1659

IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 4, No. 3, July 1989

COMPUTER REPRESENTATION OF OVERCURRENT RELAY CHARACTERISTICS
I E E E COMMIT'TEE REPORT"

Abstract
This
report
addresses
the
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n
computer programs used f o r t h e a p l i c a t i o n of r e l a y s i n
power s y s t e m s .
To make t h e p r o c e s s s i m p l e and
e f f e c t i v e , c o n t i n u i n g work i s needed s o t h a t t h e
n e c e s s a r y d a t a can be made r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e t o t h e
u s e r w i t h minimum e f f o r t . T h i s committee a c t i v i t y h a s
been i n p r o g r e s s f o r a number of y e a r s and h a s been
e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e f a s t d e v e l o p i n g changes i n computer
technology.
Today, t h e a v a i l a b l e equipment r a n g e s
from main-frame t o p e r s o n a l computers w i t h memory t h a t
is a d e q u a t e f o r t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n .
The r e p o r t ,
t h e r e f o r e addresses t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of s t o r i n g t h e
digitzed relay characteristics in tables.
The
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f c u r v e s u s i n g a minimum number of
c o n s t a n t s is a l s o d i s c u s s e d . Accordingly t h i s r e p o r t
is i n t e n d e d t o be comprehensive s o t h a t e n g i n e e r s can
u n d e r s t a n d what h a s been done and is proposed.
Keywords: P r o t e c t i o n ,
Relays,
Modeling
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , Overcurrent relays.

relay

INTRODUCTION

P r o t e c t i o n and C o o r d i n a t i o n Concepts
In general, overcurrent protective devices a r e
used t o i s o l a t e o n l y t h e s e c t i o n of t h e system
a f f e c t e d by a f a u l t s o t h e r e m a i n i n g system can
continue t o o p e r a t e normally.
The b a s i c approach i s
that
an
abnormal
fault
current
is
clearly
d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e from a normal l o a d c u r r e n t , and t h e
p r o t e c t i v e d e v i c e s a r e d e s i g n e d t o respond
to
o v e r c u r r e n t s by o p e n i n g t h e a f f e c t e d c i r c u i t r a p i d l y .
S i n c e f a u l t s can o c c u r anywhere i n t h e s y s t e m ,
many p r o t e c t i v e d e v i c e s are r e q u i r e d .
These d e v i c e s
a r e l o c a t e d such t h a t a s i n g l e d e v i c e o r , i f
n e c e s s a r y , a combination of d e v i c e s o p e r a t e t o i s o l a t e
a fault.
Good p r a c t i c e d i c t a t e s , t h a t t h e i s o l a t e d
a r e a must be a s s m a l l a s p o s s i b l e and o n l y t h e d e v i c e s
n e a r e s t t o t h e f a u l t s h o u l d o p e r a t e t o perform t h i s
task.
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of t h e f a i l u r e of
a p r o t e c t i v e d e v i c e must be c o n s i d e r e d .
If this
happens, t h e n e x t upstream d e v i c e or a combination of
d e v i c e s must o p e r a t e t o p r o v i d e c o o r d i n a t e d backup
protection.
Time d i s c r i m i n a t i o n between s u c c e s s i v e
devices
provides
the
n e c e s s a r y means
for
the
c o o r d i n a t i o n of p r o t e c t i o n .
O v e r c u r r e n t C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and P r o t e c t i o n P r a c t i c e s
T i m e o v e r c u r r e n t d e v i c e s have i n v e r s e t i m e - c u r r e n t
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t o c l e a r f a u l t s with coordinated
minimum time d e l a y s .
With t h i s t y p e of c h a r a c t e r i s t i c , t h e greater t h e f a u l t current t h e shorter is
t h e t r i p time.
I n t h e p r o t e c t i v e system each d e v i c e

* T h i s r e p o r t was p r e p a r e d by t h e Computer
R e p r e s e n t a t i o n of Over c u r r e n t Relay C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
Working Group of t h e Power System R e l a y i n g Committee.
The members of t h e Working Group a t t h e time of
p u b l i c a t i o n of t h i s paper a r e S.E. Zocholl (Chairman),
J.K. Akamine, A.E. Hughes, M.S. Sachdev, L. S c h a r f and
H.S. Smith.
88 SM 737-9
A p a p e r recommended and approved
by t h e IEEE Power System R e l a y i n g Committee of t h e
IEEE Power E n g i n e e r i n g S o c i e t y f o r p r e s e n t a t i o n a t
t h e IEEE/PES 1988 Summer Meeting, P o r t l a n d , Oregon,
J u l y 24 - 29, 1988. M a n u s c r i p t - i u b m i t t e d May lo, 1988;
made a v a i l a b l e f o r p r i n t i n g May 27, 1988.

i s a s s i g n e d a primary f u n c t i o n of c l e a r i n g f a u l t s i n a

s p e c i f i c region.
In a d d i t i o n , a secondary p r o t e c t i o n
f u n c t i o n i s a s s i g n e d t h a t c o n s i s t s of c l e a r i n g f a u l t s
i n t h e downstream r e g i o n s t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e r a n g e
of t h e t i m e - c u r r e n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c p e r m i t s .
The
protected region is a l s o referred t o a s the protected
zone.
For a f a u l t i n t h e p r o t e c t e d z o n e , t h e
o p e r a t i n g time f o r t h e primary d e v i c e s must be
s u f f i c i e n t l y s h o r t t o allow t h e secondary devices t o
reset w i t h o u t c a u s i n g a t r i p .
If a primary d e v i c e
f a i l s t o o p e r a t e , t h e secondary devices a r e expected
t o c o n t i n u e and i s o l a t e t h e f a u l t .
F u s e s and S e l f - c o n t a i n e d Breakers v e r s u s R e l a y s
The t r i p times f o r f u s e s and t r i p d e v i c e s
f u r n i s h e d on low v o l t a g e c i r c u i t b r e a k d e r s t e n d t o
e x h i b i t more v a r i a t i o n from u n i t t o u n i t t h a n do
overcurrent r e l a y s . Consequently, t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
f o r t h e s e d e v i c e s a r e p u b l i s h e d a s bands r a t h e r t h a n
as s i n g l e c u r v e s t o which a t o l e r a n c e i s t o be
applied.
The lower edge of t h e band i n d i c a t e s t h e
minimum t i m e d u r a t i o n a t a s p e c i f i e d c u r r e n t i n which
t h e d e v i c e may i n i t i a t e a t r i p . The upper edge of t h e
band i n d i c a t e s t h e maximum time d u r a t i o n a t a
specified current f o r t h e device t o i n i t i a t e a t r i p
In addition, i f the
and f o r t h e c u r r e n t t o c l e a r .
c u r r e n t i s c l e a r e d i n l e s s t i m e t h a n t h e lower l i m i t
of t h e band, no t r i p w i l l o c c u r .
In contrast, t h e
t i m e - c u r r e n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s f o r over c u r r e n t r e l a y s
a r e published a s s i n g l e valued curves i n d i c a t i n g t h e
time r e q u i r e d f o r a s p e c i f i c c u r r e n t t o c l o s e t h e t r i p
The lower l i m i t of a band is
c o n t a c t s of t h e r e l a y .
n o t u s u a l l y p u b l i s h e d , b u t i s s p e c i f i e d as o v e r t r a v e l
and i m p u l s e margin. The d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e p u b l i c a t i o n
p r a c t i c e s s h o u l d o f f e r no d i f f i c u l t y , b e c a u s e t h e
d i f f e r e n c e s are a c c o u n t e d f o r i n t h e time margins
between c u r v e s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e r e l a y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
f o r s e t t i n g s chosen from a c o o r d i n a t i o n s t u d y .
Data C o n s i s t e n c y
I t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e s p e c i f i e d t i m e of a
t r i p p i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c have e x a c t l y t h e same m e a n i i g
f o r a l l d e v i c e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y when a computer i s u s e d ,
s o t h a t t h e same t r e a t m e n t can be a p p l i e d t o a l l
cases.
The t r i p time s h o u l d t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t an
a l l o w a n c e f o r e x p e c t e d v a r i a t i o n s i n m a n u f a c t u r e of
t h e d e v i c e s and system v a r i a t i o n s s u c h as wave-form
d e v i a t i o n s r e s u l t i n g from i n i t i a l t r a n s i e n t s i n t h e
f a u l t current.
However, i t i s assumed t h a t no
a l l o w a n c e i s i n c l u d e d f o r s e r i o u s wave d i s t o r t i o n s
caused by l o a d s .
Allowance f o r s u c h v a r i a t i o n s a r e
s p e c i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s i n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n and a r e
u s u a l l y t a k e n care of by i n c r e a s e d time margins.

I n g e n e r a l i t i s e x p e c t e d t h a t each u s e r w i l l
e s t a b l i s h a s t a n d a r d T i m e Margin f o r h i s g e n e r a l u s e
t h a t can be s t o r e d i n t h e computer program b u t can be
m o d i f i e d by t h e i n p u t d a t a , a s a means of a d j u s t i n g
for special s i t u a t i o n s .
P u b l i s h e d Time-Current Curves
A t present,
Current-Time c u r v e s a r e used t o
The
describe t h e operation of a p r o t e c t i v e device.
computer d a t a must p r o v i d e t h e same i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t
is now o b t a i n e d by r e f e r r i n g t o t h e p u b l i s h e d
time-current curves.
However, t h e c u r v e s t h e m s e l v e s
cannot be s t o r e d i n t h e computer.
I n s t e a d , numerical
d a t a must be s t o r e d , and a program must be p r o v i d e d
f o r s e l e c t i n g t h e p r o p e r c u r v e and p r o v i d i n g t h e time

0885-8977/89/0700-1659$01.0001989 IEEE

1660

of' a s e l e c t e d p o i n t on t h e c u r v e when t h e c u r r e n t and

a time d i a l s e t t i n g a r e s p e c i f i e d . I n some s i t u a t i o n s
a program may be r e q u i r e d t o p r o v i d e t h e time d i a l
s e t t i n g when t h e o p e r a t i n g time a t a s p e c i f i c m u l t i p l e
of pick-up c u r r e n t i s g i v e n .
For d e v i c e s t h a t have
c o n t i n u o u s a d j u s t m e n t s , t h e d e s i r e d c u r v e may n o t
n e c e s s a r i l y be one o f t h o s e whose d a t a is p r o v i d e d i n
t h e computer.
In those cases the time-current
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s w i l l be an i n t e r m e d i a t e c u r v e t h a t
would be d e r i v e d by i n t e r p o l a t i o n from t h o s e e n t e r e d .
I n any case, t h e s p e c i f i e d c o o r d i n a t e f o r t h e s e l e c t e d
p o i n t may n o t be one o f t h o s e f o r which data have been
e n t e r e d and, t h e r e f o r e , t h e f a c i l i t y f o r i n t e r p o l a t i o n
becomes a n e c e s s i t y .
There a r e two b a s i c m a t h e m a t i c a l methods f o r
h a n d l i n g problems of t h i s t y p e :
( 1 ) d i r e c t interpolat i o n from s t o r e d d a t a , and ( 2 ) u s e of d a t a - f i t t i n g
formulas.
P r a c t i c a l l y t h e r e i s no r e a s o n why t h e same method
must be used f o r a l l a p p l i c a t i o n s .
When t h e programs
are f u l l y d e v e l o p e d , t h e i n p u t and o u t p u t i n a c t u a l
u s e can be t h e same f o r e i t h e r method, and t h e r e is no
r e a l n e c e s s i t y f o r t h e u s e r t o know which method he i s
u s i n g a t a p a r t i c u l a r time.
A t the present stage i t
seems l i k e l y t h a t b o t h methods w i l l be used.
E r r o r s I n P u b l i s h e d Data
I n most of t h e p r e v i o u s work on t h i s problem t h e
t y p i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c u r v e s have been c o n s i d e r e d t o
be t h e b a s i c d a t a , and t h e computer i n p u t d a t a have
been developed by r e a d i n g numerous p a i r s of d a t a
p o i n t s from t h e a v a i l a b l e c u r v e s .
This ignores the
f a c t t h a t most, i f n o t a l l , t i m e - c u r r e n t d e v i c e s were
developed e x p e r i m e n t a l l y , and t h e o r i g i n a l c u r v e s were
p l o t t e d by u s i n g t h e r e s u l t s of numerous t e s t s ,
a v e r a g e d and a d j u s t e d a s seemed n e c e s s a r y f o r b e s t
results.
These p r o c e s s e s i n v o l v e d two s o u r c e s of
small e r r o r s .
F i r s t l y , t h e c u r v e s p l o t t e d from
e x p e r i m e n t a l data i n v o l v e some small b u t unknown
d i s c r e p a n c i e s , a s compared w i t h t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e
c u r v e s . Secondly, when d a t a p o i n t s a r e r e a d from t h e
p u b l i s h e d c u r v e s , small e r r o r s are i n t r o d u c e d . These
e r r o r s may compensate o r add t o g e t h e r .
There i s no
d i r e c t way t o d e t e r m i n e t h e i r v a l u e s and c o r r e c t f o r
them.
It is p o s s i b l e t o avoid t h e s e e r r o r s i n t h e
f u t u r e by u s i n g t h e t a b u l a t e d t e s t d a t a p r o v i d e d by
t h e r e l a y m a n u f a c t u r e r s d i r e c t l y f o r computer i n p u t .
The t i m e - c u r r e n t d a t a s u f f i c i e n t t o p r o v i d e good
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c u r v e s w i l l be a d e q u a t e f o r d i r e c t
e n t r y i n t o t h e computer and t h e p r e p l o t t e d c u r v e s w i l l
n o t be needed.
Where t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s are
r e a s o n a b l y r e g u l a r , p r e f e r r e d v a l u e s of c u r r e n t a t
s u i t a b l e i n t e r v a l s can be p r e s e l e c t e d and t h e t e s t s
can be c o n c e n t r a t e d a t t h e s e c u r r e n t v a l u e s .
(A
d i s c u s s i o n on s t a n d a r d c u r r e n t v a l u e s i s p r e s e n t e d i n
Appendix 11.) T h i s p r o c e s s s h o u l d r e d u c e t h e e x t e n t
of t e s t i n g n e c e s s a r y t o p r o v i d e d a t a f o r a g i v e n
device.
I n d i c a t i o n s have been o b t a i n e d t h a t t h e
d e v i c e m a n u f a c t u r e r s would n o t be u n w i l l i n g t o p r o v i d e
the data-point tabulations d i r e c t l y .
Radial v e r s u s P a r a l l e l C i r c u i t s
When l o a d s a r e s u p p l i e d by s i n g l e r a d i a l c i r c u i t s ,
t h e o v e r c u r r e n t d e v i c e s are e x p e c t e d t o o p e r a t e
whenever t h e time and c u r r e n t c o n d i t i o n s of o p e r a t i o n
o c c u r . However, when p a r a l l e l c i r c u i t s o r a l t e r n a t i v e
p a t h s are p r o v i d e d f o r
increased
c a p a c i t y and
r e l i a b i l i t y , c o n d i t i o n s w i l l a r i s e when some d e v i c e s
t h a t would o t h e r w i s e o p e r a t e s h o u l d be i n h i b i t e d from
o p e r a t i n g , s o t h a t u n f a u l t e d p a t h s may be k e p t i n t a c t .
For t h i s p u r p o s e , d i r e c t i o n a l r e l a y s , i n t e r l o c k s , o r
more complex a r r a n g e m e n t s i n v o l v i n g communication

c h a n n e l s between t e r m i n a l s may be p r o v i d e d . However,

when o p e r a t i o n i s r e q u i r e d , t h e t i m i n g p r o c e s s i s t h e
same a s when t h e s e d e v i c e s a r e n o t i n c l u d e d , e x c e p t
t h a t a s m a l l time a l l o w a n c e t o e s t a b l i s h t r i p p i n g
c o n d i t i o n s s h o u l d be added t o t h e t o t a l time of
clearing f o r t h e Tripping Characteristic.
However,
s u c h a d d i t i o n s a r e o f t e n s h o r t compared w i t h t h e
i n t e n t i o n a l time d e l a y s set i n a r e l a y a n d , t h e r e f o r e ,
can be n e g l e c t e d .
When t h e c o n d i t i o n s of s u p p l y a r e s u b j e c t t o
substantial
variations,
the
p r o t e c t i o n must
be
examined f o r a wider r a n g e of c o n d i t i o n s , t o make s u r e
t h a t t h e f a u l t e d c i r c u i t w i l l be i s o l a t e d f o r minimum
f a u l t - c u r r e n t c o n d i t i o n s , and t h a t t h e c o o r d i n a t i o n
between s u c c e s s i v e
devices w i l l
be m a i n t a i n e d ,
p a r t i c u l a r l y a t t h e maximum f a u l t - c u r r e n t c o n d i t i o n s .
Computer A p p l i c a t i o n s
For each s h o r t - c i r c u i t c o n d i t i o n examined, two
e s s e n t i a l o p e r a t i o n s must be performed:
1 ) determine
t h e e x p e c t e d s h o r t - c i r c u i t c u r r e n t s , and 2 ) d e t e r m i n e
t h e t r i p p i n g time o f t h e p r o t e c t i v e d e v i c e s .
In the
e a r l y d a y s of power s y s t e m s b o t h t h e s e o p e r a t i o n s were
performed by hand c a l c u l a t i o n s .
However, as s y s t e m s
grew, t h e hand c a l c u l a t i o n of s h o r t - c i r c u i t c u r r e n t s
became e x t r e m e l y l a b o r i o u s and time consuming f o r a l l
but t h e s i m p l e s t s i t u a t i o n s .
The r e s u l t was t h e
development and u s e of v a r i o u s a n a l o g c o m p u t e r s , s u c h
a s , f i r s t , d e and t h e n a c network a n a l y z e r s , a v a i l a b l e
o r i g i n a l l y a t c e n t r a l computing c e n t e r s , and l a t e r a t
many i n d i v i d u a l u t i l i t y e n g i n e e r i n g c e n t e r s .
Since
s h o r t - c i r c u i t c u r r e n t v a l u e s a r e a l s o used f o r o t h e r
p u r p o s e s , t h e t r e n d was towards a l l - i n c l u s i v e s t u d i e s
t h a t p r o v i d e t h e s h o r t - c i r c u i t c u r r e n t v a l u e s needed
f o r a l l p u r p o s e s i n major p e r i o d i c s t u d i e s .
As
d i g i t a l computers came i n t o g e n e r a l u s e , t h e same
p r a c t i c e was f o l l o w e d , and many u t i l i t i e s made
comprehensive p e r i o d i c
computer- based s t u d i e s of
short-circuits
t h r o u g h o u t t h e system on c e n t r a l
computers.
Now
local
terminals
are
used
for
remote
i n t e r a c t i v e a c c e s s t o a d e q u a t e computer f a c i l i t i e s .
It
is
now
becoming
practical
to
determine
s h o r t - c i r c u i t c u r r e n t s d i r e c t l y and q u i c k l y a s needed
f o r l a r g e o r small p r o t e c t i o n s t u d i e s .
The p r e s e n t
is
to
develop
computer
programs
for
trend
protective-device
applications
using
the
same
terminals.
T h i s w i l l p e r m i t t h e c o m p l e t i o n of b o t h
f u n c t i o n s i n d i r e c t sequence.
TIME-CURRENT CHARACTERISTICS
FOR OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICES

To s e r v e t h e f u n c t i o n p r e v i o u s l y p r o v i d e d by t h e
use
of
curves,
a computer
must
provide
time
c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e i n p u t c u r r e n t and r e l a y s e t t i n g
f o r expected o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s .
On o c c a s i o n , i t
may be r e q u i r e d t o d e t e r m i n e t h e time d i a l s e t t i n g f o r
a g i v e n o p e r a t i n g time a t a s p e c i f i c m u l t i p l e o f
pick-up c u r r e n t . The two b a s i c a p p r o a c h e s t h a t can be
used t o perform t h e s e f u n c t i o n s a r e d i r e c t d a t a
s t o r a g e and c u r v e f i t t i n g .
These a p p r o a c h e s a r e
described i n t h i s section.
The p r o c e d u r e s n e c e s s a r y
f o r implementing t h e s e a r e a l s o d e s c r i b e d .
1.
-

D i r e c t Data S t o r a g e

D i r e c t d a t a s t o r a g e approach c o n s i s t s of s t o r i n g ,
i n computer memory, c o o r d i n a t e s of t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
for data points a t pre-selected
intervals.
The
computer program selects d a t a p o i n t s a d j a c e n t t o t h e
e x p e c t e d v a l u e of c u r r e n t .
If t h e c u r r e n t d o e s n o t
c o r r e s p o n d t o a v a l u e s t o r e d i n t h e computer, i n t e r p o l a t i o n i s used t o d e t e r m i n e t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g time.

1661

If t h e c u r r e n t - t i m e c u r v e s have r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l
c u r v a t u r e , t h e i n t e r v a l s between a d j a c e n t d a t a p o i n t s
s t o r e d i n computer memory may be made r e l a t i v e l y
large.
O t h e r w i s e , t h e i q t e r v a l s between a d j a c e n t
p o i n t s must be d e c r e a s e d , o r h i g h e r o r d e r i n t e r p o l a t i o n must be used. The i n t e r v a l s i z e and t h e method
of i n t e r p o l a t i o n s h o u l d be determined by s t u d y i n g e a c h
individual
situation.
Where
the
devices a r e
a d j u s t a b l e , d a t a f o r d i f f e r e n t s e t s of c u r v e s must be
stored.
I f adjustment is continuous, i n t e r p o l a t i o n
between sets o f d a t a must a l s o be used t o o b t a i n t h e
intermediate c h a r a c t e r i s t i c .
T h i s method i s p a r t i c u l a r l y a p p l i c a b l e t o d e v i c e s
t h a t have f i x e d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d / o r r e l a t i v e l y few
s e t t i n g s . Many e n g i n e e r s p r e f e r t h e u s e of t h i s method
because i t i s q u i t e g e n e r a l and can be a p p l i e d t o a
v a r i e t y of d e v i c e s .
However, f o r d e v i c e s t h a t u s e
wide r a n g e o f a d j u s t m e n t s , s u c h a s r e l a y s , t h e comp u t e r memory r e q u i r e d f o r s t o r a g e becomes e x c e s s i v e .

2.

Curve-Fitting

The a l t e r n a t i v e t o e x t e n s i v e d a t a s t o r a g e i s t o
d e v e l o p f o r m u l a s t h a t would produce c u r v e s f i t t i n g
c l o s e l y t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e d e v i c e .
Problems
of t h i s t y p e have been e n c o u n t e r e d f r e q u e n t l y i n
computer a p p l i c a t i o n s and e x t e n s i v e l i t e r a t u r e on t h e
s u b j e c t h a s been p u b l i s h e d i n t h e p a s t ,
The p r o c e s s
c o n s i s t s of s e l e c t i n g an e q u a t i o n t h a t h a s t h e d e s i r e d
g e n e r a l s h a p e o v e r t h e r e q u i r e d r a n g e and t h e n f i n d i n g
t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s t h a t produce a s a t i s f a c t o r y f i t .
An e x t e n s i v e s t u d y of t h e s u b j e c t was conducted by
an Edison E l e c t r i c I n s t i t u t e P r o j e c t Team. T h i s work
c u l m i n a t e d i n t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of a u s e r s Guide f o r t h e
E E I Members.
The s u g g e s t e d f o r m u l a s were i n t e n d e d t o
f a c i l i t a t e c o o r d i n a t i o n of r e l a y s w i t h p r e s e l e c t e d
downstream d e v i c e s .
Other i n v e s t i g a t o r s s u g g e s t e d
alternative
formulas
that
reproduce
relay
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s with acceptable accuracy.
Some I m p o r t a n t C o n s i d e r a t i o n s
S t u d y o f t h e p a s t work s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e e q u a t i o n s
f o r r e p r e s e n t i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a d e v i c e depend
s u b s t a n t i a l l y on t h e form of t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c .
The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s a r e
g e n e r a l l y t h o u g h t of a s c u r v e s based d i r e c t l y on t e s t s
and t h e r e f o r e t h e o p e r a t i n g t i m e s a r e e x p e c t e d t o be
A small margin
t h e a v e r a g e o r most p r o b a b l e v a l u e s .
t o a l l o w f o r t h e v a r i a t i o n s of o p e r a t i n g times s h o u l d
be a l l o w e d when c o o r d i n a t i o n of r e l a y s i s a t t e m p t e d .
S i n c e any of t h e r e l a y t y p e s may be used w i t h
c i r c u i t b r e a k e r s of d i f f e r e n t o p e n i n g time, t h e
computer program s h o u l d i n c l u d e i n p u t d a t a t o p r o v i d e
t h e c i r c u i t b r e a k e r i n f o r m a t i o n f o r each c a s e . Where
c i r c u i t b r e a k e r o p e n i n g time can be d e f i n e d as a
f u n c t i o n o f f a u l t c u r r e n t , c o n s i d e r a t i o n may be g i v e n
t o i n c l u d i n g t h i s v a r i a t i o n i n t h e computer i n p u t , f o r
a small i n c r e a s e i n accuracy.
The T r i p p i n g C h a r a c t e r i s t i c
curves f o r
the
c o m b i n a t i o n of c i r c u i t b r e a k e r s and r e l a y s have seldom
been p l o t t e d and used.
The t o t a l t r i p p i n g t i m e f o r a
s p e c i f i c f a u l t c u r r e n t , o b t a i n e d by combining t h e time
of t h e r e l a y , c i r c u i t b r e a k e r , and any o t h e r d e v i c e s
i n c l u d e d , would c o n s t i t u t e a p o i n t on s u c h a c u r v e .
The t i m e - c u r r e n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a t h a s t o be handled
by t h e computer i s t h e t r i p p i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e
r e l a y s alone.
The time a d d i t i o n s f o r t h e o t h e r
d e v i c e s w i l l d i f f e r and s o must be added by t h e
computer, a s s e l e c t e d by t h e i n p u t d a t a .
The program
can be a d a p t e d t o h a n d l e t h e s e i n p u t s , whether
constant or variable.

The u s e of computer methods w i l l Tot e l i m i n a t e

s p e c i a l s i t u a t i o n s , b u t i n many c a s e s w i l l f a c i l i t a t e
h a n d l i n g them c o n v e n t i o n a l l y .
FORMULAS ADAPTED FOR USE WITH RELAYS
None o f t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c u r v e s i n g e n e r a l x e
were d e r i v e d from any t i n d e r l y i n g p h y s i c a l f o r m u l a .
Thus, i f a formula o r e q u a t i o n i s t o be u s e d , t o
f a c i l i t a t e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t o r a g e i n a computer, a
s u i t a b l e e q u a t i o n , of s u f f i c i e n t a c c u r a c y , must be
derived empirically.
Computer t e c h n o l o g y h a s shown
t h a t c e r t a i n t y p e s of f o r m u l a s a r e o f t e n s u i t a b l e f o r
particular situations.
The f u n c t i o n s t h a t have most
o f t e n been used r e t a i n f i n i t e v a l u e s of t h e dependent
v a r i a b l e f o r a wide r a n g e of t h e independent v a r i a b l e ,
b o t h n e g a t i v e and p o s i t i v e . The use o f such f o r m u l a s
does n o t t a k e account of t h e f a c t t h a t a l l t h e
characteristic
c u r v e s used
here
are
vertically
a s y m p t o t i c t o t h e pickup c u r r e n t and e x t e n d o n l y
t h r o u g h p o s i t i v e c u r r e n t v a l u e s f a r enough t o i n c l u d e
a l l t h e r e g i o n s where c o o r d i n a t i o n between s u c c e s s i v e
d e v i c e s is needed, up t o 30, o r o f t e n more times
pickup.
For t h e s e c u r v e s t h e time c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o
t h e pickup c u r r e n t would be i n f i n i t e .
However, t h e
p o i n t a t i n f i n i t e t i m e and t h e l o n g - t i m e p o i n t s f o r
c u r r e n t s o n l y s l i g h t l y abbve pickup c u r r e n t a r e n o t
a c t u a l l y needed i n c o o r d i n a t i o n s t u d i e s .
I n most of
t h e programs developed i n t h e p a s t no r e q u i r e m e n t f o r
h i g h a c c u r a c y was imposed below t w i c e p i c k u p , a l t h o u g h
t h e c u r v e s a r e u s u a l l y drawn t o 1.5 times p i c k u p .
Formulas of a c c e p t a b l e a c c u r a c y f o r h i g h e r c u r r e n t
v a l u e s have been found p o s s i b l e f o r t h e r e l a y t v p e s
studied.
However, i t i s r e a d i l y p o s s i b l e t o u s e a f o r m u l a
t h a t h a s a m a t h e m a t i c a l p o l e , t h a t is, would have
i n f i i i t e time a t t h e pickup c u r r e n t . A s t u d y o f such
f u n c t i o n s was i n i t i a t e d by t h e working group o f t h e
Power System R e l a y i n g Committee, and c a r r i e d on a t t h e
U n i v e r s i t y o f Saskatchewan, w i t h f i n a n c i a l h e l p from
t h e N a t i o n a l Research C o u n c i l of Canada.
The
r e s u l t i n g I E E E paper is l i s t e d i n t h e Bibliography
1211. However t h e r e s u l t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t , i f v a l u e s
below t w i c e p i c k u p c u r r e n t were n o t needed, no
s i g n i f i c a n t improvement i n a c c u r a c y r e s u l t e d from t h e
i n c l u s i o n of t h e p o l e .
A computer program can d e v e l o p from c u r v e d a t a f o r
each r e l a y t y p e , t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e e q u a t i o n s of
t h e c u r v e s which p a s s e s t h r o u g h t h e s e l e c t e d r e f e r e n c e
poiqt.
These c o n s t a n t s can be s t o r e d a s program d a t a
f o r t h e r e l a y s . I t is t h e n a s i m p l e o p e r a t i o n f o r t h e
computer program t o d e t e r m i n e t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i n g time
a t any o t h e r f a u l t c u r r e n t and time l e v e r s e t t i n g .

I f t h e time d i a l s e t t i i g i s r e q u i r e d b e f o r e t h e
r e l a y i s t e s t e d , a c o n v e r s i o n from time t o t i m e - l e v e r
must be made.
The s i m p l e s t method i s t o u s e a c u r v e
showing t h e r e l a t i o n between t i m e - l e v e r p o s i t i o n and
t h e o p e r a t i n g time a t t h e s e l e c t e d c u r r e n t .
With t h e
a s s u m p t i o n s u n d e r l y i n g t h e method d e s c r i b e d , o n l y a
s i n g l e s u c h c u r v e is r e q u i r e d f o r e a c h r e l a y t y p e . I t
can be p r e p a r e d e a s i l y by u s i n g a s e t of time p o i n t s
r e a d from t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l r e l a y c u r v e s f o r s e l e c t e d
currents.
An e q u a t i o n f o r s u c h a c u r v e c o u l d be
d e r i v e d , s o t h a t t h e c o n v e r s i o n c o u l d be made by t h e
computer program, b u t s e t t i n g o f t h e r e l a y by t e s t
time p r o v i d e s g r e a t e r a c c u r a c y , and i s l i k e l y t o be
p r e f e r r e d by most u s e r s , s o t h a t a h i g h l y a c c u r a t e
c u r v e is not e s s e n t i a l .
IMPLEMENTATION

The c o n s i d e r a t i o n s i n v o l v e d i n t h e g e n e r a l u s e of
computers
for
the
applicatioc
of
overcurrent
p r o t e c t i v e d e v i c e s have been
developed
i? t h e

1662

p r e c e d i n g s e c t i o n s . Of t h e two methods f o r p e r f o r m i n g
t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s t h a t have been d e s c r i b e d , t h e working
group recommends t h a t t h e f o r m u l a method be a d o p t e d as
t h e p r e f e r r e d method f o r S e p a r a t e C i r c u i t B r e a k e r s ,
T r i p Devices and R e l a y s .
CURVE FITTING FORMULAS

Several
equations
have
been
suggested
for
representing
the time-current
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of
o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s . These e q u a t i o n s can be c l a s s i f i e d
i n two c a t e g o r i e s .
The f i r s t c a t e g o r y i s t h a t of t h e
e x p o n e n t i a l e q u a t i o n s and t h e second c a t e g o r y i s t h a t
of t h e polynomial e q u a t i o n s .
Some of t h e s u g g e s t e d
equations a r e presented i n t h i s section.
The
l i m i t a t i o n s of t h e e q u a t i o n s a r e a l s o d i s c u s s e d .

T h i s model p r o v i d e s e q u a t i o n s t h a t r e p r o d u c e t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n v e r s e time o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s
q u i t e a c c u r a t e l y e x c e p t t h a t i t h a s two d i s a d v a n t a g e s .
The f i r s t d i s a d v a n t a g e i s t h a t a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
p r o v i d e d by t h i s e q u a t i o n i s n o t a s y m p t o t i c t o t h e
pickup c u r r e n t .
The second d i s a d v a n t a g e is t h a t t h e
r e l a y o p e r a t i n g time d o e s n o t d e c r e a s e m o n o t o n i c a l l y
as t h e c u r r e n t i n c r e a s e s .
For example, i f t h e
c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e e q u a t i o n are d e t e r m i n e d u s i n g
t i m e - c u r r e n t v a l u e s from 2 t o 30 times t h e s e t v a l u e
of t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t , t h e r e s u l t i n g e q u a t i o n w i l l
model
the r e l a y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
in that
range.
However, t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i n g times can exceed t h e
s e l e c t e d maximum v a l u e of 30 pu and t h e o p e r a t i n g time
c a l c u l a t e d f o r t h o s e c u r r e n t s w i l l n o t be c a l c u l a t e d
c o r r e c t l y ; t h e c a l c u l a t e d time would be more t h a n t h e
r e l a y o p e r a t i n g time.

Exponential Equations
A . R . van C . Warrington [ 2 ] proposed E q u a t i o n 1 f o r
c a l c u l a t i n g t h e c o n t a c t c l o s i n g time of i n v e r s e t i m e
Later, Hieber C71 proposed
overcurrent relays.
E q u a t i o n 2 f o r t h e same purpose.

The E E I p r o j e c t team s u g g e s t e d t h e u s e o f a
polynomial e q u a t i o n t h a t e x p r e s s e s t h e l o g a r i t h m o f
t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i n g time a s a f u n c t i o n o f t h e
l o g a r i t h m of t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t i n m u l t i p l e s of t h e s e t
values.
The s u g g e s t e d e q u a t i o n h a s been r e p o r t e d i n
t h e l i t e r a t u r e by G.E. Radke C91 and is as f o l l o w s .
l o g (T

DC)

a.

a, ( l o g I)

+ a3 (log I

T = C +

-b

(I-h+w
where:

(-1

1 "

(2)

50

T is t h e c o n t a c t c l o s i n g time i n s e c o n d s o r
cycles,
I i s t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t i n m u l t i p l e s of t h e t a p
setting,
K i s t h e d e s i g n c o n s t a n t of t h e r e l a y ,
m i s t h e time d i a l s e t t i n g ,
n i s a c o n s t a n t f o r t h e r e l a y and
C i s a c o n s t a n t which a c c o u n t s f o r t h e e f f e c t
of f r i c t i o n and h y s t e r e s i s of t h e m a g n e t i c
circuit.

Polynomial E q u a t i o n s
Polynomial e q u a t i o n s have a l s o been s u g g e s t e d by
s e v e r a l i n v e s t i g a t o r s f o r modeling t h e time c u r r e n t
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n v e r s e time o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s .
One of t h e p o l y n o m i a l s s u g g e s t e d by R.E. A l b r e c h t e t
a 1 [5] is as f o l l o w s .

a j i , m, n and k a r e c o n s t a n t s

(4)

M.S. Sachdev e t a1 121, 221 a l s o i n v e s t i g a t e d t h e

u s e of t h e polynomial e q u a t i o n s f o r modeling t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n v e r s e time o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s .
Four e q u a t i o n s s u g g e s t e d i n r e f e r e n c e s 21 and 22 a r e
as f o l l o w s .

a 3 ( l o g 113

a4

n4

...

(5)

...

(log

T = a
O

+ - +a-l+ - + - + . . .a 2
(1-1)
(I-I)~

a3
(1-1)3

a4
(1-1) 4

a
a
+
~
+ 2 ..
+2+...

T = a

1-1

1~-1

I~-I

E q u a t i o n s 5 and 6 e x p r e s s t h e l o g a r i t h m of time as a
polynomial of t h e l o g a r i t h m o f t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t
whereas E q u a t i o n s 7 and 8 e x p r e s s time as a f u n c t i o n
of t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t . These e q u a t i o n s can be used t o
model t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n v e r s e time o v e r c u r r e n t
The r e l a y
r e l a y s f o r a s e l e c t e d time d i a l s e t t i n g .
c u r v e s a t o t h e r time d i a l s e t t i n g s can be o b t a i n e d i n
two d i f f e r e n t ways.
One p o s s i b l e p r o c e d u r e i s t o u s e
a d i f f e r e n t model f o r e a c h time d i a l s e t t i n g and s t o r e
t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s f o r each r e l a y i n a two d i m e n s i o n a l
matrix.
Another p o s s i b l e approach is t o d e v e l o p a
composite model i n t h e f o l l o w i n g t h r e e s t e p s .
1.

where:

) +~ a,, ( l o g I)

T h i s e q u a t i o n a l s o h a s t h e drawbacks of t h e e q u a t i o n
s u g g e s t e d by R.E. A l b r e c t e t a1 C51.

The a c c u r a c y o f t h e o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s marketed a t
t h i s time i s 5 t o 10 p e r c e n t of t h e p u b l i s h e d c u r v e s .
The c o e f f i c i e n t s d e t e r m i n e d from t h e d a t a t a k e n from
t h e p u b l i s h e d c u r v e s of t h e r e l a y s and t h e e q u a t i o n s
l i s t e d above p r o v i d e c u r v e s t h a t have t h e a c c u r a c i e s
of t h a t o r d e r .

a 2 ( l o g I)2

DC and a ' s are c o n s t a n t .

where:

b , h , q , and w are c o n s t a n t s .
These
equations
a r e of
the exponential
form.
E q u a t i o n 1 p r o v i d e s a good mathematical model of t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of
overcurrent
relays
that
are
d e s i g n e d t o have c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h a t s h a p e .
For
example, t h e European r e l a y s can b e modeled by t h i s
e q u a t i o n a d e q u a t e l y . Also, i t is p o s s i b l e t o f i n d t h e
c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e e q u a t i o n f o r a r e l a y w i t h minimal
effort.
E q u a t i o n 2 i s a l s o s u i t a b l e f o r modeling
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n v e r s e time o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s
e x c e p t t h a t f i n d i n g t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e e q u a t i o n
is q u i t e i n v o l v e d .

Develop a model of t h e r e l a y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c i n
t h e form of time a s a f u n c t i o n o f t h e r e l a y

1663

c u r r e n t (such as, Equation 7 ) a t a s e l e c t e d

time d i a l s e t t i n g , s a y 4 or 5.
2.

Develop a polynomial model r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e

r e l a t i o n s h i p o f t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i n g times a t
d i f f e r e n t time d i a l s e t t i n g s f o r a s e l e c t e d
r e l a y c u r r e n t , s a y 3 o r 4 times t h e c u r r e n t
settings.
T h i s polynomial would be o f t h e
form
T = bo

3.

+ bl

(TDS) + b2 (TDS)2

b3 (TDS)3. ( 9 )

Combine t h e two models f o r c a l c u l a t i n g t h e

r e l a y o p e r a t i n g times f o r a l l r e l a y o p e r a t i n g
c u r r e n t s and time d i a l s e t t i n g s .

Equation 5 provides curves t h a t a r e asymptotic t o

t h e r e l a y s e t t i n g c u r r e n t but t h e c a l c u l a t e d r e l a y
o p e r a t i n g time does not d e c r e a s e m o n o t o n i c a l l y a s t h e
The r e m a i n i n g e q u a t i o n s p r o v i d e
c u r r e n t increases.
r e l a y c u r v e s t h a t are a s y m p t o t i c t o t h e r e l a y s e t t i n g
c u r r e n t and a minimum r e l a y o p e r a t i n g time. E q u a t i o n s
7 and 8 seem t o be s i m p l e and u s e f u l p o l y n o m i a l s f o r
time
modeling
the
characteristics
of
inverse
overcurrent r e l a y s f o r coordination purposes.
Following t h e s e p r o c e d u r e s , t h e minimum d a t a t o
s t o r e t h e c u r v e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a f a m i l y o f r e l a y s
r e d u c e s t o a few c o n s t a n t s f o r e a c h r e l a y . S i n c e most
l a r g e computer c e n t e r s have f a c i l i t i e s f o r g r a p h i c a l
o u t p u t s , a f i n a l v e r i f i c a t i o n can be o b t a i n e d by u s i n g
t h e computer t o draw c u r v e s f o r s e v e r a l time d i a l
settings

The u s e o f polynomial e q u a t i o n s was f u r t h e r

developed by Damborg e t a1 [ 2 3 , 241.
Reference 23
combines E q u a t i o n s 7 and 9 t o t h e f o l l o w i n g form.
(TDS)

T = c

C2

(TDS)

c3

(TDS)~

The r e l a y o p e r a t i n g times ?or t h e r e l a y c u r r e n t s and

a11 time d i a l s e t t i n g s a r e used i n Equation 1 0 and t h e
c o e f f i c i e n t s c1 t h r o u g h c a r e c a l c u l a t e d u s I n g t h e
l e a s t e r r o r squares technidue. This equation provides
relay c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t h a t a r e asymtotic t o t h e r e l a y
s e t t i n g c u r r e n t and d e c r e a s e m o n o t o n i c a l l y .
To take f u l l a d v a n t a g e o f t h e proposed modeling
a p p r o a c h , t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r s s h o u l d ( b u t , a t t h i s time,
do n o t ) p r o v i d e t h e needed d a t a p o i n t s f o r t h e c u r v e s
This w i l l
d e r i v e d d i r e c t l y from t h e i r t e s t d a t a .
e n s u r e t h a t t h e u t i l i t i e s w i l l n o t depend on c u r v e s
which a r e p l o t t e d from t h e t e s t d a t a and which may be
r e a d s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t l y by e a c h u s e r .
The
m a n u f a c t u r e r s a r e n o t b e i n g a s k e d t o conduct new
t e s t s , b u t s i m p l y t o review e x i t i i g d a t a and t a b u l a t e
t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e v a l u e s f o r t h e s p e c i f i e d p o i n t s .
If,
and when, new o r modiPied r e l a y s a r e
d e v e l o p e d , t h e d a t a f o r them c o u l d be p r o v i d e d
i n i t i a l l y i n p r e f e r r e d form, w i t h a minimum o f e f f o r t
t o prepare t h e data.
I f c u r v e s a r e d e s i r e d , t h e y can
be d e r i v e d from t h e computer d a t a .
I t must be remembered t h a t t h e f o r m u l a s d i s c u s s e d
h e r e a p p l y o n l y t o t h e r e l a y s t h e m s e l v e s and imply
t h a t p r e d e t e r m i n e d c o n s t a n t s or known time a d d i t i o n s
f o r r e l a y m a r g i n , and f o r c i r c u i t b r e a k e r s and a i y
auxiliary relays
i i t e r p o s e d can be i i c l u d e d as
a d d i t i v e q u a n t i t i e s , t o determine t h e t o t a l c l e a r i i g

time of t h e T r i p p i n g C h a r a c t e r i s t i c .
The program f o r d e t e r m i i i n g t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s o f
t h e e q u a t i o n s is s i m p l e enough t h a t i t can be
The
programmed and r u n on a p e r s o n a l computer.
c o n s t a n t s f o r t h e f a m i l y of r e l a y s can be s t o r e d on a
d i s k e t t e and a
f i e l d engineer,
checking r e l a y
performance, c a n r e a d t h e s t o r e d i n f o r m a t i o n and u s e
i t without d i f f i c u l t y .
I n s t a n t a n e o u s e l e m e n t s , and s e p a r a t e i n s t a n t a n e o u s
and
fixed
time-delay
relays
can
generally
be
c o n s i d e r e d a s h a v i n g a f i x e d o p e r a t i n g time b e c a u s e
c o o r d i n a t i o n i s g e n e r a l l y not r e q u i r e d near pickup,
where t h e time v a r i e s s u b s t a n t i a l l y . Thus t h e y can be
i n c l u d e d , i f d e s i r e d , i n t h e computer a p p l i c a t i o n
program, u s i n g a s i m p l e r formula.
ACCURACY CONSIDERATIONS

Every e t f o r t s h o u l d be made t o p r o v i d e t h e
g r e a t e s t a c c u r a c y p o s s i b l e i n t h e r e s u l t s p r o v i d e d by
t h e s e programs.
However, many f a c t o r s a f f e c t t h e
modeling p r o c e s s , and t h e a c c u r a c y p o s s i b l e i n t h e
v a r i o u s p a r t s is widely d i f f e r e n t .
I t is of l i t t l e
v a l u e t o s e e k e x t r e m e a c c u r a c y , w i t h added work and
c o s t , i n one p a r t of t h e p r o c e s s i f i n a c c u r a c i e s
elsewhere n u l l i f y t h e b e n e f i t s .
The f u n c t i o n s
performed by t h e computer can be c a r r i e d o u t w i t h
g r e a t a c c u r a c y b u t t h e r e s u l t s a r e no b e t t e r t h a n t h e
d a t a used.
I n some o f t h e p a s t work a s many a s 70
d a t a p o i n t s p e r r e l a y c u r v e have been r e a d and
entered.
I n n e a r l y e y e r y c a s e t h e c u r v e h a s modest
c u r v a t u r e , w i t h o u t p o i n t s of s e v e r e i n f l e c t i o n , s o
that
the
close
spacing of
points
contributes
e s s e n t i a l l y n o t h i n g t o t h e f i n a l a c c u r a c y of t h e
formula d e r i v e d . I n t h e p r e p a r a t l o n of p r e f e r r e d d a t a
f o r m a t s , two methods of e n t e r i n g d a t a p o i n t s a r e
proposed.
I n one o f t h e s e t h e c u r r e n t v a l u e s a r e
p r e s e l e c t e d , and O R l y t h e time v a l u e s a r e t o be
e n t e r e d , f o r u s e where t h e c u r v e s are smooth and
regular.
I n t h e o t h e r , b o t h c u r r e n t and time v a l u e s
are t o be e n t e r e d , and t h e p o i n t s p a c i n g can be
a d j u s t e d t o s u i t t h e s h a p e and c u r v a t u r e o f t h e c u r v e
being entered.
The a c c u r a c y o f t h e assumption t h a t t h e s h a p e s of
a l l t h e c u r v e s f o r a g i v e n r e l a y t y p e are t h e same may
n o t be a c c e p t a b l e . The o n l y check t h a t can be made i s
t o compare t h e r e s u l t s of tests w i t h t h e p r e d i c t i o n s
I f the
from t h e u s e of t h e f o r m u l a d e r i v e d .
derivations are consistent,
improvements i n t h e
?ormulas can be s o u g h t , b u t i f t h e y a r e random,
improvement
is u n l i k e l y .
The p a s t
experience
i n d i c a t e s t h a t , f o r c u r r e n t s above t w i c e p i c k u p , a
maximum e r r o r o f t h r e e c y c l e s and less t h a n f i v e
p e r c e n t of t h e r e l a y o p e r a t i r l g time s h o u l d be
expected.
T h i s r u l e may s e r v e u n t i l g r e a t e r
e x p e r i e n c e i s g a i n e d , and v a l u e s f o r i n d i v i d u a l r e l a y
t y p e s can be a s s i g n e d .
When t a b u l a t e d v a l u e s a r e used d i r e c t l y , t h e
adequacy Of i n t e r p o l a t i o n methods can be checked by
comparing t h e computed v a l u e s oC time f o r i n t e r m e d i a t e
v a l u e s o f c u r r e n t w i t h t h e c u r v e v a l u e s of time.
However, t h e o v e r a l l a c c u r a c y depends on t h e a c c u r a c y
oi? t h e c u r v e s .
RELAY DATA

The f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n i s common t o most

o v e r c u r r e n t r e l a y s r e g a r d l e s s of m a n u f a c t u r e r and i s
u s u a l l y p r o v i d e d by or may be r e q u e s t e d from t h e
manufacturer.
No a t t e m p t h a s been made t o s t r u c t u r e
(organize i n a particular order) the data since t h e
(user may r e s t r u c t u r e t h e d a t a t o s u i t any p a r t i c u l a r

1664

program
system.
1.

data

format

using

Type of r e l a y , i . e . ,
state, or static.

data

base

management

7.

J.E.

8.

R . A . Wylie, G . G . Auer, and R . C . Ender, Automatic

S e l e c t i o n of
D i s t r i b u t i o n System
Protective
Devices.
I E E E 1965 P I C A Conference P r o c e e d i n g s ,
p. 683-705, May 1965.

9.

G.E.
Radke,
A
Method
for
Calculating
Time-Overcurrent
Relay
Settings
by
Digital
Computer.
Trans.
IEEE
( T P 63-919)
(Power
Apparatus
and Systems) v .
8 2 , 1963 S p e c i a l
Supplement, p. 189-205.
D i s c u s s i o n , T r a n s . IEEE,
(Power Apparatus and Systems) v. 8 5 , n . 3 , 1966,
p. 303-307.

H i e b e r , E m p i r i c a l E q u a t i o n s of O v e r c u r r e n t
Relay Curves f o r Computer A p p l i c a t i o n , I E E E C P
31-CP-65-90, 1965.

induction, plunger, s o l i d

2.

Relay c h a r a c t e r i s t i c ,
i.e.,
inverse, very
inverse,
extremely
inverse,
short
time,
d e f i n i t e time, or instantaneous.

3.

Manufacturer s name.

4.

Model number.

5.

Frequency, i . e . , 50 Hz o r 60 Hz.

6.

E f f e c t i v e d a t e of r e l a y d a t a .

7.

F i r s t year r e l a y manufactured.

8.

L a s t y e a r r e l a y manufactured ( i f a p p l i c a b l e ) .

10. E E I Relay A p p l i c a t i o n s P r o j e c t Team, D i g i t a l

Computer Programs f o r Determining Time-Overcurrent
Relay and Fuse E q u a t i o n C o n s t a n t s , U s e r s Guide.
E E I , May 1966.

9.

U n i t s used f o r t i m e , i . e . , s e c o n d s , o r c y c l e s .

1 1 . B r i t i s h S t a n d a r d s f o r P r o t e c t i v e R e l a y s B.S.

142:

1966.
10.

D e s c r i p t i o n of c u r v e , i . e . , f o r m u l a , o r c o r r e s p o n d i n g t i m e and c u r r e n t p o i n t s (see appendix

f o r d i s c u s s i o n of s t a n d a r d c u r r e n t v a l u e s ) .

12. W.E. F e e r o , S e t t i n g Ground R e l a y s w i t h a D i g i t i a l

I E E E 1967 P I C A Conference P r o c e e d i n g s ,
Computer.
p. 433-446, may 1967.

SUMMARY
The t i m e c o o r d i n a t i o n o f o v e r c u r r e n t p r o t e c t i v e
d e v i c e s r e q u i r e s t h e s e l e c t i o n of a b a s i c t r i p p i n g
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c which d e t e r m i n e s t h e s e t t i ng of t h e
r e l a y and which i s i n t e n d e d t o clear t h e f a u l t c u r r e n t
a t a s p e c i f i c l o c a t i o n i n a pre-determined t r i p time.
The
two
basic
methods
of
treating
relay
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , by i n t e r p o l a t i o n of t a b u l a t e d d a t a
and by t h e u s e o f c u r v e - f i t t i n g f o r m u l a s , may be
f i t t e d i n t o one o v e r a l l program and a change from one
method t o t h e o t h e r can be made w i t h o u t any change i n
the overall result.
Once t h e b a s i c programming h a s been i n s t a l l e d , t h e
computer system can be provided w i t h d a t a f o r a l l
r e l a y s used by a u t i l i t y , a l l a t one time, o r
g r a d u a l l y , t h e most e x t e n s i v e l y used r e l a y s b e i n g
included f i r s t .
BIBLIOGRAPHY

13. S.S. Begian, R.O. Bigelow. D.M. L y l e , G.E. Radke,

W.F. Reinke. R.F. S i l v a , J . R . T r u i t t , H.Y. T s i e n ,
Worthington, A Computer Approach t o
and E.L.
IEEE
S e t t i i g O v e r c u r r e n t Relays i n a Network.
1967 P I C A Conference P r o c e e d i n g s , p. 447-457, May
1967.

4.

A.R.
van C . W a r r i n g t o n , P r o t e c t i v e R e l a y s , T h e i r
Theory and P r a c t i c e , Vol. 11. ( C h a p t e r s 1 and 8 ) .
John Wiley and Sons, I n c . , N e w York, 1969.

5. T.E.

DyLiacco and Thomas J . Kraynak, P r o c e s s i n g by

of
Circuit
Breaker
and
Logic
Programming
P r o t e c t i v e - R e l a y i n g I n f o r m a t i o n . I E E E PAS-88, No.
2 , p. 171-175, Feb. 1969.

6. T.E.

DyLiacco, B.F.
W i r t z , and D . A .
Wheeler,
IEEE
Automation of t h e CE1 System f o r S e c u r i t y .
1971. P I C A Conference P r o c e e d i n g s , p . 93-101.

17. R . C .
Ender,
The Numerical R e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f
Time-Current
Characteristics.
The
Line,
McGraw-Edison Power Systems D i v i s i o n , 1972, No. 1 ,
p. 6-10.
F i r s t Q u a r t e r 1972.

1.

A.H.
Knable, A Computer Approach t o S e t t i n g
Directional
Overcurrent
Relays
on I n d u s t r i a l
Network Type Systems. A I E E C P 61-933, 1961.

2.

van C . W a r r i n g t o n , P r o t e c t i v e R e l a y s , T h e i r
Theory and P r a c t i c e , Vol. I ( C h a p t e r 4), John
Wiley and Sons, I n c . , New York, 1962.

Mears, Z i p Through Complex Math w i t h

Programmable D e s k C a l c u l a t o r s . E l e c t r i c L i g h t and
Power, T/D E d i t i o n , v. 50, n. 6 , March 1972, p.
57-60 ( S e e p. 5 9 ) .

3.

A . H . Knable, O v e r c u r r e n t Relays C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n
a Simple Form f o r Use i n D i g i t a l Computers. A I E E
CP 62-1090, 1962.

19. R . A . H a r v i e , A New Look a t C o o r d i n a t i n g P r o t e c t i v e

Devices. E l e c t r i c a l C o n s t r u c t i o n and Maintenance,
p . 65-67, 159. J a n . 1973.

4.

A.H. Knable, S i m p l i f y O v e r c u r r e n t Relay Data f o r

Computers.
E l e c t r i c a l N o r l d , v . 159, n . 21, p .
20-23, May 2 7 , 1963.

20. W . V . S c r i b n e r and W.L. Woodside J r . , O v e r c u r r e n t

Relay S e t t i n g Program:
I n t e r a c t i v e Approach.
Texas
A&M
Converence
for
Protective
Relay
E n g i n e e r s , A p r i l 1976.

5.

R.E.
Albrecht, M . J .
N i s j a , W.E.
F e e r o , G.D.
Rockefeller,
C.L.
Wagner,
Digital
Computer
P r o t e c t i v e Device C o o r d i q a t i o n Program I - General
Program D e s c r i p t i o n . T r a n s . I E E E (Power Apparatus
and Systems) v . 83, i o . 4, 1964, p. 402-411.

18. D . K .
A.R.

21. M.S. Sachdev, J. S i n g h , R . J . Fleming, Mathematical

Models R e p r e s e n t i n g Time-Current C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
of O v e r c u r r e n t R e l a y s f o r Computer A p p l i c a t i o n ,
I E E E PAS Paper A78 131-5, J a n u a r y 1978.
Abstract
PAS-97 NO. 4, July-Aug. 1978, p. 1008.

6. H . Y .

T s i e n , An Automatic D i g i t a l Computer Program

for
Settiig
Transmission
Liie
Directional
Overcurrent Relays.
I E E E T r a n s . (Power Apparatus
and Systems) v. 8 3 , n. 1 0 , 1964, p. 1048-1052.

22. J . S i n g h , M.S. Sachdev, R . J .

Fleming and A . E .
Krause,
Digital
IDMT
Directional Overcurrent
Relays,
Second
International
Conference
on

1665

Developments i n Power System P r o t e c t i o n ,

P u b l i c a t i o n No. 185, 1980, pp. 84-87.

IEE

23. M . J . Damborg, R. Ramaswami, S.S. Venkata and J.M.

Postforoosh,
"Computer
Aided
Transmission
I E E E T r a n s . on Power
P r o t e c t i o n System D e s i g n , "
Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-103, No. 1 , 1984,
pp. 51-59.
24. M.S. Sachdev and M.A. B a r i b e a u , "A New Algorithm
f o r D i g i t a l Impedance R e l a y s " , I E E E T r a n s . on
Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-98, No. 6 ,
1979, pp. 2232-40.
25. L i n e a r Algebra and Its A p p l i c a t i o n s , G i l b e r t
S t r a n g , Academic Press I n c . ,
New York, ISBN
0-1 2-673660-X, 1980.
APPENDIX I:
G e n e r a l Form of t h e I n v e r s e Time-current
Characteristic
of
the
inverse time-current
The
general
form
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c comes from t h e d i f f e r e n t i a l e q u a t i o n
f o r a mechanical system w i t h time d e l a y :

q = m(dw/dt)+Dw
where:

(A. 1 )

q is t h e t o r q u e due t o c u r r e n t
w i s speed
t is time
D i s t h e damping f a c t o r
m is t h e moment o f i n e r t i a

is

(q/D)[t-(m/D)[l-D

(A.2)

time i n t e g r a l of

the
2

exp(-Dt/m)ll

this

(A.3)

The e x p o n e n t i a l has a l a r g e n e g a t i v e and can be

n e g l e c t e d t o s i m p l i f y s o l v i n g t h e e q u a t i o n f o r time:

t = (Dx/q)

(A. 4 )

m/D

I n e q u a t i o n (4) t h e e x p r e s s i o n f o r t o r q u e ( q ) c o n t a i n s
a d r i v i n g component p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e c u r r e n t
s q u a r e d and t h e r e s t r a i n i n g component ( q s )
q = k12

qs

(A. 5)

where k i s a p r o p o r t i o n a l i t y f a c t o r .
c u r r e n t i n terms of M m u l t i p l e s o f
gives:
kM211,2

qs

A t pickup t o r q u e M = l and q=O.

2

q = (M -l)qs

Expressing t h e
pickup c u r r e n t
(A. 6)

T h e r e f o r e k I l 1 2 = q and
(A.7)

Substituting f o r q i n equation (5) gives the general

form o f t h e i n v e r s e t i m e - c u r r e n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c :

T1/(MC-l) + To

S t a n d a r d C u r r e n t Values

S t a n d a r d p r e s e l e c t e d c u r r e n t s have been chosen t o

p r o v i d e a r e a s o n a b l e s p a c i n g between e n t r i e s and t o
form a g r o u p t h a t can be e x t e n d e d r e a d i l y a s f a r as
needed.
A l l t h e c u r v e s w i t h which t h e s e c u r r e n t
v a l u e s a r e i n t e n d e d t o be used have t h e i r c u r r e n t s
e x p r e s s e d i n u n i t s o f pickup c u r r e n t ( m u l t i p l e s o f
p i c k u p ) and t h e r e f o r e start a t 1.0.
Typically they
may e x t e n d t o p e r u n i t v a l u e s as h i g h a s 5 0 , c e r t a i n l y
less t h a n 100. However, t h e u s u a l c u r v e s a r e a c t u a l l y
s u i t a b l e f o r p l o t t i n g i n l o g a r i t h m i c form, a s t h e
a b s c i s s a s e x t e n d from l o g 1 = 0 less t h a n l o g 100 = 2 .
The v a l u e s s e l e c t e d s h o u l d be more o r less u n i f o r m l y
s p a c e d i n terms of t h e i r l o g a r i t h m s , i n t h i s r a n g e .
However, t h e s c a l e markings a r e i n c u r r e n t s , and
c o n v e n i e n t p o i n t s do n o t c o r r e s p o n d t o uniform
logarithmic intervals.
The v a l u e s chosen a p p r o x i m a t e
t h i s o b j e c t i v e , as i n d i c a t e d below.

Per U n i t
Current

w = (q/D)[l-exp(-Dt/m)]
(x)

APPENDIX 11:

S t a n d a r d C u r r e n t Values

I t ' s s o l u t i o n f o r c o n s t a n t t o r q u e is:

and t h e t r a v e l
equation:

The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f e l e c t r o - m e c h a n i c a l
relays
deviate
from
the
theoretical
equation
because
s a t u r a t i o n of t h e m a g n e t i c c i r c u i t is used t o a f f e c t
t h e s h a p e o f c e r t a i n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and i n i n d u c t i o n
d i s k r e l a y s t h e s h a p e o f t h e d i s k is a l t e r e d t o o b t a i n
a more uniform c u r v e s h a p e t h r o u g h o u t t h e r a n g e of t h e
time d i a l a d j u s t m e n t .
Consequently, i t is necessary
t o r e s o r t t o curve f i t t i n g techniques f o r a c c u r a t e
representation.

( A . 8)

where: T1 = Dx/qs
To = m/D

I n t h i s expression x is t h e displacement necessary t o

make t h e t r i p c o n t a c t and is a d j u s t e d t o c a l i b r a t e t h e
time t o t r i p a t a s p e c i f i e s c u r r e n t . The s h a p e of t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c when p l o t t e d on a l o g - l o g paper h a s a
s l o p e o f minus two w i t h t h e d e f i n i t e time To added.

( 1 .O)
1.25
1.5
2.0
2.5

3.0

Logarithms
Value
Interval
0.00000
0.09691
.17609
.30103
.39794
.47712

0.09691
.07918
.12494
.09691
.07918

Per U n i t
Current
4.0
5.0
6.0
8.0
10.0

Logarithms
Value I n t e r v a l
0.60206
.69897
.77815
.go309
1.00000

0.12494
.09691
.07918
.12494
.09691

For l a r g e r c u r r e n t v a l u e s , t h o s e l i s t e d
m u l t i p l i e d by 1 0 , which a d d s 1 t o e a c h l o g a r i t h m .

are

I t may be n o t e d t h a t t h e l o g a r i t h m i c i n t e r v a l s
v a r y from 0.09691 t o 0.12494, and r e p e a t . I t would be
p r e f e r a b l e t o e q u a l i z e them, b u t t h i s i s d i f f i c u l t t o
I t would g e n e r a l l y be
accomplish p r a c t i c a l l y .
a c c e p t e d t h a t 1.0 and 2.0 u n i t s o f c u r r e n t s h o u l d be
i n c l u d e d i n any s t a n d a r d l i s t .
I f two i n t e r m e d i a t e
p o i n t s were i n c l u d e d , a t e q u a l l o g a r i t h m i c i n t e r v a l s ,
t h e i n t e r m e d i a t e c u r r e n t v a l u e s would be a p p r o x i m a t e l y
1.26 and 1 . 5 9 , which would be i n c o n v e n i e n t t o u s e . I f
o n l y one i n t e r m e d i a t e v a l u e were u s e d , w i t h e q u a l
l o g a r i t h m i c i n t e r v a l s , i t would be d2 = 1 . 4 1 4 .
Again
t h i s i s n o t a c o n v e n i e n t v a l u e t o r e a d from t h e
a v a i l a b l e c u r v e s o r f o r t a b u l a t i o n . The l i s t proposed
u s e s p o i n t s t h a t may be r e a d i l y d e t e r m i n e d from most
available time-current curves.
For v a l u e s above 1 0 ,
u s i n g t h e l i s t e d v a l u e s m u l t i p l i e d by 1 0 , t h e p o i n t s
a r e e q u a l l y c o n v e n i e n t , a s may be s e e n by examining a
typical set o f curves.
The l o g a r i t h m i c i n t e r v a l s
r e t a i n t h e same p a t t e r n between s u c c e s s i v e c u r r e n t
values.
APPENDIX 111:
F i n d i n g t h e Equation
Time-current C h a r a c t e r i s t i c

f o r an I n v e r s e

Consider a r e l a y whose o p e r a t i n g time f o r d i f f e r e n t

c u r r e n t s i n m u l t i p l e s of t h e r e l a y s e t t i n g c u r r e n t are
a s follows:
Current i n M u l t i p l e s
of t h e Relay S e t t i n g
2.5

Relay O p e r a t i n g
Time i n Seconds
5.10

I666

Relay O p e r a t i n g
Time i n Seconds
3.50
2.60
2.10
1.80
1.58
1.33
1.20
1.10
1.02
0.95
0.87
0.81
0.77
0.73
0.70

Current i n Multiples
of t h e Relay S e t t i n g
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0

The
product
[AIT[Al
is a
5x5 m a t r i x .
Now
p r e m u l t i p l y i n g w i t h t h e i n v e r s e of t h i s 5x5 m a t r i x
p r o v i d e s t h e v e c t o r of unknowns as f o l l o w s .

0.27114
11.04271
- 76.03267
254.34684
-206.99665

These a r e t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of t h e polynomial p r o v i d e d
by t h e l e a s t e r r o r s q u a r e s c u r v e f i t t i n g t e c h n i q u e .
Sachdev and B a r i b e a u [24] used t h i s approach i n power
system p r o t e c t i o n f o r o n l i n e e s t i m a t i o n of v o l t a g e and
c u r r e n t phasors.
More d e t a i l s o f t h e t e c h n i q u e a r e
g i v e n i n some t e x t b o o k s [251.

Now c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e r e l a y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c h a s t o be
modelled i n t h e form of E q u a t i o n 8.
The f i r s t
current-time
r e l a t i o n s h i p provides
the following
equation.

+%+
A
3 +
:
2
3

2.5-1

( 2 . 5 ) -1

( 2 . 5 ) -1

+--

(A.9)

- 5.10
( 2 . 5 ) -1

Completing
equation.
a

the

arithmatic

0.6667 a l

0.02627 all

provides

0.19048 a 2
=

the

0.06838 a 3
(A.10)

5.10

second
c u r r e n t - t ime
Similarly, t h e
provides t h e following equation.
a

0.5000 a l + 0.1250 a 2

0.01250 a,, = 3.50

Continuing
equations.
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 100000
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo
1 .ooooo

this

procedure

0.66667
0.50000
0.40000
0.33333
0.28571
0.25000
0.20000
0.16667
0.14286
0.12500
0.1111 1
0.09091
0.07692
0.06667
0.05882
0.05263

0.19048
0.12500
0.08889
0.06667
0.051 95
0.04167
0.02857
0.02083
0.01587
0.01 250
0.01010
0.00699
0.0051 3
0.00392
0.00310
0.00251

following

r el a t i onshi p

0.03846 a 3
(A.11)

provides

the

0.06838
0.03846
0.02388
0.01587
0.01 110
0.00806
0.00465
0.00292
0.001 96
0.00137
0.00100
0.00058
0.00036
0.00024
0.0001 7
0.0001 3

following
5.10000
3.50000
2.60000
2.10000
1 .80000
1 .58000
1 .33000
1 .20000
1.10000
1 .02000
0.95000
0.87000
0.81000
0.77000
0.73000
0.70000

0.02627
0.01250
0.00671
0.00392
0.00244
0.00160
0.00077
0.00042
0.00024
0.00015
0.00010
0.00005
0.00003
0.00002
0.00001
0.00001

[AI
I n t h i s e q u a t i o n , t h e m a t r i x [ A ] i s a 16x5 m a t r i x , [XIi s a 5x1 v e c t o r and
[ b l i s a 16x1 v e c t o r .
P r e m u l t i p l v i n g both s i d e s of E q u a t i o n A.12 w i t h t h e
t r a n s p o s e of [ A ] p r o v i d e s t h e f o l l o w i n g e q u a t i o n .
1-

16.00000
3.52730
0.6741 7
0.17914
0.05524

3.52730
1.25070
0.28827
0.08694
0.02915

0.67417
0.28827
0 .G7055
0.02218
0.00766

0.17914
0.08694
0.0221 8
0.00720
0.00255

0.05524
0.02915
0.00766
0.00255
0.00092

26.16000
8.92800
2.05946
0.62687
0.21248

1667

Discussion

the paper. We would like to provide the following

response to the points raised by Dr. Ramaswami.

Ramasamy Ramaswami (Electrocon International, Inc. Ann Arbor, MI

48104): The Working Group has presented a clear and useful survey of the
approaches available and some other pertinent guidelines for modeling the
characteristics of overcurrent relays for possible use in computer aided
setting and coordination software. I would like to add few comments to
make the paper more complete.
1. Reference 24 has been assigned to two different papers, once near
equation 10 and a second time in Appendix 111. Only the latter paper is
included in the Bibliography. Since I was a guest at the last couple of
meetings of the Working Group and contributed the references and the
material for Equation 10, I would like to indicate here the details of the first
occurrence of reference 24:

24. M. J. Damborg and S. S. Venkata, Specification of Computer

Aided Transmission Protection Systems, EPRI Final Report EL-3337, RP
1764-6, January 1984.
The subsequent references should then be read as 25 and 26.

2. The polynomials represented by Equations 7, 8, and 10, in general,

satisfy the requirement that the model should exhibit an asymptotic
behaviour at the pickup current (that is, I = 1) and monotonic decrease in
time value as current assumes larger values. A subtle issue is involved with
the nature of the model near the pickup current. For some sets of
coefficients, the model could yield a time value of negative infinity
asymptotically instead of the desired positive infinity. I would like to offer a
simple analysis of the models to emphasize this point. Consider the model
indicated by equation 8, which is also used in the example of the
computation of the coefficients in Appendix I11 of the paper.
T=%+%+L+%+...
1-1 12-1 13-1

+-I a.-

1. We agree that Reference 24 was inadvertently

omitted from the list of references and References
25 and 26 were incorrectly numbered 24 and 25.
Also the references quoted in Appendix 111 should
have been 25 and 26 instead of 24 and 25.
2. The working group did not investigate and report
the details of the behavior of the polynomials
because it was outside the scope of its work.
3. It has been known for some time [27] that the
polynomials of Equations 8 and 10 will provide
relay operating times of +- or -0 as the current
decreases from large values to one pu. The proof
provided by Dr. Ramaswami is valid for Equations 8
and 10 only.
4. Consider the following
Equation 7 of the paper.
T l a o + -al
+
1-1

. AIfor AI

4 1

5.

xf
a-

A I J = iJ
Now as AI

-+

0, T

-+

+ 03 only if

f: ?J> O

j=i

If not, T
- 03
The coefficients obtained through least square fit should satisfy 1 to
ensure proper asymptotic behavior.
In the example shown in Appendix III
-+

j=i

af=6
J

A 4% decrease in the values of a2 through will drive this summation to a

negative value and therefore this model satisfies this requirement just
marginally.
A similar analysis of equations 7 and 10 will reveal that the coefficient of
the highest order term (a, and c, respectively) should be positive to ensure
proper asymptotic behavior at the pickup current.
Manuscript received August 22, 1988.

REPRESENTATION OF
OVERCURRENT
RELAY
CHARACTERISTICS WORKING GROUP: The Working Group is
grateful to Dr. Ramasany Ramaswami for his interest in
COMPUTER

a4

x+GT+z

1
a 4 1 x

This shows that the time will be +- if the current

reduces from large positive values to one pu and
On the other hand, the time
a4 is positive.
approaches -- if the current reduces from large
positive values to one pu and a4 is negative.

Then (IJ - 1) = (1 +AI) - 1

is

Now taking the limit 1-11 the relay operating time

is
T I -a4
0

let I = 1 AI.

=%+-

a3

which

The right-hand side of this equation is

[a0(~-1)4+ al(~-1)3+ a2(I-l) 2 + a3(I-l)

To study the behaviour near I = 1,

=j

a2

polynomial

similar analysis shows that the operating time

calculated by Equation 5 will be +- if the current
reduces from large positive values to one pu and
the coefficient a-l is positive. Similarly, the
calculated operating time will be zero if the
current reduces from large value to one pu and the
coefficient a-1 is negative.

6. The operating time calculated by the polynomial of

Equation 6 will be +- if the current reduces from
large values to one pu and the coefficient of the
term of the highest order is positive.
The
calculated operating time will be zero if the
coefficient of the term of the highest order is
negative.
The points raised in the discussion and this
closure are the intricacies of the properties of
polynomials.
In practice, the operating times of
inverse-time overcurrent relays are calculated for
currents equal to and greater than 1.5 pu.
We thank the discusser once again for his interest
in the paper.
Reference
[27] J. Singh, Overcurrent Relays: Modelling of
Characteristics and Feasibility of a Computer
Based Design, M.Sc. Thesis, 1978, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Manuscript r e c e i v e d November 3 , 1988.