Protection Fundamentals

Kevin Hinkley
Technology and Innovation Manager
TransGrid
What are we doing in this topic?

n Basics of protection
n Policy for Protection

n Backup (CBF) Protection

What is a fault?
n Abnormal current flow greater than nominal
ratings of the equipment
Load current 1 kA, fault current 40kA

n Faults can be due to HV equipment

insulation failure, lightning or human
mistakes.

n Types of faults 3ph, 3ph-e, 1ph-e, 2ph-e,

ph-ph
What is a Fault?
Per unit voltage Circle
Blue QLD
Red NSW
Cyan VIC
Purple SA

Simulation By Michael Bradbery

Why do we have faults?
n To economically deliver power over large distances
X and R must be kept low (Losses)
The voltage is increased to lower losses
n Transformer copper losses are reduced by using a
larger conductor

n Hence low X and R means large current if

connected to earth or phase to phase.
What does a fault do to
the power system?
n Generators slip poles
n Stress generator shafts

n Conductors overheating

n Over rating of equipment

n Split power system

How do we detect and
control a fault?
n CTs
n VTs

n CBs and Relays

n Fuses
How Quick do we need to
remove a fault?
500 kV
Near 80 ms, Far 100 ms
330 kV
Near 100 ms, Far 120 ms
132 kV
Near 120 ms, Far 220 ms
Protection Policy Objectives

n To disconnect the faulty circuit with

minimum damage due to the fault
n To leave the rest of the power system
in a healthy state
n To prevent or minimise
Injury to people
Damage to property
Loss of Supply
Design limitation of Protection

n The protection system is designed to

clear a single fault despite the failure
of one protection scheme or CB.
n This is: N-1
Requirements of a Protection System

n Reliability
Protection should always operate when
required

n Security
Protection should refrain from operating
when not required
Basic Protection Policy

n Any Fault must be:

Seen by two protections
Able to be cleared by two CBs
n Allow for a single contingency (N-1)
Failure of one protection system or
Circuit breaker
n Only remove the faulted element of
the power system
Requirements of a Protection System

n Backup for relay and scheme failure

n Backup for circuit breaker failure

n No dead zones

n No permanent damage due to

clearance times
n Clearance time should not exceed
system stability time (CCT)
Protection Relay Policy

n All main Protections are duplicated

n Relays are of different manufacture
If same manufacturer, then they should
operate on different principles
Exceptions are allowed for some relays
with proven field service
n Conform to appropriate IEC Standards
Industry accepted risks
n It is accepted that the following low
probability events may result in a loss of
system stability under certain operating
conditions:
2-Phase Phase-earth bus fault
Circuit breaker failure
Battery failure at single battery locations
Failure of a CB or disconnector pallet switch
Blindspot fault at critical locations
Blind spot fault

n Fault between the CT and CB

n Protection operates but does not clear
the fault (Total Operation time 100ms)
n Circuit breaker fail logic used to clear
the fault (Total Clearance time 250ms)
No.1 A Protection
No.1 B Protection

B Feeder A Feeder

P1 P2 P1 P2 P2 P1 P2 P1
Backup Protection

n Backup is provide for:

Protection (relay & scheme) failure
Circuit breaker failure.
n Backup can be:
Remote Backup - 66 kV and below
Local Backup - 132 kV and above
Remote Backup

n Backup for relay & circuit breaker is at

a remote location
suited to radial systems
Slower clearance, maximum disruption
Minimum complexity & inexpensive

Source Relay A Relay B

Ideal Local Backup

n Relay & CB duplicated - ie, locally

backed up.
n Faster clearance, minimal disruption

n Complex circuitry & expensive

Source
P1 P2
 Current Checked
Circuit Breaker Fail

C D E

A B

Current
Protection Check Timer

Trip CBs B,C,D,E & F

Protection of individual
systems
n Feeder Protection
n Transformer Protection

n Busbar Protection

n Reactor Protection

n Capacitor Protection
What we have done ?

n Basics of protection
n Policy for Protection

n Backup (CBF) Protection