INNOVATIVE DESIGN APPROACH TO OPERATIONAL

NETWORK FOR SUB STATION AND FEEDER AUTOMATION.

By P.K. Pattanaik
Deputy Manager (Elect)
E&MR Divn.OPTCL
Burla (ORISSA)

Synopsis:Isolator and breaker are the two important

equipments in the grid sub-station, which play the
vital role for correct and smooth operation of power
flow in a circuit. In major sub-stations, these
equipments are operated on remote switches at
control room. Some cases for automatic and SCADA
controlled sub-station; these are controlled at the
Central Control Stations (CCS). To avoid improper
switching operations, interlocks are provided in the
system among the isolators and breakers which are
involved during power flow in the circuit.
This paper deals with the various interlock
schemes, supervision schemes and operational
control schemes to maintain a safety approach of
grid operations. A novel approach of an innovative
design of a relay, called Grid Management Relay
(GMR), has also been described. This GMR is a
microprocessor-based relay, which studies the status
of the equipments being simulated with contacts and
logics of the operations. According to the status
(ON/OFF Condition) of the related equipments in the
network, this relay supervises the system and allows
the permissive output for correct and smooth
operation of the equipments.
GMR can be programmed for the following
purposes.
Supervision of AC supply, DC supply to the
Control and Relay Panel
Supervision of Breaker Control Circuit, Equipment
Status (ON/OFF Condition) and Interlock
Circuits.
Sequential automatic control of the operational
circuit.
Logical circuit for automatic diagnosis of the faults
in the control and operational circuit.
GMR is a single unit, which can be used in
total grid system by replacing the present control and
operational relays of individual feeder panels. Thus it
can reduce the use of bunch wires, auxiliary relays in

the panel and other associated circuits. So the size of

the Control panel and also the size of the Control
room can be reduced.
1.

Introduction: -

Control, operation and supervision of any

electrical circuit depend upon the study of electrical
status of the equipments that involved in the circuit
network. In present practice these circuits are getting
realized by the use of physical hardware like bunch
of cables, number of contacts and number of
auxiliary relays in the circuit. However these circuits
do not become reliable in long run due to the change
of contact positions on mechanical operation of the
equipments. The complexity of cable connection and
contact multiplication relays also involve high cost of
design. The other possible problematic area with
these schemes is to trace the fault in the circuit.
So to make the system simple and to avoid
the possible problems as described above, the Grid
Management Relay (GMR), can be used in grid S/S,
which works on the logic operation and issues the
permissive out put for the operation of the equipment
after studying the all conditional interlocks in the
circuit.
2.

Basic design of GMR: -

For the development of any GMR, the

following factors are to be taken into consideration.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Involvement of equipments for system

automation.
Availability of auxiliary contacts of those
equipments.
Requirement of power contacts and ordinary
contacts.
Feasibility of the system.
All possible interlock conditions among the
equipments.
Geographical situations like distance between
the components, shielding and grounding
facility etc

7.

Existence of the prescribed IEDs ( Intelligent

Electronics Devices )
8. Selective protective devices and protection
schemes.
9. Choice of Communication channel
10. Efficient protocol for suitable communication
among IEDs and physical equipments.
By considering the suitable factors as
described above, the status of the selected
equipments are brought to the relay by the selected
and suitable communication channels.
The status includes various parameters as described
below.
1.
2.
3.

Analogue Inputs
(Secondary for of currents and Voltages)
Binary Inputs
(Off/On conditions of the equipments)
Signaling Inputs
(Trigger pulse after satisfying the conditional
approaches)

Then the logic control equations are chosen

by the available conceptual functions for different
schemes

associated circuits are done by the pre- defined logic

equations. For the case of any abnormality in the self
supervision circuits, warning command is extended to
the display unit with detail faults in the circuit.
According to the intensity of the fault, some times
signal is extended to block the relay operations.
Similarly for every operation of the equipment, event
logger circuit helps to log the events for future
analysis of the operations.
Fixed Logic &
Relay
Elements

INPUTS

Logic Control
following tasks

equations

perform

the

1.

Define what conditions assert the out put

contacts
2. Define which elements and conditions trigger
event reports.
3. Select the contact status supervisions
4. Select for the intermittent logics for
subsequent applications
5. Select self supervision status.
2.2 Overview of Logic Control Equations
The relay has I/O board that accommodates
the inputs to the relay (IN-1IN-n). These Inputs are
assigned according to the available and requirement
of the scheme. Then for designing the out put
functions, different operators (LOGIC GATE
CIRCUITS) that available in the relay elements are
used for correct sequential logic equations. The
Intermittent Logic Equations combining with other
relay elements are also used for the critical circuits.
Finally out put permissive contacts are extended for
the correct operation of the equipments. Self
supervision of the relay elements, contacts and other

DISP. UNIT

OUT PUTS
Input
Functio
Assignt

Out
put
Fun

Intermittent
Logic
Equations

2.3 Advantages of the GMR

1.

2.1 Logic Control Equation

Event
Report,
Self Sup.
Others

Single relay can be utilized for the total system

that avoids the complexity of the bunch of
cables and auxiliary relays.
2. It is a programmable relay, so according to the
logic and requirement of the system the relay
can be programmed.
3. Schemes
other
than
Interlock,
like
Synchronism,
Parallelization
of
the
equipments etc.. can also be programmed by
this relay
4. Because of the pre-supervision facility in the
relay the fault tracing/status of the equipment
becomes easy to obtain for any operation.
5. This relay has the facility of logging the events
of operations which becomes helpful for post
analysis.
6. This relay has also the facility of data storage,
data transmissions etc..
7. The cost of the relay is also very economic in
comparison to the hardware schemes as used
in present practice.
8. It is smaller in size and occupies lesser space
in the panel. Hence the size of the panel can be
made economical.
9. Automatic supervision of the logic and status
of the circuits reduces the time of operations.
10. It becomes quite helpful for smooth and
correct operation of the Electrical Equipments.

3. Application of GMR

3.1.2 Monitoring Of Electrical Circuits: -

As already discussed that GMR can be used

for multifunction purposes. The different typical
applications of the same have been discussed here for
obtaining the concepts of different functions. The
application study includes the followings.

Electrical circuits for this present monitoring

study have been categorized in the following ways.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Measurement of Electrical Parameters

Monitoring of Electrical Circuits
Supervision and diagnosis of faults in the
circuits
Sequential Automatic control of the
operational circuit
Identified Protection Circuits

3.1 Measurement Mode

The analogue inputs are fed from the
available electrical equipments at the switchyard. The
secondary replica values in reduced level are made
available to the relay terminals.
3.1.1 Basic Analogue Inputs: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

3 Nos of phase currents

3 Nos of phase voltages
1 No Neutral Current (Residual)
1 No Neutral voltage (Residual)
1 No Neutral current of parallel line

1. Indication Circuit (status of Equipment in Service)

2. Auxiliary Power control Circuit to the equipment.
3. Abnormality in analogue inputs.
3.1.2.a Indication Circuit: In the present practice for indication
purpose, LEDs, Lamps or mimics are generally used
to know the status of the electrical equipments
particularly the breakers and isolators in the circuit.
This relay (GMR) can be used to replace the use of
physical indicating lamps and one single relay can be
used for the total grid sub-station. The feeders in the
sub-stations can be identified by the digital code in
the relay. To know the status of the feeder
equipments, the pre-defined codes can be used and
status can be accessed through either HMI or the PC
assigned for the purpose. The contacts (N/O & N/C)
from the involved equipments are carried and taken
to the relay as the Binary inputs of the relay.
However these contacts can also be used for other
purposes in the universal logic functions to the relay.
So only limited numbers of contacts are carried to the
relay for design of logic functions.
3.2.1.b Auxiliary Power Control of the Circuit: -

These analogue inputs pass through a signal

conditioner before being processed by main
processor. Signals go through the chain, comprising
of input transformers, shunt, low pass filter,
amplifier, sampling, multiplexer and A/D converters.
Then these are digitized and tagged with certain pulse
logics. Finally for measurement mode these values
are displayed in LDU (Local Display Unit) after
conversion to the corresponding analog status.
Measured values can also be retrieved by SCADA or
can be downloaded to the MRI (Meter Reading
Instrument) for reference purpose.
This mode has also the facility to measure
the minimum, maximum and average value of the
electrical parameters, capture of waveforms for
analysis. For the use of a single relay in a grid
substation the analogue inputs from the electrical
instruments from different feeders can be coded for
identification of the same, during the time of
monitoring and supervision of the data.

For control of the electrical equipments i.e.

tripping or closing of the equipments, certain power
supply is needed. The control circuit involves with
220V D.C (General Indian practice) and operational
circuit needs DC or A.C supply (1 or 3 Source).
So both the auxiliary supply for control and operation
are very important and required to be monitored
regarding its availability.
This relay supervises the availability of
supply source, by the comparison method with a preset value as per the logic function to the relay. When
abnormality like non-availability of source or less
availability of the same as compared to the pre-set
value is observed, warning signal is issued with
necessary annunciation tag in the display. Here also
the same single GMR relay can be used for all the
panels in the system.
3.1.2.c Abnormality in Analogue Inputs: This circuit also monitors the electrical
parameters and according to the abnormality that
developed in the parameters, the annunciation signal

is initiated by providing the necessary tags in the

display. The typical examples are given in the setting
table for monitoring of parameters
LCD
Text
Measure.
Superv
Balance
V limit

Setting
Option
OFF
ON
1100
V

Default
Setting
ON

Balance
Factor V
Balance I
limit

0.580.90
0.55.00A

0.75

Balance
Factor I
I
threshold
I Factor

0.10.90
0.2510.00A
0.000.95

50 V

2.5 A

0.50
0.50
0.10

Comments
Measured value
Monitor
Symmetry
Uph(threshold
Value)
Symmetry
Uph(Characteristic)
Symmetry
Iph(threshold
Value)
Symmetry
Iph(Characteristic)
Sum I threshold
Value
Sum I
Characteristic

3.1.3 Supervision and Diagnosis of fault:Different circuits are required to be

supervised always to know the healthy ness of the
system. Some supervision circuits that used in substation panels are described below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fuse-fail monitor circuit

VT Supervision Circuit
Trip-Coil Supervision Circuit
Interlock Supervision Circuit
DC leakage Supervision Circuit

3.1.3.a Fuse-fail monitor circuit: By the principle of mid-point reference, the

fuse-fail circuit is monitored. The availability is
compared with the reference value and for the case of
non-availability or abnormality, the value of the
voltage w.r.t the reference increases the limit value
and issues alarming condition.
3.1.3.b VT Supervision Circuit:The input variables, monitored for the VT
Supervision function are the three phase voltages,
and the three phase currents. The zero sequence (V0 ,
Io) and negative sequence (V2, I2 ) components are
calculated for both the three phase parameters
(Voltages, Currents). According to the comparison
the status of the fuse circuit is obtained.

3.1.3.c Trip-Coil Supervision Circuit:By the use of binary input relays (Optocoupler Relays in the GMR) and the logic functions,
the trip coil circuit is monitored/supervised. The
control voltage to the trip coil is tracked and declares
healthy of the coil circuit till to the end of the coil
terminals. The message (Trip coil faulty) is issued as
the annunciation tag for the break of control voltage
across the coil.
Moreover the logic circuit and equation used
for the supervision circuit provide the necessary
diagnosis regarding the faulty part of the circuit.
Every part (Contact) is generally coded with some
nominal value w.r.t the reference and during
normal/healthy condition the values remain within
the limitation. But on fault condition the value goes
beyond the limit and issues the message as Trip coil
faulty.
3.1.3.d. Interlock Supervision Circuit
Interlock between the equipments is always
explained as the conditional operation of the
components in the system. Suppose an isolator is to
be operated in series to the breaker in the system,
then this isolator must not be operated when circuit
breaker is in closed condition i.e. the power
interruption or reconnection should not be done
through isolator. Because this equipment is
considered as a switch, that operated in air medium.
Switching action in air medium may result severe
spark/arc and damage to the equipment with
interruption of power supply to the consumers.
By considering the above factors, the
available contacts are brought to the relay and
simulated for the software design, as per the
requirement of the systems. To design the scheme
only single pair of N/O and N/C contact from the
involved equipments in the total system is brought
for the relay design instead of the multi number of
contacts. The logic equations as per the scheme are
written for the software design. For any operation of
the equipment, the relay studies the logic of the
operation circuit and extends the permissive out put
contact for the operation.
Self supervision of the relay elements,
contacts and other associated circuits are done by the
pre- defined logic equations. For the case of any
abnormality in the self supervision circuits, warning
command is extended to the display unit with detail
faults in the circuit

3.1.3.e. DC leakage Supervision Circuit

3.1.4 .b. Isolators:On the basic principle of mid-point concept,
the DC leakage is monitored and accordingly the
binary inputs used in the GMR become sensitive and
provides necessary information, regarding the DC
leakage in the system.
3.1.4 Sequential Automatic Control of Operational
Circuit
Now a days in grid sub-station, the operation
of EHT/HT isolators and breakers are controlled with
remote switches. These operations can be controlled
automatically and sequentially by this GMR. In GMR
the logic equations are fed by satisfying the
conditions of the operations. These conditions are
termed as Interlocks.
3.1.4 .a. Breaker Operation:For closing of the breaker, the conditional
statuses are required to be considered for safe and
smooth operation. The operation depends upon the
status of the following contacts.
1.

2.

3.
4.

5.

6.

Limit Switch of the drive mechanism.

(Example: - For spring-spring mechanism,
the spring used must be in energized
condition to permit the close command)
Contact of the quenching medium
(Example: - For SF6 breaker, the working
pressure must be within the allowable limit
for permission of the operation)
Contacts from the tripping relays (All the
tripping relays must be in RESET condition)
Contacts from Synchronization Relay
(Synchronization condition must be in
allowable mode during operation)
Status contact of the breaker (Breaker status
auxiliary contact must be in allowable mode
i.e. For closing of the system N/C (Normally
Close) contact must be in series to the close
command)
Interlock Contacts from the conditional
equipments (Some equipments like Earth
Switch, Isolator etc are required to be in
allowable status mode for breaker
operation.)

This GMR, after studying the status of the

allowable contacts as described above issues output
signal for operation of the breaker. For the case of
non-operation of the breaker, the user can supervise
the status of the contacts for the supervision mode
and accordingly rectify the problem immediately.

An isolator must not make or break load or

fault current but its cooperation should be permitted
if a shunt path (across it) has been established. An
isolator adjoining a circuit breaker should be operated
only if the circuit breaker is open. A load break
switch must not be operated to interrupt fault current.
GMR studies the interlock status of the
scheme and allows the permissive output signal for
the operation of the isolators. Similarly for the case
of non-operation, the involved contact statuses are
supervised in the relay to rectify the problems easily.

3.1.4.c. Conditions of Interlocks:

1. Protection systems must be allowed to open
circuit breakers for clearing faults. Only one
switching operation should be performed at a
time. The most recent status of all switches must
be available. The current and voltage ratings of
lines, transformers and other equipment should
not be exceeded.
2. An isolator must not make or break load or
fault current but its cooperation should be
permitted if a shunt path (across it) has been
established. An isolator adjoining a circuit
breaker should be operated only if the circuit
breaker is open. A load break switch must not be
operated to interrupt fault current.
3. A circuit breaker must not be opened if it
interrupts the flow of power unless it is so
intended. For parallel lines, the opening of a
circuit breaker must not cause overloading of the
circuits remaining in operation. A circuit breaker
must not be closed while the isolators, in the
circuit it controls, are in motion.
4. Two live circuits should not be connected
without synchronizing. No live line or equipment
should be earthed. Two transformers should not
be operated in parallel unless their tap settings
are identical.
5. When alternative switching sequences are
possible, the shortest sequence should be
selected.

Note: - The other operation like RTCC (Remote Tap

Changer Controller) operation, parallelization of
transformers etc can also be done by this GMR.

3.1.4.d. Sequential Operation: -

3.1.5 Identified Protection Scheme:-

Every operational scheme in grid sub-station

has its own procedure for power flow in different
conditions. These schemes can be automized by the
GMR (Grid Manage Relay) by feeding the suitable
and required logic equation to the relay.

This relay can also be used for protection

scheme. But the main protections like Distance
protection, Differential Protection etc are not the
included features of this relay. Because these
protections need special attentions and sensitive
response time to clear the fault in the system.
Moreover for incorporation of the main protection
scheme, the complexity of the relay will be raised
and performance scale will be hampered.

Ex: Consider the example of a system with

main and transfer bus arrangement. Suppose it is
required to use the operation for charging of a feeder
bay on its own breaker arrangement. Ref. Fig A

29M

29B1

52L

52B

29L

29B2

However the identified protection like B/U

protections [O/C & E/F] are the salient features of
this relay. For the case of failure of main relay this
relay activates and issues necessary commands for
isolation of faulty part.
4.

29T

Fig A

Sequential Operation
1.
2.
3.

Close main bus isolator 29M

Close line isolator 29L
Then finally close its own breaker 52L

The operation code from the supervision

menu is selected and accordingly the operation
sequence is chosen from the relay. The necessary
command for this sequence is activated through the
relay. Now permissive output contacts being
activated in sequence allow the equipment to operate
for smooth power flow. For this choice operation of
29M becomes possible automatically if all the
conditions like interlock, availability of power supply
and healthiness of electrical circuits are satisfied.
After operation of 29M with necessary time
interval the next isolator 29L operates only if the
conditions are satisfied. Similarly after certain time
interval the automatic operation command is issued
to the breaker for its operation.
For the case of non-operation of any
equipment; the fault diagnosis supervision menu can
be chosen to know the faulty contacts and can easily
be rectified to obtain the next smooth operation.

Conclusion:-

GMR becomes quite useful relay for the

management of Grid operations. Because of its
compactness and flexibility, the relay becomes easy
to handle for the Grid operations. But for the case of
failure of the relay the operational problems resulted
due to the use of single relay practice with different
facilities.