Phase Distance Relay – Zone 2

The zone 2 reach is set to protect the remainder of the line left unprotected by the zone 1
setting and provide an adequate margin. To coordinate with the relays at the remote bus,
time delays of 20-30 cycles are typically added to zone 2 settings, though times may vary
depending on the circumstances.

Two-terminal line

The zone 2 reach can be set in one of the following two ways.
(1) Set 150% of the line impedance, ZL.
This method is most applicable if the remote and protected lines are similar in
length or if the protected line is short compared to the remote lines.
(2) Set 100% of the protected line plus 50% of the shortest remote line.
This method is especially suitable if the remote line is significantly shorter than
the protected line.

In either case, the calculated reach needs to be checked to ensure that it does not reach
beyond the zone 1 setting of the next line section, Zone1setting. If crossfeed is possible,
then the setting is said to overreach if it is greater than

0.8 * [ZL + (Itotal / Irelay) * Zone1setting].

One should use the benefit of crossfeed in figuring the zone 2 reach. If pilot protection
exists on the line to be backed up, then determine the reach with all sources in. If there is
no pilot protection on the line to be backed up, then the reach is to be determined with the
strongest source out of service (i.e., the line which produces the strongest infeed current).
By doing this, one contingency is taken in determining the distance setting.

If there is not the possibility of crossfeed, then the setting is said to overreach if it is
greater than
0.8 * (ZL + Zone1setting)
or
ZL + 0.5 * (ZL of next line section),

whichever is larger. If the zone 2 setting overreaches, it can be reduced, but the
minimum setting is 125% of the line impedance, ZL. If the zone 2 setting is set at its
minimum and still overreaches, increase the zone 2 reach back to the originally desired
setting and increase the time delay to 40-60 cycles to coordinate with the remote zone 2
setting.

In the special case where a transformer is part of the line, as shown in Figure 1, set the
zone 2 reach for the relay at A to 100% of (ZTR + ZL) plus 50% of the shortest remote
line. A minimum setting should be 125% of the protected line (including the
transformer). Set the zone 2 reach for the relay at B to 100% of ZL plus 80% of ZTR.
Transformer-tapped line

If there is an active transformer tapped on the line as shown in Figure 2, use crossfeed
and calculate Zapparent as seen at A for both system normal and stub faults to B. The zone
2 reach should be set 150% of the larger with a 20 to 30-cycle time delay, provided that it
sees no further than 80% into the transformer with crossfeed from the other terminal and
does not see beyond the zone 1 setting of the next line section. The setting can be
reduced, but it should not be less than 125% of the larger.

Check that the zone 2 reach does not see low-side faults at the tapped station stub from
the high side with crossfeed from the other terminal. If this cannot be done, the setting
should be checked so that for a φ-φ fault at the end of the apparent zone 2, Zapparent, the
relays at A or B hold in long enough to give the tapped station overloads an opportunity
to operate.

If a fuse protects a tapped transformer, check the total clearing time of the fuse and adjust
the zone 2 time delay to allow the fuse to blow before the relay picks up.

Three-terminal line

Calculate both system normal and stub faults to each terminal with crossfeed from the
other terminal. Set the zone 2 reach to 150% of the larger and check that it does not
overreach the zone 1 setting of the next line section without crossfeed from the third
terminal. The setting can be reduced, but it should not be less than 125% of the larger. If
this still cannot be done, increase the time delay to 40-60 cycles.

Phase Distance Relay – Zone 3

Zone 3 settings can serve more than one purpose. Page 42 of IEEE Standard C37.113-
1999, IEEE Guide for Protective Relay Applications to Transmission Lines, includes the
following description of zone 3 settings.

"Even though the transmission line is fully protected with Zone 1 and Zone 2 relays, a
third forward-reaching zone is often employed. This Zone 3 is applied as backup for
Zone 2 and may be applied as remote backup for relay or station failures at the remote
terminal. This relay must be time delayed to coordinate with the remote Zone 1 and Zone
2 relays. Sometimes it is necessary to coordinate the Zone 3 relay with overcurrent relays
on tapped distribution load. The relay should detect any fault for which it is expected to
provide backup and not limit the load carrying capability of the line. The setting of the
Zone 3 relay ideally will cover (with adequate margin and with consideration for infeed,
if required) the protected line, plus all of the longest line leaving the remote station."
In working toward the goals described above, the following are guidelines for setting
zone 3 reaches.

Calculate the zone 3 reach based on the following two scenarios.

(1) If remote breaker failure protection is desired (e.g., protecting for a remote
middle breaker’s failure when the line terminates into a breaker-and-a-half
scheme), calculate a proposed zone 3 reach of 110% of the sum of the protected
line and remote line impedances. Refer to Figure 4. For a relay at A that needs
to protect for a breaker failure of CB B, calculate the reach to be:

(zone 3 reach)proposed #1 = (1.10) * (ZL1 + ZL2)

If there is an active transformer tapped on line A-B, crossfeed must be taken into account.
If this results in a setting that inhibits load, calculate the pickup on the directional
overcurrent relays at the tapped station for the same faults. If these relays have at least
two times pickup, accept sequential clearing and set 110% of the total line impedance
without crossfeed.

Also, calculate a second proposed zone 3 reach of 200% of the protected line’s
impedance.
(zone 3 reach)proposed #2 = 2.00 * ZL1

Choose the larger of (zone 3 reach)proposed #1 and (zone 3 reach)proposed #2 for the setting.
Keep in mind that the setting that is chosen might need to be reduced after checking to
see if the zone 3 reach inhibits load.

(2) If remote breaker failure protection is not a concern (e.g., for a non- breaker-and-
a-half scheme), set the zone 3 reach to 200% of the protected line’s impedance.
(zone 3 reach) = 2.00 * ZL1

If there is an active transformer tapped on line A-B, crossfeed must be taken into account.

Figure 4 – Remote breaker failure protection

Set the zone 3 reach with a 60-cycle time delay, provided that it does not reach beyond
any zone 2 setting of the remote station’s line sections. Consider overreach to be as
defined in the “Distance Relay – Zone 2” section discussed earlier.

If the setting has to be reduced, it should not be lower than 150% of ZL1 if the relay is
providing only backup protection nor lower than 175% of ZL1 if the relay is providing
both backup and pilot protection.

If the setting still overreaches, the zone 2 setting of the next line section can be increased
(while still meeting the zone 2 guidelines) so that the zone 3 does not overreach. If the
setting still overreaches, it can be set to 200% of ZL1 with a 90 to 120-cycle time delay.

Checking zone 3 setting versus load

After the reach has been chosen, check that the reach does not limit the load carrying
capability of the line. The amount of margin above the rating of the line’s limiting device
depends on the voltage level of the line being protected. Consult the Transmission
Planning Department to determine the limiting device. Examples of the limiting device
might be the conductor, wave trap, switch, risers, transformer, circuit breaker, or the relay
itself. Calculate the loadability of the line (in MVA) at 1.0 per unit voltage and a 30-
degree load angle (power factor = 0.866). The line loadability, S, for a given reach in
secondary ohms is given by the following equation:

S = [(kV)2 * CTR] / [Zsec * PTR * cos (θ - ϕ)], where

S = loadability = √3 * kV * IL [MVA]
kV = nominal line-line voltage [kilovolts]
IL = line current [kA]
CTR = current transformer ratio
PTR = potential transformer ratio
Zsec = secondary impedance [Ω]
θ = relay maximum torque angle (set to angle of line impedance)
ϕ = load angle (set to 30° for a power factor of 0.866)

An attempt should be made to set the reach above the rating of the limiting device by a
certain margin. At present, the margin is 50% at 0.85 per unit voltage. If information is
available that shows a lower MVA can be used (e.g., limited transfer capability), the
lower MVA should be used. If the carrier and backup settings present a load limitation
and/or coordination problem, either the carrier or backup setting (but not both) can be
modified so it does not provide for breaker failure. Some things that the engineer can try
if adequate margin is still an issue include the following.
If a digital relay is used, utilize a lens-shape impedance curve, blinders, or a load
encroachment function in the relay to inhibit undesired tripping on load.
ƒ Install transfer trip equipment.
ƒ Identify to Transmission Operations why the zone 3 reach must be set as it is
and note any load limitations.

Transformer-tapped line

Referring to Figure 2, calculate Zapparent for the same faults as the zone 2 setting
calculation. Set the zone 3 reach to be 200% of the larger Zapparent. It should not be lower
than 150% of the larger of the two if the relay is providing only backup protection nor
lower than 175% if the relay is providing both backup and pilot protection. Perform the
same checks as with the zone 2 settings with regard to coordinating with the tapped
station overloads.

Three-terminal line

Calculate Zapparent for both system normal and stub faults to the other two terminals. Set
the zone 3 reach to be 200% of the larger and check that it does not reach beyond the
zone 2 setting of the next line section. The setting can be reduced, but it should not be
lower than 150% of the larger if it is providing only backup protection nor lower than
175% if it is providing both backup and pilot protection.

Ground Distance Zones

Ground distance zone protection is an available feature in digital relays that was seldom
used when electromechanical relays were the prevalent means of protection. Ground
distance protection poses certain problems that are not seen with phase distance
protection.

As is the case with ground overcurrent protection, mutual coupling can significantly
affect ground distance protection zones. This mutual coupling could cause overreach on
the part of the ground distance elements unless the reach is pulled back. For this reason,
set the ground distance zone 1 reach between 50% and 80% of the positive sequence line
impedance, ZL. The reach should be closer toward the low end of this range with the
more mutual coupling that exists on the line. The zone 1 setting is an instantaneous
setting.

For the ground distance zone 2 reach, set the reach to 110% of the positive sequence line
impedance, ZL. Set the zone 2 reach with a time delay of 20-40 cycles. Coordination
with ground time overcurrent relays on lines past the remote bus is not a concern if the
zone 2 reach is set short as described above. However, longer zone 2 reaches require the
engineer to check coordination with remote ground time overcurrent relays.

Part II. – Protection with distance relay schemes only (no overcurrent protection
available)

When overcurrent protection is not available, three phase distance zones and three ground
distance zones are used. The phase distance zones are set in the same manner as
described in Part I of this section.

In determining the ground distance reaches, mutual coupling and crossfeed can have a
significant effect. Mutual coupling could cause overreach on the part of the ground
distance elements unless the reach is pulled back. For this reason, set the ground distance
zone 1 reach between 50% and 80% of the positive sequence line impedance, ZL. The
reach should be closer toward the low end of this range with the more mutual coupling
that exists on the line. The zone 1 setting is an instantaneous setting.

DCB Schemes

Directional Comparison Blocking schemes normally use directional distance fault

detectors for phase faults with directional overcurrent and/or directional distance fault
detectors for ground faults. At each terminal, the phase and ground tripping elements
must be forward directional and set to overreach the remote terminal. The reverse
blocking elements should be reverse directional, with the exception of the ground
overcurrent-blocking element, which can be non-directional. The blocking elements
must reach farther, or be set more sensitively, than the corresponding tripping elements at
the remote terminal.

Phase Directional Distance tripping elements:

On an untapped line, set 2ZL. If the setting has to be reduced, it should not be lower
than l.75ZL.

If there is an active transformer tapped on the line, calculate Zapparent for S/N and
stub faults to the remote terminal. Set 200% of the larger. If the setting has to be
reduced, it should not be lower than l.75Zapparent.

For a 3-Terminal line, calculate Zapparent for S/N and stub faults to each terminal
with crossfeed from the other terminal. Set 200% of the larger. If the setting has to
be reduced, it should not be lower than l.75Zapparent.

Remote Breaker Failure Protection: Set at least 110% of the total line impedance
for a breaker failure at the remote terminal. Consider the Phase tripping relay in the
 figure below. For the fault shown, set at least 1.1(ZL1+ZL2) to protect for a failure
of CB C. If there is an active transformer tapped on line A-C, crossfeed must be
taken into account. If this results in a setting that may operate on load, consider the
use of Load Encroachment for the relay at A.

ZL1 ZL2

A B

Phase
Tripping Element

C1 C C2

STATION C
Figure 1

Phase Directional Distance blocking elements (carrier start):

Once the carrier trip distance relay setting has been chosen, the reach of the carrier
start relay can be set. Again, consider the configuration above. Set the carrier start
relay at C

1.7(Carr trip @ A) - ZL1 as a minimum

If the first contingency results in a load that causes the relay to continuously
transmit carrier, the setting can be reduced. It should, however, never be less than

1.25(Carr trip @ A)- ZL1

 X

A B

Figure 2