This webinar brought to you by the Relion product family

Advanced protection and control IEDs from ABB

Relion. Thinking beyond the box.
Designed to seamlessly consolidate functions, Relion relays are
smarter, more flexible and more adaptable. Easy to integrate and
with an extensive function library, the Relion family of protection
and control delivers advanced functionality and improved
performance.

ABB Protective Relay School Webinar Series

Disclaimer
ABB is pleased to provide you with technical information regarding
protective relays. The material included is not intended to be a complete
presentation of all potential problems and solutions related to this topic.
The content is generic and may not be applicable for circumstances or
equipment at any specific facility. By participating in ABB's web-based
Protective Relay School, you agree that ABB is providing this information
to you on an informational basis only and makes no warranties,
representations or guarantees as to the efficacy or commercial utility of
the information for any specific application or purpose, and ABB is not
responsible for any action taken in reliance on the information contained
herein. ABB consultants and service representatives are available to
study specific operations and make recommendations on improving
safety, efficiency and profitability. Contact an ABB sales representative
for further information.

l Slide 2
October 29, 2013

ABB Protective Relay School Webinar Series

Feeder Protection Fundamentals

Tim Erwin
October 29, 2013

Topics

System Overview

Why is feeder protection necessary

The Protection team

Fuses

Breakers/reclosers

Relays

CTs

Characteristics of protective devices

Fuses

Circuit breakers, relays and reclosers

Principles of feeder coordination

Distribution System Voltage Class

Trend to larger nominal voltage class

35 kV
12%

5 kV
6%

25 kV
20%
15 kV
62%

Percent of Distribution Systems at

the Nominal voltage Class

Increasing load density

Lower cost of higher voltage

equipment

WHY IS FEEDER PROTECTION

NECESSARY?

City Lights

Lightning

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 8

Blackout

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 9

Chaos and Confusion

Transmission Line Tower Flashover

Transformer Failure

Generator Failure

Overhead Distribution Feeder Faults

Temporary (non-persistent) 85%

Lightning causing flashover
Wind blowing tree branches into line(s)

Permanent (persistent) 15%

Broken insulator
Fallen tree
Automobile accident involving utility pole

Typical Distribution Substation Feeder Circuit

Fuse

R
Recloser

Relay

Transformer Primary

Rural primary fuses

Urban breaker or circuit switch

Sectionalizer

Relay

Feeder Circuit
Breaker in protective zone
Breakers controlled by protective relays
Reclosers
Sectionalizers
Lateral Tapped Fuses

Fault Current Levels

Transformer
Secondary

End of
Line

Fault Current Vs. Distance to Fault on

the Feeder

Function of

Substation transformer
size (source impedance)

Distribution voltage

Fault location

10kA - majority

10-20kA - moderate
number

20kA - few

Application

Protection to be applied based on exposure

Higher voltage feeders tend to be longer with more

exposure to faults

Apply downline devices . . . reclosers, fuses, based

typically on 3 to 5 MVA of load per segment

The Protection Team

Feeder protection consists
of a team of coordinated devices:

Fuses
Breakers/Reclosers

Relay(s)
The sensors
PTs
CTs
Etc.

The interconnection

Distribution Protection

Required characteristics of protective devices are:

Sensitivity responsive to fault conditions

Reliability - operate when required (dependability) and

no-operation when not required (security)

Selectivity isolate minimum amount of system and

interrupt service to fewest customers

Speed minimize system and apparatus damage

Reliability
DEPENDABILITY

The certainty of
correct operation
in response to
system trouble.

SECURITY

The ability of the

system to avoid
undesired
operations with or
without faults.

Reliability
DEPENDABILITY

SECURITY
Main1

Main 1

Main 2
Main2

The certainty of operation

in response to system
trouble

The ability of the system

to avoid misoperation
with or without faults

General Relaying Philosophy

Zone Protection

Generator
Transformer
Bus
Transmission Lines
Motors

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Station D
M

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Generator
Protection

Station D
M

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Transformer
Protection

Station D
M

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Bus
Protection

Station D
M

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Line
Protection

Station D
M

Zones of Protection
Station B

Station A
G

G
G

Station C
Motor/Feeder
Protection

Station D
M

Distribution Fuses

Typical Distribution Substation Feeder Circuit:

Fuses

Fuse

R
Recloser

Relay

Relay

Sectionalizer

Distribution Fuses

Continuous current rating

Interruption rating

Curve characteristics

Minimum melt

Total clearing

Fuse Characteristic
1000

Time in Seconds

100
Total Clearing
(Interruption Time)
10
Minimum Melt
(Response Time)
1.0

Fuse melting time

(damage)

0.1
Arc Clearing

10

100
Amperes

1000

10000

Distribution Fuses - Expulsion

K link

T link (slower clearing

at high current)

Common low current

clearing time based on
fuse rating

300 sec <=100 A rating

600 sec >

rating

100 A

Distribution Fuses Current Limiting

General purpose

Rated maximum interrupting

down to current that causes
melting in one hour

Melting - 150% to 200%

Distribution Fuses Current Limiting

Backup

Rated maximum interrupting

down to rated minimum
interrupting

Requires application with

expulsion fuse for low current
protection

Fuse Coordination - Rule of Thumb

1000
Minimum Melt
(Response Time)

Time in Seconds

100

Total Clearing
(Interruption Time)

Downstream
Upstream

10

1.0

Maximum clearing time of

downstream fuse should be
less than 75% of minimum
melt time of upstream fuse
(device)

0.1

10

100
Amperes

1000

10000

Fused Cutouts
Enclosed

Line terminal

Open Link

Fused Cutout
Line terminal

Porcelain
Housing

Line terminal
Silicon/Polymer
Support

Silicon/Polymer
Support
Mounting
Bracket

Mounting
Bracket
Mounting
Bracket

Fuse
Holder

Fuse Tube
Mounted Inside
Housing Door

Housing
Door

Arc
Arrester

Spring
Contacts

Open Link
Fuse Link

Line terminal
Line terminal

Distribution Circuit Breakers and

Reclosers

Typical Distribution Substation Feeder Circuit:

Breakers and Reclosers

Fuse

R
Recloser

Relay

Relay

Sectionalizer

Distribution Circuit Breaker / Recloser

Interruption medium
Oil
Vacuum under oil
Vacuum

Operating mechanism
Electromechanical (spring charging)
Magnetic actuator

Fault sensing and control

Electromechanical
Solid state
Microprocessor

Operating Mechanisms: ESV (spring charge) vs. OVR

Spring charged mechanism

Magnetic actuator

Over 300 total parts

One moving part

Many moving parts

No maintenance

2000 Operation

10,000 Operation

Three phase operation only

Single and three phase

Oil Reclosers vs. Solid Dielectric

Oil

Lower interrupting ratings

Clearing time / coordination can vary

depending on temperature and
condition of oil

Reclosing must be delayed on older

units without vacuum bottles to allow for
out gassing

2000 Operations or less

Requires 5 7 year maintenance

schedule

Magnetic Actuation, Solid

Dielectric

High fault interrupting capability

High load current rating
One size fits all amp rating
(interchangeability)
Low maintenance costs
Environmentally friendly

Medium Voltage Vacuum Breakers

15kV/27kVBreaker
Single Bottle design
15kV & 27kV
Stored Energy or magnetic
Mechanism

38 KV Breaker
38kV
Two bottle per phase design
Stored Energy or Magnetic
Mechanism

Vacuum Interruption

Definite purpose rated ANSI C37.06 2000

Table 2A

MV Breaker Ratings

Voltage , kV
Continuous
Current, A
Interrupting, kA
BIL

Type X

R-MAG

Type R

R-MAG

Type V

15

15

27

27

38

1200 / 2000

1200 / 2000

1200 / 2000

600 / 1200 / 600 / 1200 /

2000 / 3000 2000 / 3000
12 - 25

12 - 25

12 - 20

12 - 25

25 - 40

110

110

125 - 150

125 - 150

150 - 200

BIL (Basic Impulse Level): Impulse withstand voltage

Type V two bottle design allows for back-to-back capacitor

switching up to 1200 A

Automatic Recloser

Improve reliability of service

Pole-top mounting - eliminates need to build

substation

Three-phase unit can replace breaker in substation

for lower current ratings
Three Phase

Single Phase

Breakers and Reclosers provide the physical interruption

Both require a protective relay to signal when to operate

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 46

Distribution Circuit Protective Relays

WHAT IS
RELAYING

Relays

Relays are electromechanical, solid-state (static) or

microprocessor-based (digital/numerical) devices that are
used throughout the power system to detect abnormal and
unsafe conditions and take corrective action

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 49

Classification of Relays - Defined in IEEE C37.90

Classification by Function

Protective - Detects intolerable conditions and defective apparatus.

Monitoring - Verify conditions in the protection and/or power

system.

Reclosing - Establish closing sequences for a circuit breaker

following a protective relay trip.

Regulating - Operates to maintain operating parameters within a

defined region.

Auxiliary - Operates in response to other [relay] actions to provide

additional functionality

Synchronizing - Assures that proper conditions exist for

interconnecting two sections of the power system.

Classification of Relays
Classification by Input

Current (Generator, Motor, Transformer, Feeder)

Voltage (Generator, Motor, Transformer, Feeder)

Power (Generator, Motor, Transformer, Feeder)

Frequency (Generator, Motor, Feeder)

Temperature (Generator, Motor, Transformer)

Pressure (Transformer)

Flow (Generator, Motor, Transformer, Feeder)

Vibration (Generator, Motor)

Classification of Relays
Classification by Performance Characteristics

Overcurrent
Over/under voltage
Distance
Directional
Inverse time, definite time

Ground/phase
High or slow speed
Current differential
Phase comparison
Directional comparison

Classification of Relays
Classification by Technology

Electromechanical

Solid state (Static)

Microprocessor-based (Digital/Numerical)

Relay Input Sources

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 54

Typical Distribution Substation Feeder Circuit

Fuse

R
Recloser

Relay

Relay

Sectionalizer

Purpose

Provide input signal (replica of power system

voltage and current) to Relays

Reduce level - suitable for relays (typically 120V and

69V depending on line-line or line to neutral
connection)

Provide isolation

Types

Voltage transformation

Electromagnetic voltage transformer

Coupling capacitance voltage transformer

Optical voltage transformer

Current transformation

Electromagnetic current transformer

Optical current transformer

Rogowski coil

Voltage (potential) Transformer (VT/PT)

Do not differ materially from constant-potential

power transformers except

Power rating is small

Designed for minimum ratio & phase angle error

Current Transformer Basics

Current or series transformer primary connected in

series with the line

Ratio of transformation is approximately inverse

ratio of turns. i.e 2000/5

Differs from constant-potential transformer

Primary current is determined entirely by the

load on the system and not by its own
secondary load

Current Transformer Basics

Secondary winding should never be open-circuited

Flux in the core, instead of being the difference of

the primary & secondary ampere-turns, will now be
due to the total primary ampere-turns acting alone

This causes a large increase in flux, producing

excessive core loss & heating, as well as high
voltage across the secondary terminals
VCD= VS= IL(ZL+ Zlead + ZB)
VCD= VS= IL(ZL+ Zlead + )
Where ZB is the load presented to
the CT by the relay.

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 60

Steady State Performance of CT

ANSI accuracy classes

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 61

Class C indicates that the leakage flux is

negligible and the excitation characteristic can
be used directly to determine performance. The
Ct ratio error can thus be calculated. It is
assumed that the burden and excitation
currents are in phase and that the secondary
winding is distributed uniformly.

Steady State Performance of CT

ANSI accuracy classes

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 62

D.C. Saturation of a CT

Saturation of a CT may occur as a result of any one

or combination of:

Off-set fault currents (dc component)

Residual flux in the core

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 63

D.C. Saturation Effect in Current

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 64

Over Current Relay Characteristics

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 65

Recloser or Breaker Relay Characteristic

1000

Time in Seconds

100

10
Breaker / Recloser
Interruption Time
1.0

Response Time
Contact opening
and arc clearing

0.1

100

1000
Amperes

10000

Overcurrent Current Device Characteristics

100

ANSI Numbers
50 - Instantaneous Overcurrent (No
intended delay)

10
Time in Seconds

Recloser Fast Curve

51
51 - Inverse-time Overcurrent
Recloser Slow curve

0.1

50

0.001

0.1

PU 1 M1

10

100

Current in Secondary Amperes

1000

Time Overcurrent Curves

1.0
Inverse

Extremely
Very
Inverse Inverse

Time in Seconds

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

Moderately
Inverse
Definite
Time

15
10
5
Current in Multiples of Pickup

20

Time Overcurrent Curve Time Dial

Recloser Curves

Variety of recloser curves are offered to

match existing practices, fuses, conductor
annealing, etc.

Distribution Feeder Phase Protection

Pickup tap setting typically is 2, but never less than 1.5, times the normal
maximum load interruption rating

Or 1.25 times the short-time maximum load rating of the feeder

Distribution Feeder Ground Protection

Pickup commonly based on one of the following

% Above estimated normal load unbalance

% Above estimated load unbalance due to switching

% Of the phase overcurrent pickup

% Of the feeder emergency load rating

% Of the feeder normal load rating

Permissible Unbalance

Not above 25% of load current is typical rule-of-thumb, but some allow up to
50%

Pickup setting of ground element to be 2 - 4 times the permissible unbalance

Principles of Feeder Coordination

Principles of Feeder Coordination

Fault Current Vs. Distance to
Fault on the Feeder

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If2

If1

Time

T1

T2

If1

If2

Current

51 Inverse time-overcurrent characteristic

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If2

If3

Relay

Fuse

Recloser

Breaker

If1

Relay
Recloser

CTI - Coordination Time Interval

(typical - 0.35 sec)

Fuse
Time

P3

Interrupt
Time

CTI

Total
Clearing

Response
Time

CTI
Minimum
Melt

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 76

P1

P2 If1

If2

If3

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

Coordination Terminology
B

R
LOAD

SOURCE

Upstream
Source-side
Protected
Backup

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 77

Downstream
Load-side
Protecting
Down-line
Local
(where you are)

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M

If2M

Time

MIN

If1m
ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 78

MAX

If1M

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m

If1m

R
1. Determine critical fault current
locations and values of most
down stream device, and plot
Maximum If1M
Min Zs, at device
Minimum If1m
Max Zs, end of segment

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
H

IRpu
Time

If2M

MIN

If1m

MAX

If1M

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m

If1m

R
1. Determine critical fault current
locations and values, and plot.
2. Set the pickup of the most
downstream device as sensitive
as possible
(0.5*If1m > IRpu > 2*LOAD )

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
H

IRpu
Time

If2M

MIN

MAX

T2

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m
R

1. Determine critical fault current

locations and values, and plot.
2. Set most downstream device as
sensitive as possible.
3. Plot operating times of Relay R
based on characteristic of device
selected.

T1
If1m

If1M

If1m

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
H

IRpu
MAX

Time

MIN

If2M

T2
CTI

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m
R

1. Determine critical fault current

locations and values, and plot.
2. Set most downstream device
as sensitive as possible.
Plot operating times of Relay R.
3. Add Coordination Time Interval
(CTI).

T1
If1m

If1M

If1m

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If1M

LOAD

If2M
H

IRpu
MAX

Time

MIN

If2M

T2
CTI

LOAD

If1M

If2m
R

Coordination Time Interval

CTI is the minimum time interval added to the
local device (relay/breaker, fuse) that permits
coordination with the next remote upstream
device. Coordination is achieved where the
remote device will not [normally] operate for
faults downstream of the local device, but will
operate for all faults between the two.

T1
If1m

If1M

If1m

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If1M

LOAD

If2M
H

IRpu
MIN

If2M

MAX

LOAD

If1M

If2m

If1m

R
Coordination Time Interval

Time

Factors that influence CTI are:

T2
CTI

T1
If1m

If1M

Breaker fault interruption time of upstream

device
Relay dropout (over-travel) time of
upstream device [momentum]
Safety margin to account for setting, tap,
CT and operating time errors
0.35 seconds typical

Current

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If1M

LOAD

If2M

If2M
H

IRpu
Time

MAX
MAX

T2
T1
If1M

If2m

If1M

If2m

If1m

MIN MIN

If1m

LOAD

4. Add CTI.
5. Determine critical fault current
locations for device H, and plot
Maximum If2M
Min Zs, at device
Minimum If2m
Max Zs, end of segment.
6. Plot operating times for H.

Current

If2M

Principles of Feeder Coordination

If1M

LOAD

If2M
IRpuIHpu

If2M
H

Time

MAX
MAX

T2
T1
If1M

If2m

If1M

If2m

If1m

MIN MIN

If1m

LOAD

If2M

4. Add CTI.
5. Determine critical fault current
locations for device H, and plot.
6. Plot operating times of Relay H.
7. Select pickup settings for Relay H
(IHpu ) to operate for minimum
fault and not operate on
maximum load.
(0.5*If2m > IHpu > 2* Load or
compromise)

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
IRpu

IHpu

MIN

If2M
H

MIN

Time

MAX

T2
T1

ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 86

If1M

If2m

LOAD

If1M

If2m

If1m

MAX

If1m

If1M

4. Add CTI.
5. Determine critical fault current
locations for device H.
6. Plot operating times of Relay H.
7. Select pickup settings for Relay H.
8. Select time dial for Relay H so
curve passes through or above all
CTI points.

Current

If2M

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
IRpu

IHpu

Time

MIN

If2M

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m

MIN

MAX

Relay at H is comparatively slow

in the defined region of I > If1M

MAX

If1M
ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 87

If1m

Current

If2M

Principles of Feeder Coordination

LOAD

If2M
IRpu

IHpu

Time

MIN

If2M

If1M

LOAD

If1M

If2m

If1m

MIN

MAX
MAX

Relay at H is comparatively slow

in the defined region
Apply Instantaneous at H at value
greater than 1.25*If1M

T2
T1
If1M I
H50pu

Current

Fuse Coordination - Rule of Thumb

1000
Minimum Melt
(Response Time)

Total Clearing
(Interruption Time)

Time in Seconds

100

Downstream

Upstream

10

Maximum1.0
clearing time of
downstream fuse should be less than
75% of minimum melt time of
upstream0.1
fuse.

10

100
Amperes

1000

10000

Fuse Coordination - Rule of Thumb

1000
Minimum Melt
(Response Time)

Fuse - TC

Time in Seconds

100

10

Upstream
Recloser

Downstream
Fuse

Maximum clearing time of downstream

fuse should
1.0be 75% of the 51
characteristic of the upstream
recloser/relay for desirable
coordination. It may be necessary,
0.1to set the CTI down to as
however, to
low as 5 cycles to achieve complete
feeder coordination.
10

100
Amperes

1000

10000

Principles of Feeder Coordination

Most utilities require complete coordination between phase time-overcurrent

elements down through customer owned protective devices

Those who allow miscoordination only permit it at high current levels where the
result is likely to be simultaneous fuse blowing and feeder tripping

Typical Feeder Coordination

I3Ph = 7850
I1Ph = 7950

I3Ph = 2300
I1Ph = 950

125E

100T
B

115 kV - 13.2/7.62
kV Grd Y
15/20/25 MVA
Z = 8% @ 15 MVA

Relay

Fuse

Recloser

100T

I3Ph = 6300
I1Ph = 6000

Feeder Coordination Example

65T

I3Ph = 1100
I1Ph = 950

Typical Feeder Coordination

Time-Current Curves drawn based on the 13.2kv system currents

Assumptions

Maximum load through recloser = 230A

Maximum load at feeder breaker = 330A

65T and 100T fuses used at lateral taps

Typical Feeder Coordination

With 230A maximum load, select 560A phase pickup setting for the recloser
(240%)

Select 280A pickup for ground overcurrent element (50% of phase pickup)

for both phase time and instantaneous units

for both ground time and instantaneous units

Select ground time-curve of recloser to coordinate with the 100T fuse

Typical Feeder Coordination

Assuming 400:5 ct ratio for the substation relays, 330A max load = 4.125A
secondary

Select 9A tap for phase relays = 720A pickup

Select 4A tap for ground relay = 320A pickup

Select ground relay time-dial to coordinate with recloser ground curve. Select
phase relay time dial to coordinate with recloser phase curve

Typical Feeder Coordination

Phase overcurrent relay curve must also coordinate with transformer primary
side fuses and transformer frequent-fault capability

Primary side fuse must protect transformer per transformer infrequent-fault

capability curve

Typical Feeder Coordination

I3Ph = 7850
I1Ph = 7950

I3Ph = 2300
I1Ph = 950

125E

100T
B

115 kV - 13.2/7.62
kV Grd Y
15/20/25 MVA
Z = 8% @ 15 MVA

Relay

Fuse

Recloser

100T

I3Ph = 6300
I1Ph = 6000

Feeder Coordination Example

65T

I3Ph = 1100
I1Ph = 950

Typical Feeder Coordination

Transformer fuse is the

slowest (C&D)
OC Relay and Recloser
slow curves faster than
65T and 100T Fuses
(3,4,5 & 6)

Typical Feeder Coordination

Recloser fast curves faster than 65T and 100T Fuses
Recloser is operating in a fuse save mode:
Fast curve (1&2) will open recloser before down
stream fuses open
This will allow a transient fault on a fused tap to
be cleared before blowing the fuse
After a pre-determined number of operations,
usually one or two, the fast curves are blocked
and the recloser allows the fuse to blow if the
fault is in the fuses zone of protection.
If the fault is on the feeder the recloser will
operate again, typically going to lockout after
one or two more operations.
Each recloser operation will have a longer open
time to allow the fault to clear
This reduces the outage time on the taps for
transient faults, saving the fuse and not having
to dispatch a crew to replace the fuse.
ABB Group
October 29, 2013 | Slide 99

Typical Feeder Coordination

The breaker is operating in a fuse blowing mode:

If the fault is on the tap above the recloser
the 100T fuse will open before the breaker
This reduces the number of customers
affected by the outage to only those on the
tap.

This webinar brought to you by the Relion product family

Advanced protection and control IEDs from ABB
Relion. Thinking beyond the box.
Designed to seamlessly consolidate functions, Relion relays are
smarter, more flexible and more adaptable. Easy to integrate and
with an extensive function library, the Relion family of protection
and control delivers advanced functionality and improved
performance.

Thank you for your participation

Shortly, you will receive a link to an archive of this presentation.
To view a schedule of remaining webinars in this series, or for more
information on ABBs protection and control solutions, visit:

www.abb.com/relion

ABB Group
October 29, 2013

| Slide 102