What are Relays?

 Relays are electrical

switches that open or close
another circuit under
certain conditions.
Relay Purpose
 Isolate controlling circuit from controlled circuit.
 Control high voltage system with low voltage.
 Control high current system with low current.
 Logic Functions
Relay Types
 Electromagnetic Relays (EMRs)
 EMRs consist of an input coil that's wound to accept a
particular voltage signal, plus a set of one or more
contacts that rely on an armature (or lever) activated
by the energized coil to open or close an electrical
circuit.
 Solid-state Relays (SSRs)
 SSRs use semiconductor output instead of mechanical
contacts to switch the circuit. The output device is
optically-coupled to an LED light source inside the
relay. The relay is turned on by energizing this LED,
usually with low-voltage DC power.
 Microprocessor Based Relays
 Use microprocessor for switching mechanism.
Commonly used in power system monitoring and
protection.
How a Relay Works
Sold-State Relay
Advantages/Disadvantages
 Electromagnetic Relays (EMRs)
 Simplicity
 Not expensive

 Mechanical Wear
 Solid-state Relays (SSRs)
 No Mechanical movements

 Faster than EMR

 No sparking between contacts

 Microprocessor-based Relay
 Much higher precision and more reliable and durable.
 Improve the reliability and power quality of electrical
power systems before, during and after faults occur.
 Capable of both digital and analog I/O.
 Higher cost
Why A System Needs Protection?

 There is no ‘fault free’ system.

 It is neither practical nor economical to
build a ‘fault free’ system.
 Electrical system shall tolerate certain
degree of faults.
 Usually faults are caused by breakdown of
insulation due to various reasons: system
aging, lighting, etc.
Electrical Faults

 majority are phase-to-ground faults

 phase-to-phase
 phase-phase-phase
 double-phase-to-ground
Advantages for Using Protective
Relays

 Detect system failures when they occur

and isolate the faulted section from the
remaining of the system.

 Mitigating the effects of failures after they

occur. Minimize risk of fire, danger to
personal and other high voltage systems.
Protective Devices Comparison
Relays Circuit Breakers Fuses

 Acquisition Activation Actuation

 Detection
Protective Devices Comparison
Circuit Breakers V.S. Relays
 Relays are like human brain; circuit
breakers are like human muscle.
 Relays ‘make decisions’ based on settings.
 Relays send signals to circuit breakers.
Based the sending signals circuit breakers
will open/close.
Protective Devices Comparison
Fuses V.S. Relays
 Relays have different settings and can be
set based on protection requirements.
 Relays can be reset.
 Fuses only have one specific characteristic
for a individual type.
 Fuses cannot be reset but replaced if they
blow.
Protection and Relay Schemes

 Motor Protection
 Transformer Protection
 Generator Protection
Motor Protection

 Timed Overload
 Locked Rotor
 Single Phase and Phase Unbalance
 Other
Motor Protection
Timed Overload

Solution:
 Thermal overload relays

 Plunger-type relays

 Induction-type relays
 Motor Protection
Timed Overload Protection

Timed Overload Definition:

Continuously operate motor above its
rated value will cause thermal damage to
the motor.
Thermal Overload Relays

 Use bimetallic strips to open/close

relay contacts when temperature
exceeds/drops to certain level.
 Require certain reaction time
 Inverse time/current relationship
Thermal Overload Relays
Plunger-type Relays

 Fast reaction time

 Use timer for time delay
 Such as oil dash pot.
 Inverse time/current relationship
Plunger-Type Relays
Induction-type Relays

 Most frequently used when AC

power presents
 Change taps to adjust time delay
Induction-Type Relays
Motor Protection
Stalling

Some Definitions…
 Motor Stalling:
 It happens when motor circuits are
energized, but motor rotor is not
rotating. It is also called locked rotor.
 Effects: this will result in excessive
currents flow given the same load. This
will cause thermal damage to the
motor winding and insulation.
Motor Protection
Stalling

 Similar types of relays that are used

for motor timed overload protection
could be used for motor stalling
protection.
Motor Protection
Single Phase and Phase Unbalance

Some definitions…
 Single Phase:
 three-phase motors are subject to loss
of one of the three phases from the
power distribution system.
Motor Protection
Single Phase and Phase Unbalance

Some definitions…
 Phase Unbalance:
 In a balanced system the three line-
neutral voltages are equal in
magnitude and are 120 degrees out of
phase with each other. Otherwise, the
system is unbalanced.
Motor Protection
Single Phase and Phase Unbalance

These conditions will cause

 Motor winding overheating
 Excessive vibrations
 Cause motor
insulation/winding/bearing damage
Motor Protection
Single Phase and Phase Unbalance

These conditions will cause

 Motor winding overheating
 Excessive vibrations
 Cause motor
insulation/winding/bearing damage
Motor Protection
Single Phase and Phase Unbalance
Motor Protection
Other

 Instantaneous Overcurrent
 Differential Relays
 Undervoltage
 Electromagnetic Relays
 Ground Fault
 Differential Relays
Transformer Protection

 Gas and Temperature Monitoring

 Differential and Ground Fault
Protection
Transformer Protection
Gas Monitoring Relays:
 These relays will sense any amount of gas
inside the transformer. A tiny little
amount of gas will cause transformer
explosion.
Temperature Monitoring Relays:
 These relays are used to monitor the
winding temperature of the transformer
and prevent overheating.
Transformer Protection
Ground Fault

 For a wye connection, ground fault

can be detected from the grounded
neutral wire.
Transformer Protection
Ground Fault and Differential Relay
Generator Protection

 Differential and Ground Fault

Protection
 Phase Unbalance
Generator Protection
Differential and Ground Fault
Generator Protection
Phase Unbalance

Some Definitions..
 Negative Sequence
 Voltage example:
Generator Protection
Phase Unbalance

Some Definitions..
 Negative Sequence:
 The direction of rotation of a negative
sequence is opposite to what is
obtained when the positive sequence
are applied.
 Negative sequence unbalance factor:
 Factor= V-/V+ or I-/I+
Generator Protection
Phase Unbalance

 Negative Sequence Relay will

constantly measure and compare
the magnitude and direction of the
current.
Conclusion

 Relays control output circuits of a

much higher power.
 Safety is increased

 Protective relays are essential for

keeping faults in the system
isolated and keep equipment from
being damaged.
Reference:

 IEEE Red Book

 Ontario Power Generation Training
Course (Electrical Equipment)
 www.howstuffworks.com