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Multifunctional Protection Relay
Sultan AlAwadhi , Rawdha Al-Ali,
Electrical Engineering
American University of Sharjah
b00048035@aus.edu, g00049610@aus.edu
I. Abstract:
In this paper, we investigate and discuss the
importance of Multifunctional Protection Relay
and understance its fundemental operation theory.
We covered in this research paper the conventional
techniques being used and the explanation of one
of the modern applications of a multifunctional
digital relay concept. Further on we addressed the
advantages and disadvantages of such protection
relaying systems and several improvement
suggestion that can be useful to improve the
selectivity and dependability of the device, as it
improves its performance and effeciency. The
report also explains breifly the concept of
mechanical relay and digital relay.
II. Introduction
In today's society great developments are
established in order to develop the various
technologies in use today. These technologies exist
to create a faster and more intelligent world in
aspects of telecommunication, computers, and
rising economical consumptions. These great
developments require even greater energy in order
to satisfy the societies and the consumers. Thus,
electrical energy and power must be produced in a
significant amount to insure the continuous supply.
The safety of the process is a must therefore we
generation Transmission Distribution
need to have a protection system to protect the
circuitry components being used from the
generation point to the distribution point as shown
below in Figure.1
Figure 1 Electricity Generation
Protection system tend to exist by dividing the
system into different zones, usually specified by
the location of the current transformer. The
circuitry component to be protect are shown below:
 Generators
 Transmission lines
 Transformer
 Busses
 Capacitor and inductive banks
The purpose of having a protection system is to
limit the damage to the circuit and its adjacent
components when a fault is detected by the system
and huge current value tend to flow. Therefore, to
insure a good design of a protection system we
need to satisfy certain basic aspects. These respects
are reliability, selectivity, speed of operation,
simplicity, and economics [1]. This is done by the
use of relays.
We have two types of relays. The first type of relay
is electro-mechanical relay which operates by the
use of mechanical components such as rotors, and
spring that operates under the different
phenomena’s of physics such as forces, torques and
magnetic fields that tends to interrupt the circuit
when a fault is encountered y closing the relays

contactors a simple example of electromechanical
relay is shown below in figure.2
Figure 2 Electro-Mechanical Relay[2]
The electro-mechanical relay is only capable of
carrying out one function of an interrupt at time
rather than multiple interrupts. Multifunctional
protection relay on the other hand is a relay that can
apply multiple function to interrupt and protect the
system.
A multifunctional digital relay is defined as follow
it provides multiple relaying functions for
generator protection or any other circuitry
component protection, by the use of algorithms that
are then processed into a software to initiate the
interrupt [3]. It requires no use of mechanical
interrupt that we will observe as an advantage
further on. Shown below in figure.3 is a an example
of a typical multifunctional relay.
Figure 3 Multifunctional Protection Relay[4]
III. Importance of Fundamental
Operation Theory
Multifunctional relay holds great importance,
because using it results in accomplishing greater
results, these results involve:
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 High accuracy.
 Much less panel space and wiring.
 Lower installation cost
These aspects depend significantly on the
following points:
 Metering
 Communication
 Springs
 Size and space
 Lower installation cost
These points are discussed by establishing a
comparison between the multifunctional relay and
the digital relay.
The first concept in question is the to discuss the
process of metering. In the use of multifunctional
protection relay the metering process is carried out
easily by taking in analog data and converting them
into digital date. These read values are then
embedded into the software of the multifunctional
relay as digital algorithms that the relay can
understand and perform the required action its
assigned to take in a less time period. However, in
a mechanical relay the measurements of different
values such as the value of currents and voltages
are noted down by the user to be taken to the
software in order for the relay to understand and
adhere the behavior of the system and its operation
status. This serves as an advantage for the digital
relay since less operation time is required to
interrupt any abnormal activity.
The second point to be taken into comparison is
with respect to communication. The
multifunctional digital relay communication
between different relays is easier to carry out since
the transfer of information and data is much easier
and faster in comparison to the mechanical relays,
leading to better decision making and enhancement
in performance by consuming less time and
interruption of power supply to not affect other
adjacent circuitry components. However, the
concept of data transfer is not applicable in

electromechanical relays. In electromechanical
relays the operation depends on what’s known as
the time delay/ time dial sitting, where the primary
relay operates in order to interrupt the faulty
currents and if it fails, after a certain period of time,
the backup protection relay will operate to perform
the tasks of the primary relay system.
Furthermore, a third concept to take in
consideration is the use of mechanical component
in the system, this results in other factors that we
will be discussing such as the size and installation
cost of the relays. It is clearly visible that using
digital relays will not require the use of heavy
mechanical components such as springs, shafts and
durability in heat and reactions with their
surrounding environment. Thus they are
humongous when it come to the size and the space
they require, thereby increasing their installation
cost due to storage and backup replacements that is
need if any of the components malfunction.
Finally, it is important to understand that from
these comparisons it is evidently clear that the
multifunctional digital relay software can be easily
installed to different circuitry plans of generators in
order to have a protection system by applying
minimal adjustment to the contents and structure of
the software.
IV. Convectional Techniques
Engineers must develop protection techniques that
represent the extent to which the system will cover
the various fault types. Today, with the use of
multifunction digital relays, the equivalent system
may contain four or five individual relays with
commensurate reduction in panel space, wiring and
other costs. Therefore, a very high level of
protection becomes affordable, however the
reliability issue becomes of more concern. If a
multifunction relay is out of service, the protection
system design should continue to provide a
reasonable level of protection. There are two
convectional modern techniques of the
multifunctional relay, which can combine certain
types of relays in one package. First,
multifunctional relay type 1. The system of sample
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rotors, but they will be based mostly on software
and small electrical components and contactors
reducing the size and space that is required for
them to fit in, this in return results in a lower
installation cost since maintenance and storage will
not be part of the regular cost that’s being
encountered. Unlike the mechanical relays they
depend on the parameters of speed, torque,
magnetic induction, and forces which are a result
from the use of mechanical components such as
springs, rotors, shafts, and excessive induce of
voltage to a high value of faulty current. These
electromechanical relay components require
continuous maintenance and care due to their
protection scheme using relay type 1 consists of
four separate devices:
 87G – Three-phase generator differential
relay
 87U – Three-phase unit-connected
differential relay
 64F – Field ground relay
 Multifunction Digital Relay Type 1
The system described provides primary protection
for nine of the twelve fault conditions and provides
backup protection for four fault conditions. This
protection system could be visualized as useful for
a situation where the multifunction relay was added
to an existing installation to upgrade incomplete
protection. The primary and backup for phase
faults is provided by separate relays. In fact, the
51V and 87U provide redundant backup to the
87G. The primary and backup ground fault
protection is provided by the same device which is
the multifunction relay. Therefore, to solve this
problem, a separate ground overcurrent relay
(50N/51N) or a redundant ground overvoltage
relay (59N) could be added. Secondly,
multifunctional relay type 2. The system of sample
protection scheme using relay type 2 contains five
separate devices:
 87G – Three-phase generator differential
 87U – Three-phase unit-connected
differential

 64F – Field ground relay
 46 – Negative sequence overcurrent relay
 Multifunction Digital Relay Type 2
In this scheme, primary protection is provided for
eleven of the twelve fault conditions. Backup
protection for phase faults is provided by two
separate units. Backup protection for ground faults
could be obtained by adding a separate ground
relay to the scheme. Utilizing neutral side CT's for
the multifunction digital relay, the 21 function can
be used as a system backup which will also provide
backup for generator faults. This design is
applicable for small- to medium-sized units. This
scheme provides very comprehensive primary
protection and could also be used as an upgrade to
back up an existing protective scheme. In addition,
we can combine both of the system of sample
protection scheme using relay type 1 and type 2.
Therefore, a protection scheme employing two
multifunction relays, the system will consist of:
 87G – Three-phase generator differential
relay
 87U – Three-phase unit-connected
differential relay
 64F – Field ground relay
 Multifunction Digital Relay Type 1
 Multifunction Digital Relay Type 2
In this system, primary protection is provided for
all of the twelve fault types. Backup protection is
provided for eight of the twelve fault types. With
any one of the multifunction relays out of service,
the protection reverts to one of the two previous
schematics. The total protection system in this
system would consist of the five relays listed
above, wired into a single panel. The cost savings,
relative to previously available technology, include
reduced relay costs, reduced wiring, reduced
design time, and reduced panel space [4].
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the system. Moreover, develop conventional
techniques that incorporate the required primary
and backup relays in one package in order to have
high accuracy, much less panel space and wiring,
and lower installation cost. These relays will set
an alarm and activate the trip circuit in case of a
fault. By appropriate use of multiple multifunction
digital relays, or by using multifunction digital
relays in combination with single-function relays,
protection engineers can provide the reliability
and security level needed for their specific
applications.
VI. References
[1] J. L. Blackburn and T. Domin, Protective
Relaying: Principles and Applications, 4th Edition.
CRC Press, 2014.
[2]"What Are Electromechanical Relays?", Types
of Relays, 2016. [Online]. Available:
http://relays.weebly.com/electromechanical-
relays.html. [Accessed: 11- Dec- 2016].
[3] GENERATOR PROTECTION USING
MULTIFUNCTION DIGITAL RELAYS, 1st ed.
2016.
[4] "Woodward | Multifunction Line – Industrial
grade protection relays", Woodward.com, 2016.
[Online]. Available:
http://www.woodward.com/MultifunctionLine.asp
x. [Accessed: 11- Dec- 2016].

V. Conclusion

By the end of this paper we provided a breif

overview about the multifunctional protection
relay which prove highly reliable protection for
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