage decreases. The system voltage drops nearly
instantly with the occurrence of the out of zone fault, however
the load current ramps up at slower rate to serve the constant VA
loads and may grow considerably as motors stall and draw locked
rotor current. With motor loads of sufficient size, the increased
load current may appear as on overcurrent condition on unfaulted
feeder circuit connected to the bus.

Figure 2a. System undervoltage sympathy trip blocking logic.

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Distribution Feeder Protection

Distribution Feeder Protection

GE Multilin feeder relays can easily prevent sympathy feeder

trips by employing a blocking logic. The blocking logic uses phase
undervoltage and phase overcurrent elements in the logic to
discriminate between an out-of-zone fault and fault on the protected
feeder (Figure 2). The pick up of an undervoltage elements indicates
a fault is occurring somewhere on the system. If the fault is on the
protected feeder, then the overcurrent element will also pick up near
instantly. If the definite time overcurrent element does not pick up
in one cycle, then this logic (Figure 2a) indicates a condition where
a sympathy trip may occur, and blocks the primary instantaneous
overcurrent elements. The sympathy trip block logic is removed
when the system voltage returns to nominal. Additional logic is used
to prevent operation of the scheme for open breaker conditions.

Reverse
3I0 and I2

SLG
Fault

negative-sequence current due to the fault on the adjacent circuit,

and this current may be high enough to operate the relay.
The solution to this situation is easily implemented in GE Multilin
feeder relays. Desensitizing the relay when an out-of-zone fault
exists will prevent operation. Ground and negative sequence
directional overcurrent elements operating in the reverse direction
from the protected feeder determine an out-of-zone fault and can
be used to supervise primary overcurrent protection elements.

Pilot Protection for Distribution

Networks
Distribution systems are networked to maintain a high level of
reliability for critical areas or loads. Networked distribution systems
have similar protection challenges to transmission systems in terms
of identifying the fault location to correctly isolate the fault.
One very reliable method of protecting networked distribution
feeders is to use pilot protection schemes on the feeder, based on
directional overcurrent elements and inter-relay communications.
One implementation uses a permissive over-reaching transfer trip
(POTT) scheme as the primary system (Figure 4), and a time-delayed
directional comparison blocking (DCB) scheme (Figure 5) as the
backup. The DCB scheme will operate correctly even when the
feeder is temporarily operated radially.
The operation of POTT and DCB schemes is well known from
transmission protection. The challenge in implementing these
schemes in distribution protection is in communications, as interrelay communications is rarely part of the distribution system. GE
Multilin relays meet this challenge through the use of IEC61850
GOOSE messaging or Direct I/O communications built directly into
one of the Universal Relays.

LOAD

Out-of-Zone
Fault
Figure 3. Load unbalance sympathy trip

Load unbalance sympathy trips

Sympathy trips due intercircuit current coupling are dependent on
the system configuration, system grounding, soil resistivity, and
load configuration. Figure 3 illustrates a typical intercircuit current
coupling event. A phase-to-ground fault occurs on one circuit. One
possible return path, depending on grounding and soil conditions,
is through a grounded loads on the unfaulted circuit. This causes
the relay on the unfaulted circuit to detect zero-sequence and

Either IEC61850 GOOSE or Direct I/O securely transmits digital status

points between processing these messages exactly the same as
contact inputs and outputs. The POTT scheme illustrated sends the
permissive signal from one relay to the other using either one of
these communications methods, and also sends Direct Transfer Trip
(DTT) command using the same method. The DCB sends the blocking
signal, and DTT command, via Direct I/O.
Direct I/O is highly reliable, both in performance and communications
media. The performance is continuously monitored using a 32-bit
CRC to verify bit error rates and package reception, and by routinely

67P, 67G (def. time)

67P, 67G (inverse time)

67P, 67G (def. time)

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67P, 67G (def. time)

52

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52
IEC61850 GOOSE or
Direct I/O Fiber Optic Communications

permissive send, DTT send

2 channels for reliability

Figure 4. Pilot Protection for Distribution Networks example 1.

67P, 67G (inverse time)

52

IEC61850 GOOSE or
Direct I/O Fiber Optic Communications

block send, DTT send

2 channels for reliability

Figure 5. Pilot Protection for Distribution Networks example 2.

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67P, 67G (def. time)

Distribution Feeder Protection

Dynamic Setting groups change

Electric power distribution changes hourly to seasonally due to
various reasons, including:
Scheduled switching
Emergency switching for repairs

groups can be changed in GE Multilin relays via communication ports,

digital inputs actual system measurements using logic decisions.
One such application where a dynamic setting group change is
required is illustrated in the following example.
During normal operation, both lines are in service and carry a portion
of the load. The time and instantaneous overcurrent elements are
coordinated with the downstream relays according to the system
conditions. When line 2 goes out of service the entire load current
is carried by line 1 and the time and instantaneous overcurrent
settings have to be changed due to the change in system conditions
to achieve proper coordination. With multiple settings groups this
can be easily achieved by examining the status of the line breakers
to switch the settings groups accordingly.

Distribution Feeder Protection

sending integrity messages. An individual relay can support

single-channel or dual-channel Direct I/O communications for pointto-point communications, dual point-to-point communications, or
ring communications between up to 16 relays without the use of a
communications hub or other ancillary equipment.

Breaker maintenance

Cold Load Pick-up

Seasonal load changes and transfers

Transformer inrush
Motor starting currents
The effect of such change produces:
Major changes in load current
Changes in unbalance levels
Variations in fault levels
Coordination problems
Increased fault duty on conductors and equipment

52
52

Line 1
Line 2

52
52

52

52

Figure 6. Parallel feeders

It is important that the protective relay provides sensitive settings

under such conditions to provide secure and dependable protection.
The ability to have several relay settings groups that can be
dynamically activated manually or automatically to meet the
needs of the system is one of the most powerful features of most
microprocessor based relays. When system conditions change, relay
settings are changed instantly. There is no need to compromise a
setting to fit two or more different system conditions. Switchgear
status can be used to modify protection settings by switching to
appropriate setting groups to maximize dependability. The setting

Figure 7. Dynamic cold load pickup.

A cold load condition can be caused by a prolonged feeder outage.

Upon the return of the power to thee load, the circuit will experience
inrush current into connected transformers, starting currents into
motors, and simultaneous demand from many loads as the normal
load diversity has been lost. During the cold load pickup condition, the
feeder current can be above the pickup setting of some protection
elements, so this feature can be used to prevent the tripping that
would otherwise be caused by the normal settings. Without historical
data on a particular feeder, some utilities assume an initial cold load
current of about 500% of normal load, decaying to 300% after 1
second, 200% after 2 seconds, and 150% after 3 seconds. There
are two methods of initiating the operation of this feature. The first
initiation method is intended to automatically respond to a loss of
the source to the feeder, by detecting that all phase currents have
declined to zero for some time. When zero current on all phases has
been detected, a timer is started. This timer is set to an interval after
which it is expected the normal load diversity will have been lost, so
setting groups are not changed for short duration outages. After the
delay interval, cold load pick up setting are used. A second initiation
method can use a digital input, including breaker status or SCADA
commands.

Figure 8. Custom Overcurrent Curves Maximize Sensitivity and

Corrdination

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Custom Overcurrent Curves Maximize

Sensitivity and Coordination

Distribution Feeder Protection

A typical TOC curve for a thermal-magnetic MCCB ( Molded Case

Circuit Breaker) is depicted in Figure 8 and 9. This particular curve
is for a 600 A frame in ratings of 125 A to 600 A at the typical rated
operating temperature of 40 C. The operating time varies inversely
with current level. The shaded band covers manufacturing tolerances
and other variables of a typical installation. The shown curve can be
conveniently separated into three regions:

TIME

Distribution Feeder Protection

50
51

Flex Inverse Time O/C Curve

IEC/IEEE Inverse Time O/C Curve

MCCB

MCCB
CURRENT

Long-time . . . in which opening is timed in minutes up to a

maximum of 1 hour or 2 hourdepending on the circuit breaker
size and the degree of overcurrentto provide an inverse-time
characteristic. The provided time delay allows intermittent or
cyclical loads above the pickup current to be carried without
causing an interruption. It trips on sustained overcurrent to
protect conductors and other equipment.

Maximum Fault Level

Figure 9. Typical TCC curve example.

Arc flash

Short-time . . . in which opening is timed in seconds or tenths of

seconds. Overcurrent might be in the range expected in the case
of a motor locked rotor or an arcing ground fault. Time delay in
this region allows for starting and inrush transient currents or for
selective coordination with supply-side or load-side devices.

Clearing time 14.8 sec

Instantaneous . . . in which opening is not intentionally delayed

and is timed in milliseconds. Typical operation is a result of short
circuit from a bolted fault.
Attempts to employ standard IEEE and IEC overcurrent curves to
provide protection over this MCCB would result in lack of coordination
or unnecessarily slow clearing times. The Flexcurves of GE Multilin
relays allows building custom overcurrent curve characteristics
to suit application like this to achieve proper coordination with a
downstream MCCB.

Bolted fault

Clearing time 0.020 sec

Figure 10. Circuit Breaker Tripping Curve

Arc-flash mitigation using feeder

protection system
Arc flash in industrial and utility distribution systems can cause
severe damage to equipment and personnel. When arcing occurs,
the pressure generated by the sudden increase in the temperature
(approximately 30,000F) is strong enough to break off the metal
cabinet door. The plasma emitted from the arc incidents of high
energy is very dangerous.

CB1

Fault 1
CB2

Since an arcing fault must travel through air, its fault current is usually
lower than that of bolted fault or close-in fault currents. Figure 10
shows Circuit Breaker Tripping Curve and clearance times for bolted
faults and arcing faults. As shown in Figure 10, the smaller value of
the arcing fault current can significantly delay the fault clearing time
of the protection system and result in increased flash damage.
As arc flash hazards are recognized, investments in personnel
protection are required. Although the amount of energy released
in an arc-flash may be greater for higher voltage installations

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Fiber LAN, single

or redundant, for
added security

Source

CB3

Fault 2

Figure 11. Reverse zone interlocking protection - By using the IEC61850

GOOSE or hi-speed direct I/O capability blocking signal can be transferred
upstream, allowing minimal coordination delays. Fast clearance can be
provided for Fault 1 and still maintain coordination for Fault 2.

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Distribution Feeder Protection

In the recent years many techniques have been proposed to mitigate

arc-flash hazards using microprocessor based protective relays. As
far as the installations with legacy protective relays are concerned,
they are only left with a single expensive incomplete option to reduce
arc-flash hazards. To clear the fault quickly as possible coordination
studies of the particular system needs to be revised to tighten up the
coordination time settings between Time Over Current relays.
GE Multilins leading edge protection and control products such as
F60, F35 and F650 relays can be used to provide advanced arc flash
mitigation solutions that are easy to implement. Key benefits of
these solutions are:
Improved personnel safety
Increase production uptime
Easy and cost-effective implementation
Reduce damage to the facility and decreased cost of repair or
replacement

Hi-speed Interlocking Schemes

Figures 11 shows examples of typical distribution configurations
that can be used to provide advance arc-flash mitigation using F60,
F35 and F650 protective relay systems. The built-in peer to peer
communication capabilities in these relays allow hi-speed data
exchange between relays without the use of a communications
hub or other ancillary equipment. By using the IEC61850 GOOSE
or hi-speed Direct I/O capability, Interlocked protection can be
provided to protect buses. Fast clearance can be achieved for a
feeder Fault 2 during maintenance and still maintain coordination
for fault 1 during normal operation. If the blocking signal from feeder
is not received within given time delay then the main breaker will
trip the bus. Another method of reducing arc flash hazards is to
use a maintenance mode scheme. During the maintenance mode
the relay protecting the potential arc flash hazard zone will have
its settings changed to instantaneous from coordinated time over
current. Although coordination is sacrificed during the maintenance

interval, the clearing time is greatly reduced.

Key advantages of Hi-speed Tripping Schemes:
Fast clearance (2-3 cycles)
Sensitivity and security not compromised during normal operation.
Easy implementation using existing F60, F35, F650 using
IEC61850 or Direct I/O

Distribution Feeder Protection

found in some large industrial facilities and utility power plants

and substations, the sheer volume of low voltage equipment in
commercial and smaller industrial facilities means that these
installations account for the greatest number of electrical safety
incidents. Many industries and regulatory agencies are currently
showing interest in mitigating arc-flash energy and reduce personnel
safety hazards.

Reduced wiring and commissioning cost

Fast arc-flash detection using pressure, heat and light

sensors
Arcing generates heat, sudden pressure and light. Sensors that
are capable of detecting above parameters can be integrated with
F60 and F35 relays to provide fast and secure arc flash detection.
Disturbance Detector (50DD) in the F60 & F35 relays is a fast
and sensitive current element that will respond to minor system
disturbance. Industrial grade sensors along with 50DD element in the
UR can be used to detect arc-flash fault. The sensors can be suitably
placed in various cubicles or drawers inside the switchboards. These
sensors are connected to a junction box (Figure 13), which will be
wired to the UR F60 or F35 that controls the main breaker. During the
scheduled maintenance, relays in the switchyard can be switched
to maintenance mode. During the maintenance mode the relay
settings will be changed to instantaneous from coordinated time
overcurrent. FlexLogic can be used to develop an arc detection
system (Figure 12) to rapidly trip the breaker if the light/pressure/
heat sensor asserts and the relays sensitive disturbance detector
asserts.
Figure 13 shows a typical dual incomer configuration. The Universal
Relay event report can be used to trigger events for traceability and
waveforms can be captured for in-depth analysis.
Key advantages of fast arc-flash detection using sensors:
Fast clearance
Sensitive detection than other techniques
Cost-effective - Reduced wiring and commissioning cost
Traceability using event report.

F35/F60

F35/F60

Arc Detected (H8c)

On
Off

20

AND
AND

Arc trip (P8)

Arc Trip (VO96)

Operate
Seal-In

SRC1 50DD OP

Junction Box

Junction Box

Dry contact
Arc Trip On (VO96)

Figure 12. Fast and secure arc flash detection.

48

Figure 13. Dual incomer configuration with sensors and junction box.

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Distribution Feeder Protection

Distribution Feeder Protection

On-line Breaker Monitoring

CT Saturation in Industrial Applications

With todays emphasis on reducing maintenance spending,

industrials and utilities are being pressured to reduce their overhaul
and maintenance costs, which represent a significant portion
of the overall operating costs. One way to accomplish this is by
extending the interval between maintenance cycles and doing less
maintenance, or performing maintenance based on equipment
condition rather than elapsed time. The present trend for scheduled
maintenance, which is usually based on equipment type, elapsed
time, equipment maintenance history, or number of operations,
is being directed more towards Reliability Centered Maintenance
(RCM) programs based on the criticality of the assert to the system,
maintenance history and diagnostic technologies available to
identify problems or indications when maintenance is required. This
approach provides guidance to staff to target maintenance on the
most critical apparatus.

In metal-clad switchgear and MCC applications, current transformers

are often selected based on size limitations and full load current.
The result is that CTs in these applications are severely underrated,
with the available fault current potentially hundreds of times larger
than the CT primary (e.g. 50 kA short circuit capacity on a 50:5 C10
CT). When subjected with these large fault currents a CT will saturate
severely, passing only a small fraction of the ratio current with the
end result being a potential loss of coordination with upstream
protection. Relays using Fourier-like measurements (such as cosine
filters) are affected by this problem, but products using true RMS
measurements, like GE Multilin relays, are unaffected.

Legacy protective relays can only provide number of breaker

operations and I2t. This data is not adequate to monitor a breaker
and to identify performance variation, developing circuit breaker
problems or decide on RCM maintenance.
GE Multilin s leading technology products from the Universal Relay
and 650 families of products can be used to measure additional key
parameters from the circuit breakers and process them using the
Flexlogic to derive breaker health conditions.

52

52

52

52

52

52

Arc duration A good indication of dielectric condition

Maximum Fault Current Each operation, by phase
Contact interrupting duty Accumulated I2T per phase

Figure 14. Multiple Feeder Protection and Control.

Latch health indication Trip command to 52a opening

Balance of mechanism health Trip command to 52b closing
Number of Operations Alarm
Real time data availability Immediate detection of impeding
problem immediately.
Visible record available, using waveform capture of breaker
operations.
Key advantages of On-line Breaker Monitoring:
Reduce costs by postponing unnecessary maintenance with
confidence that breakers are operating within normal wear limits.
Detect breaker problems in order to schedule just-in-time
maintenance to prevent malfunction or failure.
Implement a predictive Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
Program based on historical intelligence continuously gathered in
real time.
Extend the operational life of older oil-type circuit breakers.
Better power system reliability.

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