ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI.
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS
Protection Devices
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI
*Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
ABSTRACT
The protection devices are one of the most important part of any electrical network, whether it is small network
or large. we will discuss about only three main and famous types in which they are commonly used in all
electrical networks. It is also concentrate on the principle of their operation and it will not exposed to the
selection methods of them.
Keywords – Protection device, fuses, circuit breaker, overcurrent device, relays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 01-10-2020 Date of Acceptance: 14-10-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
16- field failure
I. INTRODUCTION 17- diode failure
Protection devices used to protect two main 18- over speed.
things, the human from any electric shock and Any 19- and there are some protection devices related to
electrical element or device from any damage caused other electrical equipment's.
by the heavy load or short circuit. The fundamental
principles of protection are to disconnect and isolate 1.2 main electrical elements or equipment's
the faulty part of the system so that the fault is not available in the electrical networks.
sustained and aggravated by a continuing flow of 1- Generators.
power into it and the rest of the system is not 2- Cables and transmission lines.
damaged and can revert to its normal state. The 3- Transformers.
protection devices, differs according to the type of 4- Motors
the load or the electrical equipment's or the cables 5- Heaters
which intended to be protected, for examples, Motor 6- Lights.
– Generator – Cable …. Etc., We are going to
discuss in this written subject only the protection II. FUSES, CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND
devices which are used for a common electrical OVERCURRENT DEVICES
equipment (more than one electrical equipment). But We discuss in detail the main protection devices,
before that we will mention the list for the protective fuses, circuit breakers and overcurrent device.
devices used generally in the electrical systems and
network. 2.1 FUSES
A fuse consists essentially of a length of
1.1 main protection devices used in electric metallic wire or strip carrying the circuit current
networks. which, if that current exceeds a certain stated value
1- Fuses, power or control of a certain minimum time will melt and break the
2- Circuit Breakers path of the current in that circuit. It has both a
3- over load device normal current rating corresponding its service
4- over current devices current and a breaking current rating corresponding
5- under current devices to the maximum fault current of that part of the
6- over voltage device system in which it will be used. There is often
7- under voltage device confusion between the normal breaking current
8- Earth fault device ratings of a fuse. The normal rating is matched to
9- differential protection the load and is the maximum value of current which
10- over temperature protection the fuse can carry continuously without melting or
11- reverse power protection (RP) deteriorating. The breaking rating is the maximum
12- over pressures protection protective current which the fuse can safely interrupt
13- Negative phase sequence protection (NPS) at its rated voltage. It is usually quoted in kilo
14- over frequency amperes (KA) rms symmetrical and is related to the
15- under frequency system fault level.
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 17 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
same token, their normal rated currents and their
short circuit current rating are considerably higher.
Molded case circuit breakers (MCCB), It
consists of a molded plastic cases containing a
switching element which is operated manually by an
external handle or 'dolly'. Because the original
design was American, the dolly position is down for
'off' and up for 'ON'. MCCB can be used for
switching either a.c or d.c circuits. They are usually
mounted, when used on distribution panels, behind
Fig 1.1 the panel and only the dolly shows, other
arrangements however such as surface mounting, are
2.2 Circuit Breakers also found.
Circuit breakers or switch gear is used on .
both high voltage and low voltage systems. It is
required to enable generators, feeders, transformers
and motors to be connected to and disconnected
from the high voltage or low voltage system. This
switching is necessary both for normal operational
purposes and for the rapid disconnection of any
circuit, that becomes faulty. The switch gear also
allows any circuit to be isolated from the live system
and for that circuit to be made safe so that work may
be carried out on equipment connected to it.
First, the circuit Breaker for high voltage
system used to control generators, transformers, bus
sections, bus couplers, inter connecting cable
between switch boards and the starting and running
of very large motors. They are designed to make and
break full fault current. They are three types, Oil Fig 1.2
circuit breaker, Vacuum circuit breaker and Air
circuit breaker. A circuit breaker has five rating Miniature circuit breakers (MCB), In
operation it is generally like though physically
(voltage, normal current, breaking capacity, making
smaller than the modulated case design. The MCB
current and short-time rating).
has a modulated plastic case and is manually
Voltage: This is the nominal system voltage at
operated by an external dolly. It is manufactured as a
which the switch will operate without break down.
Normal current: This is the current will carry 1-pole, 2-pole, 3-pole or 4-pole unit, but the
continuously without overheating. commonest types in some installations are the 1-pole
and 2-pole models which are used in single-phase
Breaking Capacity: - This is the maximum fault
and neutral sub-distribution panels. The following
current (expressed in KA rms) or MVA) which the
figure show miniature circuit breakers(MCB)
switch will interrupt on all three phases.
Making current: - This is the maximum peak a
symmetrical current (expressed in KA)
that the switch can carry in any pole during a making
operation.
Short – time Rating: - This is the maximum time
(usually specified as 3 sec or 1 sec) for which the
switch will carry, without damage, the full fault
current before that current is broken.
Second, The circuit Breakers for low voltage system
Three main types are considered, Air circuit
breakers, Molded case circuit breakers and
Miniature circuit breakers.
Air circuit breakers, the construction and
operation are like those of high voltage Air Circuit
breakers. Being designed for low voltage system
their insulation levels are of course lower, but by the Fig 1.3
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 18 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
a comparison between the ratings of
modulated case circuit breakers MCCB and the
miniature circuit breakers MCB described in the
tables.
Fig 1.4
it consists of a simple iron armature
attracted by a coil carrying the current from a line
current transformer and restored to its rest position
either by gravity or by a control spring When the
current in the coil just exceeds a certain preset value,
the pull on the armature overcomes the spring or
gravity and causes it to close. In so doing it operates
auxiliary contact which initiate a tripping circuit or
other desired function. Though termed
'instantaneous 'this type of relay nevertheless
requires a small but finite time to operate; this is
usually taken to be a maximum of 0.2 seconds, but it
2.3 Over current protection relays, over current is often munch less. The current/time characteristic
protection is related primarily to heating effects in is thus a 'square' one as indicated in Figure 1.4 (c).
and in some circumstance to electromechanical The value of the current required to operate the relay
forces on, electrical conductors and may cover both is set by the screw adjustment at the top in a single-
fault and over load protection. over current devices, phase system a current transformer in one line is
though all depend on an excess of current to operate connected to the relay coil (see Figure 1.4 (a)). In a
them are of several different forms. 3-phase system a current transformer in each phase
is connected to one of three relay coils (see Figure
2.3.1 Instantaneous Over current (OC). 1.4 (b)). The three relay elements may be enclosed
An instantaneous overcurrent relay is shown in in one case or in separate cases. However, in a 3
Figure below phase, 3 wires, system any over current in one line.
Most be accompanied by an over current in one or
both return lines. Therefore, to achieve complete
over current protection in a 3-wire system, it is only
necessary to provide overcurrent relay elements in
two of the three phases.
2.3.2 Inverse Time Over current (OCIT)
An inverse-time overcurrent relay is shown in the
Figure below.
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 19 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
adjustment is made by moving the 'fixed' contact to
increase or decrease the travel of the disc before the
contacts touch. The relay is fitted either with a time-
scale marked in seconds, or more usually with a
'time multiplier' adjustment which is used in
conjunction with curves supplied with the relay.
2.3.3 Combined inverse Time Overcurrent and
High Set Instantaneous Relay (OCIT/OC)
An inverse time relay may be equipped
with an additional instantaneous element in the same
casing but operating at a 'high-set' current value.
This gives it the feature of a combined 'inverse-time
and high-set instantaneous' relay, the instantaneous
feature overriding the time delay only on the most
severe faults. An example of this additional feature
is shown dotted in Figure 1.5
Fig 1.5
It has an induction – type movement like
that of a household meter. It consists of a rotating
aluminum disc driven by a shaded-pole magnet
element which receive the driving current from the
CT in the circuit to be monitored. As in a household
meter, the disc also revolves between the poles of an
eddy-current brake magnet; it is restrained by a light
pre-tensioned control hairspring. The relay is used
with current transformers in single phase or 3 phase
systems as described for simple overcurrent type and
as shown in 'Figure 1.5 (a) and (b).
When normal current flows from the CT a
driving torque is applied to the disc, but it is
prevented from rotating by the pre-tensioned spring.
If the current exceeds a certain preset value the disc
begins to move and is driven, against the drag of the
brake, right round until a contact on the spindle
touches a fixed contact. The greater the excess of Fig 1.6
current above this Value, the greater the drive torque
and the faster the disc tries to rotate. But the drag of This arrangement is particularly desirable
the eddy-current brake also increases with the speed where overcurrent protection is installed near the
of rotation, and its slowing effect is greatest at the generator end of a network. It is this end that
highest currents. The combined effect of this is to discrimination requires the longest delays, and a
produce a time/current characteristic as shown in purely inverse-time relay would allow a severe
Figure1.5 (c). for currents less than a certain short-circuit to persist until eventually cleared. An
minimum the disc does not move at all. For current overdriving high-set instantaneous overcurrent relay,
more than the 'just move' minimum the disc moves, fed through the same CTs and actuating the same
and the operating time becomes shorter with trip circuit, would clean such current very quickly.
increasing current-that is, it has an 'inverse-time' It would however operate only on severe faults and
characteristic. would take no part in fault currents below its own
Two setting adjustment are possible with high setting. Usually a 3-element OCIT relay (one
this relay current and time. Current adjustments are per phase) would be combined with two
made by fixed taps on the driving coil. They are instantaneous high-set elements in two phases only –
usually set by moving peg between several holes on all in a single case (3OCIT/2OC).
the front of the relay face. Typically, the range is
from 50% to 200% of the normal operating current
(1A or 5A depending on the CT used). The time
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 20 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
2.3.4 Inverse and Definite Minimum Time that the operator should not reset the relay flags until
(OCIDMT) he has carefully noted down which flags are
An inverse and definite minimum time showing. If this is not done, all evidence of the
overcurrent relay is shown pictorially in Figure 1.6 cause of the malfunction will be lost. The lock-out
the current transformer arrangements with single- relay must on no account be reset until it is safe to
phase or 3-phase systems are like those for the operate the plant again.
simple overcurrent relay and are shown in Figure 1.6
(a) and (b). This relay is simply a variation of the IV. ELECTRONIC RELAYS
inverse-time type shown in Figure 1.5, but here the Those relays which have so far been
characteristic, instead of tending towards zero time described are of the 'electromagnetic' type, where an
for the highest fault currents, now tends towards a electromagnet provides the driving force to a
definite and finite small value, as in Figure 1.6 (c). mechanical system of moving armature or rotating
this is built into the relay and cannot be adjusted. disc and mechanical contacts. Many of these relays
The relay is similar in construction to the are now being superseded an offshore, and numerous
normal inverse time type shown in Figure 1.5. onshore, installations by electronic types which are
The purpose of this variation is to render entirely static except for their final output contacts.
the relay settings more accurate. All characteristic Electronic circuits carry out the detection,
curves are subject to tolerance, and the separation of processing and timing, only the output circuit is
the sloping curves of Figure 1.5. at the high-current passed through normal electromagnetic auxiliary
end for different relays must be enough to allow for contacts to the external trip circuits. This also
such tolerances. Therefore, tripping delays would isolates the trip circuits proper from the electronics.
need to be longer than would be necessary with Though using different methods, electronic relays
more accurate curves. The definite minimum time reproduce similar characteristics to those of the
feature at the highest currents, making the curves electromechanical types, and they have similar
horizontal at those currents, enables greater accuracy adjustments such as for current and time setting. To
(that is, smaller tolerance) to be achieved, resulting illustrate the principle of operation, a single-phase,
in less separation of the curves and consequently electronic inverse –time and instantaneous
shorter tripping times. overcurrent relay (OCIT/OC) is described here and
An ACIDMT relay may be combined with shown in Figure below.
instantaneous high-set overcurrent elements as
described for an OCIT relay in para. (c) it is shown
in dotted outline in Figure 1.6
III. RELAYS - GENERAL
Most protective relays are fitted with flags
which indicate when they have operated. They show
the operator, for example, which of the protective
systems may have caused a turbo-generator to have
tripped out. Such relays are themselves normally
self-resetting-that is, they revert to their normal state
as soon as the fault has been removed. This may
occur either because the circuit-breaker has tripped,
so disconnecting the fault, or because the fault itself
has disappeared. The flag however remains showing Fig 1.7
until it has been reset by hand. In some protective
systems, particularly for generators and The input from the line current transformer
transformers, all the protective relays trip the breaker is fed through a small adapting transformer to a low-
through an intervening hand rest trip, or 'lock-out', pass filter R1-C1 which suppresses transient voltage
relay (TH). It two has a flag, but this relay, having surges. A voltage proportional to the input current is
once, operated, does not reset itself automatically developed across the current setting potentiometer
and so prevents the breaker being reclosed until the R2. this voltage is applied to the bridge rectifier.
relay has been deliberately reset by hand. This The d.c. output voltage, which is proportional to the
prevents accidental reclosure onto a fault, and the line current, is used to charge the capacitor C2
breaker remains locked out until cleared by the through the potentiometer R5. The setting of this
operator resetting the lock-out relay. Whenever an potentiometer determines the rate at which the
item of plant has tripped because one of the voltage across C2 increases and hence the timing of
protective systems has operated, it is most important the inverse-time operating characteristic of the relay.
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 21 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
When the voltage across C2 reaches a predetermined (The electromagnetic types which are old in use and
value, the detector circuit operates to switch the the electronic types which are latest in use).
electromechanical relay, RLA through the output
amplifier and power transistor T2. Instantaneous REFERENCES
operation is obtained by applying the output voltage [1]. Protective relay principles
of the bridge rectifier directly to the input of the By: Anthony F. Sleva
amplifier through R4. thus, for higher values of Published by Boca Raton :CRC Press (2009)
fault current, the inverse-time delay circuit is
bypassed. The power supply for the solid-state [2]. Protective relaying principles and applications
circuits is applied through D3 and R6. it is By : J. Lewis Blackburn
stabilized by Zener diode Dz1, and spike protection : Thomas J . Domin
is afforded by R7 and C3. the diode D3 protects Published by CRC press Taylor & Francis
against reversed polarity of the d.c. power supply. Group – Fourth Edition
By suitable choice of elements, the electronic relay
current/time characteristic can be made to reproduce [3]. Electric Fuses ( IEE Power )
exactly that of the equivalent electromagnetic type. By : Wright . A
Having virtually no moving parts, they are, in Published by Institution of Engineering and
general, more robust, smaller and lighter. Current Technology ( 1994 )
and time settings in this case are applied through
simple variable resistors. [4]. Fundamentals of switchgear and protection
By : J . B . Gupta
V. CONCLUSION Published by KATSON books ( 2013 )
Finally, after study the protection devices (fuse,
circuit breakers and over current relays). [5]. Power Circuit Breaker Theory and design
We find that: By: C . H. Flurscheim
1- protection devices is very essential part of any Published by The Institution of Engineering
electrical network or circuit and used to protect And Technology
both the human and electrical equipment or Rev Editions ( 4 jun 1905 )
load.
2- Protection devices which are used in the power [6]. Protective Relaying Theory And Applications
system or electrical networks are more than 20 By : WALTER A . ELMORE
types and we have disused in air subject only Published by CRC Press – 2nd Edition ( 2003 )
three main types.
3- The protection devices which are [7]. Protection And Switchgear
commonly used in the electrical network are By: BHAVESH BHALIA
three types (Fuses, Circuit Breakers and over : R . P . MAHESH WARI
current relays). : NILESH G . GHOTHANI
4- Circuit breakers are used on both high voltage Published by OXFORD ( 2011 )
and low voltage system.
5- The circuit breakers for high voltage system are [8]. Electric Fuses
three types (Oil circuit breakers, Air circuit By : A. Wright
breakers and Vacuum circuit breakers). : P . G . Newbery
6- The circuit breakers for low voltage systems are Published by The Institution Of Engineering
three types (Air circuit breakers, Molded case And Technology – 3rd Edition ( 2004 )
circuit breakers and Miniature circuit breaker)
7- Over current relays consist of four types [9]. Electrical Circuit Breakers , Fuses , Protective
(Instantaneous over current (OC), Inverse time Relay And More
over current (OCIT), Combined inverse time By : L . W . Brittion
over current instantaneous relay (OCIT / OC) e-book
and Inverse and definite minimum time file size : 28070KB
(OCIDM)). ( 2015 )
8- We have learned about the principles of all the
previous four types of the over current relays. [10] Electric Relays Principles And Applications
9- The principle operation of all types of lover By VLADIMIR CUREVICH
current relay has been described and illustrated. Published by CRC Press ( 2018 )
10- - According to their operation the over current
relays are divided into two types
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 22 | P a g e
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
[Link]
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 10, Issue 10, (Series-II) October 2020, pp. 17-23
[11] The Fundamentals Of Circuit Breaker &
Protection Maintenance
By : JOHN DUNNING
e- book
file size : 3754 KB
( 2015 )
ENG. ABDULRAHMAN M. I. AL KANDARI. “Protection Devices.” International Journal
of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA), vol.10 (10), 2020, pp 17-23.
[Link] DOI: 10.9790/9622-1010021723 23 | P a g e