IRI1-ES - Sensitive Earth Fault Current Relay

Contents
1 Summary
2 Application
3 Characteristics and features
4 Design
4.1 Connections
4.2 Front plate
4.3 Code jumpers
5 Working principle
6 Operations and settings
6.1 Setting of the pickup value for the earth fault
current IE
6.2 Trip delay tE
6.3 Reset
7 Housing
7.1 Individual housing
7.2 Rack mounting
7.3 Terminal connections
8 Relay testing and commissioning
8.1 Power-On
8.2 Checking the set values
8.3 Secondary injection test
8.4 Primary injection test
8.5 Maintenance
9 Technical Data
9.1 Measuring input
9.2 Auxiliary voltage
9.3 General data
9.4 Output relay
9.5 System data
9.6 Setting ranges and steps
9.7 Dimensional drawing
10 Order form

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Summary

When compared with traditional protection systems

the protective relaying with MR- and IR-relays of our
HIGH TECH LINE offers several advantages.
All MR protection relays are based on microprocessor
technology. They present the generation of our most efficient protection relays, because of their capabilities
to process the measuring values digitally and to perform arithmetical and logical operation. Additional
advantages such as very low power consumption,
adaptability, possibilities for self-supervision, flexible
construction, selection of relay characteristics are
completely utilized.

Application

The sensitive earth fault relay IRI1-ES detects high impedance earth faults with very small currents.
Conventional earth fault relays (IDMT) do not provide
the required sensitivity.
For this application the IRI1-ES is the optimal solution.

Some IR protection relays are based on microprocessor and some like the IRI1-ES on analog technology.
They present our low-priced protection relay generation and are used for all basic protection application.

The following properties of the IR protection relays,

such as:
Integration of multiple protection functions into one
compact housing,
User-friendly setting procedure by means of DIPswitches,
Compact design due to SMD-technique,
are their superiority over the traditional protection systems.
For all applications of a more complex nature, e.g. directional earth fault detection and where operating
convenience, fault analysis and communication ability
are required, MR-relays are used.
All relays of the HIGH TECH LINE are available for
through panel mounting and in 19 racks.
Connection terminals are of plug-in type.
All IEC/DIN regulations required for the individual
application are reliably met by these relays.

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Characteristics and features

Static protective device

Earth fault detection with core balance C.T. or in
Holmgreen circuit
Low pass filter for suppression of harmonics
Coding for the self-holding function or automatic
reset of the LED`s and trip relays
Frequency range 50/60 Hz
Rated current 1A or 5A
Output relay with 2 change-over contacts
Extremely large setting range for current reaction
value with fine grading
Wide range of operation of the supply voltage
(AC/DC)

4.1.1 Current measuring input

The analog input signal of the earth fault current is fed
to the terminals B1/B2 of the protection relay.

4.1.2 Output relay

The IRI1-ES has one output relay with two change-over
contacts:
State of
IRI1IRI1-ES
Normal operation,
pickup and dead
condition
Trip

Contact terminals
closed:
D1-C1, D2-C2

D1-E1, D2-E2

Design

4.1 Connections

Fig. 4.1: Connection diagram of IRI1-ES

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

4.2

Front plate

4.2.1 LEDs
On the front plate of the IRI1-ER 2 LEDs are installed,
signalizing the following 2 service conditions:
LED ON (green): readyness for service
LED IE (yellow): pickup
LED IE (red): tripping
4.2.2 DIP-switches
The set of DIP switches on the front plate serves for setting the tripping value for the earth fault current IE.and
the trip delay tIE.
4.2.3 <RESET>-push button
The <RESET> push button is used for acknowledgement and reset of the LED and the tripping relay after
tripping at the specifically presetting (see 4.3).

Fig. 4.2: Front plate

The front plate of the IRI1-ES comprises the following

operation and indication elements:
2 sets of DIP-switches for setting the current pickup
value and the trip delay
3 LEDs for indication of faults- and readyness for operation
1 <RESET> push button

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

4.3

Code jumpers

There are two code jumpers behind the front plate

which determine the function of the <RESET> pushbutton with regard to the LED indication and the output relay.
The following table explains the coding possibilities.
Code jumper

Reset function

Reset

ON

Earth fault indication

manual

OFF

LED IE (red)

autom.

ON

Earth fault trip

manual

OFF

Relays

autom.

Working principle

The earth fault protection relay IRI1-ES can be connected into the differential path of the C. T.s in a Holgreen circuit or connected to a core balance C.T.
The analog measuring current is galvanically isolated
and then fed to a low pass filter to suppress harmonics. Thereafter the signal is rectified and fed to a comparator where it is continuously compared with the preset threshold. If the measuring current exceeds a preset
pickup value, the relay trips after the set trip delay has
elapsed (see 4.1).

Fig. 4.3: Code jumpers

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Operations and settings

6.1

Setting of the pickup value for the

earth fault current IE

The pick-up value of the earth fault current element IE

can be set by means of the DIP-switches set IE in the
range of 0.5% to 36% x IN with a grading of 0.1%.

6.3 Reset
Dependent on the code jumper's position (see 4.3) the
relay can be reset manually by the <RESET> pushbutton. If the function is coded for automatic reset, the LED
extinguishes and the output relay releases automatically after fault clearence.

The pick-up value is calculated by adding up the values of all DIP-switches.

Example:
A pick-up value of 10% of the rated current is required.

Fig. 6.1: Setting example for the earth fault current pickup value

6.2 Trip delay tE

The of the earth fault element can be set by means of
the DIP-switches set tIE in the range of 2.0 s to 62 s
with a grading of 0.1 s or 0.2 s.
The trip delay is calculated by adding up the values of
all DIP-switches.
Example:
A trip delay of 2.5 s is required.

Fig. 6.2: Setting example for the trip delay

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Housing

The IRI1 can be supplied in an individual housing for

flush-mounting or as a plug-in module for installation in
a 19" mounting rack according to DIN 41494. Both
versions have plug-in connections.
Relays of variant D are complete devices for flush
mounting, whereas relays of variant A are used for
19 rack mounting. Housing variant A to be installed
in switchboards of protection class IP51. For
switchboards of lower protection classes housing variant D can be used.
7.1

By using 2.8 x 0.8 mm tabs a bridge connection between different poles is possible.
The current terminals are equipped with self-closing
short-circuit contacts. Thus, the IRI1-module can be unplugged even with current flowing, without endangering the current transformers connected.

Individual housing

B
C

The individual housing of the IRI1 is constructed for

flush-mounting. The dimensions of the mounting frame
correspond to the requirements of DIN 43700 (72 x
144 mm). The cut-out for mounting is 68 x 138 mm.

E
1
2
3
4

The front of the IRI1 is covered with a transparent,

sealable flap (IP54).

5
6

For case dimensions and cut-out refer to "technical

data". The individual housing is fixed with the supplied
clasps from the rear of the switchboard panel.

7.2

Rack mounting

The IRI1 is in general suitable for installation in a

modular carrier according to DIN 41494. The installation dimensions are: 12 TE; 3 HE.

7
8
9

Fig. 7.1: Terminal block

According to requirements, the IRI1-devices can be delivered mounted in 19" racks.

7.3

Terminal connections

The plug-in module has very compact base with plug

connectors and screwed-type connectors.
max. 15 poles screw-type terminals for voltage and
current circuits (terminal connectors series A and B
with a short time current capability of 500 A / 1 s).
27 poles tab terminals for relay outputs, supply voltage etc.(terminal connectors series C, D and E,
max. 6 A current carrying capacity). Connection
with tabs 6.3 x 0.8 mm for cable up to max. 1.5
2
mm or with tabs 2.8 x 0.8 mm for cable up to
2
max. 1 mm .

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Relay testing and

commissioning

The following test instructions should help to verify the

protection relay performance before or during commissioning of the protection system. To avoid a relay
damage and to ensure a correct relay operation, be
sure that:
the auxiliary power supply rating corresponds to the
auxiliary voltage on site.
the rated current and rated voltage of the relay correspond to the plant data on site.
the current transformer circuits are connected to the
relay correctly.
all signal circuits and output relay circuits are connected correctly.

8.1

Power-On

NOTE!
Prior to switch on the auxiliary power supply, be sure
that the auxiliary supply voltage corresponds with the
rated data on the type plate.
Switch on the auxiliary power supply to the relay (terminals C9/E9) and check that the LED "ON" on the
front lights up green.

8.2

Checking the set values

Check all relay set values and see if they are set correctly as you have desired. Set values can be modified
by means of the DIP-switches on the front.

8.3

Secondary injection test

8.3.1 Test equipment

Ammeter with class 1 or better
Auxiliary power supply with the voltage corresponding to the rated data on the type plate
Single-phase current supply unit
(adjustable from 0 to 1.0 x IN)
Timer to measure the operating time
(Accuracy 10 ms)
Switching device
Test leads and tools

8.3.2 Example of test circuit for IRI1

relays
For testing IRI1-ES relays, only current input signals are
required. Figure 8.1 shows a simple example of a
single phase test circuit with adjustable current energizing the IRI1-ES relay under test.

Fig. 8.1: Example of a test circuit for IRI1-ES

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

8.3.3 Checking the pickup and tripping

values

8.4

With the IRI1-ES, the analog input signal of the singlephase testing AC must be supplied to the relay via the
terminals B1/B2 for checking the pickup value IE.

Generally, a primary injection test could be carried out

in the similar manner as the secondary injection test
described above. With the difference that the protected power system should be, in this case, connected to the installed relays under test on line, and
the test currents and voltages should be injected to the
relay through the current and voltage transformers with
the primary side energized. Since the cost and potential hazards are very high for such a test, primary injection tests are usually limited to very important protective relays in the power system.

For testing the earth fault current pickup value, first the testing AC must be set below the set pickup value IE. Then
the testing AC is increased gradually, until the relay
picks up. This is indicated by the LED IE lighting up yellow at the same time. Check that the value shown at
the ammeter does not deviate by more than +/- 5%
from the set pickup value IE.
The resetting value of the earth fault element is determined, by slowly decreasing the testing AC, until the
output relay IE releases. The LED IE extinguishes (supposed the respective coding was effected).
Check that the resetting value is not greater than 0.95
times the pickup value.

8.3.4 Checking the trip delay tIE

To check the trip relay, a timer must be connected to
the trip output relay contact. The timer should be
started simultaneously with the current injection into the
current input circuit and stopped by the trip relay contact. Set the current to a value corresponding to twice
the operating value and inject the current instantaneously. The operating time measured by the timer
should have a deviation of less than 3% of the set
value or 20 ms.

10

8.5

Primary injection test

Maintenance

Maintenance testing is generally done on site at regular intervals. These intervals vary among users depending on many factors: e.g. the type of protective relays
employed; the importance of the primary equipment
being protected; the user's past experience with the relay, etc.
For static relays such as the IRI1-ES, maintenance testing once per year is sufficient, as experience has
shown.

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Technical Data

9.1

Measuring input

Rated data:
Nominal current IN
Nominal frequency fN

1A/5A
50/60 Hz

Power consumption
in current circuit:

<1 VA/at IN = 1A
<5 VA/at IN = 5 A

Thermal withstand
capability of current
circuit

dynamic current withstand (half-wave)

for 1 s
for 10 s
continuously

9.2

250
100
30
4

x
x
x
x

IN
IN
IN
IN

Auxiliary voltage

Rated auxiliary voltage UH:

24 V - working range
110 V - working range
Power consumption:
24 V - working range
110 V - working range

16 - 60 V AC / 16 - 80 V DC
50 - 270 V AC / 70 - 360 V DC
standby approx. 3 W
standby approx. 3 W

operating approx. 6 W
operating approx. 6 W

9.3 General data

Permissible interruption of
the supply voltage without
influence on the function
Dropout to pickup ratio:
Returning time:
Minimum operating time:

50 ms
>95%
30 ms
30 ms

9.4 Output relay

The output relay has the following characteristics:
Maximum breaking capacity:
250 V AC / 1500 VA / continuous current 6 A

Breaking capacity for DC:

300 V DC
250 V DC
110 V DC
60 V DC
24 V DC
Max. rated making current
Making current:
Mechanical life span:
Electrical life span:
Contact material:

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

ohmsch
0.3 A /
0.4 A /
0.5 A /
0.7 A /
6.0 A /

90 W
100 W
55 W
42 W
144 W

L/R = 40 ms
0.2 A / 63 W
0.3 A / 70 W
0.4 A / 40 W
0.5 A / 30 W
4.2 A / 100 W

L/R = 70 ms
0.18 A / 54
0.15 A / 40
0.20 A / 22
0.30 A / 17
2.50 A / 60

W
W
W
W
W

64 A (acc. VDE 0435/0972 and IEC 65 / VDE 0860 / 8.86)

minimum 20 A (16ms)
6
30 x 10 switching cycles
5
2 x 10 switching cycles at 220 V AC / 6 A
silver-cadmium-oxyde

11

9.5

System data

Design standard:
Generic standard:
Product standard:

EN 50082-2, EN 50081-1
EN 60255-6, IEC 255-4, BS 142

Specified ambient service

Storage temperature range:
Operating temperature range:

- 40C to + 85C
- 20C to + 70C

Environmental protection class F

as per DIN 40040 and per
DIN IEC 68 2-3:

relative humidity 95 % at 40C for 56 days

Insulation test voltage, inputs

and outputs between themselves
and to the relay frame as per
EN 60255-6 and IEC 255-5:

2.5 kV (eff.), 50 Hz; 1 min

Impulse test voltage, inputs

and outputs between themselves
and to the relay frame as per
EN 60255-6 and IEC 255-5:

5 kV; 1.2 / 50 s; 0.5 J

High frequency interference

test voltage, inputs and outputs
between themselves and to the
relay frame as per EN 60255-6
and IEC 255-22-1:

2.5 kV / 1MHz

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) test as

per EN 61000-4-2 and IEC 255-22-1: 8 kV air discharge, 6 kV contact discharge
Electrical fast transient (Burst) test as
per EN 61000-4-8 and IEC 801-4:

12

4 kV / 2.5 kHz, 15 ms

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Power frequency magnetic field

test as per ENV 50141:

electric field strength 10 V/m

Surge immunity EN 61000-4-5:

4 kV

Radio interference suppression

test as per EN 55011:

limit value class B

Radio interference radiation test

as per EN 55011:

limit value class B

Mechanical tests:
Shock:
Vibration:
Degree of protection - front of relay:
Weight:

class 1 acc. to DIN IEC 255-21-2

class 1 acc. to DIN IEC 255-21-1
IP 54 by enclosure of the relay case and front panel (relay version D)
approx. 1.5 kg

Degree of pollution:

2 by using housing type A

3 by using housing type D

Overvoltage class:

III

Influence variable values:

Frequency influence:
Temperature influence:
Auxiliary voltage influence:

9.6

Setting ranges and steps

Parameter
IE
tIE

40 Hz < f < 70 Hz: <3 % of set value

0,1%/K in the range from -20C to +70C, ref. = 20C
no influence within the admissible range

Setting range
0,5 % ... 3,6 % x IN
5,0 % ... 36 % x IN

0,1 %
1,0 %

0,1 s ... 3,1 s

2,0 s ... 62 s

0,1 s
2,0 s

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Steps

Tolerances
5 % of the setting value
5 % approx. 20 ms

13

9.7

Dimensional drawing

Please note:
A distance of 50 mm is necessary when the units are mounted one below the other in order to allow easy
opening of the front cover of the housing. The front cover opens downwards.

10

Order form

Sensitive earth fault relay

IRI1-

Rated current

1A
5A

Auxiliary voltage

24 V (16 to 60 V AC / 16 to 80 V DC)
110 V (50 to 270 V AC / 70 to 360 V DC)

Housing (12TE)

19 Rack
Flush mounting

ES
1
5
L
H
A
D

Technical data subject to change without notice !

14

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Setting list IRI1-ES

Note !
All settings must be checked at site and should the occasion arise, adjusted to the object / item to be protected.

SEG job.-no.:

Project:
Location: +

Function group: =

Relay code: -

Relay functions:

Setting of parameters
Parameter

Unit

Default
settings

IE

Earth fault current

% In

0.5

tIE

Tripping delay IE

0.1

Actual
settings

Setting of code jumpers

Code jumper

J1
Default
setting

J2
Actual
setting

Default
setting

J3
Actual
setting

Plugged
Not plugged

TD_IRI1-ES_08.03_GB

Default
setting
X

not used

J4
Actual
setting

Default
setting

Actual
setting

not used

15

Woodward SEG GmbH & Co. KG

Krefelder Weg 47 D 47906 Kempen (Germany)
Postfach 10 07 55 (P.O.Box) D 47884 Kempen (Germany)
Phone: +49 (0) 21 52 145 1
Internet
Homepage http://www.woodward-seg.com
Documentation http://doc.seg-pp.com
Sales
Phone: +49 (0) 21 52 145 635 Telefax: +49 (0) 21 52 145 354
e-mail: kemp.electronics@woodward.com
Service
Phone: +49 (0) 21 52 145 614 Telefax: +49 (0) 21 52 145 455
e-mail: kemp.pd@woodward.com