1398 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS,VOL. 31, NO.

6, NOVEMBERDECEMBER 1995

ound Fault P otection of tors

n a Low- esistanee Grounde
ediu
Billy Breitkreutz, Member, IEEE, and Amy Frere, Member, IEEE

Abstract-The core balance current transformer is the basis for
sensitive ground fault protection of motors. All phase c0ndtwtoi-s
pass through the same opening in the current transformer so
that it senses only zero sequence or ground current. Possible
sources of nonfault relay current include current transformer
error, harmonics, and unbalanced currents through impedances
to ground, especially capacitances. The core balance conneeted
ground fault relay is usually an instank-"w type, Or a time-
delay type of the short time or very inverse characteristic. The
standards provide typical ranges of relay settings. They do not
provide a procedure for determining the mn i "i that
will not result in nuisance trips from nonfault eurrenh nor &e
maximum settings that will provide adequate protection. This
paper develops that procedure.
I. INTRODUCTION
NDUSTRIAL medium-voltage power systems are
low-resistance grounded. Typically a 400-A resistor is in-
ed in the system transformer-neutral.All motors and other
loads are either delta- or ungrounded wye-connected.The only
paths for zero sequence current are the transformer-neutral
resistor and unavoidable capacitances and conductances to
ground of such elements as cables, cable terminators, surge
arresters, and surge capacitors. The resultant around 400-A
maximum ground fault current is less damaging to equipment
but still requires ground fault relays that are sensitive, fast,
and selective.
The core balance current transformer (also called zero
sequence sensor, window current transformer, or toroidal
current transformer) is the basis for sensitive ground fault
protection of motors. All phase conductors pass through the
same opening in the current transformer so that it senses only
zero sequence or ground current. The current transformer and
relay are designed to protect against ground faults, but there
are other sources of zero sequence currents. Possible sources
of nonfault relay current include current transformer error,
harmonics, and unbalanced c ~ ~ e n through
ts impedances to
ground, especially capacitances.
The core balance-connected ground fault relay is usually a
nondirectional instantaneous type, or a time-delay type of the
short time or very inverse characteristic. Definite minimum
Paper PID 95-71, approved by the Petroleum and Chemcal Industry
Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society for Presentation at
the 1994 IEEE Petroleum and Chemical Industry Technxal Conference
(PCIC'94), Vancouver, BC, Canada, September 12-14. Manuscript released
for publication May 1, 1995
B Breitkreutz is with Fluor Daniel, SugarLand, TX 77487 USA.
A. Frere is with General Electric, Houston, TX 77036 USA.
IEEE Log Number 9414395
0093-9994/95$04.00 0 1995 IEEE
time relays are also used for this application. Regardless of
the type, we will refer to it as a 50GS relay throughout this
paper.
The standards [l], [2] indicate that a range of 4-20 A
(transformer Primary current) is the pick-up setting for
an instantaneous relay. Settings as low as 1 A (primary) pick-
up and 1.0 time dial are typical [l] for a time-delay relay. The
standards provide typical ranges of relay settings, but do not
provide a procedure for determining the minimum settings that
will not result in nuisance trips nor the maximum settings that
will provide adequate protection. There have been numerous
reports of unexpected false trips. Many relay engineers set
relays as low as they dare to get the best protection of the
motor at the risk of false trips. This paper will develop a
procedure that can be followed without unnecessary risks.
D. N
"T TRANSFORMER AND RELAY
SELECTION AND SETTING CRITERIA
The current transformer (CT) must be selected for ratio, sec-
ondary current, continuous current rating, thermal short time
rating, nominal system voltage, and basic impulse insulation
level. The relay must be selected for overcurrent characteristic,
continuous current, pick-up setting range, and burden.
The 5QGS relay and its CT should be a proven combina-
tion with good sensitivity (low pick-up capability) and fast
response. The CT must provide sufficient secondary current at ,
the desired primary current to operate the relay. A 50/5 CT
ratio is typical with an electromechanical relay having a 0.5
minimum pick-up range. Various electronic relays may require
less current or be designed for use with a specific CT.
The 50GS relay should protect the motor as much as
practical. Actually, this relay is not required by the National
Electrical Code and represents additional protection. Complete
protection of a wye-connected motor stator winding is not
possible with this "YPe relay. Complete protection of
connected motor winding is possible since a grou
halfway between two phases will result in approximate
of the fault current available at the motor terminals. IEEE
Standard 242 [2] indicates that it has been considere
to protect the motor stator winding to within 10
This to a maximum pick-up
of approximately 10% of the maximum ground fault available
at the motor terminal. The standards do not directly state
an acceptable clearing time for motor winding ground faults.
IEEE 242 [2] indicates a preference for an instantaneous relay
 BREITKREUTZ AND FRERE: CORE BALANCE GROUND FAULT PROTECTION OF MOTORS 1399

and further indicates that an extremely inverse relay with a 20 (for 20 x rated current). If the actual burden exceeds the
1.O time-dial setting is considered adequate. This should limit standard burden, then accuracy may be poor and will need
the fault damage to the windings and prevent damage to the to be determined from CT excitation curves. Some relays
iron core. are designed with a high input impedance which forces CT
The 50GS must not trip for normal (full load and start- saturation.
ing conditions) zero sequence current due to imbalances or
harmonics. Iv. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION AND COORDINATION
The 50GS should not trip for transient surges, such
as switching surges or surge-arrestor discharge. Maximum Following is a recommended procedure for relay selection
switching surges will be in the range of 1.6 x the motor and coordination.
starting current for approximately 6 cycles or 0.1 s, but Often, the current transformer and relay type will have been
this is phase current. The zero sequence component of the preselected due to the need for equipment delivery. In this
switching surge can only be estimated. The authors believe example, these will be chosen in Step 4 for best coordination.
that 1.6 x the estimated normal zero sequence current Step I: Develop a one-line diagram with all significant
for 0.1 s is a fair estimate. This is based on multipliers series and shunt impedance elements khown and all ground
used to obtain asymmetrical currents from symmetrical fault fault relays located. Include zero sequence impedances such
calculations. A station class metal-oxide surge arrester has a as cable capacitance, surge capacitors, and any grounded wye
duty cycle impulse current of 10000 A for 20 ps, and even load. Impedance values will need to be determined from
an instantaneous relay will have sufficient time delay that it manufacturer’s data, standard formulas, or a combination of
will not operate for this. the two.
The 50GS should be coordinated with other relays to Step 2: Estimate the normal, nonfault zero sequence cur-
provide tripping selectivity. This is true for faults at all rent. Calculate the normal current through all phase-to-ground
locations, not just downstream of the relay because the relay elements and estimate the amount that might be unbalanced
is nondirectional. Because multiphase faults might have some and thus cause current to flow in the 50GS. A conservative
zero sequence component, coordination with upstream phase estimate would be 100% of the normal current through one
relays should also be considered. phase or the line to neutral voltage divided by the impedance.
The 50GS relay must not trip due to CT or relay error. This might seem excessively conservative, but will likely be
Manufacturer’s data will prescribe the accuracy of the relay only approximately 1/3 of the relay current calculated in Step
and CT. IEEE Standard C57.13 [3] can be used to determine 3 and we will probably set the relay pick-up above that
the potential error of a standard CT. higher value. Zero sequence harmonic currents will have to be
The 50GS relay must not trip due to low voltage on its determined by measurement, if expected to be significant. The
power supply. This can be a problem on electronic relays suggested conservative estimate of unbalanced current should
powered from a control power transformer connected to the be sufficient to also cover zero sequence harmonics for most
line. systems.
Step 3: Inspect the one line diagram for possible relay
coordination problems. Might the nondirectional 50GS trip for
111. CURRENT TRANSFORMER ACCURACY a fault upstream or on another circuit? If so, prepare a ground
fault impedance diagram with positive, negative, and zero
Current transformers for zero sequence relaying applications impedance networks in series and calculate the fault currents.
have accuracy ratings consisting of one alpha character and a Remember that the 50GS will detect the ground fault current
number. The alpha character is either “C” or “T” for relaying through all 3 phases, three x the zero sequence current (3x IO).
applications. The number is a secondary voltage. The positive and negative sequence network impedances will
A “C” current transformer will require a ratio correction not likely be small enough (compared to the transformer neutral
exceeding 10% for any secondary current into the specified impedance) to be reasonably ignored (set to zero). This will
standard burden from 1-20 x the rated secondary current greatly reduce the work required.
of the CT. The actual test value of the ratio correction will Step 4: Draw coordination curves on log-log paper. Show
differ by less than 1% from the value calculated. A “T” ground fault currents, estimated normal zero sequence current,
current transformer can have an actual test ratio that differs switching transient current, ground resistor rating, and relay
from the calculated value by more than 1%. In practice, “T” curves. The relay type (instantaneous, short time, extremely
classification CT’s are applied by reference to test curves inverse, or definite minimum time) and its pick-up and time
not calculated values. While the “T” CT ratio error is not delay should be chosen for best coordination. Surge arrestor
analytically predictable, the test values of ratio error are discharge current will not be shown because its time duration
repeatable. is too short. Allow for CT and relay margin of error according
The number in the accuracy class is the maximum secondary to the manufacturer’s data.
voltage the CT can supply to the standard burden without
exceeding the plus or minus 11 percent (10 percent calculated
plus 1 percent) ratio correction. The standard relaying burdens V. EXAMPLE
are defined by IEEE Standard (257.13 [3]. The secondary Coordination for ground relay 50GS1 in an example power
voltage is the standard burden impedance in 0 x 5 A x system follows according to the procedure.
1400
10 S E C .
6 OHMS 52
4.16 KV SWITCAGEAR
52
BUS NO. 1
I
f Fig. 2. Ground fault sequence impedance diagram (fault at bus no. 1).
1 5 0 0 HP 5000 HP
MOTOR NO. 1 MOTOR NO. 2
CABLE NO. 1 8 0 0 FEET, l / P H A S E 2 / 0 AWG Z = 0.08 +j 0 . 0 4 OHMS
Y' = -j 12105 OHMS
CABLE NO. 2 5 0 0 0 FEET, Z / P W S E 500 MCM Z = 0.08 +j 0.13 OHMS
P' = -j 5 8 8 5 OHMS
Fig. 1. One-line diagram.
Step 1: Fig. 1 is the one-line diagram for this example. Our
example is a 4160-V system with a single 400-A transformer
neutral resistor. For this example impedances have been ex-
pressed in ohms, not per unit values. Inspection of these values
shows that the real (resistive) impedance to ground of elements
such as cables are negligible since they are well 'known to be
measured in units of megohms. Also, the capacitance to ground
of bushings and instrument transformers is negligible. These
will not exceed about 260 pF [4].
Step 2: For the example, it is assumed that harmonic zero
sequence currents are either negligible or small enough that our
next assumption covers them. Normal zero sequence currents
due to unbalances are conservatively estimated as the line to
neutral voltage divided by the parallel combination of the (zero
sequence) impedances to ground on the load side of the relay
for one phase. For 50GS1, this current is 2400 V divided
by the parallel combination of the cable shunt capacitive
impedance and the surge capacitor impedance, or 0.65 A. The
zero sequence component of the switching surge is estimated
at 1.6 x this, or approximately 1.0 A for 0.1 s.
Step 3: From inspection of the one-line diagram, it is deter-
mined that the relay must be set such that it will not trip before
other upstream relays for upstream ground faults. Ground
fault calculations are made to determine the zero sequence
current that will flow through 50GS1 during an upstream (bus
number 1) ground fault. Fig. 2 is the approximate ground
fault sequence impedance diagram for these calculations. The
current through 50GS1 will be three x the zero sequence
current or 3 x 0.65 = 1.95 A.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 31, NO. 6, NOVEMBEWDECEMBER 1995
POSITIVE
SEQUENCE
NEGATIVE
SEQUENCE
4-
ZERO
SEQUENCE
-
['I""""
2 = NEGLIGABLE Z = NEGLIGABLE
0.65 A 1' 133 33 A W 0.86 A
\
Io = 134.84 A
Step 4: Fig. 3 is the coordination curve for 50GS1 in this
example. The neutral resistor is rated 400 A for 10 s. Relays
51G1 and 51G2 are set to protect the neutral resistor. Relay
51GS is set to coordinate with relays 51G1 and 51G2 and still
leave ample room for the 50GS relay. The maximum ground
fault current is shown as approximately 400 A. Normal ground
current is shown as 0.65 A. The current for a fault 10% away
from the neutral of the motor is shown as approximately 40 A.
The fault current through relay 50GS1 for an upstream fault
is shown as 1.95 A. After inspection of this information, an
instantaneous relay is chosen.
Further inspection shows that adequate protection and co-
ordination would be provided with a pick-up current corre-
sponding to 5-A primary current. Thus, a 50/5 CT ratio and
0.5-2-A relay pick-up range are selected. The relay circuit
burden is 14.44 s1 at minimum pick-up from manufacturer's
data. A CT rated C10 is available and will be acceptable
because 14.44 R x 5 A x 5/50 is less than 10. However,
this exceeds the stm'dard burden and thus CT accuracy will
be poor. Based on plots of CT exciting (secondary) voltage
versus exciting current, the actual primary current required
to produce 5-A current to the relay might be as high a5
about 17 A. The relay manufacturer has not published relay
accuracy information so we assume a conservative 10% relay
accuracy. The relay curve is drawn with a total accuracy band
accordingly. The relay technician will be instructed to calibrate
and test accordingly.
VI. CONCLUSIOR
The core balance current transformer is the basis for sensi-
tive ground fault protection of motors. All phase conductors
pass through the same opening in the current transformer so
that it senses only zero sequence or ground current. Possible
BREITKREUTZAND FRERE CORE BALANCE GROUND FAULT PROTECTION OF MOTORS 1401

There is no established motor winding ground fault pro-

500
v o m
6ERO
SEQUENCE
I
,
,
Itection point or curve with which the relay engineer can
ZURRENT
PHRU 50GSI
coordinate. Rather, he must set pick-up according to one crite-
100
3.65 A ,
rion and time delay according to another rather loose criterion.
\
\
! II It would be helpful to have a curve or protection point similar
to those used for transformer-phase fault coordination. This
protection point might be based on preventing damage to the
GROUNDING RESISTOR
THERMAL LIMIT iron core.
10
Detailed analysis or estimation of the normal zero sequence
current may not be as critical as originally thought. In the
TIME
IN
example in this paper, the criterion for minimum pick-up value
SECONI: was established by current contribution to an up-stream ground
fault, rather than normal (nonfault) current.
1

I
I
REFERENCES

i
[ l ] IEEE Guide for AC Motor Protection, ANSILEEE Standard C37.96,
par. 2.4.5.2, 1988.
SWITCH.
SURGE 1 [2] IEEE Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Indus-
trial and Commercial Power Systems, IEEE Standard 242, par. 9.3.6.2,
0.1
9.3.7.2, and 9.3.7.4., 1986.
[3] Standard Requirements for Instrument Transformers, ANSInEEE
FOR BUS 1;
C57.13, 1978.
[4] IEEE Recommended Practice for Industrial and Commercial Power
FAULT
System Analysis, IEEE Standard 399, Tables 28 and 30. 1990.
400 A

0.01
.5 1 10 100
CURRENT IN AMPERES
Fig. 3 . Zero sequence relay coordination curves
sources of nonfault relay current include current transformer
error, harmonics, and unbalanced currents through impedances
to ground, especially capacitances.
The core balance-connected ground fault relay can be an
instantaneous type, or a time-delay type of the short time or
extremely inverse characteristic. Any of these characteristics
can provide adequate protection in accordance with the exist-
ing standards. The instantaneous characteristic worked well for
the example used in this paper. No reasons were discovered
why any time delay beyond that provided by an instantaneous
relay would ever be needed for this application on a motor
branch circuit. The CT and 50GS relay should be selected and
coordinated to protect 90% of the motor stator winding. The
relay should not trip for normal or transient currents, nor for
CT error, and it should coordinate with other relays for all
fault conditions.
1000
Billy Breitkreutz (M'76-M'92) was bom in Mart,
TX, on September 20, 1950. He received the B.S.
degree in electrical engineering, cum luude, in 1973
and the M.S.E.E.degree in 1975 from the University
of Houston.
He worked for 2 years at Houston Lighting &
Power Company and for 8 years at Brown & Root.
He is currently with Fluor Daniel in Sugar Land,
TX, where he has 11 years of experience.
Amy Frere (M'90) was bom in Dallas, TX, on
August 31, 1962. She received the B.S. degree in
engineering from Texas A&M University in 1986.
She worked for a major electrical manufacturer
for two years, Hawker Siddley Power Engineering
for two years, and at GE as an application engineer
and account manager for the past six years.
Ms. Frere is one of the co-founders of the IEEE
PCIC Young Engineers Subcommittee, and will
serve as chairman of the subcommittee at the 1995
and 1996 PCIC Conventions. She has also been
nominated to the PCIC Who's Who.