The effect of directional elements of

SEL relay (32Q and 32V) when testing

is performed and Testing Tool
OMICRON Application Resource Code:
(APN-10015-2009-V0)

Anucha Semjan (Senior Application Engineer)

OMICRON electronics Asia Limited

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 1

What is the 32Q and 32V ?
The directional elements 32Q and 32V are used by SEL
distance relays to declare the direction of a ground fault by
evaluating the negative sequence impedance (32Q) or zero
sequence impedance (32V) of the fault

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 2

The Operation of Negative Sequence Voltage
Polarized Directional Element (32Q)
The concept of this element is to calculate the negative
sequence impedance value (Z2) according the formula below
and compare it with the threshold value in order to declare the
direction of the fault

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 Z2 below the forward threshold value means the fault is in
forward direction. Z2 above the reverse threshold value means
the fault is in reverse direction.
The threshold values are calculated using the formula below.

Remark: According to the formula above, we can see that the threshold values
are always changing according to the quantity of V2&I2 (which means that they
vary with the fault current/voltage)
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The value of Z2F&Z2R is usually allowed to be set by
customer, but in case the setting E32 = "Auto“, the value of
Z2F&Z2R will be changed automatically with formula below.

= Magnitude of positive sequence line impedance value

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 5

The Operation of Zero Sequence Voltage
Polarized Directional Element (32V)
The concept of this element is similar to the 32Q element but the
zero sequence impedance value (Z0) is used instead of Z2. Z0
is calculated using the formula below, and is then compared with
the threshold value in order to declare the direction of the fault.

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 6

Z0 below the forward threshold value means the fault is in the
forward direction. Z0 above the reverse threshold value means
the fault is in the reverse direction. The threshold values can be
calculated with the formula below.

Remark: According to the formula above, we can see that the threshold values
are always changing according to the quantity of V0&I0 (which means they
vary with the fault current/voltage similar to the 32Q element)
© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 7
The value of Z0F&Z0R is allowed to be set by customer similar
to Z2F&Z2R but in case the setting E32 = "Auto“, the value of
Z0F&Z0R will be changed automatically with formula below.

= Magnitude of zero sequence line impedance

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 8

How to declare the direction of fault by 32Q & 32V ?
According the polarity of CT
At the relay location with forward fault
Fault in FWD direction V2 = -I2 x ZS2
V2 / I2 = - ZS2

if fault occur in forward direction, then V2/I2

(Z2) will be shown with a negative value

According the polarity CT

At the relay location with reverse fault Fault in REV direction

V2 = I2 x ( ZR2 + ZL2 )

V2 / I2 = ( ZR2 + ZL2 )

if fault occur in reverse direction, then V2/I2

(Z2) will be shown with a positive value
July 15, 2019

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 9

 According the previous slide we can define the characteristic of
32Q by using the negative sequence impedance plane as
below Assume all impedance has
the same angle
If we set the threshold of
Z2 Plane
reverse direction with this
line (that means if the value ZL2 + ZR2
of impedance Z2 is above
this line, then fault is ZL2 (ZL1)
declared reverse direction)

Safety margin

At relay point , Z2 = 0

If we set the threshold of

forward direction with this
Impedance behind the -Z
S2 line (that means if the value
relay
of impedance Z2 is below
this line, then fault is
declared forward direction)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019

 We can also define the characteristic of 32V by using the same
concept as 32Q on the zero sequence impedance plane as
below Assume all impedance has
the same angle
If we set the threshold of
Z0 Plane
reverse direction with this
line (that means if the value ZL0 + ZR0
of impedance Z0 is above
this line, then fault is ZL0
declared reverse direction)

Safety margin

At relay point , Z0 = 0

If we set the threshold of

forward direction with this
Impedance behind the -Z
S0 line (that means if the value
relay
of impedance Z0 is below
this line, then fault is
declared forward direction)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019

What is the reason for having three directional
elements in one relay ?

The ground directional element of SEL consists of a combination of three

directional elements: Negative Sequence Voltage Polarized (32Q), Zero
Sequence Voltage Polarized (32V) and Zero Sequence Current Polarized
(32I). The reason to have these elements is so that the relay can select the
best quantities (sequence component) to declare the direction of the ground
fault. Having a choice for polarization allows for better selectivity under
different system configurations.

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 12

The setting involves these elements

The setting "ORDER" is used to defined

the priority of ground directional elements

In case the setting E32 = AUTO then these parameters is automatically defined

According to the information from previous slide most of the setting parameters
are used to define which ground directional element is active (32Q, 32V or 32I.)
Only the parameters Z2F&Z2R and Z0F&Z0R are used to define the
characteristic of the directional elements
© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 13
As mentioned before, in case the setting E32 = AUTO, then the threshold
value is automatically calculated according the setting of Z1MAG for 32Q,
and Z0MAG for 32V
The angle of line impedance (Z1 and Z0) is also used to calculate Z2 and Z0
according the formula in previous slide

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 14

The Operation of Directional Elements &
Ground Distance Unit (Quad or Mho)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 15

The logic below shows a combination of quadrilateral ground
distance element (resistance and reactance) and directional
element
Directional Element Example: Zone1 (only FWD
direction)

means the value of the

impedance is inside the
zone characteristic
Zone Distance Element
(Resistance & Reactance)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019

 Directional Element (FWD)

Example: Zone3&4
(FWD/REV direction)

(FWD)

(REV) means the value of the

impedance is inside
Zone Distance Element the zone characteristic
(Resistance & Reactance) (FWD or REV)

Directional Element (REV)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019

The logic below shows a combination of mho ground distance
element (resistance and reactance) and directional element
Directional Element
Example: Zone1 (only FWD
direction)

means the value of

Zone Distance Element the impedance is
(Mho) inside the zone
characteristic

© OMICRON July 15, 2019

The Directional Elements & Quadrilateral
Ground Distance Unit
This
According
element
to operates
the instruction
with the
manual
quantity
the of
zone
negative
characteristic
sequence on positive
impedance
sequence impedance
(32Q) and zero
can be
sequence
define asimpedance
picture below
(32V), so it needs to
be converted into positive sequence impedance, but How?

Distance Element (R)

Distance Element (X)

Directional Element

It could be "32V" or "32I" elements as well, it depends on the setting of ground

directional priority "ORDER" and the quantity of sequence component to activate the
elements

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 19

The Effect of Directional Element on
Quadrilateral Ground Distance when Testing
with Constant Test Current Method
The Setting Example : Line Angle = 80 deg

Line impedance Z1: 7.8 80 ohm 3 deg

Line impedance Z0: 15.785 ohm

kL * XG1 = 5 60
Grounding Factor kL: 1 -20 Zone1
XG1: 5 ohm
Z1 Forward (1 + kL) * XG1 = 9.85 70
RG1: 10 ohm XG1 = 5 80
Direction
XG4: 5 ohm 90 deg
Z4 Reverse
RG4: 10 ohm Direction

Because most users set the Ground Zone4

Directional Element E32 = AUTO;
ORDER = QVI, so for this example we
will use this setting for testing

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 20

Test result according the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method (Test Current 1A) :

??????

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 21

Test result according the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method (Test Current 3A) :

??????

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 22

Test result according the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method (Test Current 5A) :

??????

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 23

What is the problem? Why is the
characteristic of distance incorrect?
Answer: Because there is no directional element included in the impedance plane.
In this case 32Q is defined for first priority; if 32V or 32I is defined as first priority
then the test result will be difference (see later slides). To get the correct test result
on the impedance plane, the directional element need to shown on the positive
sequence impedance plane.
As we describe about the operation of 32Q/32V in previous slide, it is very
complicate to add the characteristic of directional 32Q/32V into the
impedance plane because:
1. Different test current/voltage will produce different threshold values (that
means the characteristic of 32Q/32V will also be different)
2. We cannot use only one line to define the directional element (forward &
reverse) because the forward threshold and reverse threshold have different
values due to the safety margin
3. The characteristic of 32Q element can't be defined using only a straight line
because of the formula of the threshold values, and we have to convert the
characteristic from negative sequence impedance or zero sequence impedance
into positive sequence impedance (for testing on positive sequence impedance
July 15, 2019 Page: 24
plane)
© OMICRON July 15, 2019
Tool for Testing the Directional Elements
(32Q & 32V)
A special EXCEL tool for testing the direction element 32Q
and 32V is provided by OMICRON. This tool plots the 32Q
and 32V element onto the positive sequence impedance
plane so that the characteristic of the directional elements
can be tested using constant test current method. The
characteristic of the directional elements are also changing
according to test current and the setting of Z2F/Z2R for
32Q and Z0F/Z0R for 32V

In addition, you can use this tool to explain what happens

when we test the directional characteristic of SEL Distance
Relays by using constant current method

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 25

What is inside the testing tool?
The setting parameters (used for Loop Angle
defining the characteristic of 32Q) (1+kL)*Z1

Line Angle (Z1)

Impedance Plane
Margin between
FWD & REV

90 deg
Test Current

32QR (REV)
32QF (FWD)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 26

Comparing the characteristic of 32Q with
previous slide when we change the test current
from 5A to 1 A

Please always consider the scale

of impedance value when use this
tool (because it will automatically
change when the test current is
changed)

What you can see is that

different test current will
change the characteristic on
the directional element

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 27

Combination of Distance Elements and the
Directional Elements (on the Testing Tool)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 28

 Impedance Plane

Forward Direction Area of

32Q Element (F32QG active)

Reverse Direction Area of

32Q Element (R32QG active)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 29

 Impedance Plane

The Operation Area of

Distance Element

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 30

 The Operation Area of Forward
Direction (Combination of Distance
Element and Directional Element)

The Operation Area of Reverse

Direction (Combination of Distance
Element and Directional Element)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 31

Comparing the test result and the testing tool (The test result
with constant current method 1A & The testing tool which
has the same setting and the same test current)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 32

Comparing the test result and the testing tool (The test result
with constant current method 3A & The testing tool which
has the same setting and the same test current)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 33

Comparing the test result and the testing tool (The test
result with constant current method 5A & The testing tool
which has the same setting and the same test current)

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 34

Let try another case by changing the setting of
ground directional elements priority (ORDER)
from "QVI" to "VQI", which means 32V elements
is first priority

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 35

Comparing the test result (constant test current method with
test current 1A) between different setting ORDER ("QVI" and
"VQI") :
It can be seen that different
directional element will cause
a difference in the distance
zone characteristic as well

ORDER = "QVI" ORDER = "VQI"

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 36

Comparing the characteristic from the testing tool (same
condition with previous slide) between 32Q and 32V (Test
Current 1A)

32V Element

32Q Element

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 37

Comparing the test result (constant test current method with
test current 3A) between different setting ORDER ("QVI" and
"VQI") :

ORDER = "QVI"
ORDER = "VQI"

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 38

Comparing the characteristic from the testing tool (same
condition with previous slide) between 32Q and 32V (Test
Current 3A)
32V Element

32Q Element

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 39

Comparing the test result (constant test current method with
test current 5A) between different setting ORDER ("QVI" and
"VQI") :

ORDER = "QVI"
ORDER = "VQI"

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 40

Comparing the characteristic from the testing tool (same
condition with previous slide) between 32Q and 32V (Test
Current 5A)
32V Element

32Q Element

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 41

The Effect of Directional Element on Mho
Ground Distance when Testing with Constant
Test Current Method
The Setting Example : Line Angle = 80 deg

Line impedance Z1: 7.8 80 ohm

Line impedance Z0: 15.785 ohm
kL * Z1MG = 7.5 60
Grounding Factor kL: 0.5 -20 Zone1
Z1MG: 15 ohm Z1 Forward
Direction Z1MG = 15 80 (1 + kL) * Z1MG = 22.2 73.36

Z4M4: 15 ohm Z4 Reverse 90 deg

Direction

Because most users set Ground Zone4

Directional Element E32 = AUTO;
ORDER = QVI, so for this example we
will use this setting for testing

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 42

Test result according to the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method 1A :

wow! it's perfect

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 43

Test result according to the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method 3A :

??????
what happen!
© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 44
Test result according to the setting on previous slide with
constant test current method 5A :

??????
Why?

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 45

Conclusion: The effect of the directional element 32Q
or 32V on SEL Distance Relay may cause unexpected
results on reverse direction when using constant test current
mode. The setting on the directional elements must be
considered when performing these tests. The EXCEL tool for
testing 32Q and 32V from OMICRON can be use for testing
and explaining what happen in these case.

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 46

The End

© OMICRON July 15, 2019 Page: 47