Lecture-6 5-5-2018

Relays
(Basic-construction-Operation)
What is The Relay ?
Relay :Is a device which receive a signal from the power system thought CT and VT and determines
whether conditions are "normal" or "abnormal" ,if an abnormal condition detect, relay signals CB to trip
equipment .
The Purpose of the Relay: Relaying is used to isolate only the faulty component of power system. Relay
is classified into two groups:
1. Primary relaying equipment..
2. Back-up relaying equipment: works only when the primary relaying equipment fails.

Classification
actuating Functio Construction
signals n principle
Current Over Electromechanical
current Solid
Voltage State
Distance
Microprocessor
Power
Over
Frequency voltage Numerical
Differential
Temperature
Reverse
Pressure Power
Others
Speed
A.Electromagnetic relays
The principle is a mechanical force causing operation of a relay contact. The mechanical force provided
from magnetic core windings.
The advantages are :- simply, cheap and reliable

Electromagnetic relays construction:

1. Electrical magnetic
2. Mechanical components.
Have an operating coil and various contacts and are very strong, inexpensive and reliable, they required
maintenance by skilled personnel.
Types :
1. magnetic attracted armature relays.
2. magnetic induction relays.
3. moving coil.
4. Thermal.
5. motor operated.
1- Magnetic attraction relays
Its supplied by AC or DC. Operate by the movement of metal contacts when it is attracted by the
magnetic field produced in the coil.
Types:-
 A. Attracted armature B. Plunger type relay C. Balanced beam
Attracted armature principle:
 The armature is attracted to the electromagnet when the current reaches a certain
predetermined value and force of the armature will trip .
 The armature is attracted against gravity or a spring.


Setting can be carried by :
• adjusting the distance of the armature from the electromagnet,
• the tension of the spring,
• The armature carries the moving part of the contact, which is closed or opened according to the
design.
Plunger type relay:
• Its other type of magnetic attraction relays which consist of a piston or solenoid relay.
• piston is attracted axially within the field of the solenoid, the piston carries the operating
contacts.

•
Balanced beam
It consists of an iron armature fastened to a balance beam. Under normal operating conditions, the
current through the relay coil is such that the beam is held in the horizontal position by the spring.
when a fault occurs, the current through the relay coil becomes greater than the pickup value and the
beam is attracted to close the trip circuit. This causes the opening of the circuit breaker to isolate the
faulty circuit.

• The force of attraction is equal to 𝐾1 𝐼 2 − 𝐾2

• Where , 𝐾1 depends upon
• Number of turns
• Air gap
• Effective area
• Reluctance of magnetic circuit
𝐾2 is the restraining force (spring)
When the relay is balanced F = 0
𝐾2
So I=√ = constant
𝐾1
Relay setting operation depending on :-
1.Tension of the spring .
2.Resistance of the solenoid.
Attraction relays effectively have no time delay and, for that reason, are widely used when
instantaneous operations are required.

2-Magnetic induction relays

works only with alternating current ( AC).
They are three classes’ types:-
A. Wattmetric-induction type relay
B. Induction Type Relay with plug settings
C. Induction-Cup relay
Wattmetric-induction type relay

• It consists of two electromagnets constructed as shown in Fig. one

for voltage and the other for current, which operates on a moving
conductor, in the form of a disc.
Induction working Principle
Induction type relay: General operating principle: The two
magnets of the induction type relay produce two alternating
magnetic
Induction Type Relay with plug settings
Induction-Cup relay
Operation as induction disc.
Two fluxes induce eddy currents in a bell-shaped cup which rotates and
carries the moving contacts.
A four-pole relay is shown in Figure .

Shaded-pole relay
• operation of the electromagnetic section is short-circuited by
means of a copper ring or coil.
• creates a flux in the area influenced by the short circuited section
• (the so-called shaded section) which lags the flux in the non-
shaded section, see Figure .
 • In the electromagnetic induction principle, the relay element has
a nonmagnetic rotor (an aluminum or copper disc or cylinder)
• coils create magnetic fluxes that induce circulating currents which
generates torque (like operation principle of motor)
• the flux is divided in two parts:-
a) One flows through the normal ('pole") and
b) the other flows through the shaded pole.
These two fluxes are similar in magnitude but different in angle.
• Features of the Induction Principle
• Suitable for AC Systems
• The Torque Does Not Vary With Time: No Vibration.
3-Thermal Relay
• The thermal relay works on the principle of the thermal effect of
electrical energy. The bimetallic strips, heating coils and the
current transformers are the important parts of the thermal relay.

Operation Thermal Relay

• When the system is in normal operating condition, the spring
remains straight.
• When the fault occurs on the system, the bimetallic spring is
heated and getting bent.
• The tension of the spring becomes releases which trip the relay
contacts. The contact of the relay energizes the trip circuit.
• The thermal relay is mainly used in the low voltage Squirrel Cage
induction motor and in low output rating DC motor.
• The thermal relay has low overloading capability. It is designed to
operate under 6 to 7 times more than the full load current.

B. Solid State Relays (SSR)

Does not contain any moving parts .In such type of relays, the output
is obtained by the static components like magnetic and electronic
circuit etc.

Principle of Operation:
The rectifier was rectifying the input signal and pass it to the
relaying measuring unit.
• The rectifying measuring unit has the comparators, level detector
and the logic circuit.
• The output signal from relaying unit obtains only when the signal
reaches the threshold value.
• The amplifier amplifies the signal .
• The output device activates the trip coil only when the relay
operates.
• The output is obtained from the output devices only when the
measured has the well-defined value.
• The output device is activated and gives the tripping command to
the trip circuit.
Advantages
1. The static relay consumes very less power because of which the
burden on the measuring instruments decreases and their accuracy
increases.
2. The static relay gives the quick response, long life, high reliability
and accuracy and it is shockproof.
3. It does not have any thermal storage problems.
4. The relay amplifies the input signal which increases their
sensitivity.
5. The chance of unwanted tripping is less in this relay.
6. The static relay can easily operate in earthquake-prone areas
because they have high resistance to shock.
Limitations
• The components used by the static relay are very sensitive to the
electrostatic discharges.
• The relay is easily affected by the high voltage surges. Thus,
precaution should be taken for avoiding the damages through
voltage spikes.
• The working of the relay depends on the electrical components.
 • The relay has less overloading capacity.
• The static relay is more costly as compared to the electromagnetic
relay.
C. Computerized Relay
Digital relays
• Utilizes a microcontroller with software based protection
algorithms for the detection of electrical faults.
• They are also called numerical relays.
• Microprocessors and microcontrollers replaced analogue circuits
used in static relays to implement relay functions.
• Digital relays introduce analog or digital (A/D) of all measured
analogue quantities and use a microprocessor to implement the
protection algorithm.
• Digital relay contain advanced metering and communication
protocol ports, allowing the relay to become a focal point in a
SCADA system.
• Signal Path for Microprocessor Relays
Programmable logic :
• Is an extraordinary feature of digital relays. The user has a large
number of possibilities to define a logic function according to the
present needs.
• Inside the relay, there is a logic variable associated with several
relay and protection functions.
• These variables can be employed to create new logic variables,
according to laws defined by the user.
 Advantages of Digital Relays
1. Low Cost
2. Multi functionality
3. Protection and control
4. Measurement
5. Fault recording
6. Communications capability
7. Compatibility with Digital Systems
8. High Reliability
9. Relays (integration, self-testing)
10. Protection system (supervised by the relays)
11. Sensitivity and Selectivity
12. New Protection Principles
13. New Relay Operating Characteristics
14. Maintenance-Free
15. Reduced Burden on CTs and VTs
16. Adaptive Protection
Buchholz Relay
• Definition: The Buchholz relay protects the transformer from
internal faults. It is the gas actuated relay.
• Is placed between the main tank and the conservator. Such type
of relay is used in the transformer having the rating higher than
500KVA. It is not used in small transformer because of economic
consideration.

• When the fault occurs inside the transformer, the temperature of

the oil increases. The oil evaporates in the form of the gas. The
generation of the gas depends on the magnitude of the fault
occurs inside the transformer. The internal failure occurs in the
transformer either because of the insulation breakdown between
the winding or the winding have the weak initial contact.
• The fault induces the arc which increases the temperature of the
gas. The oil becomes evaporated and moves upwards. The
Buchholz relay detects the failure and gives the alarm to the
personnel. The transformer is disconnected from the main supply
for maintenance.
Construction of Buchholz Relay
• The Buchholz relay has two hinged which is placed in the metallic
chamber. This metallic chamber is connected through the pipe
between the conservator and main tank.
• The one of the hinged is placed in the upper portion of the
metallic chamber along with the mercury switch. This mercury
switch is used for activating the alarm. The other float is placed in
the lower portion of the metallic chamber along with the mercury
switch. The mercury switch is used for actuating the tripping
circuit.
• Operation of Buchholz Relay

• The internal fault of the transformer induces the arc inside the
main tank. The oil of the transformer starts heating because of
the thermal effect.
• The gas moves upwards, and few of their vapours are collected in
the upwards area of the main tank.
• Because of the evaporation, the level of oil inside the transformer
tank starts decreasing.
• The mercury switch placed inside the metallic chamber becomes
tripped, and the relay gives the alarm to the personnel.
• The supply of the transformer becomes close, and it is
disconnected to the system for maintenance.
• The relay has test cock which is used for releasing the pressure of
the chamber.
• When the severe fault occurs inside the transformer, the lower
mercury switch placed inside the metallic chamber becomes
slightly tilted because of which the tripping circuit becomes
closed. Thus, the transformer is disconnected from the main
circuit.
Limitations of Buchholz Relay
• The following are the disadvantages of Buchholz relay.
1. The relay is used only in oil immersed transformer.
2. It can only detect the fault below oil level.
3. This relay does not protect the connecting cables. Hence
separate protection is used for the cables.
4. The response time of the relay is high.
• The minimum operating time of the relay is 0.1 seconds.