MV Generator Switchgear Feeder Unit with Voltage Restrained 51V

Industry standard backup overcurrent protection schemes for MV generators fed from switchgear circuit breakers
include either a voltage controlled or voltage restrained overcurrent relay (device 51V). The voltage restrained
overcurrent relay will be covered in this section. The 51V relay characteristics are plotted on a phase TCC along
with the generator decrement and overload curves, and the feeder damage curve.

The purpose of the relay is to allow the generator to operate, and to provide backup fault protection for the
generator and cable. To accomplish this, the relay pickup at 0%V restraint must be to the left of the generator
armature steady state current, and at 100%V restraint must be to the right of the generator full load amps. Also,
the relay time delay characteristics must be above and to the right of the generator decrement curve with
constant excitation, and to the left and below the generator overload and cable damage curves, and the cable
amp rating. The time delay must also be set to be selective with downstream feeder relays.

Suggested margins are listed below that have historically allowed for safe operation of the generator and cable
while reducing instances of nuisance trips.

Device Function Recommendations Comments
CT Size 125-150% of FLA
51V Pickup 125-150% of FLA
@ 100% Voltage
Restraint
Set below Overload
Curve
51 Time Dial
Above knee of generator decrement curve
with constant excitation
Set above downstream
feeder relays.

Set below cable damage
curve.


Fig. 3 MV generator switchgear feeder unit w/VR 51V - one line


Fig. 4 MV generator switchgear feeder unit w/VR 51V - phase TCC