ComparisonofProtectionRelayTypes

Comparison of Protection Relay Types (photo by switchgearsupport.com)

ComparisonTable
Thiscomparisonsummarizecharacteristicsofallprotectionrelaytypesdescribedinpreviously
publishedtechnicalarticles:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

UsingProtectiveRelayForFightingAgainstFaults
TheGoodOldElectromechanicalProtectiveRelay
TheSolidStateRelay(StaticRelay)Overview
FewWordsAboutDigitalProtectionRelay
FlexibilityandReliabilityofNumericalProtectionRelay

Characteristic

El.Mech.Relay

StaticRelay

Technology
Standard

1stgenerationrelays.

2ndgeneration
relays.

Operating
Principle

DigitalRelay

NumericalRelay

Present
Present
generationrelays. generationrelays.

Theyuseprincipleof
Inthisrelays
Theyuse
electromagnetic
transistorsandICs microprocessor.

Theyuse
microprocessor.

principle.

beenused

Withinbuilt
Withinbuilt
softwarewith
softwarewith
predefinedvalues predefinedvalues

Measuring
elements/
Hardware

Inductiondisc,
electromagnets,
inductioncup,balance
beam

R,L,C,
transistors,
analogueICs
comparators

Microprocessors, Microprocessors,
digitalICs,digital digitalICs,digital
dignalprocessors signalprocessors

Measuring
method

Electricalqtys
Level
A/Dconversion,
converted
detects,comparison
numerical
intomechanicalforce,
withreference
algorithm
torque
valueinanalogue
techniques
comparator

A/Dconversion,
numerical
algorithm
techniques

Surrounding
Environment

Dependupon
gravitationandthe
valuechangestothe
surroundingmagnetic
fieldsalso.

Therevaluemay
varywithrespect
totemperature
also.

Characteristic

El.Mech.Relay

StaticRelay

DigitalRelay

NumericalRelay

RelaySize

Bulky

Small

Small

Compact

Speedof
Response

Slow

Fast

Fast

Veryfast

Timing
function

Mechanicalclock
works,dashpot

Statictimers

Counter

Counter

Timeof
Accuracy

Temp.dependant

Temp.dependant

Stable

Stable

Reliability

High

Low

High

High

Vibration
Proof

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Characteristics

Limited

Wide

Wide

Wide

Requirement
ofDrawOut

Required

Required

Notrequired

Notrequired

CTBurden

High

Low

Low

Low

CTBurden

8to10VA

1VA

<0.5VA

<0.5VA

Characteristic

El.Mech.Relay

StaticRelay

DigitalRelay

NumericalRelay

ResetTime

VeryHigh

Less

Less

Less

Auxiliary
supply

Required

Required

Required

Required

Rangeof
settings

Limited

Wide

Wide

Wide

Isolation
Voltage

Low

High

High

High

Function

Singlefunction

Singlefunction

Multifunction

Singlefunction

Maintenance

Frequent

Frequent

Low

VeryLow

Resistance

100milleohms

10Ohms

10Ohms

10Ohms

Output
Capacitance

<1PicoFarad

Characteristic

El.Mech.Relay

StaticRelay

DigitalRelay

NumericalRelay

Deterioration
dueto

Yes

No

No

No

>20PicoFarads >20PicoFarads >20PicoFarads

Operation
Relay
Programming

No

Partially

Programmable

Programmable

SCADA
Compatibility

No

No

Possible

Yes

Operational
value
indication

NotPossible

Possible

Possible

Possible

Visual
indication

Flags,targets

LEDs

LEDs,LCD

LEDs,LCD

Self
monitoring

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Parameter
setting

Plugsetting,dial
setting

Fault
Disturbance
Recording

Notpossible

Thumbwheel,dual
Keypadfor
Keypadfor
inlineswitches
numericvalues, numericvalues,
throughcomputer throughcomputer
Notpossible

RelaysNomenclatureasperANSI
No

TypeofRelay

Timedelayrelay

3CheckingorInterlockingrelay

21

21Distancerelay

25

Checksynchronizingrelay

27

Undervoltagerelay

30

Annunciationrelay

32

Directionalpower(Reversepower)relay

37

Lowforwardpowerrelay

40

Fieldfailure(lossofexcitation)

46

Negativephasesequencerelay

49

MachineorTransformerThermalrelay

50

InstantaneousOvercurrentrelay

51

A.C.IDMTOvercurrentrelay

52

Circuitbreaker

52a CircuitbreakerAuxiliaryswitchNormallyopen(a
contact)
52b CircuitbreakerAuxiliaryswitchNormallyclosed(b
contact)
55

Possible

Possible