OVERCURRENT RELAY

Key Components:

1. Current Transformer (CT) Input

o The relay receives current from a current transformer (CT), which steps
down the high current from the power system to a measurable level.
2. Electromagnetic Coil (Primary and Secondary Windings)
o The relay consists of primary and secondary windings forming an
electromagnetic coil.
o These windings generate a magnetic field when current flows through them.
3. Disc Mechanism (Induction Disc Relay)
o The relay contains a rotating disc which is influenced by the magnetic field
generated by the windings.
o This type of relay works on the induction principle, similar to induction
motors.
4. Time Delay Mechanism
o The relay has a time delay feature that prevents unnecessary tripping due to
temporary overcurrent conditions.
o The time delay is achieved using a drag magnet that slows the movement of
the rotating disc.
5. Contacts and Tripping Circuit
o The relay has trip contacts that close when the disc moves to a certain
position.
o Once the contacts close, a signal is sent to the circuit breaker trip coil,
disconnecting the faulty part of the system.

Working Principle:

1. Normal Operating Conditions

o Under normal load conditions, the current in the CT secondary winding is
not high enough to produce significant torque on the disc.
o The disc remains stationary, and the relay does not operate.
2. Fault Condition (Overcurrent Event)
o When a fault occurs (e.g., short circuit), the current in the CT increases
significantly.
o This high current induces a strong magnetic field, causing eddy currents in
the disc.
o The eddy currents interact with the magnetic field, creating a torque that
moves the disc.
3. Time Delay and Tripping Action
o The disc takes some time to rotate fully, introducing a time delay in the
tripping operation.
o If the overcurrent persists beyond this time, the disc reaches the trip contact,
completing the circuit and sending a trip signal.
4. Breaker Operation
o The relay sends the signal to trip the circuit breaker, disconnecting the
faulty section to protect the system from damage.
Applications:

 Used in overcurrent protection in power transmission and distribution systems.

 Protects transformers, feeders, and motors from excessive current.
 Commonly used in electromechanical relays before the adoption of digital relays.

Operating Time Equation of an Induction Disc Relay

An induction disc relay operates based on the torque produced by eddy currents when
subjected to an alternating magnetic field. The time taken by the disc to rotate and close the
trip contacts determines the relay's operating time.

Induction Type Directional Power Relay

The image represents an Induction Type Directional Power Relay, which is used to
determine the direction of power flow in a power system and operate when power flows in an
undesired direction (such as reverse power conditions in generators or unwanted power flows
in transmission lines).

Working Principle

This relay operates based on the interaction of two fluxes generated by:

1. Potential Coil (Voltage Coil): Connected to a Potential Transformer (PT), it

produces flux ϕ1.
2. Current Coil: Connected to a Current Transformer (CT), it produces flux ϕ2.

These two fluxes interact to create torque on a rotating disc, which initiates relay operation.

Construction (Left Diagram)

 Potential Coil (Voltage Coil):

o Connected to PT, it is responsible for producing flux ϕ1 proportional to the
system voltage.
 Current Coil:
o Connected to CT, producing flux ϕ2 proportional to system current.
 Rotating Aluminum Disc:
o The interaction of fluxes ϕ1and ϕ2 induces eddy currents, generating torque
that rotates the disc.
o The direction of rotation depends on the phase angle between voltage and
current.
 Contact Mechanism:
o When the disc rotates beyond a set limit, it closes the circuit, sending a signal
to trip the breaker.
Phasor Diagram (Right Diagram)

The phasor diagram shows the relationship between:

 Voltage VVV and Current III.

 Flux ϕ1 and ϕ2 from the voltage and current coils, respectively.
 Torque angle θ, which determines relay operation.

Operation Mechanism

1. Torque Production:
o The torque T is proportional to sin(θ), where θ is the phase angle between
voltage and current.
o If θ is within a specified range, the relay allows the disc to rotate and trip the
circuit.
o If θ is outside the range, no operation occurs.
2. Directional Control:
o The relay operates only in one direction of power flow.
o Reverse power flow (undesired condition) results in opposite torque,
preventing tripping.

Applications

 Reverse Power Protection for Generators (prevents motoring of generators).

 Directional Overcurrent Protection (ensures power flows in the intended direction).
 Transmission Line Protection (avoids unwanted power transfers between
interconnected systems).

Key Features

✔ Sensitive to Power Flow Direction.

✔ Prevents False Tripping Due to Load Variations.
✔ Used in Coordination with Overcurrent Relays for Selective Tripping.

Induction Type Directional Overcurrent Relay

The given diagram represents an Induction Type Directional Overcurrent Relay, which is
a combination of:

1. Directional Element – Ensures that the relay operates only when the current flows in
a specified direction.
2. Overcurrent Element – Ensures that the relay operates only when the current
exceeds a set threshold.
This type of relay is widely used in power system protection to selectively isolate faults in
radial and interconnected power networks.

Construction & Working

1. Directional Element (Upper Unit in the Diagram)

 Potential Coil (Voltage Coil):

o Connected to a Potential Transformer (PT) to sense system voltage.
o Produces flux proportional to system voltage.
 Current Coil:
o Connected to a Current Transformer (CT) to sense system current.
o Produces flux proportional to system current.
 Torque Production:
o The interaction of voltage flux (ϕ1) and current flux (ϕ2) produces a torque
based on the power flow angle.
o The relay allows operation only if power flows in the intended direction.

2. Overcurrent Element (Lower Unit in the Diagram)

 Current Coil:
o Connected to CT, producing a flux that generates a torque proportional to the
current magnitude.
 Operation:
o If the directional element permits operation (i.e., power flow is in the set
direction), the overcurrent element checks if the current exceeds a set
threshold.
o If both conditions are met, the relay sends a trip signal to disconnect the
faulty section.

Operating Principle

The relay operates when both conditions are satisfied:

1. Directional Condition:
o The phase angle between voltage and current must be within a pre-defined
range for the relay to operate.
2. Overcurrent Condition:
o The current magnitude must exceed the pickup value set in the relay.

If either condition is not met, the relay does not trip.

Applications
✅Feeder Protection – Used in radial feeders to ensure proper fault isolation.
✅Transmission Line Protection – Prevents unwanted power flow and ensures selective
tripping.
✅Parallel Line Protection – Used in interconnected networks where direction and
magnitude both matter.

Advantages

✔ Improved Selectivity: Ensures only faulty sections are isolated.

✔ Directional Sensitivity: Prevents nuisance tripping from reverse power flow.
✔ Better Coordination: Works well with other relays in a power system.

Summary

 The directional element ensures that the relay operates only when power flows in a
particular direction.
 The overcurrent element ensures that tripping occurs only when current exceeds a
preset value.
 Used for selective and reliable fault protection in power systems.

Current Differential Relay

The given diagram represents a Current Differential Relay, which is commonly used for the
protection of generators, transformers, busbars, and transmission lines. This relay operates
based on the principle of comparing currents at two ends of a protected zone.

Working Principle

A current differential relay operates by comparing the magnitude and phase of currents
entering and leaving a protected section. If the difference between these currents exceeds a
preset threshold, the relay activates and trips the circuit breaker.

Key Components in the Diagram

 Current Transformers (CTs):

o Two CTs (with a ratio of 200:1) are placed at both ends of the alternator
winding.
o They step down the current to a standard secondary value (e.g., 5A).
 Operating Coil of Overcurrent Relay:
o Connected in the differential path.
o Monitors the difference between incoming and outgoing currents.
 Current Flow Under Normal Conditions:
o If the system is healthy, the CTs on both ends will measure equal currents.
 o The secondary currents cancel each other, resulting in zero current in the
relay coil (no trip signal).
 Current Flow Under Fault Conditions:
o If a fault occurs within the protected zone, the current entering and leaving
will be different.
o This causes a nonzero differential current in the relay coil.
o If this differential current exceeds the set threshold, the relay trips, isolating
the faulty section.

Operating Condition

Idiff=∣Iincoming−Ioutgoing∣

 No Fault Condition: Idiff=0⇒No relay operation.

 Fault Condition: Idiff≠0⇒Relay trips the circuit breaker.

Advantages

✅Highly Selective: Trips only for internal faults, avoiding unnecessary outages.
✅Fast Response: Quickly detects and isolates faults, minimizing damage.
✅Sensitive to Small Faults: Can detect even minor differences in current.

Applications

Generator Protection – Detects faults in generator windings.

Transformer Protection – Identifies faults between transformer windings.
Busbar Protection – Ensures security against internal bus faults.
Transmission Line Protection – Detects line faults effectively.

Conclusion

The Current Differential Relay is a highly reliable and sensitive protective device used in
power systems. It ensures selective tripping by comparing currents at different locations,
providing rapid fault isolation to enhance system stability.
Biased Beam Relay

The image shows the schematic of a Biased Beam Relay (also known as a percentage
differential relay), which is commonly used for protecting alternator windings or
transformers.

Working Principle of Biased Beam Relay

A biased beam relay operates on the principle of differential protection, where it

compares the current entering and leaving the protected zone. It consists of:

1. Current Transformers (CTs): These are installed at both ends of the winding
(alternator winding in this case).
2. Restraining Coil: Produces a restraining torque or force, which prevents relay
operation under normal conditions.
3. Operating Coil: Produces an operating torque that actuates the relay when a fault
occurs.
4. Beam Mechanism: A mechanical beam balances the restraining and operating forces.
5. Trip Circuit: If the operating force overcomes the restraining force, the relay
activates and sends a trip signal to isolate the faulty section.

Operation of Biased Beam Relay

1. Under Normal Conditions or External Faults:

o The current through the two CTs is nearly equal.
o The difference current (operating current) is low, so the restraining coil
dominates.
o The relay does not operate, preventing unnecessary tripping.
2. During Internal Faults (e.g., winding fault):
o A significant difference in current flows through the CTs.
o The operating coil generates enough force to overcome the restraining force.
o The relay trips, isolating the alternator winding to prevent damage.

Why is it Called "Biased"?

 A bias or restraining coil is included to prevent relay operation due to CT

mismatches or external faults.
 The relay only trips when the differential current exceeds a certain threshold, ensuring
reliability.

Applications of Biased Beam Relay

 Protection of alternator windings.

 Transformer differential protection.
 Busbar differential protection.
Principle of differential protection

The image depicts the principle of differential protection, commonly used for protecting
transformers, generators, and transmission lines.

Explanation of the Circuit

1. Current Transformers (CTs):

o Two CTs are placed at both ends of the winding to measure the currents I₁ and
I₂.
o The secondary currents of the CTs are i₁ and i₂.
2. Operating Coil:
o The secondary currents i₁ and i₂ flow towards the differential relay coil.
o The net current through the relay is (i₂ - i₁).

Operation of Differential Protection

 Under Normal Conditions or External Faults:

o The current entering (I₁) and leaving (I₂) the winding are nearly equal.
o This means the CTs produce equal secondary currents (i₁ ≈ i₂).
o The difference current (i₂ - i₁) ≈ 0, so no current flows through the relay, and it
does not trip.
 Under Internal Faults (e.g., winding fault):
o A fault inside the protected zone creates a difference between I₁ and I₂.
o This results in a nonzero difference current (i₂ - i₁) ≠ 0, which flows through
the operating coil.
o The relay detects the fault and triggers a trip signal to isolate the system.

Key Takeaways

 Purpose: Detects internal faults while ignoring external faults or normal operating
conditions.
 Function: Trips the circuit breaker if the difference current exceeds a threshold.
 Applications: Used in generator protection, transformer protection, and busbar
protection.

The expression (i1+i2)/2 comes from how the restraining coil is energized in a differential
protection scheme..
Step 3: Interpretation

 This result shows that the restraining coil behaves as if a single current of (i1+i2)/2
flows through the full winding.
 This is why the equivalent restraining current is expressed as: (i1+i2)/2

Physical Meaning

 The restraining coil prevents the relay from operating under normal load conditions
by allowing some difference in currents without triggering the relay.
 It ensures stability when no fault is present, as normal operating conditions may have
slight differences in i1 and i2 due to CT mismatches.
 When a fault occurs, the differential current i2−i1 (flowing through the operating coil)
dominates and operates the relay.

Operating Principle:

1. Normal Conditions (No Fault):

o If there is no fault, I1≈I2
o This results in balanced secondary currents (i1≈i2)
 o The operating coil receives zero or minimal current, preventing relay
operation.
2. Fault Condition:
o If a fault occurs, the current flowing into the zone is not equal to the current
leaving it (I1≠I2).
o The difference in secondary currents (i2−i1) causes a significant current in the
operating coil.
o If this current exceeds the relay's threshold, the relay operates, tripping the
circuit breaker.
3. Fault Fed from Both Ends:
o If a fault is fed from both ends, the secondary voltages of the CTs add up,
increasing the differential current.
o This increases the out-of-balance current, making the relay more sensitive to
detecting internal faults.

Conclusion:

 The system is designed to detect internal faults within the protected zone by
comparing the incoming and outgoing currents.
 Under normal conditions, the relay remains inactive due to balanced currents.
 During a fault, the difference in currents energizes the operating coil, triggering the
relay and isolating the faulty section.

Voltage Balance Differential Relay

The image represents the Voltage Balance Differential Relay, a protection scheme
commonly used for alternators (generators) and transformers.

Working Principle of Voltage Balance Differential Relay

This relay operates on the principle of voltage balance between two current transformer (CT)
secondaries.

Components in the Diagram

1. Alternator Winding: The protected equipment.

2. Current Transformers (CTs): Installed at both ends of the winding to measure the
currents I₁ (input current) and I₂ (output current).
3. Induced Voltages (e₁ and e₂): Generated by the CTs due to currents I₁ and I₂.
4. Relay Operating Coil: Connected between the CT secondaries to measure the
voltage difference.

Operation of the Relay

 Under Normal Conditions or External Faults:

o The input and output currents are equal (I₁ = I₂), resulting in equal induced
voltages (e₁ = e₂).
 o Since the potential difference between CT secondaries is zero, no current
flows through the relay coil, and it remains inactive (no tripping).
 Under Internal Fault Conditions:
o If an internal fault occurs within the alternator winding, I₁ ≠ I₂, leading to
unequal voltages (e₁ ≠ e₂).
o This causes a voltage difference, generating a current in the relay operating
coil.
o When this current exceeds a threshold, the relay trips the circuit breaker to
isolate the faulty section.

Advantages of Voltage Balance Differential Relay

✔✅More Sensitive: Detects even small internal faults.

✔✅Immune to External Faults: Ensures stability during normal load variations or faults
outside the protected zone.
✔✅Fast Response: Quickly isolates the fault to prevent equipment damage.

Applications

✅Protection of alternator windings in power plants.

✅Transformer protection.
✅Used where precise internal fault detection is required.

Protection scheme using overcurrent relays

The image represents a protection scheme using overcurrent relays with different time
settings, demonstrating the concepts of Primary Protection and Backup Protection in
power systems.

Primary Protection

✅Definition:
Primary protection is the first line of defense that detects and clears faults within a
designated zone as quickly as possible.

✅Explanation in the Diagram:

 Each feeder (outgoing line) is equipped with an overcurrent relay (0.6s time setting)
and a circuit breaker (C.B.).
  If a fault occurs in a feeder, the relay operates first and trips its associated circuit
breaker, isolating the fault without affecting other parts of the system.
 This minimizes damage and maintains system stability.

✅Characteristics of Primary Protection:

✔ Fast operation to clear the fault quickly.
✔ Selective action—only the faulty section is isolated.
✔ Relays have lower time settings for faster response.

Backup Protection

✅Definition:
Backup protection serves as a second layer of protection in case the primary protection fails
to clear the fault.

✅Explanation in the Diagram:

 The relay labeled "A" (1.0s time setting) on the main bus provides backup
protection for all feeders.
 If the feeder relay (0.6s) fails to trip its breaker, the backup relay waits for 1.0s before
tripping the main breaker, disconnecting the entire section.
 Though this results in a larger outage, it ensures that the fault does not persist.

✅Characteristics of Backup Protection:

✔ Operates if primary protection fails.
✔ Time-delayed operation to allow the primary relay a chance to clear the fault.
✔ Covers a broader area (e.g., the entire bus in this case).

Key Differences

Feature Primary Protection Backup Protection

Purpose Clears fault in a specific zone Operates if primary protection fails
Operation Time Faster Slower (delayed)
Coverage Localized (e.g., feeder) Wider area (e.g., bus)
Impact on System Minimal (isolates only the fault) Larger outage (trips a bigger section)

Conclusion

 Primary protection ensures quick isolation of faults to prevent further damage.

 Backup protection provides reliability in case the primary system fails.
 Proper coordination of relay settings (e.g., 0.6s vs. 1.0s in the diagram) ensures
selectivity and system stability.