SEL-321-1 Phase and Ground Distance Relay

Rely on Field-Proven
Distance Protection

T
he SEL-321-1 Relay is SELs most popular
distance relay with thousands of units
installed worldwide. Designed for EHV, HV,
and subtransmission applications, the
SEL-321-1 Relay contains all the protective
elements and control logic necessary to protect, monitor,
and control any overhead line. The SEL-321-1 Relay
provides outstanding high-resistance fault coverage, phase
and ground directional elements, and residual overcurrent
elements. The versatility of the SEL-321-1 Relay allows it
to be used in a broad variety of applications from simple
step-distance schemes to complex communications-aided
single-pole tripping schemes. SEL continues its tradition
of cutting-edge innovation in the SEL-321-1 Relay with
relay-to-relay digital logic communication.
Outstanding protection, performance, and
features at a price practical for all voltage
levels.
Features and Benefits
Four independent and reversible zones of phase and ground mho
distance protectionplus four reversible ground quadrilateral zones.
Directional phase, negative-sequence, and residual overcurrent
protection.
Out-of-step blocking and tripping.
All popular pilot and nonpilot schemes.
SELOGIC Control Equations for creating user-defined control schemes.
Load-encroachment characteristic for unsurpassed security on heavily
loaded lines.
Six selectable setting groups for bus-tie and adaptive relaying.
Series compensation and single-pole trip capabilities are standard.
Mirrored Bits Technology.

Making Electric Power Safer, More Reliable, and More Economical

 SEL-321-1
Phase and Ground Distance Relay
Relay-to-Relay Digital Logic Communication SEL-321-1 Relay 1 SEL-321-1 Relay 2
T 1 0 T
TMB1 = KEY TMB1 = KEY
Communications-Aided Tripping Schemes Made Simple R
A TMB2 = 3PT*!3PO 0 0 TMB2 = 3PT*!3PO
R
A
N .. N
Using SEL Mirrored Bits Technology S
M
..
.
..
. . ..
. S
M
I 0 0 I
TMB8 = 3PT*SOTFE TMB8 = 3PT*SOTFE
Mirrored Bits Technology makes bidirectional relay-to-relay digital logic T T

communication simple, fast, and powerful. Bidirectional communication in R RMB1 = PT

0 1
RMB1 = PT R
E E
each relay creates eight additional virtual outputs and inputs that can be C RMB2 = DT 0 0 RMB2 = DT C
E .. .. E
assigned for communications-aided protection schemes and other control I .. ... . I
. .
V 0 0 V
functions. Receive Mirrored Bits Technology (RMBs) follow the status of the E RMB8 = LP8 RMB8 = LP8 E

respective Transmit Mirrored Bits Technology (TMBs) sent from the other relay.
Each of the relays in the scheme repeatedly sends and receives the digital logic
message while continuously monitoring and checking the signal (see Figure 1).
Optimizing Pilot Scheme Performance Using Mirrored Bits
Technology
SEL Mirrored Bits Technology can dramatically improve t he performance of
your pilot protection scheme using a high-speed digital channel. The following
graphs illustrate total protection tripping times (time required to energize
breaker trip coils at both ends of the line) for a pilot scheme using the
SEL-321-1 Relay and SEL Mirrored Bits Technology.
The first graph shows total protection tripping times (TPTTs) under 12 ms for
three-phase and phase-to-phase faults at any fault location along the
protected line.
The second graph shows TPTTs under 15 ms for a bolted single-line-to-ground
fault and under 25 ms for a single-line-to-ground fault with 65 ohms
secondary fault resistance. SEL Mirrored Bits Technology makes traditional pilot
communication schemes simpler, faster, less expensive, and more powerful.
TPTTs for Phase Faults
12
Figure 1
Ordering Options
The SEL-321-1 Relay is available with standard terminal blocks or with plug-in
connectors. The Connectorized Relay provides robust connections and fast
installation and removal.
Connectorized SEL-321-1 Relays Come With:
High-Current Interrupting Output Contacts per IEEE C37.90 Standard
10 A for L/R = 40 ms @ 125 Vdc
10 A for L/R = 20 ms @ 250 Vdc
The SEL-321-2 Relay version is available with all of the features of the
powerful SEL-321-1 Relay plus up to five consecutive five-second long event
reports.
Additional hardware options for the SEL-321-1 and SEL-321-2 Relays
are available. Contact SEL today for more details and to learn more
about applying the advanced distance protection features offered in the

10 SEL-321-1 and SEL-321-2 Relays.

TPTT (ms)

8
3-Phase Faults
6 Phase-to-Phase Faults

2 MCS085.1 321flyr 990317

0 Copyright SEL 1997,1999 (All rights reserved) Printed in USA
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 All brand or product names appearing in this document are a trademark or registered trademark of their respective holders.
This product is covered by the following U.S. Patent Nos.: 4,996,624; 5,041,737; 5,208,545; 5,262,679; 5,317,472; 5,325,061; 5,349,490;
m, per-unit line length 5,365,396; 5,367,426; 5,515,227; and U.S. Patents Pending.

TPTTs for Single-Line-to-Ground Faults

30

25
TPTT (ms)

20
RF - 65 Ohms Sec.
15 RF - 30 Ohms Sec.
RF - 0 Ohms Sec.
10

5 2350 NE Hopkins Court Pullman, WA 99163-5603 USA

Phone: (509) 332-1890 Fax: (509) 332-7990
0
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Internet: www.selinc.com E-mail: info@selinc.com
m, per-unit line length
Making Electric Power Safer, More Reliable, and More Economical