Distance Protection

This tutorial demonstrates the modelling and setting of distance protection devices. The tutorial has been de-
signed for a user who has already used, and is familiar with the basic functions and structure of PowerFactory.

1 Import Project

Click on the icon from the exercise Distance Protection of the PowerFactory Tutorial window, to import and
activate the project for this exercise.

2 Network Model

The source of the network that is used throughout this tutorial is paragraph 11.32 of the 1987 edition of the
Protective Relays Application Guide (PRAG) published by GEC Measurements. In some areas the model used
in this tutorial deviates from the original in order to better demonstrate specific PowerFactory applications in a
more realistic way.

The network has been pre-prepared with the exception of the protection devices themselves. The ability to
execute load flow and short circuit calculations and to interpret the results is considered to be a prerequisite
for this tutorial. It is also assumed that you have completed the tutorial Overcurrent Protection and are already
familiar with the handling of protection devices in PowerFactory.

3 Distance Relay Modelling

The textbook example uses a Quadramho relay. However, in this tutorial a Micromho relay will be used. The
Micromho type objects are available in the tutorial’s project library. The relay can be created as follows:
• Right click on the cubicle feeding Line G from Substation P. Select New Devices → Relay Model as
shown below.
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Figure 3.1: Creating a relay in substation P to protect line G.

• A relay element data input window opens, where the new relay can be named “Relay G”.
• A relay type should be chosen from the project library using the select button (see figure 3.2).

Figure 3.2: Selecting a relay type in the input window.

• There is only one distance relay type saved in the library (the other relay is an overcurrent relay), this is
the previously mentioned Micromho relay which has been placed there for use in this example. Note that
a filter is automatically applied to the project library so that only relay types are shown.
• Select the Micromho relay type by double clicking on the relay type icon. This will update the relay
element data input window.
• Select the Create CT button at the bottom of the relay element dialog to create a CT model in the cubicle
which will supply signals to the relay.

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• The CT element can be given a unique name such as “CT G”, but this is not required.

• A CT type should be selected from the project library using the select project type option from the type
dropdown list. Choose the 600/1 CTType from the project library.
• The CT element data window is updated to show a 600/1 ratio. If the CT type had specified a multi-ratio
CT, a CT ratio would additionally need to be selected, but in this case it is not necessary.
• The configured CT input window is shown in figure 3.3.

• The Location is automatically specified based on a topological search starting on the cubicle in which the
CT was created.
• Press OK and the CT element becomes visible in the relay element dialog.

Figure 3.3: CT input window

• Now a VT element must be created. To do this, the Create VT button is pressed. A VT element data
input dialog will open.

• The VT is given a name “VT G”.

• Note that the VT can be defined in terms of a Type and a Sec. winding type. First select the main type
by using the select button. From the drop down menu that appears select the VT that is available in
the project library. This will allow the primary voltage of the VT to be made selectable in the VT station
element dialog and since only one is available this will be automatically selected.

• Select the secondary tap to have the value 110 V. The most common VT secondary voltages are already
available from the secondary tap drop down menu so a Secondary Type is not usually required. However,
if a non-standard secondary voltage is required, a specific secondary type can be created.

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• The configured VT input window is shown in figure 3.4.

• Press OK and return to the relay element input window. A VT should now be shown selected in the slot
definition table of the relay model dialog.

Figure 3.4: VT input window

• Just as with real systems, it is necessary to ensure that the relay model is configured correctly for the
application. Double click on the Measurement element in the relay ensuring that the settings in this
element matches the secondary CT and VT values. i.e. a nominal current of 1 A and a nominal voltage
of 110 V.
Relay G has now been added to the network model but it’s settings have not yet been specified. This is our
next step.

4 Setting the Distance Relay

The relay elements are set individually using the same settings proposed in the textbook, as follows:
• Double click on the element Polarizing in the relay element dialog. The window shown below opens.

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Figure 4.1: Polarizing block input window.

• Note that the line k0 value (described as kn, residual compensation factor adjustment in the reference
book) is automatically calculated and displayed. As should be expected, the value of 0.49 at an angle of
7.8 degrees matches the textbook exactly. By pressing Assume k0, the k0 setting is changed to 0.48,
and the angle to 7.830631 degrees. These are the closest available settings to the calculated values.
• Double clicking the element Starting opens the next setting window:

Figure 4.2: Starting block input window.

• The starting element consists of an overcurrent element and an earth fault element. It is important that
these elements are set with enough sensitivity to pick up for all faults at the furthest reach of the relays’s
largest zone. To determine this sensitivity PowerFactory can be used to calculate the three phase and
earth fault currents at the end of zone 3 for the relay.
• For this tutorial the busbar at Substation R/B1 at the end of Line J should be faulted, using the complete
calculation method with the minimum short circuit currents option selected. Fault currents of 576 A for a
3-ph fault and 71 A (I0x3) for a single phase to ground fault should be observed at the relaying location.
• In this case we will set the starting thresholds to the values below the currents calculated at the limit of
zone 3. Set the Current, 3*I0 to 0.08 sec.A and Current I>> to 0.5 sec.A. Press OK.

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• Alternatively, the relay elements can also be set by pressing the Contents. As a result, a window will
appear showing all the elements of the relay. Select the earth fault mho element for zone 1 called PGZ1
and select the icon . The window shown below will open. In order to edit the parameters for each
element please scroll to the right of the Basic Data page.

Figure 4.3: Detail Mode view of Zones for Relay G.

• The secondary ohm impedance values of the first line are used to calculate the Zone 1 settings. As-
suming we want to set this element to 80% of the impedance of Line G, we should apply a value of
17.56 pri.Ohm. Set the Replica Impedance to 17.56 pri.Ohm and the Relay Angle to 65 deg. The branch
angle reach is automatically calculated as 79.94% of the line impedance, confirming that the setting is
correct.
• The Zone 2 reach must be set to cover the protected line plus 50% of the shortest adjacent line or 120%
of the protected line whichever is the greater. For the application under consideration Zone 2 should be
set to cover the protected line plus 50% of the shortest adjacent line (Line K ). Using the same procedure
as for setting PGZ1, we set PGZ2 Replica Impedance to 30.74 pri.Ohm and the Relay Angle to 65 deg.
• Zone 3 is to be set to cover the first line and the next longest line (Line J). A safety factor of an additional
20% shall also be added. Again PGZ3 should be set using the same procedure as for PGZ1 and
PGZ2. The PGZ3 Replica Impedance should be set to 79.06 pri.Ohm and the Relay Angle to 65 deg.
The Characteristic Angle is kept at 90 deg (to maintain a circular tripping characteristic) and the Offset
Impedance is set to 4.4 pri.Ohm to give an arbitrary value of reverse reach.
• The reaches of the phase elements should now be configured. The reaches of PPZ1, PPZ2 and PPZ3
should be set equal to the reaches of the respective earth fault elements PGZ1, PGZ2 and PGZ3. Press
Close.

• Click on the icon . Now select the Z2GD element (earth fault timer) and click on icon again. This
opens the following window:

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Figure 4.4: Input window for the timer of the zone 2.

• Select a tripping time delay for this block by entering a Time Setting of 0.3 s.
• Repeat this procedure for the Z3GD. Add additional 0.3 s of time delay by setting the Time Setting to
0.6 s.
• The same procedure is used to set Z2PD and Z3PD timers to 0.3 s and 0.6 s respectively. Press Close.
• The last element to be set is the logic element. In most cases, it needs no setting and that is the case
here also. However, if it is wished to trip a circuit breaker other than the one located in the same cubicle
as the relay, we could specify it here. For this exercise, we will not change the logic unit.

Now we have successfully configured our distance protection relay.

5 Creating a R-X Plot

• Right click on the connection side where our relay is located and select Show → R-X plot as shown in
figure 5.1.

Figure 5.1: Displaying an R-X Plot.

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• A R-X plot appears showing the settings of Relay G, as well as some line impedances. Note that the
earth fault and phase fault impedance elements are on top of each other for each zone. This can be seen
by double clicking it, for example, the outer zone setting (Zone 3). The following window appears:

Figure 5.2: Selecting zone element in the R-X Plot.

• Relay elements can be set directly from the R-X plot by double clicking on the displayed characteristic.
If the plots lie on top of one another, as shown in this example, a window will open in which the relevant
relay block to be edited should be selected.

• After selecting the element to be set or changed, press the Edit Object button ( ) on the toolbar, and
the setting sheet of the selected element appears. Alternatively, double click on the element icon to arrive
at the zone element.
• Double click anywhere on the diagram (but not on a plot) and the R-X plot editor appears. Press Options
in order to adjust the various diagram options.
• Select “Ph-Ph & 3-Ph” in the Relay Units field. Press OK and return afterwards to the graphic. Now only
the Phase-Phase and 3-Phase Distance elements are shown in the R-X plot. The vertical lines represent
the impedance of the power transformers.
• Calculate a 3ph fault on Line G to see if the relay detects the impedance in the first zone and trips
accordingly. Faults can be calculated directly in the R-X plot. Right click on the line (dotted line) and
select Calculate → Short-Circuit (see figure 5.3). Configure the short-circuit and execute it. The relay
should trip in 0.02 s.
• Consider a fault including fault impedance, marking a position on the line in the R-X plot by left clicking
on the position. Now select Calculate → Short-Circuit inc. Fault Impedance. A dashed line will be

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extended from the fault position to the mouse cursor. Select a location in the R-X plot to apply the fault
by clicking the location with the left mouse button. A short circuit command will be presented, with the
fault impedance configured. Execute the command.

Figure 5.3: Calculate a line short circuit in the R-X plot.

6 Adding another Relay

One of the main aims of any protection engineer is to ensure that coordination between the relays is correct.
The coordination of distance protection devices can be checked using R-X plots or time-Distance plots. Defin-
ing paths for the relays to be coordinated is a tool that may be used in order to make maximum use of these
different plots. Before this can be demonstrated, we will add one more relay to our project. In the next few
steps, we will add a distance relay at the source side of Line J, as follows:

• Right click on the Station Q cubicle connected to Line J. Select New Devices → Relay Model.
• Name the relay “Relay J”.
• Select the Micromho type relay from the project library.
• Press Create CT. On the dialog that appears, select the downward pointing Type selection arrow. From
the project library select the 600/1 CT.
• Press Create VT. Define the Tap Selection in the same way as Relay G.
• Set Polarizing and Starting elements similar to Relay G.
• Set the other elements of relay as follows:
– PGZ1 = PPZ1 = 36 pri.Ohm
– PGZ2 = PPZ2 = 60 pri.Ohm
– Relay Angle = 65 degrees
– Z2GD = Z2PD = 0.3 s
– Set PGZ3, PPZ3, Z3GD and Z3PD out of service since there is no adjacent line.

Alternatively, a faster approach for adding another relay is also suggested. Please follow the below steps:

• Right click on the Station P cubicle connected to Line G. Select Edit Devices.

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• Select Relay G, CT G and VT G. Right click and select Copy.

• Right click on the Station Q cubicle connected to Line J. Select Edit Devices.
• A window will appear showing the list of devices configured on this cubicle. Right click and select Paste.
• Now, the relay name and settings, CT and VT names can be chnaged by double clicking on them and
following the steps as explained previously.

7 Creating Path and Time-Distance Plot

When there are several relays in a system and there is a requirement to check the coordination of these relays,
it is beneficial to define a path. A path is defined as follows:

• Multi-select the busbars and lines from Substation P to Substation R by clicking on each of the elements
along this path, while holding down the Control key. Note, you can also select the start and end terminal
only and PowerFactory will select the electrically shortest distance as a path.
• Right click anywhere on this multi-selection. A drop down menu appears. Select Path → New as shown.

Figure 7.1: Defining a path.

• The path to be created can be given a unique name for identification like “ProtectionPath”. Make sure,
that the First Busbar is Substation P, if that is not the case, press Toggle to switch the start and end
busbar of the path.
• Right click on the newly created red path and select Path → Time-distance plot.

• Two plots are shown, but these need to be further defined. Double click anywhere on the plots. The
screen shown below will appear.

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Figure 7.2: Time-distance plot edit dialog.

• For this exercise only a forward plot is required. In the drop down menu next to Diagrams, select Forward.
• The plot now shows our two distance relays with their set zone reach. It is sometimes necessary to
assess the coordination considering different network effects like intermediate infeed. To calculate the
relays reach considering those effect, it is possible to calculate a short-circuit sweep along the defined
path.
• Open the dialog by double clicking on the plot again and select Short Circuit Sweep as the Method.
• You can edit the short circuit sweep command or the method used for calculating the short circuit, but
for now we will just press Execute SC-Sweep and, by default, a 3ph short circuit is calculated along our
path. Figure 7.3 below shows the result.
• Compared to the kilometrical method, zone 2 and 3 of Relay G is reduced. This is because the short
circuit sweep method accounts for the influence of infeed from Substation Q on the impedance measured
by Relay G. The Kilometrical method does not.

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Figure 7.3: Time-distance plot with 3ph short circuit sweep.

8 Summary

This concludes the exercise. Now it should be clear how to carry out the following tasks:

 Modelling distance protection devices in cubicles.

 Adding current and voltage transformers into cubicles.
 Setting distance relay blocks: polarizing, starting, zones.

 Creating a R-X plots.

 Defining a protection path.
 Creating a time-distance plot.

 Calculating short circuit sweeps along a path.