Phase Comparison protection

Sankara Subramanian

GRID

History of Phase comparison ...

Principle of Phase Comparison Normal Load Conditions

End Y

End X
I Y(+)

Mark

Space

Terminal currents

Modulated signals

Space

I X (+)

Mark

Mark Mark
Composite - (usually no PLC signal transmission for load)
ON-OFF
channel

Principle of Phase Comparison External Fault

End Y

End X
I Y(+)

I X (+)

Mark
Space

Terminal currents

Modulated signals
Mark Mark
Composite modulated signal

ON-OFF
channel

Mark

Space

Principle of Phase Comparison Internal Fault

End X

I Y(+)

I X (+)
IF

Mark
Space

Terminal currents

Modulated signals

Mark

End Y

Space

Mark
Space
Composite modulated signal
ON-OFF
channel

180

180

GAP = TRIP

Channel Equipment
Phase-segregated channel
Phase A

Phase B

Phase C

IA

IB

IC

Channel Equipment
Single-phase channel

Phase B typically

I A , I B , I C ???

Line Faults Current sequences

Fault
Load

3-Ph

Ph-Ph

PhGround

Ph-PhGround

Positive (1)

Negative (2)

Zero (0)

Sequence

Modulating quantity
HISTORY

I1 k I 0

H.W. Lensner, Westinghouse (1946),

A.P. Pleshko, Russia (1941)

I2

I1 (for 3-Ph fault)

k I0

Phase-segregated (3 channels)

A.J. McConnel,
General Electric (1947)

France

MODERN APPROACH
Russian manufacturers
Alstom

General Electric

Line Faults Modulating quantity

Fault
Load

3-Ph

Ph-Ph

PhGround

Ph-PhGround

Positive (1)

Negative (2)

Zero (0)

Sequence

Current angle errors

Sources angle difference
Signal propagation delay

Measurement errors
Charging currents

Stability angle (1)

Load and external faults

Internal faults

x - y =180
BLOCK

x - y = 0

SYSTEM STABILITY ANGLE - s.

TRIP

Stability angle (2)

s is the system stability angle, recommended setting for short

lines is 30o.

s compensates for general tolerances in PLC, relay, CT nonlinearity and changes in atmospheric conditions since the last
propagation delay measurement.

A 30o setting (-30o to +30o) means that a carrier gap/space

of longer than s /360, is needed to trip.

Long lines charging current

End X

UX

End Y

IX

Y
2

IX, cap.

IY, cap.

IY
I Y, cap.
U

IY

Id

I Y

Y
2

180

IX
IX

I X, cap.

HV lines with LENGTH > 150km require charging current compensation

UY

Starters
PLC cannot be activated permanently

LOW STARTERS initiate RF communication through channel

(start PLC)
Some gap could appear in RF signal under normal condition
HIGH STARTERS activate phase comparison element and
allow trip to be issued.
IMPORTANT:
If any HIGH starter operated at one line terminal, some LOW
starter MUST be active at all other terminals (all PLCs should
be active)

!!!ONE-SIDED START OF PHASE COMPARISON = FALSE TRIP!!!

Phase Comparison classification

Phase Comparison protection

Voltage-independent
(purely current)
- current starters
- current modulation
Voltage-independent Phase Comparison
should be used whenever possible, as its
much more reliable (immune to VT
failure). Unfortunately, its not suitable for
long HV lines.

Voltage-dependent
Starters:
- current
- voltage
- distance
- complex
modulation
Voltage-dependent Phase
Comparison is universal, but
prone to VT failure.

Phase Comparison Typical

functional diagram
Sequencer

Ia

Charging
current
Compensation Yc
setting

Ib
Ic

I2

I1

Phase
comparison

High set
Starter

Gap
Detectio
n

Sequencer

I2

RX
Mixer

Angle
shift

Trip
Decision
Trip /
Block

Low set
Starter

TX
Mark / Space

Va
Vb
Vc

Voltage
Input

Sequencer

Compensating
V2 Zneg

Distance
Starter
Input

V2_comp

Working
Starters & Modulator
Phase comparison protection utilizes sequence components based starters
for sensitivity.
Current Modulator to do the mixing of the positive sequence and negative
sequence currents to enable the phase angle detection.
The calculated modulated current positive half cycle is communicated to
the remote end and is compared with the received remote Modulated
current to do the phase angle measurement.
Phase angle Gap measurement starts only when the High set starter pick
up.

Starters
Application -Setting Tips(1)
As continuous transmission is not permitted Starter units are provided
(sensitive-to provide high speed operation) such that Low set initiates
transmission of carrier signal while high set initiates Gap measurements &
trip in phase comparison protection.
Positive(I1) and negative sequence (I2)starters are provided to cover for
balanced and unbalanced fault conditions.
Low set and high set starters are provided to cater for the differences in
the magnitude between the currents at 2 ends and also to account for the
magnitude errors in the CT, hence 2 levels are required.
Impulse (Delta ) starters and Non-Impulse (threshold) starters are
provided.
While generally, Impulse starters finds its application for most system
fault conditions, Non- impulse starters can be set for system conditions
like evolving fault scenarios from external to internal with out much rise in
the fault currents.

Starters
Application -Setting Tips(2)
Impulse Positive sequence starters (I1):

High set Impulse must be set above total line charging current (2 x Ich) to avoid
tripping for closing CB.

High set should be set < 3 phase fault level, typically 50% of If min 3 .

In order to make protection stable during through fault conditions, ensure the
difference between the minimum effective high set setting and maximum effective
low set setting is > than the Positive sequence capacitive current. To meet this
requirement set the ratio of HSS / LSS to a factor of 2.

Non-Impulse Positive sequence starters (I1):

I1 low set must be set above the maximum load current

I1 low set must be set above peak power swing current, to prevent continuous
transmission Alarm being raised for slow swings .Typical swing = 2 In ; set to 2.5
or 3 In

I1 high set needs to be 125% to 200% of I1 low set to give adequate margin

Starters
Application -Setting Tips(3)
Impulse Negative sequence starters (I2):
Impulse negative starters should be set to provide sensitivity for high resistance faults less
than 10% of the rated current.
(3 x Impulse I2 High Set) = Effective earth fault sensitivity of the scheme.
Ensure the following for long transmission line. (same can be adopted for medium lines):

Impulse I2 High set is NOT < IS * ((1/SIN) ( s - - ))

Where IS is sending end current (only line charging current is present under no
load condition, when the local breaker is closed);
s is stability angle setting;
- is typically taken as 15 deg (set to cover phase angle errors introduced by CT);
- is typically taken as 10 deg ( set to cover the phase angle difference between
compared line terminal currents due to signal propagation time and may be taken
as 0.1 deg per mile).
Ensure HSS to LSS ratio is not less than 1.5 (alternatively, set Low set to 66% of
High set setting).

Starters
Application -Setting Tips(4)
Non-Impulse (Threshold) Negative sequence starters (I2):
Non impulse I2 starters are set less sensitive than the impulse I2
starters.
Non-Impulse starters are set above the standing I2 in the system.
Example: Transmission system feeding 1-phase traction feeders.

Non-impulse I2 ensures, operation for certain faults-like slow

developing faults / evolving external to internal faults with no
increase in I2 current magnitude.
Non-impulse also provided with Low set and High set starters.
Set Non-Impulse I2 to typically between 1.5 and 5 times the
Impulse I2 starters.

1-ph AR (single pole autoreclose)

Phase comparison is exceptionally good in case of 1-ph AR
Evolving faults are cleared during 1-ph AR dead time

Typically LOW and HIGH starters are active at both line ends as line
mode is non-symmetrical (though that depends on load current and
usage of voltage starters). Phase Comparison protection awaits only for
GAPs.

IMPORTANT:
PLC transmission should be active at both line ends
during 1-ph AR dead time
!!!ONE-SIDED PLC TRANSMISSION = FALSE TRIP!!!

Teed-off transformers
Phase comparison can be applied to teed-off transformer application

Internal Fault

IF
R

IL

LOAD

IF DIRECTION

LOAD

IL DIRECTION,DEPENDING ON THE STRENGTH

OF SOURCES & CONNECTED LOAD

- In many applications, there can be a step-down transformer teed-off the protected line. This
transformer is not part of the protected unit, but is teed-off to out feed local load. The difficulty is
this tee-line is NOT treated as the third-end of the phase comparison protection.
- Hence the 2 end Phase comparison protection must function correctly for such scenario. The
protection must refrain for internal load and also operate for internal fault scenarios.

Teed-off transformers Distance permissive

External Fault beyond the transformer
Z2

Z2
DISTANCE permission

R
LOAD

IF DIRECTION

LOAD

IF

Permissive Scheme

If teed-off transformer is extremely weak, it could be possible to select High Starters higher
then external fault currents (still sensitive for internal faults)
Otherwise we must use Distance permissive scheme. This scheme doesnt require any
additional equipment

Teed-off transformers with blocking kit

External Fault beyond transformer

PC

Block

Block

PLC

Injects continuous carrier

Phase
Comparison

Power
Direction
PLC

Transfo
prot.

Blocking Kit

Direction

PC

LOAD

PLC

Distance

IF DIRECTION

PC

LOAD

IF

Sometimes Distance permissive scheme cant be used because of settings issue

Blocking-scheme works for most of teed-off cases, but requires additional PLC and, sometimes,
relays

3-ended Lines
Phase comparison can be applied to 3-ended lines
I1

I2

PC

PC

IF DIRECTION

PC

LOAD

I3

IF

LOAD

For any through-fault one current is in opposite phase to others.

I1
I2
I3
SUM
NO GAPS = BLOCK

Weak Infeed

Phase comparison should be considered with great care in case of weak infeed.
Weak Source

IF

Strong Source

PC

PC
LOAD

IF DIRECTION

LOAD DIRECTION

If fault current is comparable with load current, this could lead to protection inaction
(the angle of modulating quantity [I1+K*I2] is hard to predict)

General advantages of Phase Comparison

Absolute selectivity
Reliable channel (power line itself)
Immune to Power Swings
Immune to VT failure (in voltage-independent version)
Channel is under the utilitys control, unlike third party
telecommunications

Coupling Scheme
Behind

Front
To remote

Line Trap

substation
Coupling
Capacitor

Line
Matching
Unit

Transformer(s)
BusBar

Coaxial

Local substation
PLC terminal

The PLC
signal is
routed to HV
Line
The PLC
signal is not
absorbed by
the substation

Line Trap function

= PLC signal Blocking
HV Line
Power energy (50/60 Hz)

PLC Signal (High Freq)

Substation

Line Trap = High Impedance for PLC signal (High Freq)

Low Impedance for Power energy (50/60 Hz)

Two types of modulation

Signal

AM

FM

Effect of bad weather on PLC communication

Losses increase for all inclement weather conditions

The worst offender is when heavy frost is formed on the line

n

Because of the skin effect, the carrier signal tries to propagate on

the ice instead of the conductor.
The attenuation can change as much as 4:1 depending on the
frequency.

The contaminants (on the insulators) have a larger effect when it is

raining than when the line is dry.
n

The worst condition is a light rain with the presence of contaminants

on the insulators
n

33

Dedicated PLC for Phase Comparison

Requirements:
SPEED (Fast pick-up, fast drop-off)
REPEATABILITY (STABILITY)
SYMMETRICAL
Communication PLCs:
Encoding Audio Frequency (AF) Radio Frequency (RF) Channel Radio
Frequency (RF) Audio Frequency (AF) Decoding
Guard Frequency: at first a receiver must detect guard freq. drop, then appearance
of signal frequency
Command length: 5-10 ms for detection
Several commands and other data transmission with different priorities
Communication PLCs dont provide desired speed and stability
Specific PLC for phase comparison
Fast keying Radio Frequency (RF) Channel Radio Frequency (RF) - Output
to relay
Translation : User audio signal (AF) into radio Spectrum (RF)
Amplification : To compensate the line attenuation

RF Noise
RF noise in HV line two mains effects
Impulsive Noise = Caused by atmospheric discharges, breakers and
isolator close/open operation

Corona effect = Due to sequences of pulse streams caused by arcs over

conductors. It appears during positive-going half-cycle of the Line voltage
(occurrance frequency for a 50Hz 3-phase system is 150 Hz)

The corona noise could be subject to considerable variations due to

differences in the design parameters of the overhead line.

Other variations are possible due to the construction, altitude and

age of the line

Weather effect can also be significant

35

ON-OFF and FSK channels

ON-OFF channel
ON

Hi_F

180
OFF

Lo_F

ON

Hi_F

FSK channel

180
OFF

Lo_F

ON

Hi_F

P547 80TE Protection Functions

Distance
protection

Phase
Comparison

DEF
protection
Negative Sequence
Protection

Charging Current
Compensation

Broken
Conductor
Detection

Single End
Tripping

Unstabilising
Facility

1 &3 Pole
Tripping
Breaker
Failure

Overcurrent
& SEF
Thermal
Protection

MiCOM P547 80TE

The MiCOM P547 provides:
High-speed
phase
comparison
protection
using
proven
phase
comparison technique.

Phase Selection is based on proven

techniques.
1 & 3 pole tripping
High performance sub cycle distance
protection:

Universal mho characteristics

Quadrilateral characteristics for short
lines/cables, and where boosting of
resistive fault coverage is required

Phase segregated aided directional

earth fault DEF to provide high
resistance ground fault detection
MiCOM P54x - 1-Jul-13 - P 38

MiCOM P547 80TE

Phase Comparison and Distance protection can work
independently, as a main 1 or main 2 protection.
Alternatively, each zone can be set independently to work in
case of communication failure.
Distance elements may run in parallel with the Phase
Comparison protection, offering dual main protection.
A phase segregated aided directional earth fault DEF can also
be configured as a main 1 or main 2 or backup protection to
provide high resistance ground fault detection

PLC - Ensuring PLC Repeatability,

Compatibility & Suitability
End X

End Y

Line Trap

Third Party
PLC,
Coupling
Equipment

Line Trap

Coupling

Coupling

PLC

PLC

PLC
Interface

MiCOM
P547 80TE

PLC
Interface

Pulsar PLC, from the USA or PZSU which

is widely used in the Russian network.

Third Party
PLC,
Coupling
Equipment

Connections Relay - PLC - Relay:

Two Copper Wire Pairs (4 Leads)

P547 and PLC

contacts are static
outputs for fast
switching

PLC

Not a comms. protocol,

simply Cu leads
Opto

Out
+

P547 dedicated fast scan

I/O is additional to
standard I/O

Opto
Out

P547

Modulating Quantity
Unbalanced faults will have negative sequence component

The positive sequence component is used to counter the

effects of the negative sequence component due to
unbalanced charging current in the case of three phase
faults.
The modulating quantity is
where 3K20

-I1 + KI2

Adaptive K - Intelligent Mode Setting

35
For heavy prefault load, or power
swings, need to boost I2 effect to keep
earth fault sensitivity

30
25
K

20

15
10
5
0

Pre Fault Load /Earth Fault Setting

10

Earth Fault Sensitivity if

Set to User Mode
Local End Current
Contribution, IF

K > 3*IFLC /IF + 1

Load, IFLC

LOAD

Remote end AN fault

Starters - to Detect the Fault and

Control Carrier Send & Tripping
Starters
Delta/Impulse negative sequence
(0.05- 0.6 In)

Fault

Prefault

Current :-

Delta/Impulse positive sequence

(0.05-0.6 In)

i rly

Threshold negative sequence (I2)

(0.05 -5.0 In)

Threshold positive sequence (I1)

(0.05 - 5.0 In)

i mem

Threshold negative voltage (V2)

(0.001 - 1 Un)

Distance (chosen Zone)

Delta could be set more sensitive
= Superimposed

ir

Propagation Delay
Where is the Propagation delay introduced?
Delay in supplying i/p pulse to PLC equipment, PLC
equipment processing time (rising edge and lag at switch
off burst on falling edge).
Delay at receiving end - PLC processing time and delay by
the relay in measuring the time period of the input pulse.
Propagation delay of the HF carrier along the power line
(negligible = 3 s per km).

Propagation Delay
Why does the propagation delay need to be considered ?
If it is not considered the effective stability
angle s has to be set much higher
This would limit the maximum line length

Propagation delay test is automatically instigated at user set

time intervals

MiCOM P547 Channel Auto Test

Channel autotest
Relays must be configured as one MASTER and one or two
SLAVEs
Chan Test should be enabled at least for MASTER
Channel Fail ALARM:
MASTER: no reply (5 ms pulse) from SLAVE after request during
Test Time
SLAVE: no request (pulse 15 ms) from MASTER during Test Time
If channel failed, Phase Comparison isnt disabled, channel
propagation time is kept from previous test
If SLAVE has Chan Test disabled, autotest works Ok. Channel
Failure ALARM isnt raised in SLAVE relay

Recommended Stability Angle Setting Variation with km

Length
(km)
Length
(miles)
s

150 km

200 km

250 km

300 km

350 km

400 km

90 mi

125 mi

155 mi

185 mi

215 mi

250 mi

30

35

40

45

50

55

For lines longer than 150 km, a 5 degree increase in s is recommended for
each additional 50 km.
Capacitive charging current constraints limit phase comparison application to
a practical maximum of 400 km line length (250 miles).

MiCOM P547 Charging current compensation,

Mode 1
Mode 1

End X

UX

IX

Y
2

IX, cap.

IY, cap.

IY
I Y, cap.
U

Y
2

IY

Id

I Y

End Y

180

IX
IX

I X, cap.

I comp (A,B,C) = I meas (A,B,C) I cap (A,B,C)

I comp (A,B,C) = I meas (A,B,C) j*U (A,B,C) * Y/2 * f/fnom
compensated

measured

UY

Stability angle Mode 1

Icap 1

x - y =180
BLOCK

x - y = 0

SYSTEM STABILITY ANGLE - s.

TRIP

MiCOM P547 Charging current compensation,

Mode 2
Mode 2

End X

UX

IX

Y
2

IX, cap.

End Y

IY, cap.

Y
2

IY

UY

In Mode 2 the relay doesnt measure real voltage

Icap = Unom. ph*Y/2

Mode 2 increases stability

angle by

= 2*arcsin(I./Iod)

Iod = - I1 + K*I2

Stability angle Mode 2

Icap
Mode-2

x - y =180
BLOCK

x - y = 0

TRIP

SYSTEM STABILITY ANGLE - s.

Charging Current Compensation - C.

MiCOM Phase Comparison

Advantages
Mode of protection where PLC exists.
Provides unit protection without fibre optic connection.

Communication medium is as reliable as the Power Line itself

No additional Phase selection relay required along with phase
comparison relay.

No seperate charging current compensation setting needed.

Charging current compensation works all time.
Applicable to all lines, long or short, strong and weak infeeds
Applicable to teed-off transformer and 3-line terminal application.

GRID