Islamic University of Science & Technology

University Avenue I, Awantipora, Pulwama, J & K

Lecture-9
Unit-II

SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTION

Dr. Ahmed Sharique Anees

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 Introduction to Overcurrent Protection
• A protective relay which operates when the load current
exceeds a preset value is called a overcurrent relay
• The value of the preset current above which the relay
operates is known as its Pick-up Value
• An overcurrent relay is used for the protection of distribution
lines, large motors, power equipment etc.
• A scheme which incorporates over current relays for the
protection of an element of power system is known as
overcurrent protection
• An overcurrent protection scheme may use one or more
overcurrent relays
• Electromagnetic relays are widely used for overcurrent
protection
• The induction disc type construction is most commonly used
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 Overcurrent Relay
• An overcurrent relay has a single input in the form of alternating
current
• The output of the relay is a normally opened contact which
changes over to closed state when a fault is sensed by the relay
• The relay has two settings-Time setting and plug setting
• Time setting decides the operating time of the relay
• Plug Setting decides the value of the current at which the relay
picks-up

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 Time-Current Characteristics
• A wide variety of time-current characteristics is
available for overcurrent relays.
• The name assigned to an overcurrent relay indicates
its time-current characteristics

• Overcurrent (OC) relays are of three types:

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A. Instantaneous Overcurrent Relays (50,50N)
• Instantaneous OC relay operate with no
intentional time delay
• However, there is a minimum time required
by the relay to operate.
• This operating time is of the order of
milliseconds
• The simplest form of these relays is the
magnetic attraction types
• Solid - State, digital and numerical
overcurrent relays also available.
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• This relay only has provision for pick-up setting and does not
have any time setting
• Only current is adjustable - Time tins < 3 Cycles
• Pickup Current Setting
 Taps in the Relay Current Coil
 Air-Gap Adjustment
 Spring Adjustment
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B. Time Overcurrent Relays (51, 51N)
• Time overcurrent relays operate with a time delay.
• The time delay is adjustable.
• The minimum current at which the relay operates
(pick up current) is also adjustable.
• There are five different types of time over-current
relays. Their time-current characteristic curves are:
– Definite time
– Inverse-time:
• Inverse (Normal)
• Moderately inverse
• Very inverse
• Extremely inverse
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1. Definite-Time Overcurrent Relays
• A definite time OC Relay can be adjusted to issue trip
output at a definite amount of time after the relay
picks-up
• Thus it has a time setting adjustment and a pick-up
adjustment

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2. Inverses-Time Overcurrent Relays
• This type of relay have an operating time
depending on the value of the current generally
with an inverse characteristic
• The operation time of the relay is smaller as the
current gets larger.
• These relays also have two settings: the pick-up
current and the curve level.
• This type of curve is naturally obtained from an
electromechanical relays
• Microprocessors based relay can be
programmed to obtain any type of relay
characteristics
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Degrees of Inverse Curves
• The most common three types of curves
used are, Normal inverse (NI), Very
inverse (VI) and Extremely inverse (EI).

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Inverse Minimum Definite Time (IDMT) Relay
• This type of relay gives an inverse characteristics for
lower values of fault current and definite time
characteristics for higher value of fault currents
• Generally, Inverse char. is obtained if the PSM value
is less than 10
• For values of PSM between 10 and 20 the char. Tends
to be a straight line (definite time char.)
• The reason for the time characteristics becoming
definite minimum at high fault currents is that in
electromechanical relay flux saturates at high value of
current and the operating torque (proportional to the
square of the current) does not increase substantially
after the saturation
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• IDMT relay are widely used for the protection
of distribution lines
• Such relays have provision for time and
current setting
• The mathematical relation between the
current and the operating time of IDMT char.
Can be written as:

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Very Inverse Time OC Relay
• This relay gives a more inverse char. than a plain
inverse relay or IDMT char.
• Gives better selectivity than IDMT char.
• Hence, it can be used where IDMT relay does not
give required selectivity
• The mathematical relation between the current and
the operating time of such char. Can be written as:

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Extremely Inverse Time OC Relay
• This type of relay gives a time current char. more
inverse char. than very inverse and IDMT relays
• It can be used when very inverse and IDMT relay
does not give required selectivity
• It is very suitable for the protection of machines
against overheating
• The mathematical relation between the current and
the operating time of such char. Can be written as:

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 After this lecture you should be able to answer the following:
Why are inverse time current characteristics preferred?
How does electromagnetic relay obtain the inverse
characteristics?

Any Other Queries?

Next Lecture: PSM, TMS, Numerical,

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