Power System Protection is a branch of electrical power engineering that deals with the protection of

electrical power systems from faults through the disconnection of faulted parts from the rest of the electrical
network. The objective of a protection scheme is to keep the power system stable by isolating only the
components that are under fault, whilst leaving as much of the network as possible still in operation. Thus,
protection schemes must apply a very pragmatic and pessimistic approach to clearing system faults. The
devices that are used to protect the power systems from faults are called protection devices. Wikipedia

Protection systems usually comprise five components:

 Current and voltage transformers to step down the

high voltages and currents of the electrical power
system to convenient levels for the relays to deal with.
 Protective relays to sense the fault and initiate a trip,
or disconnection, order
 Circuit breakers to open/close the system based on
relay and auto recloser commands
 Batteries to provide power in case of power
disconnection in the system
 Communication channels to allow analysis of
current and voltage at remote terminals of a line and
to allow remote tripping of equipment.

We protect system from surges resulting from high lightning and switching.

Definition of a Fault: is any abnormal state of the system and it consists as short circuit as well as open
circuits.

Undesirable effects that faults may contribute to the operation of a power system.
1. Reduced stability margins for the power system.
2. Damage to the equipment that is in the vicinity of the fault due to heavy currents, unbalanced currents,
or low voltage produced by the short circuit.
3. Explosions which may occur in equipment containing insulating oil during a short circuit and which
may cause fire resulting in a serious hazard to personnel and damage to other equipment.
4. Disruptions in the entire power system service area by a succession of protective action taken by
different protection system an occurrence known as cascading.
Protective systems are so designed to sense faults in any part of an electrical the system and initiate to
clear the fault in a timely manner. Protective relays are used to sense the faults and initiate circuit breaker
tripping.
Three subsystems of protection system 1 CB P
1) Circuit Breakers
2) Transducers
3) Relays T

R
When a fault occurs at point P, increase in the amount of current flows through the transmission line towards
the fault and is accompanied by a reduction in voltages. These high values of current and voltages are
reduced to lower values by the transducers T i.e. the (CT, PT). The relay R process these signals and makes
a decision that a fault has occurred in the transmission lines that leads to the tripping of their associated
circuit breakers CB. The action of the relay must be fast and reliable.
Five classes of relays
1) Magnitude Relay – these are current magnitude relays or over-current relays. These relays respond
to the magnitude of their input current, operate to trip whenever the current magnitude exceeds a
preset value.
2) Directional relays – these relays depend upon the direction of the current with respect to the voltage
for its operation.
3) Ratio relays - (Impedance or Distance relays) – operate for faults within a certain distance of its
location on any of the lines originating at a bus to which it is connected.
4) Differential Relays – see figure
I’1 I’2
. .
1/n1 1/n2

N1/N2
I1 I2

I1-I2

At Normal Condition
I1-I2=0
When a fault occurs at the secondary side of the transformer with current I’ f in the fault
I1-I2= I’f /n2
When a fault occurs at the primary side of the transformer with current I’ f in the fault
I1-I2= I’f /n1
5) Pilot Relays – provides technique of communicating information from a remote zone boundary to
the relay.

Pilot channels
1. Conductors of a telephone circuit / fiber optics
2. High-frequency signal on the power “riding” line (Power Line Carrier: PLC)
The high-frequency signal must be filtered as it enters the substation using wave/line trap.
3. Microwave channels
Attributes of Relay:
[ ] Fast and Reliable.
[ ]Selectivity : of a relay refers to the requirement that the smallest possible portion of a system should be
isolated following a fault.

Zones of Protection:

The circuit breakers help define the boundaries of the zones of protection.
By overlapping neighboring zones no part of the power system is left without protection.

Design Criteria for Protective Systems.

1. Reliability: Provide both dependability (guaranteed correct operation in response to faults) and security
(avoiding unnecessary operation). Reliability requires that relay systems perform correctly under adverse
system and environmental conditions.

2. Speed: Relays should respond to abnormal conditions in the least possible time. This usually means that
the operation time should not exceed three cycles on a 60-Hz base.

3. Selectivity: A relay system should provide maximum possible service continuity with minimum system
disconnection.

4. Simplicity and economy: The requirements of simplicity and economy are common in any engineering
design, and relay systems are no exception.
Overcurrent Relay : ANSI 50/51

Definition: The overcurrent relay is defined as the relay, which operates only when the value of the
current is greater than the relay setting time. It protects the equipment of the power system from the
fault current.

Depending on the time of operation the overcurrent relay is

categorized into following types.

 Instantaneous Overcurrent relay

 Inverse time Overcurrent Relay
 Definite Time Overcurrent Relay
 Inverse Definite Time Overcurrent Relay
 Very Inverse Definite Time Overcurrent Relay
 Extremely Inverse Definite Time Overcurrent Relay
 Instantaneous Overcurrent relay

Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay

The relay has no intentional time delay for operation. The

contacts of the relay are closed instantly when the current
inside the relay rises beyond the operational value. The
time interval between the instant pick-up value and the closing contacts of the relay is very less.

The most significant advantage of the instantaneous relay is that it has low operating time. It starts
operating instantly when the value of current is more than the relay setting. This relay operates only when
the impedance between the source and the relay is less than that provided in the section.

The most important feature of the relay is their speed of operation. The relay protects the system from earth
fault and also used for protecting the system from circulating current. The instantaneous overcurrent relay
is placed in the outgoing feeder.

Inverse-Time Overcurrent Relay

The relay operates only when the magnitude of their operating current is inversely proportional to the
magnitude of the energize quantities. The operating time of relay decreases with the increases in the
current. The operation of the relay depends on the magnitude of the current

The characteristic curve for the relay is shown in the figure below. The relay will not operate when the value
of current is less than the pick value. The relay is used for the protection of the distribution lines. The
inverse time relay is of three types.

Inverse Definite Minimum Time Relay

The relay whose operating time is approximately proportional to the fault current is known as the IDMT
relay. The operating time of the relay is maintained by adjusting the time delay setting. The IDMT relay
uses the electromagnetic core because it can easily saturate for the current having larger magnitude than
pick up current. The relay is used for the protection of the distribution line.

Very Inverse Relay

The inverse characteristic of the relay is more than the IDMT. Such type of relay is used in the feeder and
on long transmission lines. The relay is used in the places where there the magnitude of the short-circuit
current fall rapidly because of the large distance from the source. It is used for sensing the fault current
which is free from the fault location.

Extremely Inverse Relay

The characteristic time of the relay is extremely large as compared to the IDMT and the Very inverse relay.
This relay is used for protecting the cable, transformer, etc. The relay can operate instantly when the pickup
value of the current is more than the relay setting time. The relay provides faster operation even under the
fault current. It is used for sensing the overheating of the machines.

The inverse time relay is used in the distribution networks and the power plants. The relay gives the fast
operation in the fault conditions because of their fault time characteristic.
50 Instantaneous Adjust Current Time fixed at 50mS 3 cycles

51 Inverse Time Adjust : Current [Plug Settings]

Time : [Time Delay Settings: TDS] This will depend Time Current

Time Current Curves: TCC

Analog Over-Current Relay

Digital Over-Current Relay

ANSI numbers IEEE Standard Electric Power
System Device Function Numbers acc. to IEEE
C.37.2-1991
Standard device Function numbers:

1. master element. The initiating device, such as a control switch, etc., that serves, either directly or through such permissive devices as protective and time-delay
relays, to place equipment in or out of operation.
2. time-delay starting or closing relay. A
device that functions to give a desired amount of time delay before or after any point of operation in a switching sequence or protective relay system, except
as specifically provided by device functions 48, 62, and 79.
3. checking or interlocking relay. A relay that operates in response to the position of a number of other devices (or to a number of predetermined conditions) in
equipment to allow an operating sequence to proceed, stop, or provide a check of the position of these devices or conditions for any purpose.
4. master contactor. A device, generally controlled by device function 1 or the equivalent and the required permissive and protective devices, that serves to
make and break the necessary control circuits to place equipment into operation under the desired conditions and to take it out of operation under abnormal
conditions.
5. stopping device. A control device used primarily to shut down equipment and hold it out of operation. (This device may be manually or electrically actuated, but
it excludes the function of electrical lockout [see device function 86] on abnormal conditions.)
6. starting circuit breaker. A device whose principal function is to connect a machine to its source of starting voltage.
7. rate-of-rise relay. A relay that functions on an excessive rate-of-rise of current.
8. control power disconnecting device. A disconnecting device, such as a knife switch, circuit breaker, or pull-out fuse block, used for the purpose of respectively
connecting and disconnecting the source of control power to and from the control bus or equipment.
9. reversing device. A device that is used for the purpose of reversing a machine field or for performing any other reversing functions.
10. unit sequence switch. A switch that is used to change the sequence in which units may be placed in and out of service in multiple-unit equipment.
11. multifunction device. A device that performs three or more comparatively important functions that could only be designated by combining several of these
device function numbers. All of the functions performed by device 11 shall be defined in the drawing legend or device function definition list.
12. overspeed device. Usually, a direct-connected speed switch that functions on machine overspeed.
13. synchronous-speed device. A device such as a centrifugal-speed switch, a slip frequency relay, a voltage relay, an undercurrent relay, or any other type of
device that operates at approximately the synchronous speed of a machine.
14. underspeed device. A device that functions when the speed of a machine falls below a pre-determined value.
15. speed or frequency matching device. A device that functions to match and hold the speed or frequency of a machine or a system equal to, or approximately
equal to, that of another machine, source, or system.
16. Reserved for future application.
17. shunting or discharge switch. A switch that serves to open or close a shunting circuit around any piece of apparatus (except a resistor), such as a machine
field, a machine armature, a capacitor, or a reactor.
18. accelerating or decelerating device. A device that is used to close or cause the closing of circuits that are used to increase or decrease the speed of a
machine.
19. starting-to-running transition contactor. A device that operates to initiate or cause the automatic transfer of a machine from the starting to the running power
connection.
20. electrically operated valve. An electrically operated, controlled, or monitored valve used in a fluid, air, gas, or vacuum line.
21. distance relay. A relay that functions when the circuit admittance, impedance, or reactance increases or decreases beyond a predetermined value.
22. equalizer circuit breaker. A breaker that serves to control or make and break the equalizer or the current-balancing connections for a machine field, or for
regulating equipment, in a multiple-unit installation.
23. temperature control device. A device that functions to raise or lower the temperature of a machine or other apparatus, or of any medium, when its temperature
falls below or rises above a predetermined value.
24. volts per hertz relay. A relay that functions when the ratio of voltage to frequency exceeds a preset value. The relay may have an instantaneous or a time
characteristic.
25. synchronizing or synchronism-check device. A device that operates when two ac circuits are within the desired limits of frequency, phase angle, and voltage
to permit or cause the paralleling of these two circuits.
26. apparatus thermal device. A device that functions when the temperature of the protected apparatus (other than the load carrying windings of machines and
transformers as covered by device function number 49) or of a liquid or other medium exceeds a predetermined value; or when the temperature of the protected
apparatus or of any medium decreases below a predetermined value.
27. undervoltage relay. A relay that operates when its input voltage is less than a predetermined value.
28. flame detector. A device that monitors the presence of the pilot or main flame in such apparatus as a gas turbine or a steam boiler.
29. isolating contactor. A device that is used expressly for disconnecting one circuit from another for the purposes of emergency operation, maintenance, or test.
30. annunciator relay. A non automatically reset device that gives a number of separate visual indications upon the functioning of protective devices and that may
also be arranged to perform a lockout function.
31. separate excitation device. A device that connects a circuit, such as the shunt field of a synchronous converter, to a source of separate excitation during the
starting sequence.
32. directional power relay. A relay that operates on a predetermined value of power flow in a given direction or upon reverse power flow such as that resulting
from the motoring of a generator upon loss of its prime mover.
33. position switch. A switch that makes or breaks contact when the main device or piece of apparatus that has no device function number reaches a given
position.
34. master sequence device. A device such as a motor-operated multi contact switch, or the equivalent, or a programming device, such as a computer, that
establishes or determines the operating sequence of the major devices in equipment during starting and stopping or during other sequential switching operations.
35. brush-operating or slip-ring short-circuiting device. A device for raising, lowering, or shifting the brushes of a machine; short-circuiting its slip rings; or
engaging or disengaging the contacts of a mechanical rectifier.
36. polarity or polarizing voltage device. A device that operates, or permits the operation of, another device on a predetermined polarity only or that verifies the
presence of a polarizing voltage in equipment.
37. undercurrent or underpower relay. A relay that functions when the current or power flow decreases below a predetermined value.
38. bearing protective device. A device that functions on excessive bearing temperature or on other abnormal mechanical conditions associated with the bearing,
such as undue wear, which may eventually
result in excessive bearing temperature or failure.
39. mechanical condition monitor. A device that functions upon the occurrence of an abnormal mechanical condition (except that associated with bearings as
covered under device function 38), such as excessive vibration, eccentricity, expansion,
shock, tilting, or seal failure.
40. field relay. A relay that functions on a given or abnormally low value or failure of machine field current, or on an excessive value of the reactive component of
armature current in an ac machine indicating abnormally low field excitation.
41. field circuit breaker. A device that functions to apply or remove the field excitation of a machine.
42. running circuit breaker. A device whose principal function is to connect a machine to its source of running or operating voltage. This function may also be
used for a device, such as a contactor, that is used in series with a circuit breaker or other fault protecting means, primarily for frequent opening and closing of the
circuit.
43. manual transfer or selector device. A manually operated device that transfers the control circuits in order to modify the plan of operation of the switching
equipment or of some of the devices.
44. unit sequence starting relay. A relay that functions to start the next available unit in multiple-unit equipment upon the failure or non availability of the normally
preceding unit.
45. atmospheric condition monitor. A device that functions upon the occurrence of an abnormal atmospheric condition, such as damaging fumes, explosive
mixtures, smoke, or fire.
46. reverse-phase or phase-balance current relay. A relay that functions when the polyphase currents are of reverse-phase sequence or when the polyphase
currents are unbalanced or contain negative phase sequence components above a given amount.
47. phase-sequence or phase-balance voltage relay. A relay that functions upon a predetermined value of polyphase voltage in the desired phase sequence,
when the polyphase voltages are unbalanced, or when the negative phase-sequence voltage exceeds a given amount.
48. incomplete sequence relay. A relay that generally returns the equipment to the normal, or off, position and locks it out if the normal starting, operating, or
stopping sequence is not properly completed within a predetermined time.
49. machine or transformer thermal relay. A relay that functions when the temperature of a machine armature winding or other load-carrying winding or element
of a machine or power transformer exceeds a predetermined value.
50. instantaneous overcurrent relay. A relay that functions instantaneously on an excessive value of current.
51. ac time overcurrent relay. A relay that functions when the ac input current exceeds a predetermined value, and in which the input current and operating time
are inversely related through a substantial portion of the performance range.
52. ac circuit breaker. A device that is used to close and interrupt an ac power circuit under normal conditions or to interrupt this circuit under fault or emergency
conditions.
53. exciter or dc generator relay. A relay that forces the dc machine field excitation to build up during starting or that functions when the machine voltage has
built up to a given value.
54. turning gear engaging device. An electrically operated, controlled, or monitored device that functions to cause the turning gear to engage (or disengage) the
machine shaft.
55. power factor relay. A relay that operates when the power factor in an ac circuit rises above or falls below a predetermined value.
56. field application relay. A relay that automatically controls the application of the field excitation to an ac motor at some predetermined point in the slip cycle.
57. short-circuiting or grounding device. A primary circuit switching device that functions to short-circuit or ground a circuit in response to automatic or manual
means.
58. rectification failure relay. A device that functions if a power rectifier fails to conduct or block properly.
59. overvoltage relay. A relay that operates when its input voltage is more than a predetermined value.
60. voltage or current balance relay. A relay that operates on a given difference in voltage, or current input or output, of two circuits.
61. density switch or sensor. A device that operates on a given value, or a given rate of change, of gas density.
62. time-delay stopping or opening relay. A time-delay relay that serves in conjunction with the device that initiates the shutdown, stopping, or opening operation
in an automatic sequence or protective relay system.
63. pressure switch. A switch that operates on given values, or on a given rate of change, of pressure.
64. ground detector relay. A relay that operates upon failure of machine or other apparatus insulation to ground.
65. governor. The assembly of fluid, electrical, or mechanical control equipment used for regulating the flow of water, steam, or other media to the prime mover
for such purposes as starting, holding speed or load, or stopping.
66. notching or jogging device. A device that functions to allow only a specified number of operations of a given device or equipment, or a specified number of
successive operations within a given time of each other. It is also a device that functions to energize a circuit periodically or for fractions of specified time intervals,
or that is used to permit intermittent acceleration or jogging of a machine at low speeds for mechanical positioning.
67. ac directional overcurrent relay. A relay that functions on a desired value of ac overcurrent flowing in a predetermined direction.
68. blocking relay. A relay that initiates a pilot signal for blocking of tripping on external faults in a transmission line or in other apparatus under predetermined
conditions, or that cooperates with other devices to block tripping or to block reclosing on an out-of-step condition or on power swings.
69. permissive control device. Generally, a two-position device that in one position permits the closing of a circuit breaker, or the placing of an equipment into
operation, and in the other position prevents the circuit breaker or the equipment from being operated.
70. rheostat. A variable resistance device used in an electric circuit when the device is electrically operated or has other electrical accessories, such as auxiliary,
position, or limit switches.
71. level switch. A switch that operates on given values, or on a given rate of change, of level.
72. dc circuit breaker. A circuit breaker that is used to close and interrupt a dc power circuit under normal conditions or to interrupt this circuit under fault or
emergency conditions.
73. load-resistor contactor. A contactor that is used to shunt or insert a step of load limiting, shifting, or indicating resistance in a power circuit; to switch a space
heater in circuit; or to switch a light or regenerative load resistor of a power rectifier or other machine in and out of circuit.
74. alarm relay. A relay other than an annunciator, as covered under device function 30, that is used to operate, or that operates in connection with, a visual or
audible alarm.
75. position changing mechanism. A mechanism that is used for moving a main device from one position to another in equipment; for example, shifting a
removable circuit breaker unit to and from the connected, disconnected, and test positions.
76. dc overcurrent relay. A relay that functions when the current in a dc circuit exceeds a given value.
77. telemetering device. A transmitter used to generate and transmit to a remote location an electrical signal representing a measured quantity, or a receiver used
to receive the electrical signal from a remote transmitter and convert the signal to represent the original measured quantity.
78 phase-angle measuring or out-of-step protective relay. A relay that functions at a p redetermined phase angle between two voltages, between two currents,
or between voltage and current.
79. ac reclosing relay. A relay that controls the automatic reclosing and locking out of an ac circuit interrupter.
80. flow switch. A switch that operates on given values, or on a given rate of change, of flow.
81. frequency relay. A relay that responds to the frequency of an electrical quantity, operating when the frequency or rate of change of frequency exceeds or is
less than a predetermined value.
82. dc load-measuring reclosing relay. A relay that controls the automatic closing and reclosing of a dc circuit interrupter, generally in response to load circuit
conditions.
83. automatic selective control or transfer relay. A relay that operates to select automatically
between certain sources or conditions in equipment or that performs a transfer operation automatically.
84. operating mechanism. The complete electrical mechanism or servo mechanism, including the operating motor, solenoids, position switches, etc., for a tap
changer, induction regulator, or any similar piece of apparatus that otherwise has no device function number.
85. carrier or pilot-wire receiver relay. A relay that is operated or restrained by a signal used in connection with carrier current or dc pilot-wire fault relaying.
86. lockout relay. A hand or electrically reset auxiliary relay that is operated upon the occurrence of abnormal conditions to maintain associated equipment or
devices
inoperative until it is reset.
87. differential protective relay. A protective relay that functions on a percentage, phase angle, or other quantitative difference between two currents or some
other electrical quantities.
88. auxiliary motor or motor generator. A device used for operating auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, blowers, exciters, rotating magnetic amplifiers, etc.
89. line switch. A switch used as a disconnecting, load-interrupter, or isolating switch in an ac or dc power circuit. (This device function number is normally not
necessary unless the switch is electrically operated or has electrical accessories, such as an auxiliary switch, a magnetic lock, etc.)
90. regulating device. A device that functions to regulate a quantity or quantities, such as voltage, current, power, speed, frequency, temperature, and load, at a
certain value or between certain (generally
close) limits for machines, tie lines, or other apparatus.
91. voltage directional relay. A relay that operates when the voltage across an open circuit breaker or contactor exceeds a given value in a given direction.
92. voltage and power directional relay. A relay that permits or causes the connection of two circuits when the voltage difference between them exceeds a given
value in a predetermined direction and causes these two circuits to be disconnected from each other when the power flowing between them exceeds a given
value in the opposite direction.
93. field-changing contactor. A contactor that functions to increase or decrease, in one step, the value of field excitation on a machine.
94. tripping or trip-free relay. A relay that functions to trip a circuit breaker, contactor, or equipment; to permit immediate tripping by other devices; or to prevent
immediate reclosing of a circuit interrupter if it should open automatically, even though its closing circuit is maintained closed.
95-99.Used only for specific applications in individual installations if none of the functions assigned to the numbers from 1 to 94 is suitable.

Sample Protection Diagram Using ANSI CODES