4. 4
Introduction to distance
protection
Why distance relays ?
Coordination of overcurrent and directional overcurrent
relays is achieved using time delays
The time delays would become exceptionally long when
applied to large power systems
Not possible to protect complex systems using overcurrent &
directional overcurrent relays
Distance protection was introduced to overcome these
problems
Most systems use one or another form of distance relay for
protecting transmission and sub-transmission lines
5. 5
Limitation of instantaneous overcurrent
protection
Introduction to distance
protection
IF1 = 115kV/3(5+4)
= 7380A
Is > 7380A
F1
115kV 50
IF1
ZS = 10
ZS = 10
ZL = 4
F2
115kV 50
IF2
ZS = 10
ZL = 4
IF2 = 115kV/3(10)
= 6640A
7380A> Is < 6640A
Impossible to set
6. 6
Introduction to distance
protection
Distance relay is very popular for protecting
transmission lines.
Offers fast operating times (1 cycle)
Can work independently or in co-ordination with
other relays in the system
Easy to design and proven to be the best solution for
wide range of system configuration
Communication aided schemes can give 100%
instantaneous protection.
Additional time delayed back-up available.
7. 7
Introduction to distance
protection
The line can include the following which falls
between these circuit breakers
Sections of the bus
Overhead conductor
Underground cable
Other apparatus including line traps, series
capacitors, shunt reactors, and autotransformers
10. 10
Distance protection
characteristics
A distance relay response characteristic is
usually represented in
R-X impedance diagram – reach setting of the relay
Z-T diagram – operating time of each zone
12. 12
Simple impedance characteristics
Operating characteristics is a
circle with its centre as origin
in the R-X plane.
Good resistive reach coverage
Non-directional, thus requires
additional directional unit.
Higher chances of load
encroachment
Susceptible to power swings
R
Zs
jX
Operate
Restrain
13. 13
Self polarized mho characteristics
Operating characteristics is a
circle passing through the
origin in the R-X plane
Inherently directional
Less susceptible to power
swings
Characteristics defined by the
reach setting (ZS) and relay
characteristics angle ()
Less fault resistance coverage
R
Zs
jX
Operate
Restrain
14. 14
Offset mho characteristics
Has a reverse reach.
Usually used for time
delayed zones to provide
back-up for forward and
reverse faults
Ensures secure operation
for close-up faults.
R
Zs
jX
Operate
Restrain
ZR
15. 15
Cross polarized mho
characteristics
To ensure proper operation for close-up forward and reverse
faults with zero (very close to zero!!) fault voltage “Cross
polarization” technique is used
Using healthy phase(s) voltage to polarize the mho
characteristics
100% cross polarized - When full magnitude of healthy phase
voltage is used
Partially cross polarized - When a percentage of healthy phase
voltage is used
In addition to providing secure operation, it also offers
higher coverage for resistive faults
For example for a “B-C” phase fault use “A” phase voltage as
the polarizing signal
16. 16
Three phase close-up faults
During three phase close-up
faults the fault voltage can go
down to a very low value
Since this happens in all three
phases, cross polarization will
not help. This can again lead
to wrong decision from the
relay.
This is solved by using
memory voltage for polarizing.
R
X
ZL
Uncertain area
Due to low fault
voltage
21. 21
Distance protection
operating principle
When a fault occurs…..
Since IF>>IL we can ignore load and write
L
F
F
R
L
F
R
R
R
R mZ
Z
Ι
V
I
Ι
V
Ι
V
Z
IR
(1-m)ZL
ZS
VR
VS
ZLOAD
mZL
IF
IL
RF=0
23. 23
Distance protection
operating principle
With external fault resistance…..
Still assuming IF>>IL we can write
F
L
F
F
R
L
F
R
R
R
R R
mZ
Z
Ι
V
I
Ι
V
Ι
V
Z
IR
(1-m)ZL
ZS
VR
VS
ZLOAD
mZL
IF
IL
RF0
29. 29
Zone 1 set to 80% leaves 20% end zones
Faults in end zone results in instantaneous
tripping at one end and time delayed at the
other
Time delay may lead to system stability
problems
Sequential clearance leaves no dead time for
high speed A/R cycle (transient fault becomes
permanent)
Longer clearance times - More damage
Basic distance scheme
disadvantages
30. 30
Auto Reclose
Majority of the faults on the line are transient
faults caused by lightning & temporary contact
with external objects such as tree branches.
Transient faults such as insulator flashover can
be cleared by immediately tripping the breaker
and will not recur when the line is energised.
Auto reclose schemes are employed to carry
out this duty automatically thereby minimizing
interruption of power supply
31. 31
Zone 1 extension scheme
Z1
A
B
Z2
Z3
Z1
Z2
Z3
Z1X
Z1X
OR
Trip
Z1
Z2
Z3
&
Z1X
A/R
OR
t2
t3
32. 32
No signalling channel required (may be used
as temporary replacement for carrier aided
scheme when communication channel goes
out of service)
Provides fast fault clearance at both ends for
a transient fault anywhere along the line
length
Allows the use of high speed A/R cycle
Zone 1 extension
advantages
33. 33
Tripping can occur for external faults (but will be
followed by an autoreclose)
Basic distance scheme logic applies following
reclose (i.e. potential for time delayed clearance
for permanent faults)
Only suitable to systems where autoreclose is
used (for example can not be used on cable
circuits)
Zone 1 extension scheme
disadvantages
35. 35
Advantages
All faults anywhere along the protected line can be cleared
instantaneously at both line ends
Scheme can be advantageous for protecting 3 terminal lines due
to ease of application
Disadvantages
A very secure signalling channel is required :- incorrect operation
leads to false tripping
Circuit breakers at both line ends must be closed and contribute
fault current to obtain high speed fault clearance
If the channel fails only the basic scheme logic will be provided
Direct transfer trip
37. 37
Advantage
Only a simplex signalling channel required
Scheme is very secure as signalling channel only keyed for
internal fault (Zone 1 initiation)
Disadvantage
If one terminal of the line is open then only Basic scheme logic
will apply
If there is a weak in-feed at one terminal then only Basic scheme
logic will apply
If signalling channel fails then only Basic scheme logic will apply
Resistive coverage is governed by Zone 1 setting (may be limited
on short lines)
Permissive underreach scheme
39. 39
Permissive overreach scheme
with circuit breaker echo logic
Z1
A B
Z2
Z1
Z2
Fault current in feed at one line end is insufficient to operate any distance
Zone element or if one Circuit breaker is left open the fault clearance is
delayed.
To avoid this slow tripping the weak infeed relay will echo back the signal
received immediately.
40. 40
Advantages
Provides better resistive coverage, especially on short lines,
where MHO measuring elements are used
For cases where one line terminal is open, open breaker echo
logic can be used
For cases of weak or zero in-feed at one line terminal weak in-
feed logic can be used (reverse looking zone required)
Disadvantages
Duplex signalling channel required
Scheme is theoretically less secure then PUR as signalling
channel is keyed for external faults
If signalling channel fails then only Basic scheme logic will
apply
Permissive overreach scheme
41. 41
Practical blocking scheme
Z1
A B
Z2
Z3
Z1
Z2 Z3
Trip
Z1
Z2
Z3
t2
t3
Tx
Rx
&
Td
&
Tw
Channel
in
service
OR
Trip
Z1
Z2
Z3
t2
t3
Tx
Rx
&
Td
&
Tw
Channel
in
service
OR
42. 42
Blocking Scheme
Advantages
Provides better resistive coverage than PUR on short lines where
MHO elements are used
Fast tripping will still be possible at closed end of line for all fault
positions with remote breaker open or conductor snapping
Fast tripping will still be possible at strong in-feed terminal for all
fault positions where remote terminal has no or weak in-feed
Disadvantages
One zone has to be dedicated for blocking signal sending
If signalling channel fails then only Basic scheme logic will apply
Current sensitivity is lower as tripping elements (Z2) are controlled
by high set current level detectors (to ensure blocking elements Z3
is designed more sensitive than tripping elements)
43. 43
Permissive less reliable - require a signal from
remote relay plus local operation to trip
Blocking less secure - require a signal from
remote relay to prevent a trip
Permissive schemes are marginally faster and
more sensitive (timer plus high set current
elements on Blocking scheme)
Permissive schemes Vs
Blocking schemes
44. 44
Switch On to Fault
Provided for high speed Clearance of any fault
detected immediately following manual closure
of the Circuit breaker
Enabled for 500ms after CB closure
Provided only for manual closure
Over current element used to trip the CB
instantaneously for 500ms,where maintenace
Earthswitch are left closed