3.

Over current relays

Grading margin :The time interval between the operation of two adjacent relays
depends on
1) the circuit breaker operating time
2) overshoot time of the relay, i.e. disc movement after the removal of
the current
3) error due to variation in the ideal characteristic curve
4) contact gap, i.e. final margin on completion of operation.
A margin of 0.5s is normal grading margin. With faster modern
circuit breakers and lower over shoot times 0.4s is reasonable.
Operating characteristic of over current relays :characteristic
RI curves
Normal inverse
very inverse
Extremely inverse
Long time stand by earth fault

operating time
1
t = x K
0.339- 0.236/ I
0.14
t = x K
I0.02 - 1
13.5
t = x K
I-1
80
t = x K
2
I -1
120
t = x K
I-1

Logarithmic inverse
t = 5.8 - 1.35 log n (I / I n )
where t = relay operating time
K = scale constant or TMS according to curve
I = multiple of set current Is or PSM

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.1

Page 42 / 153
2

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Illustration on over current relay calculation 1 :-

fig 3.2
Calculate the maximum and minimum load currents bus. Provide
current transformers of ratio as per system load requirements. Set the
relay with an equivalent primary current well above the maximum load
current. The relay setting must be well below the minimum fault current.
Complete the datas in a table as given below:
Table 3.1
loc
Total
ati
impedance
on
in ohms
Max
Min

A
B
C
D

0.81
1.41
2.36
4.56

1.62
2.22
3.17
5.37

Fault
current in
Amps
Max
Min

7840
4504
2694
1393

Total
load
current

3920
2860
2003
1183

500
350
175
75

CT.
Ratio

400/5
400/5
200/5
100/3

Relay
current
setting
per prima
cen
ry
t
curre
nt
150
600
125
500
100
200
100
100

Over current relays are intended to provide a discriminative

protection against system faults and they do not give precise overload
protection

Page 43 / 153
3

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Starting with the relay in substation D farther from the power

source, the relay plug setting multiplier (PSM) is calculated from the
knowledge of the maximum fault current flowing from this point and the
relay setting
Substation D
CT ratio
100/5A
Relay used
Normal inverse
Current setting
100% i.e. 100A
Max fault level at substation D
1393A
Therefore relay PSM
1393/100=13.93
From the normal inverse characteristics of the relay the
operating time of the relay at 13.93 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
time multiplier setting (TMS) is 2.6 seconds. There is no relay follow ing
relay at D. Still a small delay is required for better discrimination.
Further for electromagnetic relays the contact travel of the relay at D
should not be unduly small so as to avoid the possibility of tripping due
to mechanical shock. So a TMS of 0.05 is a wise option.
Hence the actual tripping of the relay at D is
0.05x 2.6 = 0.13 secs
A grading margin of 0.5 sec is adopted in this example, so that
the relay at substation C should have an operating time for fault at
substation D.
Substation C:CT ratio
200/5A
Relay used
normal inverse
Current setting
100% i.e. 200A
Max fault level grading level C with D is 1393A
Therefore relay PSM is
1393/200=6.965
From the normal inverse characteristic of the relay the
operating time of the relay at 6.95 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
TMS is 3.6 sec.
Required relay discriminating time = 0.13 + 0.5 = 0.63 sec
Therefore the required relay TMS = 0.63 / 3.6 = 0.175
The calculations now proceeded for relay C with a close-up
faults at substation C.
The maximum fault current for a fault

Page 44 / 153
4

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

just outside substation C bus bars

=2691A
Therefore relay PSM
=2691/200 = 13.45
Now from the normal inverse characteristic of the relay the
operating time of the relay at 13.45 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
TMS is 2.6 sec. The TMS previously calculated for the relay C is 0.175.
This gives an actual relay operating time for a close-up fault at
maximum fault level.
ie 0.175 x 2.6=0.455 sec.
Table 3.2

Relay at D Fault at D
Relay at C Fault at D
Relay at C Fault at C
Relay at B Fault at C
Relay at B Fault at B
Relay at A Fault at B
Relay at A Fault at A

PSM
13.93
6.965
13.45
5.382
9
7.5
13.06

Tc
2.6
3.6
2.6
4.1
3.15
3.45
2.65

Relay setting
TMS
Ta
0.05
0.13
0.175
0.13 + 0.5 = 0.63
0.175
0.455
0.233
0.455 + 0.5 = 0.955
0.233
0.734
0.358
0.734 + 0.5 = 1.234
0.358
0.95

Tc :- Relay operating time from standard curve for the given PSM
Ta :- relay actual operating time
The grading of the remaining relays are proceeded in similar
way as illustrated above and tabulated.
Finally the discriminating curves of relay at substation A,B,C
and D are plotted on log-log sheet (fig). This can be done using a
template of relay operating characteristic at TMS of 1.0. From the plot it
can be seen that a grading margin of 0.5 sec has been achieved.

P rocedure for plotting discriminating curve :For this purpose it is necessary to prepare a transparent
template of the time current curve of the relay on a log - log paper
corresponding to TSM = 1. The template is so made that the origin of
the log - log paper corresponds to 1 - second of the curve along the Y axis and 100% plug setting for 1 - multiple P.S along the X - axis as in
fig 3.2(a).

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5

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.2(a)
After having made the template the values of the current (in
amps) are plotted on a log -log paper along the X - axis and the time of
operating of the relay ( in seconds) along the Y - axis.
For plotting the characteristic of the relay - D in the above
illustration, the origin of the template is kept at 100 amps and 0.05 secs
and the curve of the template is transferred on the log - log paper.
Similarly for plotting the characteristic of the relay - C the orgin of the
template should be kept at 200 amps and 0.175 secs and the transfered to
the log - log paper. Repeat the procedure for B and A relays with the
origin of the of template kept at ( 500A, 0.233 s ) and ( 600A, 0.358 s )
respectively.
and current :Discrimination of over current relay
relays by both time
timeand
Relay co-ordination in the case of discrimination by time alone
has the disadvantage of, more severe faults are cleared in the longest
operating time. Discrimination by current can be applied only when
there is appreciable impedance between two circuit breakers. With the
use of inverse characteristic the time of operation is inversely
proportional to the fault current and the actual characteristic is a
function of time and current setting.
Illustration 2 :-

fig 3
It is necessary to convert all the system imped ance to a
common base.
Common base used
:10 MVA

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6

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

percentage imped ance of 4 MVA transfer

to common base :

MVA base
=Z% x
MVArated
10
= 7 x = 17.5%
4
Percentage impedance of cable between
MVAbase
D &E to a common base of 10 MVA :
= Z ohm 100
( KV )2
10
= 0.04 x x 100 = 0.33%
112
Percentage impedance of cable between
10
C&D to a common base of 10 MVA : = 0.24 x x 100 =1.98%
112
percentage imped ance of 30 MVA
10
transformer :
= 22.5 x
=7.5%
30
10
Percentage impedance of 132KV line
= 6.2 x x100 = 0.36%
1322
Percentage impedance of 132KV source

Table 1

Page 47 / 153
7

Base MVA
= x 100
Fault MVA
10
= x 100
=0.29%
3500

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

R
el
ay
lo
ca
ti
on

D
C
B
A

Total impedance in
Z pu

Fault current in
Amps at 3.3KV base

Min

Max

Max

Min

0.1013
0.0815
0.0065
0.0029

0.2795
0.1013
0.0815
0.0065

17268
21466
269160
603292

6257
17268
21466
269160

Total
load
current
at
3.3KV
base

CT.
Ratio

CT. Ratio
to the
base of
33kv

Relay current
setting

perc
ent

700
1500
6000
20000

250/5
500/5
150/1
500/1

833/5
1666.6/5
6000/1
20000/1

100
100
100
100

Table 2

Relay at D Fault at D
Relay at C Fault at D
Relay at C Fault at C
Relay at B Fault at C
Relay at B fault at B
Relay at A Fault at B
Relay at A Fault at A

PSM
20.7
10.36
12.88
3.58
44.8
13.458
30.1

Tc
0.2
0.8
0.47
6
0.2
0.43
0.2

TMS
0.05
0.625
0.625
0.115
0.115
1
1

TC
0.1
0.1 + 0.4 = 0.5
0.29
0.29 + 0.4 = 0.69
0.023
0.023 + 0.4 =0.423
0.2

A voltage base of 3.3KV has been chosen and the operating

characteristic of the highest rated fuse, that is 200A on the outgoing
3.3KV circuit is plotted on a log-log sheet. The grading of the over
current relays at various substations of the radial system is carried out as
detailed below. A grading margin of 0.4 is adopted in this example

R elay location D:Relay used :- Extremely inverse characteristic

Base MVA

Page 48 / 153
8

primary
current
at 3.3kv
base
833
1666.6
6000
20000

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Fault level up to 3.3KV bus =

Z pu
10
=
0.175+0.0033+0.0198+0.075+0.0036+0.0029
10
= = 35.76 MVA
0.2796
Fault MVA
35.76
Fault current
=
=
3 x base KV
3 x 3.3
= 6257Amps at 3.3KV
or
35.76
= = 1877Amps at 11KV
3 x 11
10
Fault level close to bus D
=
0.0198+0.075+0.0036+0.0029
10
= = 98.7 MVA
0.1013
98.7MVA
Full load current at 3.3KV base = = 1.7268KAmps
3 x3.3KV

Maximum load current at 3.3Kv base =

4MVA
= 0.7KA
3 x3.3KV

CT ratio adopted
250/5A
corresponding CT ratio to the base of 3.3KV = 250 x (11/3.3) / 5
=833.3/5A
So a relay of 100% P.S (plug setting) corresponds to a current
of 833.3Amps(3.3KV base).
The calculations for the remaining relay locations are
proceeded in similar way as illustrated above and tabulated
Calculations were made for all the relay locations for the TMS
(time lever setting) in the same way as explained in the previous
example and tabulated in Table 2

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9

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

The discriminating curves were plotted for all the relays at sub
stations A, B, C, D &E on a log-log sheet (fig).

ILLUSTRAT ION 3
Coordination of over current relays for an industrial system :-

fig 3.4
The relays used for protection are :
i) for motor protection (relay G) a thermal relay with high set unit for
instantaneous over current element
ii) for transformer protection (relay H) over current relay with very
inverse characteristic and high over current element
iii) for feeder protection (relay J) a normal inverse characteristic
iv) for generator a voltage controlled normal inverse characteristic
with dual characteristic
For convenience a common voltage base of 6.6KV chosen and
scheme for relay co-ordination redrawn with this base.

Page 50 / 153
10

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.5
Fuse characteristic :- The operating characteristic of the fuse should be
plotted on a log-log sheet with a suitable scale for maximum fault levels
on a common base voltage of 6.6KV.
Table 1
Operating current at
Operating Time
415V Base
6.6KV Base
795
50
40
955
60
13
1160
70
6
1270
80
3
1590
100
0.9
2700
170
0.1
Induction motor :Rating of the motor
Full load current

=100KW.
=139 Amps at 415V base
ie
=8.75 Amps at 6.6KV base
Motor starting current ( 6 times full load current) =6 x 139 = 834 Amps
ie 52.48 Amps at 6.6KV base
Starting time
= 10 secs
The relay may be set for 100% setting corresponding to 9.43Amps at
6.6KV base ie. 13% overload.
The thermal characteristic of the relay is

Table 2

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11

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

multiples of current

1.25
1.5
2
3
4
5
6

operating
415v
base
187.5
225
300
450
600
750
900

current
6.6KV
base
11.79
14.15
18.85
28.3
37.5
47.2
56.6

operating time
Hot
Cold
1400
700
300
105
55
33
23

550
240
100
35
18
11
7.5

Plot the above characteristic on the same log-log sheet. The

instantaneous unit may be set at 1.3 times the starting current ie 1.3 x
840 = 1090 amps at 415 V base or 68.25amps at 6.6 KV base. Plot these
instantaneous characteristic also.
Transformer protection:
Relay used . Very inverse time over current plus instantaneous
element.
CT ratio 75/5A.
750 x 103
full load current of transformer = = 65.6Amps
3 x6.6 x 103
The relay current setting . = 100% ie 75Amps.
This setting will provide adequate margin and better co-ordination with
the fuse
10 x 106
= = 874.7 Amp
3 x 6.6 x103
Relay PSM
= 847.7/75 = 11.6
Relay operating time at 11.6 times plug setting and 1.0 TMS is
1.41secs. The grading margin between relay and fuse will be
t = 0.4t + 0.15 sec
were t = nominal operating time.
So the grading margin = 0.4 x 0.01 + 0.15 =0.154 (say 0.16)
Max fault level

Page 52 / 153
12

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet to the

common 6.6KV voltage base using a template of the ver inverse
characteristic.
The instantaneous element must be set above the maximum through
fault current.
Fault MVA of the transformer = MVA/Z pu = 0.75 / 0.07 =10.714 MVA
Fault MVA
10.714
= =
= 0.93725KA
3 x KV
3 x 6.6
The relay must be set at 1.3 x937.25 ie 1218Amps.
Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet.
Through fault current

Feeder protection:
Relay used
= normal inverse characteristic.
CT Ratio
= 200 / 5
The current setting on this relay should be based on the
maximum load of the 6.6 KV bus, plus a suitable margin for over load
on the transformer. Since no load values are specified the requirement
may assumed as 100%
Maximum fault for grading
= 1218amps
Relay PSM
= 1218 / 200 = 6.1
Relay operating time for6.1 times PS and 1.0 TMS is =3.8 secs
To grade relay J with relay H the operating time of relay H at
1218amps must be added to the fixed grading margin of 0.5sec.
ie 0.19 + 0.5 = 0.69sec.
So required TMS
=0.69 / 3.8 = 0.18
Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet.

Generator :
Relay used . The relay used is with a duel characteristic
which changes its pick-up value to 40% of its nominal plug setting and

Page 53 / 153
13

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

the operating characteristic changes from a long IDMT characteristic to

standard IDMT characteristic.
CT Ratio = 500 / 5 A
Under close-up fault condition the voltage at the bus bars dorps
below the setting of the under voltage units, the over current relay
changes its characteristic from the over load curve to the fault curve.
Then the effective setting becomes (0.4 x 500 )Amps ie 200Amps which
happens to be the current setting of the 6.6KV feeder relay J with which
it has to grade. So a setting of 100% can be used.
The possible fault MVA of the 5MVA generator is
MVA Rating
5

= x 100 =33.33MVA
`
Xd
15
33.33
So the fault current
= = 2.916 KA
3 x 6.6
Relay PSM = 2916 / 200 = 14.57
Relay operating time for 14.57 times PS and 1.0 TMS is 2.5 secs.
Relay J operating time at 2916 Amps is 0.38 secs.
Grading margin 0.5 sec.
Hence operating time on fault curve should be
0.38
+ 0.5 = 0.88 secs
So TMS = 0.88 / 2.5 = 0.352
Plot the operating characteristic of the fault curve and over load
curve on the log-log sheet.

Exam ples of earth relay connections :

Page 54 / 153
14

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Earth fault relays protecting over head lines are normally

connected to three CTs in a residual current circuit. (fig 3.6).

fig 3.6
Instead of three separate CTs one open core CT (Core Balance
CT) can be used in networks three cable (Fig 3.7).

fig 3.7
In case of non-directional earth fault relays a capacitor across
the CBCT terminal will increase the sensitivity of the relay.( Fig 3.8)
The sensitivity of the relay can be increased by running the cable
several times through the CBCT. The sensitivity will increase twice for
two turns. (Fig3.9)

Page 55 / 153
15

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.8

fig 3.9

The sensitivity of the relay may be increased by mounting two

CBCTs on the cable and CT terminal connected in parallel (fig 3.10)
It is possible two parallel cables through same CBCT (fig
3.11). However if the cables cannot be arranged symmetrically ,there is
a possibility of undue current to relay. This may operate the relay
unnecessarily for high short circuit currents.

fig 3.10

fig 3.11

In case of two or more cables operating in parallel and fitted

with one CBCT for each cable, it is possible to connect all the CTs in
parallel and connected to the same relay (fig 3.12).

Page 56 / 153
16

3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.12

Page 57 / 153
17