Overcurrent Protection – Selectivity Analysis
Overcurrent Protection module is used for the co-ordination of various protection devices in a given network and
ensure the safety of the system. It allows the user to design proper protection scheme that can guarantee fast,
selective and reliable relay operation to isolate the faulty section of the power system. The main objective of
relay co-ordination is to achieve the desired selectivity without losing the sensitivity and quick fault clearing time.
NEPLAN allows the user to perform relay co-ordination with an intuitive selectivity diagram tool.
Necessity of Relay Co-ordination
• To make sure that the system operates safely
and functions correctly by avoiding nuisance
tripping of protection devices
• To determine the characteristics, ratings, and
settings of protection devices which will ensure
that minimum healthy part of the network is
interrupted when protection devices isolate a
fault
• Relay co-ordination is required when:
⁻ Planning of a new system to select
proper protection device
⁻ Planning an existing system whenever • Relay coordination principle for overcurrent
there is a change in the network protection devices
operating or topology conditions ⁻ Overcurrent Relay
⁻ When an existing equipment is replaced ⁻ LV/MV Circuit breaker
with a higher rated equipment ⁻ Fuse & Miniature circuit breaker
Relay Co-ordination with NEPLAN
• The response of the overcurrent protection
devices is visualized in the time-current
characteristics (TCC) curve
• These TCC curves can be viewed on the
selectivity diagram using which the user can
adjust the settings of devices that protect the
cable, transformer, etc.
• Using protection assessment, the selectivity of
the protection devices can be verified for the
whole network by simulating all kinds of faults
with various operational states simultaneously
• Sequence of operation for the protection devices • Relay co-ordination using selectivity diagram in NEPLAN
can be visualized on single-line diagram for a
fault at particular location
Protection Functions Selectivity Diagram
• Several protective functions can be assigned to • Protection device and current transformers are
each protective device: positioned in the network plan graphically
⁻ Overload • Single-line diagram view in the selectivity diagram
⁻ Directional/Bi-directional Overcurrent • Automatic generation of selectivity diagrams based
⁻ Directional/Bi-directional Earth fault on s/c calculation
⁻ Recloser • Unrestricted number of characteristics can be
• All types of protective devices with a time-current incorporated in one diagram
characteristic can be entered: fuses, circuit • Changing the relay settings directly in the
breakers, definite-time and inverse-time over- selectivity diagram by moving the curves with
current relays, electronic relays mouse or with the help of navigation arrows
• Exact modelling of current and time setting ranges • Unrestricted number of diagrams can be processed
• Option to enter the tolerance for current and time simultaneously
values • Selectivity analysis over multiple voltage levels and
• Characteristic can be shifted with a user-defined independently of the network type and size
factor involved
• A total of 3 parameters sets can be saved for an • Two reference voltages for diagrams can be
overcurrent relay defined by the user
• Visualization of the fault current seen the • Individualized coloring of the characteristics
protection device and the corresponding tripping • No limit on number of diagrams and protective
time numbers for management
• Entry options for characteristics: user-friendly table • Export complete diagram to PDF, Word, PNG etc.
& graphical editor for entering the characteristic • Charts printing from the selectivity diagram
point by point or by using a formula in conformity • Editing of axis settings and fonts for the labels
with IEC or IEEE/ANSI • s/c calculation directly in the selectivity diagrams
• Measurement tools to calculate the difference
(current or time) between two curves
Protected Elements Protection Library
• i/t characteristics for protected objects are plotted • NEPLAN offers an extensive library (around 4000
automatically: different types from various manufacturers) of the
⁻ Motor start-up curve (from motor starting most widely used relays, circuit breakers and fuses
results or at 100% or 80% of the voltage) • The libraries are constantly updated and extended
⁻ Motor hot and cold start stall point • Possibility to import all the protection devices with
⁻ Stator thermal limit curve a user-friendly template into NEPLAN
⁻ Transformer damage curve and Inrush • Libraries handed out for free at the moment of
current NEPLAN software purchase or the update library
⁻ Thermal capability curves for lines/cables can be downloaded anytime by the users with a
⁻ Synchronous machine damage curve valid maintenance contract from NEPLAN Support
• User has the option to plot the rated current of the Area.
equipment automatically on the selectivity diagram
• Characteristic can be shifted with a user-defined
factor