1.

Summary
There are basically 3 coupler configurations

2 CTs, overlap

2 CTs, differential

Single CT

The REB500 has for each configuration an appropriate solution. Details are written in chapter 3.
Table underneath shows the solutions available in REB500 for handling Busbar Faults between TieBreaker and the related CT.
CT Configuration

Cost

Clearing Time

Zones Lost

2 CTs,overlap

High, 2 CTs and 2 Bay Units

Fast

2 CTs,differential

High, 2 CTs and 2 Bay Units

Slow

1, selective

Single CT

Lower, One Ct and one Bay Unit

Slow

2. Conclusion
The REB500 can handle all types of Tie-Breaker configurations. In order to achieve the optimal
settings, it is recommended to check the datasheet of the Tie_Breaker involved.
As indicated in
Minimum treclaim for a circuit-breaker operating time (tCB) of 40 ms
treclaim > tCB + tv + tmargin = 40 ms + 19 ms + 20 ms > 79 ms.
This can be achieved by setting the related parameter Recovery time (bus-tie breaker) in the REB500 parameter
setting.

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3. Coupler configurations
3.1 Coupler with 2 CTs, overlapping zones
ZONE 1

ZONE 2

CT2

CT3

CB1

CT1

CB4

CT4

1. The above diagram shows two CTs across the Bus-Section breaker (CT2 & CT3). In conventional
bus bar schemes zone 1 (between CT1 & CT2) would include in its protection zone CT3 and for
zone 2 (between CT1 & CT3) would include CT2 in its protection zone. Since both bays are
connected to the busbar with the sectionaliser and if the bus-section breaker is closed, the
following happens:
All bays in zone 1 and 2 will trip without a time delay since they are all connected to the BusSection i.e. the breaker is closed at the time of the fault.
2. If the bus-section breaker is open at the time when the fault occurs, only zone 1 will trip. This is
because the coupler breaker is open and the associated coupler measurements are blocked after
the reclaim time of the related breaker.
Summarized
Advantage

Fast tripping, no matter location of the fault.

Disadvantage

Not selective for faults between closed breaker and CTs.

Two Bay Units are required.

3.2 Coupler with 2 CTs, no overlapping zones

In order to achieve selectivity trip for faults between the coupler CTs, it is possible with the REB500 to
apply a virtual protection zone between the bus coupler CTs.

In the following solution, the circuit breaker is connected to both Bay Units and a virtual bussection zone between the coupler CTs is configured.
ZONE 1

BUS-SECTION ZONE

CT2

ZONE 2

CT3

CB1

CT1

CB4

CT4

Note: The software will image two coupler CBs out of the one coupler CB.
This brings the following advantage as we can define now an additional protected zone, indicated in
green.
1. In case the breaker is closed, this protection zone (green) will trip in case of a fault between the two
CTs. Now in order to guarantee that the arcing has ceased, the measurement of the related CT2 is
taken out of the measurement, after the reclaim time has expired. After that zone1 will see a fault
and clear the fault. This reclaim time can be selected in the REB500 setting tool.
2. In case the breaker is open, both CT measurements CT2 and CT3 are already taken out of the
BBP measurement and a fault between Breaker and CT is cleared immediately selective
Advantage

Selective clearing, also in case of fault between Breaker and CTs.

Disadvantage

In case of a fault between closed Breaker and CTs, fault clearance Fault can
only be cleared after the breaker opened, and it is guaranteed that the arcing
has ceased
Two Bay Units are required

3.3 Coupler with 1 CT

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

CT3

CB1

CT1

CB4

CT4

1. In case the breaker is closed, and fault is located between CT and Breaker, zone 2 will trip
immediately. Now in order to guarantee that the arcing has ceased, the measurement of the related
CT3 is taken out of the measurement, after the reclaim time has expired. After that zone1 will see a
fault and clear the fault. This reclaim time can be selected in the REB500 setting tool.
2. In case the breaker is open, both CT measurements CT3 and CT1 are taken out of the BBP
measurement and a fault between Breaker and CT is cleared immediately selective

Advantage
Disadvantage

Cheaper, only one Bay Unit required

In case fault is between a closed Breaker and CT,

First zone 2 is cleared, although fault location is in zone 1

Fault can only be cleared after the breaker opened, and it is guaranteed
that the arcing has ceased.

3.4 Setting Reclaim / Recovery time.

As indicated earlier, to guarantee that the arcing has ceased, the measurement of the related CTs is
taken out of the measurement with a delay.
This delay is settable in REB500 parameter setting program REBWIN..
In order to set-the right time for this reclaim time, following parameters should be considered.
tCB
tv
tmargin

CB operating time incl. arc extinction See CB data sheet

Overcurrent function reset time 19 ms of the Busbar protection
Safety margin (If an adequate safety margin is not included, the correct
operation cannot be guaranteed. >20 ms (ABB recommendation)

This result into the following

Minimum treclaim for a circuit-breaker operating time (tCB) of 40 ms
treclaim > tCB + tv + tmargin = 40 ms + 19 ms + 20 ms > 79 ms
This can be achieved by setting the related parameter Recovery time (bus-tie breaker) in the REB500 parameter
setting. See screen shot underneath