Intro To Relays #2 - ANSI - IEEE Relay Numbers

7/13/24, 10:14 AM Intro to Relays #2 - ANSI/IEEE Relay Numbers
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Intro To Relays #2 - ANSI/IEEE Relay

Numbers
By Rick Ivins | Posted on April 27, 2023
Protective Relays are an advanced area of electrical engineering and contracting that can be intimidating, but they
don’t have to be! This series of 3 articles will introduce basic relaying to the non-engineers in the solar and energy
storage industries.
Intro to Relays #1 – What are Relays, CTs, & PTs?
Intro to Relays #2 – ANSI/IEEE Relay Device Numbers (below on this page)
Intro to Relays #3 – What does SEL stand for?
Relay Numbers
Protective relays are designed by using standard device numbers to describe its functionality. Instead of verbal
descriptions, we use numbers to describe the functions of a relay. The numbers and acronyms are standardized in
the document ANSI/IEEE C37.2.
Why use numbers instead of words?
1. Efficiency – They are much more efficient to use when creating the wiring diagrams or speaking. For instance,
instead of saying “Over Voltage on the Neutral” you can just say “59N”.
2. Standardization – When used in conversation, all parties (Utilities, engineers, vendors, installers, etc.) will
immediately know what functionality is needed without the risk of misinterpretation and mistakes.
3. More compact on a drawing – Since relays provide several functions, it's more concise on a drawing to just call
out the numbers. Here is an example of a relay with “phase overvoltage & undervoltage, phase over frequency
& under frequency, ground inverse time overcurrent, and alarm” functions. See how much easier it is using the
numbers that in you needed to write it all out?
https://www.purepower.com/blog/ansi/ieee-relay-numbers 1/6
Attention Engineers!
If you love technical articles like this, then you might be a great fit at Pure Power! These sorts of topics are
discussed daily by our team of 80 engineers that designed over 2,000 C&I and Utility-Scale solar projects.
Surrounding yourself with all this experience is a great way to take your career to the next level.
Check out our open positions here.
What numbers are used in Solar?
Here are the most commonly used functions in PV and Energy Storage Systems:
# Name Description
Compares the utility and solar circuit’s voltage, frequency, and

25 Synchronizing Clock phase angle. If matching, it allows the solar to connect in
parallel to the grid.
27 Undervoltage Triggers when the voltage is below a set value.
Triggers when power flow exceeds a set value in a particular

32 Directional Power
direction. (Reverse Power Relay)
Triggers when the temperature of a winding exceeds a set

49 Transformer Thermal
value.
50 Instantaneous Overcurrent Triggers when current exceeds a defined value.
Triggers when current exceeds a value for a set amount of

51 Inverse-Time Overcurrent
time.
A device used to open a circuit. 52R means it can also reclose

52 Circuit Breaker
a circuit.
59 Overvoltage Triggers when voltage exceeds a set value.
74 Alarm Triggers a visual, audible, or data alarm.
Controls the reclosing or locking out of an AC circuit

79 AC Reclosing
interrupter.
Triggers when frequency is outside the range of acceptable

81 Frequency
values.
86 Lockout Locks out operation of a device until manually reset.
87 Differential Protective Triggers upon a difference between 2 measured currents.
A device such as a disconnect switch. Typically, 89 is used only

89 Line Switch when there are electrical accessories (shunt trip or aux
contacts).
Additionally, there may be letters after the numbers, which further define the function:
# Name Description
Adding R to a number means it can reclose too.

R Reclosing Example: 52R is a circuit breaker that can open and
reclose a circuit.
Identifies the function is on the phases. Often it's not

P Phase shown, because it's on phase by default, such as 50
and 51 overcurrent functions.
Adding N means it is on the neutral rather than the

N Neutral phase. Example: 51N monitors the neutral for
unbalanced overcurrent.
Adding G means it is on the ground rather than the

G Ground phase. Example: 51G monitors the ground bonding
for ground faults.
Setpoints
It’s not enough to simply call out the functions. Functions also need the minimum and/or maximum setpoint values.
These are determined by an engineer and are often unique for each project.
Conclusion
At a high level, the concept of relay device numbers is simple. It is a slippery slope that quickly gets more
complicated. However, developers and project managers don’t need to know the technical details to do their jobs.
That’s why you have experienced engineers such as Pure Power. If you need help with the relays on your project, click
here to learn more or reach out to us today info@purepower.com.
This entry was posted in Relay by Rick Ivins
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7/13/24, 10:14 AM Intro to Relays #2 - ANSI/IEEE Relay Numbers

Intro To Relays #2 - ANSI/IEEE Relay

Intro to Relays #1 – What are Relays, CTs, & PTs?

Intro to Relays #2 – ANSI/IEEE Relay Device Numbers (below on this page)

Intro to Relays #3 – What does SEL stand for?

Why use numbers instead of words?

Check out our open positions here.

What numbers are used in Solar?

Compares the utility and solar circuit’s voltage, frequency, and

27 Undervoltage Triggers when the voltage is below a set value.

Triggers when power flow exceeds a set value in a particular

Triggers when the temperature of a winding exceeds a set

50 Instantaneous Overcurrent Triggers when current exceeds a defined value.

Triggers when current exceeds a value for a set amount of

A device used to open a circuit. 52R means it can also reclose

59 Overvoltage Triggers when voltage exceeds a set value.

74 Alarm Triggers a visual, audible, or data alarm.

Controls the reclosing or locking out of an AC circuit

Triggers when frequency is outside the range of acceptable

86 Lockout Locks out operation of a device until manually reset.

87 Differential Protective Triggers upon a difference between 2 measured currents.

A device such as a disconnect switch. Typically, 89 is used only

Adding R to a number means it can reclose too.

Identifies the function is on the phases. Often it's not

Adding N means it is on the neutral rather than the

Adding G means it is on the ground rather than the

Sign Up To Receive All Our Value Engineering Tips

Pure Power Headquarters

111 River Street, Suite 1110, Hoboken, NJ 07030

1610 R Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

403 16th Street, Suite 301, Denver, CO 80202

800 Town & Country Blvd, Houston, TX 77024

7300 W 110th Street, Suite 710, Overland Park, KS 66210

View larger map

Map data ©2024 Google Report a map error

Copyright © Pure Power Engineering. All rights reserved.

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