12/16/13 ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

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ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

By Steven McFadyen (/users/steven) on March 22nd, 2012
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The widely used United Sates standard ANSI/IEEE C37.2 'Electrical Power System Device Function Numbers, Acronyms,
NOTES
and (HTTP://MYELECTRICAL.COM/NOTES)
Contact Designations' deals with protective device function numbering and acronyms. Even in those parts of the world
where IEC standards are predominate, the use of ANSI numbering for protective device functions is still common place.
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Cont ent s [hide]

1. Protective Device Numbers
TOOLS (HTTP://MYELECTRICAL.COM/TOOLS)
2. Prefixes and Suffixes
3. ANSI IEC Comparison
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Protective Device Numbers 2. Short Circuit - Grounding
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Protective relays are commonly referred to by standard device numbers. For example, a time overcurrent relay is designated 3. Selection of Live vs Dead tank CB
a 51 device, while an instantaneous overcurrent is a 50 device. Multifunction relays have combinations of device numbers. A (/questions/view/question/id/462)
27/59 device, for example, is a combination under/over voltage relay. Letters can be added to clarify application (87T for 4. Appropriate Cable Insulation
transformer differential, 59G for ground overvoltage). (/questions/view/question/id/461)
5. AC Current (/questions/view/question/id/459)
1 – Master Element
6. Machine Neutral to Earth Voltage
2 – Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay
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3 – Checking or Interlocking Relay
7. How major rectifer load?
4 – Master Contactor
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5 – Stopping Device
8. How to calculate electrical connected load.
6 – Starting Circuit Breaker
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7 – Rate of Change Relay
8 – Control Power Disconnecting Device more questions... (/questions)
9 – Reversing Device
10 – Unit Sequence Switch
11 – Multi-function Device
12 – Overspeed Device
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13 – Synchronous-speed Device
14 – Underspeed Device
15 – Speed – or Frequency, Matching Device Three Phase Current - Simple Calculation
16 – Data Communications Device (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/8/three-phase-
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17 – Shunting or Discharge Switch power-simple-calculations)
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18 – Accelerating or Decelerating Device
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19 – Starting to Running Transition Contactor Switchboard - Forms of Internal Separation
20 – Electrically Operated Valve (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/120/switchboard-
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21 – Distance Relay forms-of-internal-separation)
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22 – Equalizer Circuit Breaker
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23 – Temperature Control Device Motor Starting - Star Delta
24 – Volts Per Hertz Relay (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/83/motor-starting-
25 – Synchronizing or Synchronism-Check Device star-delta)
26 – Apparatus Thermal Device

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12/16/13 ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

27 – Undervoltage Relay Standard Cable & Wire Sizes

28 – Flame detector (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/166/standard-cable-
29 – Isolating Contactor or Switch wire-sizes)
30 – Annunciator Relay
31 – Separate Excitation Device Network Theory – Introduction and Review
32 – Directional Power Relay (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/179/network-theory-
33 – Position Switch introduction-and-review)
34 – Master Sequence Device
35 – Brush-Operating or Slip-Ring Short-Circuiting Device Restricted Earth Fault Protection
36 – Polarity or Polarizing Voltage Devices (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/150/restricted-earth-
37 – Undercurrent or Underpower Relay fault-protection)
38 – Bearing Protective Device
39 – Mechanical Condition Monitor Motor Starting - Auto-Transformer
40 – Field (over/under excitation) Relay (http://myelectrical.com/notes/entryid/85/motor-starting-
41 – Field Circuit Breaker auto-transformer)
42 – Running Circuit Breaker
43 – Manual Transfer or Selector Device
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44 – Unit Sequence Starting Relay
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45 – Abnormal Atmospheric Condition Monitor
direct-on-line)
46 – Reverse-phase or Phase-Balance Current Relay
47 – Phase-Sequence or Phase-Balance Voltage Relay
48 – Incomplete Sequence Relay more notes... (/notes)
49 – Machine or Transformer, Thermal Relay
50 – Instantaneous Overcurrent Relay
51 – AC Inverse Time Overcurrent Relay
52 – AC Circuit Breaker
53 – Exciter or DC Generator Relay
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54 – Turning Gear Engaging Device
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55 – Power Factor Relay
56 – Field Application Relay
57 – Short-Circuiting or Grounding Device
58 – Rectification Failure Relay
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59 – Overvoltage Relay
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60 – Voltage or Current Balance Relay
61 – Density Switch or Sensor
62 – Time-Delay Stopping or Opening Relay
63 – Pressure Switch
64 – Ground Detector Relay email address
65 – Governor
66 – Notching or Jogging Device
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67 – AC Directional Overcurrent Relay
68 – Blocking or "Out-of-Step" Relay
69 – Permissive Control Device
70 – Rheostat
71 – Liquid Level Switch
72 – DC Circuit Breaker
73 – Load-Resistor Contactor
74 – Alarm Relay
75 – Position Changing Mechanism
76 – DC Overcurrent Relay
77 – Telemetering Device
78 – Phase-Angle Measuring Relay
79 – AC Reclosing Relay
80 – Flow Switch
81 – Frequency Relay
82 – DC Reclosing Relay
83 – Automatic Selective Control or Transfer Relay
84 – Operating Mechanism
85 – Communications,Carrier or Pilot-Wire Relay
86 – Lockout Relay
87 – Differential Protective Relay
88 – Auxiliary Motor or Motor Generator
89 – Line Switch
90 – Regulating Device
91 – Voltage Directional Relay
92 – Voltage and Power Directional Relay
93 – Field Changing Contactor
94 – Tripping or Trip-Free Relay
95 to 99 – For specific applications where other numbers are not suitable

* for a full definition of each function, please refer to the ANSI/IEEE C37 .2 standard

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12/16/13 ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

Prefixes and Suffixes

Letters and numbers may be used as prefixes or suffixes to device function numbers to provide a more specific definition of
the function. Prefixes and suffixes should, however, be used only when they accomplish a useful purpose.

Auxiliary devices Main device

C - Closing relay/contactor A - Alarm/auxiliary power

CL - Auxiliary relay, closed AC - Alternating current
CS - Control switch AN - Anode
D - "Down" position switch relay B - Battery, blower, bus
L- Lowering relay BK - Brake
O - Opening relay/contactor BL - Block (valve)
OP - Auxiliary relay, open BP - Bypass
PB - Push button BT - Bus tie
R - Raising relay C - Capacitor, condenser, compensator, carrier
U - "UP" position switch relay current, case, compressor
X - Auxiliary relay CA - Cathode
Y - Auxiliary relay CH - Check (valve)
Z - Auxiliary relay D - Discharge (valve)
DC - Direct current
E - Exciter
Actuating quantities F - Feeder, field, filament, filter, fan
G - Generator/ground
A -Air/amperes/alternating H - Heater/housing
C - Current L - Line, logic
D - Direct/discharge M - Motor, metering
E - Electrolyte MOC - Mechanism operated contact
F - Frequency/flow/fault N - Network, neutral
GP - Gas pressure P - Pump, phase comparison
H - Explosive/harmonics R - Reactor, rectifier, room
I0 - Zero sequence current S - Synchronizing, secondary, strainer, sump
I-, I2 - Negative sequence current ,suction (valve)
I+, I1 - Positive sequence current T -Transformer, thyratron
J - Differential TH - Transformer (high-voltage side)
L - Level/liquid TL - Transformer (low-voltage side)
P - Power/pressure TM - Telemeter
PF - Power factor TOC - Truck-operated contacts
Q - Oil TT - Transformer (tertiary-voltage side)
S - Speed/suction/smoke U - Unit
T - Temperature
V - Voltage/volts/vacuum
VAR -Reactive power Main device parts
VB - Vibration
W - ater/watts BK - Brake
C - Coil, condenser, capacitor
CC - Closing coil, closing contactor
Other suffix letters HC - Holding coil
M - Operating motor
A - Accelerating, automatic MF - Fly-ball motor
B - Blocking, backup ML - Load-limit motor
BF - Breaker failure MS - Speed adjusting or synchronizing motor
C - Close, cold OC - Opening contactor
D - Decelerating, detonate, down, disengaged S - Solenoid
E - Emergency, engaged SI - Seal-in
F - Failure, forward T - Target
GP - General purpose TC Trip coil
H - Hot, high V - Valve
HIZ - High impedance fault
HR - Hand reset
HS - High speed Reference positions of devices
L - Left, local, low, lower, leading
M - Manual Adjusting means - Low or down position
O - Open, over Clutch - Disengaged position
OFF - Off Contactor - De-energized position
ON - On Contactor (latched-in type) - Main contacts open
P - Polarizing Density switch - Standard reference
R - Right, raise, reclosing, receiving, remote, Disconnecting switch - Main contacts open
reverse Flow detector - Lowest flow
S - Sending, swing Gate - Closed position
SHS - Semi-high speed Level detector - Lowest level

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12/16/13 ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

T - Test, trip, trailing Load-break switch - Main contacts open

TDC - Time-delay closing contact
TDDO - Time delayed relay coil drop-out
TDO - Time-delay opening contact
TDPU - Time delayed relay coil pickup
THD - Total harmonic distortion
U - Up, under
Power circuit breaker - Main contacts open
Power electrodes - Maximum gap position
Pressure switch - Lowest pressure
Reclosure - Main contactor open
Relay - De-energized position
Relay (latched-in type)
Rheostat - Maximum resistance position
Speed switch - Lowest speed
Tap changer - Center tap
Temperature relay - Lowest temperature
Turning gear - Disengaged position
Vacuum switch - Lowest pressure that is highest
vacuum
Valve - Closed position
Vibration detector - Minimum vibration

ANSI IEC Comparison

ANSI IEC 60617 Description

21FL FLOC Fault locator

21G Z< Underimpedance

24 U/f> Overexcitation

25 SYNC Synchronisation check

27 U< Undervoltage

32 P→ Directional power relay

32P, P→, - active power
32Q, Q→ - reactive powerpower

37 I< Non-directional undercurrent

40 X< Underexcitation

46 I2 > Negative-phase sequence

47 U2 > Phase-sequence voltage protection

48, 14, 66 Is²t,n< Start-up supervision for motors

49F Ith > Thermal protection for cables

49M/49G/49T Three-phase thermal protection for machines

M - motor, G - generators, T - transformer
(/Portals/0/filestorage/legacyImages/6648.49M.gif)

50N/51N I0 > Non-directional earth-fault

51 I> Non-directional overcurrent

51C, I> - shunt capacitors
51V, I(U)> - voltage dependant

59 U> Overvoltage
59N, U0> - residual overvoltage

67 I>→ Directional overcurrent

67N, I0>→ - directional earth-fault

68 I2 > Transformer/motor inrush current

79 0→1 Auto-reclosure

81 f Frequency relay
81N, f< - underfrquency
81O, f> - overfrequency

87 ΔI> Differential protection

87G, ΔI> - generator
87M, ΔI> - motor
87T, ΔI> - transformer
87N, ΔI0 > - restricted earth fault
Notes:
1. for high set and instantaneous tripping, '>' can be replaced with '>>' or '>>'
2. '3' can be placed before designations to indicate three phase, i.e. 3I<

Protective Devices (http://myelectrical.com/notes?tag=protective+devices), ANSI

(http://myelectrical.com/notes/tag/ansi), IEEE (http://myelectrical.com/notes/tag/ieee)

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12/16/13 ANSI (IEEE) Protective Device Numbering

(/steven)

Steven McFadyen (/users/steven)

Steven has over twenty five years experience work ing on some of the largest construction projects. He has a deep
technical understanding of electrical engineering and is k een to share this k nowledge.

About the author

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ALSO ON MYELECTRICAL.COM WHA T ' S T HI S ?

Earth Electrode Resistance DC Component of Asymmetrical Faults

2 comments • 12 days ago 3 comments • 12 days ago
S t even Mc Fady en — Point taken for wye, or TN mik e — Thank you, I erroneoulsy added A to
type distribution systems. However, there are SQRT(2) times 0.707 or nearly 1.0 thus
power distribution and industrial system … doubling the magnitude.

Su b s cri b e Ad d D i s q u s to yo u r s i te

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