Application Note

Application-oriented testing of auto-reclose function in

the field with RelaySimTest

Author
Florian Fink | florian.fink@omicron.at

Date
March 18, 2015

Related OMICRON Product

CMC, RelaySimTest

Application Area
Auto-reclose

Keywords
RelaySimTest, System Testing

Version
v1.0

Document ID
ANS_15003_ENU

Abstract
Due to the increasing complexity of our electrical power systems, the need for highly selective protection is
increasingly being fulfilled by the use of multifunctional relays. Most of these multifunctional relays provide
an auto-reclose function. To test this protection function thoroughly, an application oriented approach is
strongly advisable.
This application note describes how this could be done in an easy and comfortable way using the OMICRON
RelaySimTest software. To perform an application oriented test, a fault scenario is calculated based on the
simulation of the power system network. Within one simulation step voltages and currents for different
locations can be calculated to test the important coordination of the auto-reclose functions over multiple
relays. RelaySimTest offers the possibility to inject the signals through several distributed and time
synchronized CMC test sets.

OMICRON Page 1 of 22
 General information

OMICRON electronics GmbH including all international branch offices is henceforth referred to as
OMICRON.
The product information, specifications, and technical data embodied in this application note represent the
technical status at the time of writing and are subject to change without prior notice.
We have done our best to ensure that the information given in this application note is useful, accurate and
entirely reliable. However, OMICRON does not assume responsibility for any inaccuracies which may be
present.
OMICRON translates this application note from the source language English into a number of other
languages. Any translation of this document is done for local requirements, and in the event of a dispute
between the English and a non-English version, the English version of this note shall govern.

All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction of any kind, for example, photocopying, microfilming,
optical character recognition and/or storage in electronic data processing systems, requires the explicit
consent of OMICRON. Reprinting, wholly or partly, is not permitted.
OMICRON 2015. All rights reserved. This application note is a publication of OMICRON.

OMICRON 2015 Page 2 of 22

 Content

1 Safety instructions ................................................................................................................................4

2 About this application note ..................................................................................................................5
2.1 General requirements .....................................................................................................................5
2.2 What this application note describes ..............................................................................................5
2.3 Automatic reclose function..............................................................................................................5
3 System under Test ................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Application example Protected line .............................................................................................7
3.2 Settings of the System under Test menu in RelaySimTest ............................................................8
4 Test cases ..............................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Application example Grid topology ..............................................................................................9
4.2 Iterative Closed-Loop-Function of RelaySimTest ...........................................................................9
4.2.1 Properties for testing with Iterative Closed-Loop ............................................................................ 10
4.3 Suitable test cases ....................................................................................................................... 10
4.3.1 Test case 1 Auto-reclose, two cycles, unsuccessful .................................................................... 11
4.3.2 Test case 2 Auto-reclose, two cycles, successful ........................................................................ 16
4.3.3 Test case 3 Auto-reclose, one cycle, successful.......................................................................... 18
5 Test sets configuration ...................................................................................................................... 19
6 Performing the test ............................................................................................................................. 20

OMICRON 2015 Page 3 of 22

1 Safety instructions
This application note may only be used in combination with the relevant product manuals which contain all
safety instructions. The user is fully responsibility for any application that makes use of OMICRON products.
Instructions are always characterized by a symbol even if they are included to a safety instruction.

DANGER
Death or severe injury caused by high voltage or current if the respective
protective measures are not complied.

Carefully read and understand the content of this application note as well as
the manuals of the involved systems before starting its practical application.
Please contact OMICRON before you continue the process if you do not
understand the safety instructions, operating instructions, or parts of it.
Follow each instruction mentioned there especially the safety instructions
since this is the only way to avoid danger that can occur when working at
high voltage or high current systems.
Furthermore, only use the involved equipment according to its intended
purpose to guarantee a safe operation.
Existing national safety standards for accident prevention and
environmental protection may supplement the equipments manual.

Only experienced and competent professionals that are trained for working in high voltage or high current
environments may perform this application note. Additional the following qualifications are required:
Authorized to work in environments of energy generation, transmission or distribution and familiar
with the approved operating practices in such environments.
Familiar with the five safety rules.
Good knowledge of CMC test sets.

OMICRON 2015 Page 4 of 22

2 About this application note

2.1 General requirements

Before you get started with this application note, read the Getting started manual [1] of RelaySimTest.
Please make sure that you also have a good knowledge about the CMC test system.

2.2 What this application note describes

The application note describes how an auto-reclose function could be tested using the Iterative Closed Loop
function of RelaySimTest. Therefore it shows the following content:
1. Automatic reclose function (general information)
2. Defining the System under Test
3. Defining test cases
4. Overview about the hardware test setup
5. Defining the Test sets configuration
The application note does not describe parameter tests. To test the protection thoroughly such tests are
also recommended.

2.3 Automatic reclose function

Statistics show that about 85% of the arc faults on overhead lines extinguish after the protection tripped and
are cleared when re-energizing the line again. The reclosing is performed by an automatic reclose function.
As the possibility of clearing an arc fault does not exists on other equipment, the automatic recloser function
is only permitted on overhead lines. It must not be used in any other case. If the protected object consists of
a mixture of overhead lines and other equipment (e.g. overhead line in block with a transformer or an
overhead line combined with cable), it must be ensured that reclosing can only be performed in the event of
a fault on the overhead line. If the circuit breaker poles can be operated individually, a single-pole automatic
reclosing is usually initiated in the case of single-phase faults and a 3-pole automatic reclose in the case of
phase-to-phase faults. If the fault still exists after reclosure (arc not extinguished or metallic short-circuit), the
protection issues a final trip. In some systems several reclosing attempts are performed. Also it is possible to
initiate the auto reclose function by an external protection device (e.g. a backup protection).
In order to make the reclosing successful, the fault must be cleared at all line ends simultaneously with a
sufficient pause time to de-energize as fast as possible [2].

OMICRON 2015 Page 5 of 22

 Figure 1: Timing diagram of a two cycle recloser (2nd reclose successful) [2] (Definition of dead time and reclaim time depend on the
relay manufacturer)

OMICRON 2015 Page 6 of 22

3 System under Test

3.1 Application example Protected line

The following figure shows a line with its protection system that is used as example. The system under test
could be an overcurrent, distance or differential protection. The recloser functionality is mostly the same.
This is an example to illustrate a realistic scheme.
When a fault occurs on the line both relays are configured to trip instantaneously and perform an auto
reclose after two cycles.
Line Data
50 Hz
A Solidly grounded system B
110 kV
CB A 600 A
3-pole 32,5 km CB B
trip time = 50 ms R = 0.193 /km same as CB A
close time = 100 ms X = 0.4 /km
RN/R = 0.6
XN/X = 0.6
CT A CT B
Trip 110 V 600 A / 1 A 600 A / 1 A Trip 110 V
Relay Relay
A B

Figure 2: Example protected line (CT: current transformer, transformer CB: circuit breaker)

1
1

2
1
3
1

Figure 3: System under Test menu

OMICRON 2015 Page 7 of 22

3.2 Settings of the System under Test menu in RelaySimTest
The parameter of the protected line, the protection concept and the substations with their bays and relays
according to the example are set in the System under Test menu. Coloured numbers of Figure 2
correspond to colours of Figure 3 to show where the different parameters are defined.
Protected line: The settings of this menu item requires primary values.
Bay A and B: This menu contains the trip and close time of the circuit breaker (CB). With this information
the binary outputs of the CMC can simulate the behaviour of the CB. Furthermore the Bay menu item
contains the Instrument transformers submenu, which includes the CT and VT ratio setting.
Relay A and B: This menu item contains the test current and voltage limits. Relay manuals specify a current
and a voltage that do not cause damage to the relay. The limits of RelaySimTest should be adapted to the
current and voltage limits of the relay manual. . Nevertheless, it is important to make breaks between the
tests to ensure that the relays are not stressed too much when high secondary currents and voltages are
used.

OMICRON 2015 Page 8 of 22

4 Test cases

4.1 Application example Grid topology

The protected line of the application example is part of the grid that is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Grid topology

4.2 Iterative Closed-Loop-Function of RelaySimTest

The network simulation on the PC transfers transient signals to the test set. Especially when test sets are
deployed over different substations the test set cannot react to external events from the relay in real time
(closed loop). To simulate the real-time behaviour, the transient playback is repeated multiple times. In such
a scheme, the relay reaction in the current iteration is assumed to be the same as the relay reaction
detected in the previous iteration. As long as there are relay reactions, the injection keeps running iteratively
similar to a closed-loop approach.

This test is valid based on the assumption that the relay reactions are consistent in every iteration. The relay
reaction in the binary traces should fall within the time tolerance set for the circuit breaker function of the
previous run. Otherwise, the shot is assigned the error status "inconsistent reaction of relay" and the
injection stops [1].

OMICRON 2015 Page 9 of 22

4.2.1 Properties for testing with Iterative Closed-Loop

1. To activate the Iterative Closed-Loop function select Enable Iterative Closed-Loop.

2. In a protection relay, trip commands have higher priority than close commands. Therefore the close
output signals can have bigger tolerances. Sometimes it is necessary to update the tolerance of the
Iterative Closed-Loop function. Increase the Admissible tolerance of circuit breaker commands
between iterations if you receive the error status "Inconsistent reaction of relay".
3. If the reclose function of the protection relay has a lookout, it could be necessary to do a Pause after
each iteration. Therefore it could be helpful to activate a pause so you can reset the lookout.

1. Enable
2. Tolerance

3. Pause

Figure 5: Properties for testing with Iterative Closed-Loop

4.3 Suitable test cases

This chapter describes test scenarios that fit to the application. The following chapters describe the test
cases in detail. Because each protection scheme is very individual these test cases are just examples for
tests. They should explain testing methods with RelaySimTest in general.
1. Auto-reclose, two cycles, unsuccessful
2. Auto-reclose, two cycles, successful
3. Auto-reclose, one cycle, successful

Sometimes the behaviour of the protection system depends on the prefault condition. For example, it might
be different if there is a load current during the prefault state. However, for this example, this distinction is
not considered.

OMICRON 2015 Page 10 of 22

4.3.1 Test case 1 Auto-reclose, two cycles, unsuccessful
This test case is an unsuccessful two times auto reclose. It will be checked if the timing of the reclose
sequence is correct (Trip commands, reclaim times, close commands).
The following figures shows the complete sequence and the operation of the Iterative-Closed-Loop
function. The sequence will grow from the initial simulation until the fifth iteration. There is no need to setup
timing of events, Iterative Closed-Loop will integrate trip and close events automatically into the simulation.

Initial simulation:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current present
b. Relays trip

a
1

b
1

Figure 6: Auto reclose Initial simulation

When the fault current persists, the relay wont trigger a reclose cycle. Therefore RelaySimTest integrates
the opening of the CBs in the simulation when the relays trip. The fault current disappear after the CB
operation time.

First iteration:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current raised
b. Relays trip
c. CBs open > Fault current disappears
d. Reclose command triggered

c
1

d
1
Figure 7: Auto reclose First Iteration

OMICRON 2015 Page 11 of 22

 When the close command appears, RelaySimTest wont interact in real time. Instead the close event of the
circuit breaker will be added to the second iteration. The fault is still present and so the fault current
reappears which causes the relays to trip again.

Second iteration:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current raised
b. Relays trip
c. CBs open > Fault current disappears
d. Reclose command triggered
e. CBs close > Fault current reappears
f. Relays trip

e
1

f
1

Figure 8: Auto reclose Second iteration

The second trip of the CBs will be integrated in the third iteration.

Third iteration:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current raised
b. Relays trip
c. CBs open > Fault current disappears
d. Reclose command triggered
e. CBs close > Fault current reappears
f. Relays trip
g. CBs open > Fault current disappears
h. Reclose command triggered

g
1

h
1
Figure 9: Auto reclose Third iteration

OMICRON 2015 Page 12 of 22

 After the close command the relays will trip again because the fault persists.
Fourth iteration:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current raised
b. Relays trip
c. CBs open > Fault current disappears
d. Reclose command triggered
e. CBs close > Fault current reappears
f. Relays trip
g. CBs open > Fault current disappears
h. Reclose command triggered
i. CBs close > Fault current reappears
j. Relays trip

i
1

j
1

Figure 10: Auto reclose - Fourth iteration

Fifth iteration:
a. Fault appears after 300 ms > Fault current raised
b. Relays trip
c. CBs open > Fault current disappears
d. Reclose command triggered
e. CBs close > Fault current reappears
f. Relays trip
g. CBs open > Fault current disappears
h. Reclose command triggered
i. CBs close > Fault current reappears
j. Relays trip
k. CBs opens > Fault current disappear
l. No close command will follow

k
1

l
1
Figure 11: Auto reclose Fifth iteration

OMICRON 2015 Page 13 of 22

 After the last iteration (in this case the fifth) RelaySimTest repeats the simulation once again to ensure that
the protection system is not reacting with a new event (in this case a close command). When the last
injection is done, the final iteration with all measurements will be displayed.

Figure 12: Auto reclose Final iteration with results

The measurement for the dead time is done from the breaker trip commands until the close commands rise.
For the second cycle the second signals of the trip and close commands are used.

Figure 13: Measurement of dead times

OMICRON 2015 Page 14 of 22
 For this test case, the assessment is done for dead times. All dead times must be in the same range as their
parameter. In this case between 590 ms and 640 ms.

Figure 14: Assessment of dead times

OMICRON 2015 Page 15 of 22

4.3.2 Test case 2 Auto-reclose, two cycles, successful
This test case verifies a successful auto-reclose after two cycles. In the second pause the fault disappears
and the second reclose is successful, no further trip command is expected.
This test case is easily created by a right clicking on the first test case and choose Duplicate test case.

Figure 15: Duplicate test case

With a right click on the fault at the single line diagram we can add a fault event.

Figure 16: Add fault event Deactivate fault

When the fault event is selected you can adjust the timing of the event. We select a time in the second cycle
for the deactivation of the fault. In the first test case we have seen, that the dead time runs between 1100 ms
and 1700 ms. Therefore we choose for the fault deactivation event a setting of 1500 ms.

Figure 17: Time adjustment of a fault event

In the resulting time signal view the fault event is integrated.

Fault event:
Deactivate Fault

Figure 18: Time signal view with integrated "Deactivate Fault"-Event

OMICRON 2015 Page 16 of 22

 When the simulation is injected to the relay the resulting measurement will look like Figure 19. You can
select each event with a left click on its flag. With this selection you can see the current status of the breaker
in the single line diagram and the steady state values on the dashboard. In Figure 19 the deactivation fault
event is selected, so the breakers are open and the values of the currents are zero.

Figure 19: Test case 2 Auto-reclose, 2 cycles, successful

The measurement and the assessment for the dead time is done like in test step 1.

OMICRON 2015 Page 17 of 22

4.3.3 Test case 3 Auto-reclose, one cycle, successful
This test case verifies a successful auto-reclose after one cycle. The fault disappears after the first trip and
the reclose is successful, no further trip command is expected. Therefore we duplicate test case 2 and
adjust the fault deactivation event to 500 ms.

Figure 20: Time adjustment of a fault event

The final result of this test case is displayed in Figure 21:

Figure 21: Test case 3 Auto-reclose, 1 cycles, successful

OMICRON 2015 Page 18 of 22

5 Test sets configuration
For an auto reclose function under test it is important that Trip and Close contacts are routed and wired
correctly (see figure Figure 22 and Figure 23). The remaining configuration depends on the protection
system under test (differential, distance, and overcurrent).

Figure 22: Relay inputs/outputs configuration

Figure 23: Binary inputs configuration

It is also possible to perform an end to end test for an auto-reclose function. Therefore synchronized
injection of test currents is necessary. The synchronization ensures that both test sets the local and the
remote one start the test at the same time. This is very important since any inaccuracy can result in an
unexpected relay behavior. For this reason RelaySimTest supports the use of CMGPS 588 an antenna-
integrated GPS controlled time reference to synchronize the starting point of a CMC test process. Each end
needs its own CMGPS 588. It delivers a time signal using PTP (Precision Time Protocol). For more
information about PTP see [3].

OMICRON 2015 Page 19 of 22

6 Performing the test
> Before a test is started it is strongly recommended to do a wiring check. The execute buttons start the
tests. There are different execute buttons - Execute all and Execute selected: If a test case is open a
click on the Execute selected button executes only the selected test step. A click on the Execute all
button runs all test steps of the test case sequentially (see Figure 24 top).
> In contrast to this in the Test Manager menu the Execute selected button runs all selected test cases,
while Execute all runs all test cases (see Figure 24 bottom).

Especially after tests with high currents it is sometime necessary to interrupt the test sequence with the Stop
button. This ensures breaks between the tests to avoid too much stress for the relays.

Figure 24: Execute selected and Execute all button for a certain test case (top figure) and in the Test Manager menu (bottom figure)

OMICRON 2015 Page 20 of 22

 List of literature

[1] Getting started with RelaySimTest; OMICRON electronics GmbH; 2014

[2] SIPROTEC Differential Protection 7SD610 V4.6, SIEMENS
[3] Implementation and Transition Concepts for IEEE 1588 Precision Timing in IEC 61850
Substation Environments; B. Baumgartner, C. Riesch, M. Rudigier; OMICRON electronics
GmbH

OMICRON 2015 Page 21 of 22

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