1

Back-Up Protection of Distance Relay Second Zone by Directional Overcurrent Relays with Combined Curves
Mojtaba Khederzadeh1
to prevent equipment damage, and must occur in the presence of abnormal operating conditions which jeopardize the system integrity. In many sub-transmission and transmission power systems Directional Overcurrent Relays (DOCR) are used as secondary protection; while the main protection systems use distance relays. Distance relay schemes are implemented according to the instantaneous for the first-zone and delayed for the second zone schemes. The second zone represents a definite time backup protection, and its operation time is over 0.3 seconds [3]-[4]. A method to automatically determine the optimum timing for the second zone of distance relay in a mixed scheme with directional overcurrent relays has been presented in [5]-[7]. It has been shown that when the line protection schemes are composed of distance relays and directional overcurrent relays, the setting of the relays must be computed considering both relays. Separate relay computation would lead to loss of selectivity. It is shown that in practical cases the best setting for the second zone that assures selectivity could be larger than the classical setting of 0.3 seconds used in distance schemes. The proposed method leads to the unfavorable timing of the second zone. Electromechanical and solid-state protection devices have fixed operational characteristics, which can only be changed within limits. For example, an overcurrent relay with normal inverse time-current characteristic (TCC) can-not readily be changed into a relay with extremely inverse TCCs. The first microprocessor relays [9]-[10] introduced a degree of flexibility because they provided a number of different operational characteristics in the same chassis. One relay could and does satisfy many applications. But only one operational characteristic could be used at a time and different protective functions still require different relays. In [8] a universal protection device is presented that integrates various protective functions. It is possible to combine inverse time and definite time overcurrent TCCs to improve coordination and reduce relay response time. This is achieved because it is possible to program into the same scheme a number of independently operated definite time overcurrent protection elements as required by the application. Even it is possible to have a piecewise curve with different shapes. For example, some part an inverse curve and some other extremely inverse one. This idea could be very well

Abstract-- In this paper, a novel approach for simultaneous setting of distance and directional overcurrent relays is presented. When the line protection schemes are composed of distance relays and directional overcurrent relays the setting of the relays must be computed considering both relays. Separate relay computation would lead to loss of selectivity. If the second zone time setting is fixed, automatic determination of the settings could lead to a non-feasible situation, indicating the impossibility of finding a selective set of settings. Thus the second zone time must be manually changed until the optimization problem is feasible. In this method, the best setting for the second zone that assures selectivity could be larger than the classical setting, so, it could lead to the unfavorable timing of the second zone. In the proposed method, instead of changing the time of the second zone, the shape of the backup directional overcurrent relay would be changed adaptively with the fault location and current. The idea of reducing the overcurrent protection response times at higher fault currents is achieved using a universal protection device with a software platform that can facilitate designing time-current characteristic curves of different shapes, all in the same hardware. The simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the method.

Index Terms-- Power System Protection, Directional Overcurrent Relay (DOCR), Universal Relay, Distance relay.

HE problem of coordinating protective relays in electric power systems consists of selecting their suitable settings such that their fundamental protective function is met under the requirements of sensitivity, selectivity, reliability, and speed [1]-[2]. These requirements must be met for a variety of system conditions and configurations, and can be translated into conditions such as: i. A variety of fault conditions must be detected by appropriate relays, ii.The relays located closer to the fault should have priority of operation, iii. If a primary relay fails, a backup relay should operate, and iv. The operation of the relay should be as fast as possible
Mojtaba Khederzadeh is with the Electrical Engineering Department, Power & Water University of Technology, P. O. Box: 16765-1719, Tehran, Iran (e-mail: khederzadeh@pwit.ac.ir).

I. INTRODUCTION

1-4244-0493-2/06/$20.00 2006 IEEE.

applied in the mixed protection scheme. In this paper, the simultaneous consideration of distance and directional overcurrent relays is kept, but instead of changing the timing of second zone, the shape of the backup directional overcurrent relay would be changed adaptively with the fault location and current. The proposed method is used for coordination of the distance and backup directional overcurrent relays in a sample system. It will be shown that it is possible to have fixed second zone timing of the distance relays in a coordinated situation by selecting appropriate curves for different sections of the overcurrent relay timecurrent characteristic (TCCs). II. DOCR/DISTANCE RELAY COORDINATION The problem of finding the time dial setting of directional overcurrent relays (DOCR) has been stated and solved using linear programming [5], [7]. This technique is based on the mathematical statement of the sensitivity, speed, security and selectivity conditions associated with the traditional relay coordination problem. The basic optimization problem, in terms of the relay operation times has the following basic form: minimize:

tz 2 tm( F 4) CI '

(4)

where CI is a time coordination interval which does not have to be the same as CI used in the selectivity constraints between DOCR (Fig.2).

Fig. 1 Coordination between Directional Overcurrent Relays

t
i

(1)

For this constraint, the operation time of main DOCR is evaluated at point F4, which corresponds to the ohmic reach of the second zone of the distance relay associated with the backup circuit breaker. DOCR relay associated with circuit breaker b must be slower than the second zone of distance relay associated with main circuit breaker m:

subject to:

ti min ti ti max
tb( Zm) tm( Zm) CI
where:

(2) (3)

tb( F 3) tz 2 CI '

(5)

operation time of relay ; ti tm(Zm) and tb(Zm) denote the main and backup relays operation times over a given power system protection zone Zm; and CI time coordination interval time coordination interval Constraints of type (3), are stated according to a set of coordination pairs previously determined; and the relay times for each pair (m, b) are determined only for a set of relevant faults in the zone, which is the zone where is the main relay. Fig. 1 shows the case of two DOCR with similar inverse-time characteristic, where the relevant faults are determined by points F1 and F2 [5]. The derivation of the coordination constraints for systems with DOCR and distance relays is explained in Fig.2 It is assumed that the ohmic reach of each distance relay is properly set prior to the time coordination process. There are two important types of constraints: Second zone of distance relay associated with circuit breaker b must be slower than the DOCR associated with main circuit breaker m; which can be stated as follows:

Fig. 2 Coordination between DOCR and distance relays

Notice that the operation time of the DOCR is evaluated at point F3, where the second zone of distance relay at m starts. The original equations (1) and (4)(5) can be stated in terms of the relays time dial settings by using a proper representation of the relay operation times as functions of them. Since the operation time of a given relay i for faults at zone Zm can be approximated by an equation of the type: Minimize:

C x
i =1

i i

(6)

times. In the next section a novel approach based on the capabilities of multi-functional is described. IV. NEW MULTIFUNCTIONAL RELAYS New multifunction relays [8]-[10] integrate many protection functions into a single device. Integration reduces the required number of devices per application and associated wiring. A single hardware platform with software can integrate protection and measurements for one feeder, which complies with the concept of one feeder one device. Multiple protection functions permit the interconnection of components within embedded software instead of external to the device. The new multifunction technology improves protection while integrating additional functions such as metering, control, PLC, and communication into a single device. Protection is improved because the platform makes it possible to manipulate input voltage and current samples through different algorithms to obtain quantities such as phasors, symmetrical components, and frequency. This combination makes faster and more accurate decisions about faults in the system. Multifunctional relays software uses object-oriented programming for scheme designing. Any changes to the scheme are self-documenting, as the device cannot perform any function not visually drawn. Relay schemes can be rapidly developed for specific applications. When a scheme is constructed, it may be easily and quickly tested utilizing the Virtual Test Set (VTS) implemented in the program. The VTS simulates a simplified power system including a voltage source, source impedance, and line impedance. All types of faults can be simulated to test how the relay will operate and how closely every sub-function approaches its threshold. Troubleshooting is simplified as event records can be examined and played back in the PC software version of the actual hardware, permitting examination of the behavior of every level of the relay functions. Protection functions includes: Phase, ground and negative sequence overcurrent (each may be set for directional or nondirectional operation); Sensitive Ground Fault overcurrent; current supervision; over/under voltage; negative and positive sequence overvoltage elements; re-verse power; breaker failto-trip and fail-to-open; bus potential transformer fuse fail detection. Fig.3 shows the characteristics of conventional overcurrent relays. The figure indicates the combination of DOCR and instantaneous relay. As can be deduced from this figure, the shape of the DOCR relay is fixed for every relay, although it is possible to select any common shape. The capability of multifunctional relays establishes new methods for protecting power equipments from extended stresses during high fault current conditions. This is achieved by using a universal protection relay with a software platform that facilitates designing TCC curves of different shapes in the same hardware. When different TCC curves are combined, device response times are faster and more accurate than with

subject to:

eb( Zm) em( Zm) CI

(7) (8) (9) (10)

xi min xi xi max
tz 2 tm( Zm) CI ' tb( Zm) tz 2 CI '

where n is the total number of DOCR, fi = 1, and xi = fi(TDSi). Equations (6)(10) have the form of a standard linear programming problem, since coefficients e are determined for the relevant faults. The problem can be appropriately solved by the optimization toolbox of MATLAB, LinProg, command. Once the auxiliary variables are determined, each can be calculated as the solution of xi fi (TDSi)=0. III. FIXED SECOND ZONE TIMING If the second zone time setting tz2 is given, constraints (9) and (10) take the form (8). In other words, tz2 contributes to the bound-type constraints for the time dial settings. As tz2 is previously fixed, constraints of the (7), (8) type could lead to a non-feasible situation, indicating the impossibility of finding a selective set of settings. Thus tz2 must be manually changed until the optimization problem is feasible. In [5] it is proposed to include tz2 as one of the variables in the coordination problem. A fixed tz2 is selected for all the distance relays, so only one variable is added to the original problem. Constraints (9) and (10) become:

xn + 1 tm( Zm) CI ' tb( Zm) xn + 1 CI '

(11) (12)

where xn+1 = tz2 . The objective function (6) now changes as:

C x
i =1

n +1

i i

(13)

and a new bound constraint for tz2 is added:

tz 2 min xn + 1 tz 2 max

(14)

These limits depend on the regular selectivity and speed constraint for distance relays. The problem with this method is that tz2 is automatically calculated by the optimization routine and if the bounds according to (12) are very tight, there is the risk of non-feasible solution and if the bounds are wide, then the results could converge to unfavorable long second zone

conventional means (Fig. 4). The first programmed element is used to coordinate device operation for high fault currents close to the substation. The second element coordinates for fault currents in the middle of the line, while the third element coordinates for fault currents at the end of the line. The second and third elements of the definite-time overcurrent protection are coordinated with the downline devices instantaneous overcurrent protection. This allows the upline device to respond faster for fault currents in the middle and at the end of its zone of protection.

V. SIMULATION RESULTS The proposed approach is applied to the setting of DOCR relays for the system shown in Fig. 5 [7]. The sys-tem consists of 2 generators, 2 Y-Y transformers, 9 buses and 7 lines. The pick-up current settings (IP) and the cur-rent transformer ratios (CTR) are given in table I. System characteristics are as follows: G1 and G2: 12 KV, 25 MVA, X1=X2=15%; X0=8% T1 and T2: 30MVA, 69/12KV, X=9%, X/R=10 Line impedances: Z1=0.19+j0.461 /Km Z0=0.65+j1.254 /Km Line lengths (Km): L1=10, L2=20, L3=12, L4=10, L5=20, L6=10, L7=10.

Table I: DOCR Relay Basic Data

CB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

CTR 600/5 400/5 200/5 200/5 600/5 400/5 400/5 400/5 400/5 300/5 1600/5 100/5 1600/5 100/5 400/5 400/5

Ip (A) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Fig. 3 Phase Coordination Conventional Settings

Fig. 4 Phase Coordination Improved Settings

Table II shows the results obtained with the application of the proposed method for the DOCR time dial settings for a mixed scheme with distance relays. The second zone timing of the distance relays is fixed and the same for all relays. The simulation is performed for 5 different cases. In these cases the tz2 is fixed and is given to the optimization problem as an input. As can be deduced from Table II, there is no influence on time dial settings for tz20.4s, but for the tz2>0.4s and CI0.4s, leads to infeasible situation. In these cases the DOCR time current characteristics is changed from IDMT to a mixed scheme consisting of IDMT and two definite time according to Fig. 4. These cases are marked by UR (Universal Relay) in Table II. The results indicate the potential of using

multi-section characteristics for solving the infeasible optimization problem. Relay 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 tz2(s) CI(s) CI(s)

Table II: Results of the coordination

Time Dial Setting Case1 UR UR 0.5 UR 0.5 0.5 0.5 UR 2.0 2.0 UR 0.5 UR 0.5 0.8 UR 0.6 0.4 0.5 Case2 UR UR 0.5 UR 0.5 0.5 0.5 UR 2.0 2.0 UR 0.5 UR 0.5 0.8 UR 0.5 0.4 0.4 Case3 1.2 1.4 0.5 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.8 1.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 Case4 1.2 1.4 0.5 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.8 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 Case5 1.2 1.4 0.5 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.8 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.2

Fig. 5 Sample System

VII. REFERENCES
[1] Protective Relaying Application Guide, GEC Alsthom Measurement Ltd., St. Leonards Works, Stafford, U.K., 1992. [2] The Electricity Training Association, Power System Protection, 2nd ed., Stevenage, UK: Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1995. [3] S. H. Horowitz, A. G. Phadke, Power System Relaying, Taunton, UK: Research Studies Press, Second Ed., 1995. [4] J. L. Blackburn, Protective Relaying; Principles and Applications, New York: Marcel Dekker, 1987. [5] Perez, L. G. and Urdaneta, A. J., Optimal Computation of Distance Relays Second Zone Timing in a Mixed Protection Scheme with Directional Overcurrent Relays, IEEE, PWRD, Vol. 16, No. 3, July 2001. [6] A. J. Urdaneta, R. Nadira, and L. G. Prez, Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays in interconnected power systems, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 903911, July 1988. [7] L. G. Prez and A. J. Urdaneta, Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays considering definite time backup relays, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 12761284, Oct. 1999. [8] Kojovic, L. A. and Witte, J. F., A New Method in Reducing the Overcurrent Protection Response Times at High Fault Currents to Protect Equipment from Extended Stress, Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exhibition 2001, IEEE/PES, Vol. 1, 2001, pp. 65-70. [9] B. Ram, Advanced Microprocessors and Interfacing, Tata McGrawHill, 2001. [10] A. T. Johns, S. K. Salman, Digital Protection for Power Systems, Peter Peregrinus LTD. on behalf of Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), 1995.

VI. CONCLUSION This paper describes a new method for coordinating DOCR and distance relays using a universal protection relay with a software platform that facilitates designing TCC curves of different shapes in the same hardware. When different TCC curves are combined, device response times are faster and more accurate than with conventional means. The proposed method determines the optimum timing for the time dial settings in a mixed scheme with directional overcurrent relays. Whenever the optimization problem does not converge due to the fixed time of second zone timing of distance relays, conventional DOCR with IDMT characteristic is replaced by universal relay. An example of coordination for a typical system is presented to demonstrate how the new multifunction devices can be used to solve the infeasible coordination problem. It was shown that the classical setting of 0.25 to 0.4 seconds used in distance schemes for the second zone that assures selectivity could be kept, and coordination difficulties would be solved by using DOCR with multi-section characteristics.

VIII. BIOGRAPHIES
Mojtaba Khederzadeh received the B.Sc. degree from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, the M.Sc. degree from Tehran University and Ph.D. degree from Sharif University of Technology, all in electrical engineering, in 1980, 1990 and 1996, respectively. He has been on Sabbatical leave at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in 2004 for a one year period. He is Assistant Professor and Director of Power System Protection and Control Researches in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Power and Water Institute of Technology, Tehran, Iran. His areas of research interest include power system protection, control and monitoring; and power system dynamics.