Earth fault protection for RAERA

isolated neutral systems

1MRK 509 017-BEN
with frequency converters Page 1
Issued June 1999
Changed since July 1998
Data subject to change without notice

(SE970891)

Features • Earth fault and flash-over functions in the • Can be connected either to the neutral
same relay package point of the system or to the phases
• Operates for earth fault resistances less • Two variants; one for system voltages
than 5 kohm within 380-500 V and one for 380-660 V
• Operates for flash-overs in the source • Trip relay included
transformer
• Flag for indicating flash-over operation
• Operation not affected by harmonics or
• Test switch included
capacitances to earth

Application RAERA is used for supervision of isolated Operation is obtained, after 5-10 seconds,
neutral systems with frequency converters. when the resistance to earth measures 5 kohm
RAERA operates for earth faults within the or lower. Filter-circuits are used to attenuate
entire regulated frequency range. Not even the influence of the ac voltages and capaci-
the high harmonics, caused by the frequency tances to earth.
converter and which are capacitively earthed,
3
affect the operation of RAERA. The harmon- ~
M
ics are especially high when the frequency ~ ~
converter is pulse-width-modulated (PWM).
4
Conventional earth fault relays that measure ~
M
the neutral point voltage are therefore not –
–
suitable for use on such systems. 6
500

The RAERA will cope the conditions typi-

cally found on systems having PWM fre- 1
RAERA 2
(96000134)

quency converters. The relay can also be R <

applied on systems with ac/dc-converters and
low frequency induction stirrers. For earth
fault operation RAERA injects a dc voltage
onto the system and then measures the direct
current which arises during earth faults.
1 Neutral point equipment
2 RAERA earth fault/flash-over relay
3 Frequency PWM converter
4 Ac/dc converter
Fig. 1 Principle application of RAERA
 Earth fault protection for isolated neutral RAERA
systems with frequency converters 1MRK 509 017-BEN
Page 2

Application (cont’d) The flash-over protection operates in less
than 100 ms for a flash-over between the pri-
mary and secondary side of the source trans-
former.
For application on systems without an avail-
able neutral point, RAERA is connected to
the phases via supervised fuses. To systems
with a neutral point available, RAERA is
connected via neutral point equipment.
For connection to a system with a neutral
point either variant can be used along with
the neutral point equipment. If RAERA vari-
ant 2 is used the three inputs should, in this
voltage dependent resistor to earth, thus
avoiding incorrect earth fault current measur-
ing. The neutral-point equipment also con-
tains a resettable fuse and a resistor. The
resistor limits the fault current to values
which the fuse is capable of interrupting. To
reduce humidity, a radiator with a thermostat
is included.
~ –
U
M
– ~
U

(96000135)
case, be connected in parallel. R <

For connection to the phases in a system

without a neutral point the RAERA variant
for 380-660 V is used. Each phase should be
Fig. 2 Principle connection of RAERA,
connected to a fuse mounted less than 0,5 m variant 1 and 2
from the connection point. The fuses may be
omitted if RAERA is mounted closer than
0,5 m to the connection point or if the hous-
ing for the wire is fireproof.
U
The neutral point equipment has a voltage
dependent resistor connected in series with a
spark-gap. If a flash-over occurs in the trans-
former, the resistor limits the voltage to
approx. 2000 V, provided the supplying sys- R <

(96000136)
tem limits the current to 25 A.

When an earth fault occurs the injected cur-

rent flows entirely through the earth fault.
Fig. 3 Principle connection of RAERA,
The spark-gap prevents current flow via the variant 2
 Earth fault protection for isolated neutral RAERA
systems with frequency converters 1MRK 509 017-BEN
Page 3

Design Two variants of the RAERA relay are avail- Variant 1 is a 4U 30C assembly and has a test
able. switch. Variant 2 is without the test switch
and assembled on an insulating plate. Power
Variant 1 is intended for system voltages resistors are included to provide an artificial
between 380 and 500 V. Variant 2 is intended neutral point.
for system voltages between 380 and 660 V.
RAERA consists of a supply unit, RXTUE 4,
a measuring unit, RXNAF 4, and an RXMA 1
medium-duty output relay with two change-
over contacts and an RXME 18 heavy-duty
output relay with a red flag and two make
contacts. The RSMA 1 operates for earth
faults and the RXME 18 operates for and
indicates flash-over.

RAERA has different terminals for auxiliary

voltages 110-120 V and 220-240 V. The aux-
iliary voltage is transformed and rectified into
two voltages; one for injecting a dc voltage to
the network and one for supplying a voltage
to the measuring circuit. Both voltages are
stabilized and input resistors provide the relay
with a constant and high input impedance. A
level detector with a fixed operate value is
used for earth faults and an adjustable level
detector for flash-over. (SE822225)

Fig. 4 RAERA variant 2

 Earth fault protection for isolated neutral RAERA
systems with frequency converters 1MRK 509 017-BEN
Page 4

Technical data
Rated voltage, Ur
variant 1 380-500 V, 50-60 Hz
variant 2 380-660 V, 50-60 Hz
Operate value:
Earth fault, R< 5-10 kohm at ac (0,5-150 Hz)
5-220 kohm at dc, fixed value1)
Flash-over, U> 300-900 V, 50-60 Hz adjustable
Graduation error (% of highest setting) < 3%
Reset ratio:
Earth fault < 200%
Flash-over > 70%
Operate time:
Earth fault 5-10 s
Flash-over 70 ms at 2 × set value
Indicator at flash-over Flag
Permitted earth leakage capacitance 10 µF/phase
Overload capacity
Continuously 550/2000 V, variant 1
1s 750/5000 V, variant 2
Overload capacity for the neutral point
equipment 25 A during 0,5 s
Input impedance 15 kohm resistive
Permitted ambient temperature -20 to +55°C
Auxiliary voltage 110-120/220-240 V 50-60 Hz, reconnectable
Permitted auxiliary voltage deviation -20% to +10%
Power consumption in auxiliary voltage
circuit <10 VA
Dimension/weight:
variant 1 4U 30C/3,6 kg
variant 2 Height 420 mm
Width 248 mm/8 kg
Insulation tests:
Dielectric tests
variant 1 50 Hz, 2,0 kV, 1 min
variant 2 50 Hz, 5,0 kV, 1 min
Impulse voltage test 1,2/50 µs, 5,0 kV, 0,5 J
Disturbance tests:
Power frequency test 50 Hz, 0,5 kV, 2 min
Fast transient test 4-8 kV, 2 min
1 MHz burst test 2,5 kV, 2 s
Interruptions in auxiliary voltage 2-500 ms
operation is not interrupted at interruptions in auxiliary
voltage <100 ms
Contact data see 1MRK 508 015-BEN (RXMA and RXME)

1
) The operate value is influenced by the earth fault dc potential to earth according to the formula:
40 + U FN
R ≈  -------------------------- – 15 [kohm]
 1, 8 

where:
R = The operate value
UFN = The dc voltage between the fault point and the neutral point
 Earth fault protection for isolated neutral RAERA
systems with frequency converters 1MRK 509 017-BEN
Page 5

Diagrams

30C

5) 101 107 119 125

7423 046-AA RAERA

R 101 U 4S
9A 325
12A

1) 101

17A 101 RTXP 18

2) 107 RXTUE 4
325:27 Ur 119 RXNAF 2H
3)
125 RXMA 1
125:25
4) 325 RXME 18
107:314
107:315

107:313
18A
101

3A

1A
2A

1) TRIP, FLASH-OVER
2) TRIP, EARTH FAULT
3) ALARM, FLASH-OVER
4) ALARM, EARTH FAULT
U2=220-240V, 50-60Hz 5) NEUTRAL POINT EQUIPMENT
+ + + -
U1=110-120V, 50-60Hz
0V

Fig. 5 Terminal diagram No. 7423 046-AAA, variant 1

ø9( 2x )
L1(R)
L2(S)
L3(T)

R5 R2 1)
X1
1 2 2 1 X1
1 R5 R2 1
K1 R6 R3
2
7423 046-DA RAERA 1 2 1 2 2 3
R R7 R4 4
R6 R3
113:112 1 2 1 2 3 oo ø7( 2x )
101:225 4 X2,X3
X2 R7 R4
420

5 119:15
oo
378

6 319:17 K1
7 119:25
178

8 319:27
101:315
101:314
101:313
319:26

319:16
119:26

119:16

34
X2

X3
4
3
2
1

3
2
1

20

24 216
U2 = 50-60 Hz 220-240 V 248
1) CONNECTION WIRES WITH
+ + + +
U1 = 50-60 Hz 110-120 V 5 kV DIELECTRIC TEST VOLTAGE
0 K1 RAERA
R2-R7 RESISTOR
X1 TERMINAL
X2,X3 RTXG 8-1

Fig. 6 Circuit diagram No. 7423 049-AA, variant 2

 Earth fault protection for isolated neutral RAERA
systems with frequency converters 1MRK 509 017-BEN
Page 6

Ordering Specify: Mounting:

• Quantity
• Ordering No.
- RK 667 005-AB, variant 1
- RK 667 006-AB, variant 2
- SA 133 001-A, neutral point equipment
(to be ordered from ABB Distribution)
• Desired wording on the lower half of the
test switch face plate max. 13 lines with 14
characters per line.
• RAERA, variant 1 is provided on 30C
apparatus bars.
When additional mounting is required specify
a 4U equipment frame for 19” rack mounting
or type RHGX case for panel mounting.
RAERA, variant 2 is provided on an insu-
lating plate for panel mounting or cubicle
mounting.
See under Case dimensions and mounting
instructions.

Sample Earth fault/Flash-over relay with or without Two output relays, one for earth fault and one
specification neutral point equipment. The relay shall oper- for flash-over operation shall be included.
ate after 5-10 seconds for an earth fault, reset
ratio shall be < 200%. It shall operate in less The relay shall be suitable for 19” rack
than 100 ms for a flash-over, reset ratio shall mounting and provided with a test-switch for
be > 70%. It shall be unaffected by main secondary injection testing.
frequency-, converter-, and harmonic volt-
ages transferred to the relay via system capa-
citance to earth.

References Auxiliary relay, RXMA 1MRK 508 015-BEN

Auxiliary relay, RXME 18 1MRK 508 015-BEN

Test system COMBITEST 1MRK 512 001-BEN

Dimensions 1MRK 514 004-BEN

Description RK 667-301 E

Manufacturer ABB Automation Products AB

Substation Automation Division
SE-721 59 Västerås
Sweden
Tel: +46 (0) 21 34 20 00
Fax: +46 (0) 21 14 69 18