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National Grid Circuit Breaker Fail

Technical Protection
Specification

NGTS 3.6.8
Issue 3
March 1999

Contents Page

Foreword....................................................1
Scope.........................................................1
References.................................................1
General Requirements...............................1
Performance Requirements .......................6
Test Requirements.....................................6
Type Registration.......................................7
Contract Specified Options ........................7
Figures .......................................................9

Authorised for Issue by:

John Scott
General Manager
Engineering & Technology
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8 The National Grid Company plc 1999

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the written permission of the NGC
obtained from the issuing location.

Registered Office
National Grid House
Kirby Corner Road
Coventry
CV4 8JY

Registered in
England and Wales
No. 2366977

Published by:

The National Grid Company plc

Kelvin Avenue
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7ST

Contact name: D Humphreys, Protection & Measurements

Network, Control & Telecommunications
Telephone: 01372 383647

The contents of National Grid engineering documents are based on

the needs of National Grid and the conditions under which it operates.
It should not therefore be assumed that the specifications and
requirements stated therein necessarily meet the particular
circumstances and requirements of other organisations. The
principles set out in this document are for information only and
therefore National Grid is not liable to customers/suppliers for any loss
or damage resulting from reliance on the contents. It is the
responsibility of such external organisations to check that the
document is the latest version and is appropriate for their purposes.
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CIRCUIT BREAKER FAIL PROTECTION

FOREWORD

This Specification defines The National Grid Company plc's (NGC) technical requirements for circuit breaker fail
protection. This Specification is part of a hierarchical structure of documentation comprising three levels of
Technical Specification. This document is a Level Three Specification.

1 SCOPE

This Specification describes the functional and performance requirements for circuit breaker fail protection
for 400 kV and 275 kV circuit breakers on the NGC System.

It does not cover the requirements for back tripping systems associated with busbar protection or mesh
corner protection which are specified in NGTS 3.6.3 and NGTS 3.6.14 respectively.

The requirements for the trip relay resetting scheme are specified in NGTS 3.6.15.

2 REFERENCES

This Specification makes reference to the following documents:

IEC 255-1-00 - All-or-nothing Electrical Relays

IEC 255-3 - Electrical Relays - Single Input Energizing Quantity Measuring Relays with
Dependent or Independent Time
IEC 255-6 - Electrical Relays - Measuring Relays and Protection Equipment
IEC 255-22-3 - Electrical Relays - Electrical Disturbance Tests for Measuring Relays and
Protection Equipment - Radiated Electromagnetic Field Disturbance Tests
NGTS 1 - Overview - National Grid System
NGTS 2.1 - Substations
NGTS 2.6 - Protection
NGTS 2.7 - Substation Control Systems
NGTS 3.2.4 - Current Transformers for Protection and General Use on 132, 275 and 400 kV
Systems.
NGTS 3.6.1 - Unit Feeder Main Protection
NGTS 3.6.3 - Busbar Protection
NGTS 3.6.4 - Non Unit Feeder Main Protection
NGTS 3.6.12 - Fault Recorders
NGTS 3.6.14 - Copperwork Protection
NGTS 3.6.15 - Trip Relays and Trip Relay Resetting
NGTS 3.12.2 - 110 V D.C. Supplies

3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Functional Requirements

A circuit breaker fail protection system shall be provided for all 400 kV and 275 kV circuit breakers
connected to the NGC System. It shall cause cessation of fault current within 300 ms of inception of the
original fault which caused the failed circuit breaker to be called upon to trip.

The circuit breaker fail protection system shall comprise two independent circuit breaker fail detectors as
described in Section 3.1.1.

At busbar substations, circuit breaker fail detectors shall operate into a tripping system as described in
Section 3.1.2(i) to provide a complete protection system as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

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At mesh substations, circuit breaker fail detectors shall operate into a tripping system as described in
Section 3.1.2(ii) to provide a complete protection system as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The requirements
for circuit breaker fail protection system at mesh substations shall also apply to single switch substations.

Typical arrangements of the interconnections of the circuit breaker fail protection system with associated
plant, equipment and other protection systems within the substation are given in NGTS 2.6, Appendix A.

3.1.1 Circuit Breaker Fail Detectors

Each circuit breaker fail detector shall be capable of detecting if a circuit breaker has failed, within its
normal operating time, to fully disconnect its associated faulted primary plant after receiving a trip signal.

The detectors shall be enabled only when the protected circuit breaker has been called upon to trip by
operation of its associated protection systems. It shall not operate if the circuit breaker fails to open during
a routine switching operation or automatic switching sequence unless such failure coincides with or
precipitates the development of a system fault, resulting in the operation of its associated protection
systems.

Each detector shall comprise the following:

(i) A current check relay to check if current is still flowing in any phase of the circuit breaker following circuit
breaker trip initiation.

(ii) A timing relay to delay tripping until the circuit breaker has had adequate time for normal extinction of fault
current.

Acceptable arrangements of the current check relay and timing relay to form a detector are shown in
Figures 3A and 3B.

For option A, the current check relay shall be enabled by the circuit breaker fail initiating contacts to
monitor the current flowing through the circuit breaker. Detection of current in any phase of the circuit
breaker above setting will start the timing relay. If the current is still above setting at the end of the timing
period, a trip output from the detector shall be initiated.

For option B, the timing relay shall be started directly from the circuit breaker fail initiating contacts. The
current check relay will monitor the current flowing through the circuit breaker at the end of the timing
period. If the current in any phase of the circuit breaker is above setting, then a trip output from the
detector shall be initiated. For applications using this arrangement, specific measures shall be taken to
prevent unwanted back tripping for situations where the circuit breaker has been called upon to close
when a trip relay (circuit breaker fail initiating contact) has been operated and not reset. One such
measure would be to block circuit breaker closing for the duration of trip relay operation.

The current check relay shall comply with IEC 255-3 and shall have, as a minimum requirement, a current
setting range of 5% to 25% in steps of 5% or 30% to 100% in steps of 10% depending upon the design
of the circuit breaker. The setting range specified is based on the assumption that the rating of the relay
is 1 A and that the ratio of the current transformer is 2000/1000/1 at 400 kV and 1200/600/1 at 275 kV.

The timing relay shall comply with IEC 255-1-00 and shall have, as a minimum requirement, a time setting
range of 50 ms to 250 ms in steps of 10 ms.

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3.1.2 Protection System

(i) Busbar Substation

Where the busbar protection is based on a conventional design using discrete components the circuit
breaker fail protection system for circuit breakers at a busbar substation shall comprise two independent
circuit breaker fail detectors, operating in a two out of two logic, to directly initiate back tripping via the
busbar protection system.

Where the substations busbar protection scheme is based on a low impedance numerical design the
circuit breaker fail protection for circuit breakers at a busbar substation shall be integrated into the busbar
protection and comprise one circuit breaker fail detector which initiates back tripping via the busbar
protection system.

Circuit breaker fail detectors shall also initiate remote tripping via a trip relay (known as an 'interlocked
current trip relay') provided for each circuit breaker associated with feeder circuits and, where specified
in the contract, transformer circuits. The interlocked current trip relay shall be of high burden electrically
reset latched type as specified in NGTS 3.6.15.

A typical tripping logic diagram for a feeder circuit breaker fail protection system at a busbar substation
is shown in Figure 4.

(ii) Mesh Substation

The circuit breaker fail protection system for circuit breakers at a mesh substation shall comprise two
independent circuit breaker fail detectors, operating in a two out of two logic, to initiate a trip relay (known
as a 'breaker fail trip relay') on each adjacent mesh corner. The breaker fail trip relay shall be of high
burden electrically reset latched type as specified in NGTS 3.6.15.

Operation of each breaker fail trip relay shall be conditioned by the auxiliary switches on the appropriate
primary disconnectors to inhibit tripping when the protected circuit breaker is disconnected from the
associated mesh corner.

Each mesh corner breaker fail trip relay shall be arranged to initiate back tripping via both first and second
mesh corner protection systems. Refer to NGTS 3.6.14.

A typical tripping logic diagram for circuit breaker fail protection systems at a mesh substation is shown
in Figure 5.

3.2 Inputs

3.2.1 Power Supply

The protection system shall be designed to operate from a 110 V (nominal) D.C. battery specified in NGTS
3.12.2. The circuit breaker fail detectors shall be supplied from a separately fused supply fed from the
first D.C. supply system., except when integrated into a low impedance numerical busbar protection

At busbar substations, the tripping system shall normally be supplied from the busbar protection system.

At mesh substations, the tripping system associated with each mesh corner shall be supplied from an
additional separately fused supply fed from the first D.C. supply system.

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3.2.2 Current Transformers

The requirements for current transformers are specified in NGTS 3.2.4. The circuit breaker fail protection
system shall, as a minimum, be supplied from a three-phase set of measurement / protection class current
transformers.

At new busbar substations which utilise modern low burden and integrated protection and control systems,
the preferred current transformer arrangement is four current transformer cores as specified in NGTS 2.1.
Where such current transformer arrangements are supplied, the breaker fail protection system shall be
connected to the same current transformers as the busbar protection provided that satisfactory
performance can be achieved.

Where the breaker fail protection is integrated into a low impedance numerical busbar protection, a
separate CT input is not required.

In all other cases at busbar substations with five current transformer cores, the circuit breaker fail
protection system shall be connected to the same current transformers as the back-up protection. A
typical current transformer arrangement depicting signals for the protection system for a busbar substation
is shown in Figures 1.

At mesh substations, the circuit breaker fail protection shall be connected to dedicated current
transformers adjacent to the protected circuit breaker. A typical current transformer arrangement
depicting signals for the protection system for a mesh substation is shown in Figures 2.

3.2.3 Contact Initiations

The circuit breaker fail protection shall be initiated by the outputs (normally trip relay contacts) of protection
systems that can initiate tripping of the protected circuit breaker.

Primary disconnector auxiliary switches shall be provided at mesh substations to satisfy the protection
system requirements stated in Section 3.1.2(ii) and shown in Figure 5.

3.2.4 D.C. Initiations

The protection system shall be provided with inputs to receive D.C. signals for the following:

- Trip relay reset (110 V D.C.) for each electrically reset trip relay.

3.3 Outputs

3.3.1 Trip Outputs

(i) Busbar Substation

(a) Back Tripping

The protection system shall be provided with output signals or double pole switched output contacts, to
initiate back tripping of all other circuit breakers connected to the same busbar via the tripping system of
the busbar protection. Refer to NGTS 3.6.3.

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(b) Remote Tripping

Where the protection system is associated with a feeder circuit breaker such that tripping of directly
connected remote circuit breaker(s) is required, then trip relay output contacts shall be provided for
initiation of the following:

- First intertripping to the associated remote circuit breaker(s) (Double pole switched)
- Second intertripping to the associated remote circuit breaker(s) (Double pole switched)

Where appropriate, second intertripping may be replaced by unstabilising of feeder unit protection, or
accelerating or unblocking of feeder non-unit protection. Refer to NGTS 3.6.1 and NGTS 3.6.4.

(ii) Mesh Substation

The protection system shall be provided with trip relay output contacts for each mesh corner to initiate
back tripping of all associated local and directly connected remote circuit breakers via the tripping system
of both first and second mesh corner protections. Refer to NGTS 3.6.14.

3.3.2 Additional Outputs

The protection system shall be provided with outputs for initiation of the following:

- Trip relay reset for each electrically reset trip relay

3.3.3 Alarm Outputs

Circuit breaker fail protection operation or failure shall be annunciated through the substation alarm and
event logging system as specified in NGTS 2.7.

The following alarm outputs shall be provided for the circuit breaker fail protection system as appropriate:

- Circuit breaker fail detector 1 operated

- Circuit breaker fail detector 2 operated
- Protection supply supervision (refer to NGTS 2.6)
- Trip relay operated indication (where required)

If the protection equipment is of the static (analogue or digital) type, an alarm output of equipment
inoperative shall be provided for the loss of D.C. auxiliary supply and internal equipment failures.

3.3.4 Fault Recorder

Operation of circuit breaker fail protection system trip relays shall trigger, and be recorded on, the fault
recorder associated with the failed circuit breaker. Refer to NGTS 3.6.12.

3.4 Operator Interface

The protection system shall be provided with the following, where appropriate, in accordance with
NGTS 2.6:

(i) Setting facilities

(ii) Indication facilities

(iii) Isolation and testing facilities

In addition and where appropriate, isolation links shall be provided to isolate trip outputs to the back
tripping and remote tripping systems to enable testing and maintenance of the circuit beaker fail protection
system without risk to in-service equipment as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Where practicable, it shall also be possible at busbar substations to functionally test the circuit breaker
fail protection system, on a per circuit basis, whilst retaining the busbar protection in service.

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At mesh substations, the isolation and test facilities provided shall be sufficient to enable the complete
circuit breaker fail protection system to be functionally tested with the primary circuits in service.

(iv) Informative interface

4 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

The protection system shall perform correctly in accordance with the requirements of this Specification
for the range of power system conditions specified in NGTS 1 and the range of environmental conditions
specified in NGTS 2.6. The performance of the protection system shall not be adversely affected by the
condition of current transformer saturation and the D.C. offset of the primary fault current.

4.2 Current Check Relay

4.2.1 Operating Time

The operating time of the relay shall not be greater than 10 ms.

4.2.2 Drop Off/Pick Up Ratio

The drop off/pick up ratio of the relay shall not be less than 70%.

4.2.3 Resetting Time

For AOption A@ the resetting time of the relay shall not be greater than 12 ms for operating currents of up
to 30 times rating (ie 30A) with a system X/R ratio of 40.

For AOption B@ the resetting time of the relay shall not be greater than 30 ms.

4.2.4 Accuracy

The error of the relay shall not be greater than 5%.

4.3 Timing Relay

4.3.1 Resetting Time

The reset or disengage time of the relay shall not be greater than 30 ms.

4.3.2 Overshoot

For AOption A@ only the overshoot of the relay shall not be greater than 10 ms.

4.3.3 Accuracy

The error of the relay shall not be greater than 5%.

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5 TEST REQUIREMENTS

5.1 General

Tests stated in IEC 255-3 shall be carried out on the current check relays in order to demonstrate that they
meet the requirements specified in Section 4.2.

Tests stated in IEC 255-1-00 shall be carried out on the timing relays in order to demonstrate that they
meet the requirements specified in Section 4.3.

In addition, the complete circuit breaker fail detector's operating time, reset time and accuracy shall be
demonstrated.

5.2 Environmental Tests

The protection equipment shall be demonstrated to meet the appropriate environmental test requirements
specified in NGTS 2.6.

In addition, test method of IEC 255-22-3 with test severity Class III shall be used to test the protection
equipment for correct performance during the transitional and operate conditions in the presence of
radiated electromagnetic fields disturbance.

5.3 Thermal Requirements

Tests stated in Section 15 of IEC 255-6 shall be carried out on the protection equipment in order to
demonstrate that they meet the thermal requirements specified in NGTS 2.6.

6 NGC TYPE REGISTRATION

Only protection relays and products that are Type Registered by NGC against this specification will be
accepted under the Contract (See NGTS 1).

Where a particular protection relay or product offered is not NGC Type Registered, then the Supplier shall
obtain registration by confirming that the equipment complies with the requirements stated in this
specification, using the self certification statement and compliance checksheet provided by NGC (See
NGTS 1).

Any non-compliance and associated application limitation(s) shall be declared on the compliance
checksheet.

7 CONTRACT SPECIFIED OPTIONS

The following options are available for selection to the requirements of the particular site and will be
specified in the contract document.

7.1 Substation Primary Arrangement

See Sections 3.1.2 and 3.3.1.

7.2 Setting Range of Current Check Relay

See Section 3.1.1(i).

7.3 Provision of Interlocked Current Trip Relay on Transformer Circuits

See Section 3.1.2(i).

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Figure 5

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DOCUMENT NO: NGTS 3.6.8

ISSUE NO: 3

This issue has been revised and amended as follows:

DATE DETAILS OF REVISION AUTHORISATION

March 1999 Modified for:

1 Type registration.

2 Informative Interface

3 CB fail integration into numerical busbar

protection

4 Revised resetting & overshoot time requirements