STUDY OF SUPERVISING AND MONITORING OF

NUMERICAL RELAYS

B-TECH SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Bachelor of

Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

BY
REDDEPPAGARI KHETHAN - B160308EE

Under the guidance of

DR PAUL K JOSEPH
PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CALICUT
NIT CAMPUS P.O, CALICUT- 673601, INDIA
APRIL 2019
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “STUDY OF SUPERVISING AND MONITORING OF
NUMERICAL RELAYS” is a bonafide record of the seminar done by REDDEPPAGARI
KHETHAN (Roll. No B160308EE), under my supervision and guidance, in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the award of Degree of Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics
Engineering from National Institute of Technology Calicut for the year 2020.

Dr Paul K Joseph
(Guide)
Professor
Dept of Electrical Engineering

Dr. Rijil Ramchand

Professor and Head
Dept of Electrical Engineering

Place - NIT CALICUT

Date - 27-01-2020
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We firstly thank and express our gratitude to our guide, Dr Paul K Joseph, EED, NIT Calicut, who
had been guiding us.

We are also grateful to Dr. Rigil Ramchand, Professor and Head, NIT Calicut, for his support and
encouragement.

We use this opportunity as a big milestone in our career development, We will strive to use gained
skills and knowledge in further in a best possible way. And we will glad to work under the guidance
of our beloved guide Dr Paul K Joseph.

REDDEPPAGARI KHETHAN
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….. i
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………………… ii
List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………………….. ii
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………. 0
2. Power System Protection Goals…………………………………………………………. 1
2.1 Feeder Protection……………………………………………………………………. 1
a. Overcurrent/Overload Protection…………………………………………………. 1
b. Earth Fault Protection……………………………………………………………. 1
2.2 Motor Protection………………………………………………………………….…. 1
2.2.1 Starting Protection…………………………………………………………… ..2
a. Locked Rotor or Excessive Start Time Protection…………………………. 2.
b. Number of Starts Protection………………………………………………….2
2.2.2 Protection During Running Condition………………………………………….2
a. Rotor Jam Protection…………………………………………………………2
b. Unbalance in Current……………………………………………………….. 2
c. Loss of Load…………………………………………………………………3

3. Numerical Relays……………………………………………………………………….4
3.1 Comparison of Numerical Relays with Other Relays………………………………4
3.2 Numerical Relays used in General………………………………………………… 5
4. Supervisory action of numerical relays………………………………………………... 7
4.1 Trip Circuit Supervision…………………………………………………………… 7
4.2 Current circuit supervision ………………………………………………………... 9
a. Using core-balanced current transformer………………………………………10
b. Star point connected to reference terminal…………………………………… 10
4.3 Fuse failure Supervision and loss of potential…………………………………… 10
5. Monitoring functions of numerical relays…………………………………………… 14
5.1 Monitoring in abb relion 615 series relay………………………………………. 14
 5.2 Monitored parameters: (found from navigation) …………………………………. 15
6. Breaker condition monitoring in abb re(x) 615 series relay…………………………... 20
7. References……………………………………………………………………………. 23

ABSTRACT

The main objective of power system protection is to ensure proper protection and
maintenance of power system during faults. That means isolate only the faulty network while
leaving the rest of the system still in operation. Various power system protection methods include
feeder protection, motor protection and protection under running condition. During fault condition,
CTs and PTs measure the abnormal values and sends signals to relays. Relays sense these abnormal
values and send output to the isolating devices (Circuit breakers and isolators). Initially
Electromechanical relays are used. Now they are replaced with Numerical relays owing to its
compact size, flexibility, multi-function, reliability, sensibility, speed etc. In Industry, continuous
operation is required. Hence it is necessary to monitor the functioning of control circuit. Three
supervisory methods include Trip circuit Supervision, Current circuit Supervision and Fuse failure
Supervision.

Monitoring is specified for the maintenance of power system automation. It monitors

sequence of records, status and condition of the system, maintenance information, relay settings
etc. The word monitoring is associated with data acquisition which is an overview of the system.
The acquisition system collects the data and stores the online data in the main database. Monitored
parameters include Circuit breaker control logic, Trip circuit logic, Breaker condition monitoring,
Time Synchronization, Communication protocols etc. Each logic includes several commands and
the values are monitored to ensure proper functioning of the power system. Breaker condition
monitoring in Numerical relays include Breaker contact travel time, Remaining life of the breaker,
Inrush current indicator, Gas circuit supervision, Voltage protection, Current protection etc.

i
 LIST OF FIGURES

1. Different Numerical relays used in RIL-DMD……………………………………. 5

2. Trip Circuit Supervision……………………………………………………………. 8
3. Current circuit Supervision……………………………………………………….... 9
4. VT fuses problem…………………………………………………………………. 12
5. Basic LOV to detect LOV on one or two phases…………………………………. 12
6. IEEE Codes for different relays in use……………………………………………. 13
7. Breaker condition monitoring in ABB RE(X) 615 SERIES RELAY………….…. 20
8. Inrush protection block in numerical relays………………………………………. 22

LIST OF TABLES

1. Comparison between different relays………………………………………………. 4

2. Current balancing conditions………………………………………………………. 10
3. Types of Voltage Transformer connection…………………………………………. 11
4. Basic quantities while supply is given………………………………………………14
5. Trip circuit control………………………………………………………………….. 16
6. CB Input commands………………………………………………………………... 16
7. CB output commands……………………………………………………………….. 16
8. For Disconnector status……………………………………………………………... 17
9. Condition monitoring and Supervision………………………………………………17
10. Programmable LEDs…………………………………………………………………17
11. Measurement of Recorded data……………………………………………………. 18
12. Breaker condition monitoring………………………………………………………..18
13. Monitoring for Voltage Protection………………………………………………….. 21
14. Monitoring for Current protection…………………………………………………. 22

ii
 1. INTRODUCTION

The main objective of power system protection is to ensure proper protection and
maintenance of power system during faults. That means isolate only the faulty network
while leaving the rest of the system still in operation. Various power system protection
methods include feeder protection, motor protection and protection under running
condition. During fault condition, CTs and PTs measure the abnormal values and sends
signals to relays. Relays sense these abnormal values and send output to the isolating
devices (Circuit breakers and isolators). Initially Electromechanical relays are used. Now
they are replaced with Numerical relays owing to its compact size, flexibility, multi-
function, reliability, sensibility, speed etc. In Industry, continuous operation is required.
Hence it is necessary to monitor the functioning of control circuit. Three supervisory
methods include Trip circuit Supervision, Current circuit Supervision and Fuse failure
Supervision.
Monitoring is specified for the maintenance of power system automation. It
monitors sequence of records, status and condition of the system, maintenance information,
relay settings etc. The word monitoring is associated with data acquisition which is an
overview of the system. The acquisition system collects the data and stores the online data
in the main database. Monitored parameters include Circuit breaker control logic, Trip
circuit logic, Breaker condition monitoring, Time Synchronization, Communication
protocols etc. Each logic includes several commands and the values are monitored to
ensure proper functioning of the power system. Breaker condition monitoring in Numerical
relays include Breaker contact travel time, Remaining life of the breaker, Inrush current
indicator, Gas circuit supervision, Voltage protection, Current protection etc.

-0-
 2. POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION GOALS

The objective of power system protection is to isolate only the faulty section from the healthy
network while the rest of the system is still in operation. Thus, protection schemes must apply
a pragmatic approach in clearing faults.

2.1 Feeder Protection

a. Overcurrent/Overload protection:

a.a. Overload protection requires Current Transformers which simply measures the current in a
circuit. There are two types of overload protection: Instantaneous Over Current (IOC) and
Time Over Current (TOC). Instantaneous Over Current requires that the current exceeds a
predetermined level for the circuit breaker to operate. Time Over Current protection operates
based on a current v/s time curve. Based on this curve, if the measured current exceeds a given
level for the predefined amount of time, the circuit breaker or fuse will operate.

b. Earth Fault protection:

Earth fault protection is of two types. They are Restricted earth fault protection and Standby
earth fault protection. Earth fault protection also requires Current transformers and senses an
imbalance in a three-phase circuit. Normally the three phase currents are in a balance, i.e.
roughly equal in magnitude. If one or two phases become connected to earth via a low
impedance path, their magnitudes will increase dramatically, as will current imbalance. If this
imbalance exceeds a pre-determined value, a circuit breaker should operate. Restricted earth
fault protection is a type of earth fault protection which looks for earth fault between two sets
of current transformers (hence restricted to that zone).

2.2 Motor Protection:

Motor protection is needed for four basic operations. They are Overcurrent protection, Earth
fault protection, starting protection and Protection during running condition.

1
2.2.1 Starting protection:

a. Locked rotor or excessive start time protection:

Using a typical locked-rotor current of six times the rated current and a locked-rotor resistance
of three times the normal running value: I^2R is approximately 6*6*3 or 108 times the normal
current. Consequently, an extreme temperature must be tolerated for a limited time to start the
motor.

To provide locked-rotor or failure-to-accelerate protection, the protective device must be set

to disconnect the motor before the stator insulation suffers thermal damage, or the rotor
conductors melt or suffer damage from repeated stress and deformation.

b. Number of starts protection:

m/n denotes that up to m cold starts per hour and n hot starts per hour are allowed. Excessive
on off can cause thermal built up.

2.2.2 Protection during running condition:

a. Rotor Jam protection:

This is also similar to locked rotor case. A typical value of operating time can be 2.5 times of
the rated current for 2 seconds. These protections are delayed protections. When the occurrence
of rotor jam is aperiodic and instantaneous, we neglect them (example: a motor driven pump
in a slurry process).

b. Unbalance in current:

Unbalance in current may occur due to inter-turn short, loose connection, broken conductor.
All these three cases lead to flow of negative phase sequence current and cause heating.

Typical setting for the negative phase sequence voltage protection is 5%. Typical setting for
the unbalance current protection is 20% of nominal current. Selective protection against
voltage and current unbalance accomplished by using 46 protection.

2
Negative-sequence voltage is most useful for detecting upstream open phases i.e. between the
Voltage measurement and the supply (selectivity not achieved) – 47 is mostly used as backup
protection or to give alarm.

c. Loss of load:

In process, if conveyor belt snaps there will be loss of load or a pump is being operated without
liquid, or undercurrent.

3
 3. NUMERICAL RELAYS

Numerical relays are advanced version for relays used in olden days. These relays consider
the values of electrical parameters and undergoes mathematical and logical analysis, if any
value crosses its limit, it activates the tripping signal.

3.1 Comparison of Numerical relays with other relays

Tab.1. Comparison between different relays

Points of Electromechanical Solid State Relays Numerical Relays

Comparison Relays
CT Burden High Low Low
Range of settings Limited Wide Very wide
Self-supervision No No Yes
and condition
monitoring
Metering and event No No Yes
archiving
Size Bulky Medium Compact
Multifunction No Limited Yes
Data No No Yes
communication and
remote operation

By contrast, an electromechanical protective relay converts the voltages and currents to magnetic
and electric forces and torques that press against spring tensions in the relay. The tension of the
spring and taps on the electromagnetic coils in the relay are the main processes by which the user
sets the relay.

In a solid-state relay, the incoming voltage and current wave-forms are monitored by analog
circuits, not recorded or digitized. The analog values are compared to settings made by the user
via potentiometers in the relay, and in some case, taps on transformers.

4
In some solid-state relays, a simple microprocessor does some of the relay logic, but the logic is
fixed and simple. For instance, in some time overcurrent solid state relays, the incoming AC
current is first converted into a small signal AC value, then the AC is fed into a rectifier and a filter
that converts the AC to a DC value proportionate to the AC waveform. An op-amp and comparator
are used to create a DC that rises when a trip point is reached. Then a relatively simple
microprocessor does a slow speed A/D conversion of the DC signal, integrates the results to create
the time-overcurrent curve response, and trips when the integration rises above a set-point. Though
this relay has a microprocessor, it lacks the attributes of a digital/numeric relay, and hence the term
“Microprocessor Relay” is not a clear term.

3.2 Numerical Relays used in general:

In RIL-DMD for protection of 33kv substation mainly Relion series 615 of ABB relays are used,
for 220kv substation, 670 series are used respectively. ABB relays are used predominantly.

Fig.1. Different Numerical relays used in RIL-DMD

5
 Other relays are:

a. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

b. SIEMENS
c. Easun Rayrolle

Rho 3 is comparatively cheaper and simpler smaller motor protection relay. It lacked the time
synchronization and serial communication facilities. Data acquisition is possible but optical fiber
to USB converter is required for that.

For overcurrent and earth fault protection SPAJ 140C is also used in feeders.

6
 4. SUPERVISORY ACTIONS OF NUMERICAL RELAY

Three different types of Supervisory functions are

a. Trip circuit Supervision

b. Current circuit Supervision
c. Fuse failure Supervision

In an industry, continuous operation is highly required, which in turn demands minimization of

false or unnecessary trips. That is why it is necessary to monitor the condition of the control circuit
which is responsible for activation of protective equipment. In general, the secondary circuit of
potential transformers and current transformers, if unhealthy, can provide wrong information to
the relays. Hence, we need current circuit supervision and fuse failure or Loss of Potential
supervision.

Again, in case the control circuit responsible for tripping is unhealthy, it might happen that the
relay can sense the abnormality in power system but can’t send output to the isolating devices (i.e.
circuit breakers). Hence to mitigate this, we need trip circuit supervision.

4.1 TRIP CIRCUIT SUPERVISION

The purpose of trip circuit is to check the health of the trip circuit.

The TCS will declare trip circuit unhealthy in the following cases.

a. Supply Failure
b. DC circuit fuse failure (no auxiliary supply)
c. Tripping coil connection is open or shorted.

In all the three cases, if the incomer is not tripped, the upstream might be tripped and that will
cause interruptions in power supply in other plants.

7
 Fig.2. Trip Circuit Supervision

When circuit breaker is closed. Then X is closed and Y is open. In that case current bypasses, the
TCS and energizes the coil. So internal resistor and external resistor are not simultaneously used.
One path is for Supervision when CB is closed and another path is for when the CB is open.

8
Also, addition of internal and external resistor is used to avoid energizing trip coil for a long time,
in case of holding the push button for a long time.

1. Both internal resistance and Trip Circuit Supervision coil should be in series, otherwise the
TCS will face total voltage when X is closed and Y is open.
2. There will be maximum voltage drop across the resistors and only 20V is connected across
the TCS coil enough to detect the health of that coil.
3. These are normally open parallel trip path. Which correspond to future trip, spare trips, and
other downstream trips. When these bypasses are closed the voltage across TCS coil is
zero. In that case, TCS flags trip circuit as “Unhealthy”.

4.2 CURRENT CIRCUIT SUPERVISION

Fig.3. Current circuit Supervision

9
 Tab.2 Current balancing conditions

Ia + Ib + Ic = Iref = 0 CT Secondary is healthy and system is balanced

Ia + Ib + Ic = Iref Under normal condition, unbalanced system
Ia + Ib + Ic ≠ Iref Current circuit is unhealthy

There are 2 ways to detect the health of secondary of CTs.

a. Using Core-Balanced current transformer

In that CBCT three phases are connected to the primary in a way that the resultant flux under
balanced condition would be zero. Under unbalanced (and healthy CT condition) the residual flux
would produce a reference current same to the vector sum of the line currents in three phases.

b. Star point connected to reference terminal

We can give three CT secondary to the inputs (i.e. A, B, C terminals in relay) and the reference
terminal would be shorting of three phases (star connected). This method is used when CBCT is
not available.

4.3 FUSE FAILURE SUPERVISION OR LOSS OF POTENTIAL

Incorrectly measuring one or more of the three-phase voltages by a protective relay may result in
erroneous trips (breaker operations) and/or clearing more of the power system than desired. A
common failure that causes incorrect voltage measurement is when one or more fuses protecting
the three-phase voltage transformer (VT) secondary circuit blow. Protective relays connected to
that secondary circuit would measure zero voltage if the secondary phases are isolated (only phase-
to-ground load connections) or some non-zero coupled value if there are phase- to-phase
connections in the secondary circuit. Conditions, other than blown fuses, may also occur where
one or more phase voltages are unintentionally removed from the protective relay. Operating in
this state of abnormal secondary voltage is referred to as “Loss-of-voltage” LOV/Loss of Potential
(LOP)/ fuse failure. LOV alarming and prompt voltage restoration is the best practice. Some
control of voltage dependent measuring units or relay system logic is generally required during the
LOV state.

10
PT connections:

Secondary voltage is typically the nominal three-phase voltage derived from the secondary circuit
of VTS connected in a four-wire grounded wye, a three-wire broken delta, or a three-wire open
delta arrangement. The VTS may or may not have dual protection-rated secondary circuits.

Tab.3 Types of Voltage Transformer connection

Sl. Types of Voltage Transformer Connection Application

No

Allows the measurement of

1 The open delta connection positive and negative sequence
voltages but cannot measure
Zero sequence voltage. This
limitation needs to be
considered when applying LOV
logic.

2 The broken delta connection Measure zero sequence voltage

for ground fault protection.

True fault condition:

Whenever there is a problem with the supply there will be considerable change in voltage and
current. For a fault in one phase, the phase voltage would be zero in faulty line and the current will
increase drastically. So dv/dt and di/dt both has significant values.

VT Secondary fuse failure or loose connection:

Suppose one of the secondary fuses is broken. In that phase voltage will be zero after experiencing
a short transient. But as long as the supply is healthy, the CT block of relay will show the normal
primary current value. So, in that case dv/dt will have a significant value and di/dt will be very
small.
11
 Fig.4 VT fuses problem

Positive sequence

Negative sequence

Fig.5 Basic LOV to detect LOV on one or two phases

12
Fig.6 IEEE Codes for different relays in use

13
 5. MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF NUMERICAL RELAYS

Monitoring is specified for the maintenance of the power system automation. It monitors sequence
of records, status and condition of the system, maintenance information and relay settings etc. The
information can help in fault analysis, what where when why it is happened. It is used to improve
the efficiency of the system.

The word monitoring in Data Acquisition means the overview of all the system. The acquisition
system will collect the data from the power system network and store the online data in the main
data base, and it will be monitored at the controller section on the HMI. As the acquisition system
is pre-programmed the decisions can be made by the system also where normally the controller
won’t have that information. So, the system monitoring will have the total view on the system
means the online system parameters, decisions taken by the system, time of system shutdown,
switch on relay trip fault location, type of fault, power drawn by the busbars etc. where using this
the controller can say that what the system is doing at any particular time while we have the perfect
command on the total system.

5.1 MONITORING IN ABB RELION 615 SERIES RELAY

Default values are Zero for all these quantities.

Tab.4 Basic quantities while supply is given

Parameters with units Details

II, 1-A Measure current amplitude for phase A
II, 2-A Measure current amplitude for phase B
II, 3-A Measure current amplitude for phase C
Io – A Measure residual current amplitude
Uo – KV Measured phase to phase voltage amplitude
U12 Measured phase to phase voltage amplitude
U23 Measured phase to phase voltage amplitude
U31 Measured phase to phase voltage amplitude

14
 f – Hz Measured frequency
S - MVA Total Apparent power
P – MWatt Total Active power
Q – MVAr Total reactive power
P.f Average power factor
PsSeq – A Measured positive sequence current
ZroSeq – A Measured zero sequence current
Ngseq – A Measured negative sequence current
Ngseq – KV Measured negative sequence voltage
PgSeq – KV Measured positive sequence voltage
ZroSeq – KV Measured zero sequence voltage

5.2 MONITORED PARAMETERS: (FOUND FROM NAVIGATION)

IED STATUS

A. Self-Supervision:
1. Warning (default status: all Ok)
2. Internal fault
3. Boot up time
B. Composition changes (Number of composition changes)
Default value = 0
C. Time Synchronization
1. Synch Source (Current time source) = Not defined
2. Synch Status (Time channel status) = Down
3. Synch accuracy: Number of significant bits in the fraction of seconds in the time,
accuracy part of the time stamp = 0
4. IEEE 1588: It shows grandmaster identity and grand master time source (Internal
Oscillator) and Grand master accuracy (clock accuracy according to PTPv2)

CONTROL COMMAND

A. Command Responses

15
 B. LR state

I/O STATUS

A. Trip logic: TRPPTRC1

B. Control

Tab.5. Trip circuit control

CBXCBR1 Circuit breaker control
DCSXSW11 Disconnector Status
SECRSYN1 Synchro check

For circuit breaker control:

1. Input

Tab.6 CB Input commands

ENA_OPEN False Enables opening

ENA_CLOSE False Enables closing
BLK_OPEN False Blocks opening
BLK_CLOSE False Blocks closing
ITL_BYPASS False Discards ENA_OPEN and
ENA_CLOSED interlocking when true

2. Output

Tab.7 CB Output commands

SELECTED False Object selected

EXE_OP False Executes the command for open direction
EXE_CL False Executes the command for close direction
OPENPOS False Apparatus open position

16
 CLOSEPOS False Apparatus close position
OKPOS False Apparatus position is OK
OPEN_ENAD False Opening is enabled based on input status
CLOSE_ENAD False Closing is enabled based on input status

3. Monitored data

Position: Apparatus position indication (default value intermediate)

Tab.8 For Disconnector status

Outputs Monitored data

OPEN_POS = true Position = open
Apparatus in open position
OKPOS = True, Position is Ok Position = open
CLOSE_POS = True, Apparatus in closed Position = open
position

Tab.9 Condition monitoring and Supervision

SSCBR1 CB Condition monitoring

TCSSCBR1/TCSSCBR2 Trip circuit supervision instance 1 and instance 2
SEQRFUF1 Fuse failure supervision

Tab.10 Programmable LEDs

LED Default Usage

1 Non-directional overcurrent protection operated
2 Directional earth-fault protection operated
3 Non-directional earth fault protection operated
4 Negative-sequence overcurrent or phase discontinuity protection operated
5 Thermal overload protection operated

17
 6 Circuit breaker failure protection backup protection operated
7 Disturbance record trigger
8 Circuit breaker condition monitoring alarm
9 Supervision alarm
10 Arc fault detected
11 Auto reclose in progress

RECORDED DATA

Tab.11 Measurement of Recorded data

CMMXU1 3 phase current measurement

RESCMMXU1 Residual current measurement
PEMMXU1 3 phase power and energy measurement

a. Fault record: Whenever supply is given to REF615, it records a fault.

Tab.12 Breaker condition monitoring

Input Output Monitored data

Block
(Block Input status)
Default value = false
POSOPEN
(Signal for open position of
apparatus from input/output)
= false
POSCLOSE = False
TRV_T_OP_ALM - False T_TRV_OP = 20 ms
CB open travel time exceeded Travel time of the CB during
set value opening operation
TRV_T_CL_ALM – True T_TRV_CL = 6000 ms
CB close travel time Travel time of the CB during
exceeded set value closing condition
SPR_CHR_ALM T_SPR_CHR = 0.00s
True Charging time of CB spring
Spring charging time exceeds
the value
OPR_ALM NO_OPR = 1
Number of operation cycles

18
(Signal for close position of
apparatus from input/output)
OPEN_CB_EXE and
CLOSE_CB_EXE
Signal for open command to
coil and close command to
coil respectively
PRES_ALM_IN = false
Binary Presser alarm input
PRES_LO_IN = false
Binary pressure input for lock exceeded alarm limit
out indication.
SPR_CHR_ST
CB spring charging started
input
SPR_CHR
CB spring charged input
RST_IPOW
Reset Input for CB remaining
life and operation counter
RST_TRV_T
Reset input for CB closing
and opening travel times
Number of CB operations
exceeded alarm limit
OPR_LO
Number of circuit breaker
operation exceeds lockout
limit
IPOW_ALM
False
Remaining life of CB
exceeded with limit
MON_ALM
CB has not operated for a
long-time alarm
CB_LIFE_ALM
False
Remaining life of CB
CB_LIFE_A = 4999
MON_ALM CB remaining life in phase A
CB has not operated for a CB_LIFE_C = 4999
long alarm CB remaining life in phase C
PRES_ALM CB_LIFE_B = 4999
Pressure below alarm level CB remaining life in phase B
PRES_LO
Pressure below Lock out
level
OPEN_POS
CB is in open position
INVALID_POS
CB is in invalid position (not INA DAYS = 2
positively open or close) The number of days CB has
CLOSE_ POS been inactive
19
RST_SPR_T CB is in close position
Reset input for the charging
time of the CB spring

6. BREAKER CONDITION MONITORING IN ABB RE(X) 615 SERIES RELAY

CIRCUIT
BREAKER
GAS
STATUS
PRESSURE
CIRCUIT
SUPERVISION
BREAKER
OPERATION
MONITORING

SPRING
CHARGED
INDICATION
REF615 BREAKER
CONTACT
TRAVEL TIME

REMAINING
LIFE OF THE
BREAKER ACCUMULATI
ON OF
Fig.6 Breaker Condition Monitoring
CURRENT
OPERATION EXPONENT
COUNTER OF OVER TIME
CB

Fig.7 Breaker condition monitoring in ABB RE(X) 615 SERIES RELAY

20
Circuit Breaker status: Open/close/intermediate

Circuit Breaker operation monitoring:

Used to indicate that the circuit breaker has not been operated for a long time (calculates the
number of days the circuit breaker has remained inactive.

Breaker contact Travel time:

High travelling time indicates the need for maintenance in CB mechanism. Travelling times are
calculated based on the states of changes of auxiliary contacts and additional correction factor to
consider the time difference of the main contact and the auxiliary contact’s position change.

Accumulation of current exponent over time ((I^y) t):

Calculates accumulated energy as summation of current to the power y, multiplied by time t, where
y is the current exponent which depends on the circuit breaker.

For OCB: y=2 for HV system, y = 1.4 to 1.5

Operation counter of CB:

Routine maintenance is based on a number of operations, when the number of operations exceeds
a threshold alarm can be set and it gives preventive maintenance. Also used to indicate requirement
for oil sampling and dielectric testing in case of an OCB.

Spring Charged Indication:

Monitors spring charging time of circuit breaker which increases with the aging.

Gas pressure supervision:

Gas pressure in arc chamber if falls, the CB will be locked.

MONITORING FOR PROTECTION FUNCTIONS:

Tab.13 Monitoring for Voltage Protection

PHPTUV1 3 phases under voltage Result

protection
Input: Block = false Output: Monitored data

21
 Operate = True
Start = True
Tab.14 Monitoring for Current protection
EFHPTOC1 Non-directional earth fault
protection (high)
EFLPTOC1 Non-directional earth fault
protection (low)
PHHPTOC1 Three phase non-directional
overcurrent (high)
PHLPTOC1 Three phase non-directional
overcurrent (low)
Inrush current detector
1. Calculates second harmonics
2. Operating time is 20 ms (at
least one cycle is required for
detection)
Voltage Protection
22
Start_Dur = 100.00%
Input:
Block (Block signal for deactivating the
block mode)
ENA_MULT (enable signal for current
multiplier) = false
Output: Operate = false; Start = false
Monitored data (Start duration =
START_DUR) Start duration is ratio of
starting time to operating time starting from
0.00%
Start value multiplier updated
1. Earth fault setting is such that
it should not operate during
inrush
2. PHXP protection sensitive
1. Block
2. Enable multiplier
3. Percentage start
(START_DUR function is important
for motor overload gradual
protection)
 Fig.8 Inrush current protection block in Numerical relays

7. REFERENCES

https://www.google.com/search?q=abb+numerical+relay&oq=ABB+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0
l6j69i61.2689j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://new.abb.com/medium-voltage/distribution-automation/numerical-relays/feeder-
protection-and-control/relion-for-medium-voltage/feeder-protection-and-control-ref615-iec

https://www.westfloridacomponents.com/blog/numerical-protection-relays/

http://www.idconline.com/technical_references/pdfs/electrical_engineering/Importance_of_n
umerical_protection_relay.pdf

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