ABB Application Note

REL352
AN-93L-02

Substation Automation and Protection Division

Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation

Introduction
This note describes how to calculate the current pick-up level for different types of faults.

IT current
REL352 uses sequence filters to obtain positive, negative and zero sequence currents. These currents are
then combined into one quantity:

I T = −C1 ⋅ I 1 + C 2 ⋅ I 2 + C 0 ⋅ I 0

The positive, negative and zero sequence current is computed from the phase currents by the use of
Clarke’s components based on sample currents that can mathematically be expressed as:

I A ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I B ⋅ 0.983∠104.43° + I C ⋅ 0.983∠ − 134.43°

I1 =
3
I A ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I B ⋅ 0.983∠ − 134.43° + I C ⋅ 0.983∠104.43°
I2 =
3
I + I B + IC
I0 = A
3
The advantage of using Clarke’s components is that they give a close approximation of symmetrical
components while not having the need of using complex numbers.

Note that all sequence component currents are referenced to phase A current.

General calculation of IT
Based on input currents and C-settings, the IT current is calculated as follows:

Settings

C1
C2
C0
Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Input currents

IA
IB
IC

IT

I T = −C1 ⋅ I 1 + C 2 ⋅ I 2 + C 0 ⋅ I 0 =

− C1 ( I A ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I B ⋅ 0.983∠104.43° + I C ⋅ 0.983∠ − 134.43°)

IT = +
3

C 2 ( I A ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I B ⋅ 0.983∠ − 134.43° + I C ⋅ 0.983∠104.43) C 0 ( I A + I B + I C )

+ +
3 3

Example 1a, phase A to ground fault

With settings
C1 = 0.1
C 2 = 0.7
C 0 = 1.0
and input currents
I A = 5.0∠0° A
IB = 0
IC = 0

IT becomes:

I T = −C1 ⋅ I 1 + C 2 ⋅ I 2 + C 0 ⋅ I 0 =

− C1 (5.0 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15°) C 2 (5.0 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15°) C 0 (5.0)

IT = + + = 2.65 A
3 3 3

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Example 1b, phase B to ground fault

With settings
C1 = 0.1
C 2 = 0.7
C 0 = 1.0
and input currents
IA = 0
I B = 5.0∠ − 120°
IC = 0

IT becomes:

I T = −C1 ⋅ I 1 + C 2 ⋅ I 2 + C 0 ⋅ I 0 =

− C1 (5.0 ⋅ 0.983∠104.43° − 120°) C 2 (5.0 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 134.43° − 120°) C 0 (5.0∠ − 120°)

IT = + + = 1.33 A
3 3 3

That the IT current is different for a phase B to ground fault compared to phase A to ground is due to the
fact that Clarke’s symmetrical component computations are made referenced to phase A.

REL352 Trip Criterion

REL352 operates when the IT RMS current exceeds the LP setting, assuming that the relay is connected in
loop-back or back-to-back (with the same current fed into the two relays):

I T > LP
where
I T = composite current
LP = set operating threshold

It is also assumed that all other settings (IPL, IGL, ITA1, ITA2) are set so that they do not restrict tripping at
the set LP level.

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Sometimes, ITA2 is the limiting threshold, and then the operating criterion will be:

I T > ITA2
where
I T = composite current
ITA2 = set operating threshold

Pickup calculation
To determine the theoretical pickup current for different types of fault, we need to determine that the output
from the trip criterion exceeds the set operating threshold.

Set-up in loop-back or back-to-back is assumed so that IR = IL = IT, i.e. the infeed current from both ends are
equal in magnitude and in phase. This represents an internal fault.

In order to determine the required current threshold for operation for different types of faults the expressions
above for IT and sequence currents need to be entered into the formula, solving the phase current(s).

Phase A to ground fault

Input currents

I A = I a ∠0° A
IB = 0
IC = 0

Pickup current phase A

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ⋅ I a ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + C 2 ⋅ I a ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + C 0 ⋅ I a

> LP
3

3
I a > LP ⋅
(−C1 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + C 2 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + C 0 )

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Phase B to ground fault

Input currents

IA = 0
I B = I b ∠ − 120°
IC = 0

Pickup current phase B

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ⋅ I b ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + C 2 ⋅ I b ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + C 0 ⋅ I b ∠ − 120°

> LP
3

3
I b > LP ⋅
(−C1 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + C 2 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + C 0 ∠ − 120°)

Phase C to ground fault

Input currents

IA = 0
IB = 0
I C = I c ∠120°

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Pickup current phase C

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ⋅ I c ⋅ 0.983∠ − 14.43° + C 2 ⋅ I c ⋅ 0.983∠224.43° + C 0 ⋅ I c ∠120°

> LP
3

3
I c > LP ⋅
(−C1 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 14.43° + C 2 ⋅ 0.983∠224.43° + C 0 ∠120°)

Phase A to B fault

Input currents

I A = I ab ∠0°
I B = I ab ∠180°
IC = 0

Pickup current phases A and B

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ( I ab ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I ab ⋅ 0.983∠284.43°) + C 2 ( I ab ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I ab ⋅ 0.983∠45.57°)

> LP
3

3
I ab > LP ⋅
[−C1 (0.966∠ − 15° + 0.983∠284.43°) + C 2 (0.966∠ − 15° + 0.983∠45.57°)]

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Phase B to C fault

Input currents

IA = 0
I B = I bc ∠ − 120°
I C = I bc ∠60°

Pickup current phases B and C

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ( I bc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + I bc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 74.43°) + C 2 ( I bc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + I bc ⋅ 0.983∠164.43°)

> LP
3

3
I bc > LP ⋅
[−C1 (0.983∠ − 15.57° + 0.983∠ − 74.43°) + C 2 (0.983∠ − 254.43° + 0.983∠164.43°)]

Phase C to A fault

Input currents

I A = I ca ∠ − 60
IB = 0
I C = I ca ∠120°

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 Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Pickup current phases C and A

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ( I ca ⋅ 0.966∠ − 75° + I ca ⋅ 0.983∠ − 14.43°) + C 2 ( I ca ⋅ 0.966∠ − 75° + I ca ⋅ 0.983∠224.43°)

> LP
3

3
I ca > LP ⋅
[−C1 (0.966∠ − 75° + 0.983∠ − 14.43°) + C 2 (0.966∠ − 75° + 0.983∠224.43°)]

Three phase ABC fault

Input currents

I A = I abc ∠0°
I B = I abc ∠ − 120°
I C = I abc ∠120°

Pickup current phases A, B and C

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− C1 ( I abc ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I abc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + I abc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 14.43)

+
3
C 2 ( I abc ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + I abc ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + I abc ⋅ 0.983∠224.43)
> LP
3

3
I abc > LP
− C1 (0.966∠ − 15° + 0.983∠ − 15.57° + 0.983∠ − 14.43°) + C 2 (0.966∠ − 15° + 0.983∠ − 254.43° + 0.983∠224.43)

Theoretically, there should be no negative sequence current for a three phase fault, but Clarke introduces a
small value. However, the formula for three phase fault pickup current can be simplified by removing the C2
term. The error by doing so will result in less than 10% error. Note however, that the below formula gives a
10% higher theoretical result (i.e. the actual test current required for operation is lower).

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Simplified ABC current formula

3
I abc > LP
− C1 (0.966∠ − 15° + 0.983∠ − 15.57° + 0.983∠ − 14.43°)

Example 2a, Phase A to ground fault

With input currents:
I A = I a ∠0° A
IB = 0
IC = 0
and settings:
LP = 1.5
C1 = 0.1
C 2 = 0 .7
C 0 = 1.0
the required phase A current becomes:

I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− 0.1 ⋅ I a ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + 0.7 ⋅ I a ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + 1.0 ⋅ I a

> LP
3

3
I a > LP ⋅ = 2.87
(−0.1 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + 0.7 ⋅ 0.966∠ − 15° + 1.0)

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Phase Comparison Relay REL352 Current Pickup Calculation AN-93L-02

Example 2b, Phase B to ground fault

With input currents:
IA = 0
I B = I b ∠ − 120°
IC = 0
and settings:
OTH = 0.5
C1 = 0.1
C 2 = 0 .7
C 0 = 1 .0
the required phase B current becomes:
I T > LP

− C1 I 1 + C 2 I 2 + C 0 I 0 > LP

− 0.1 ⋅ I b ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + 0.7 ⋅ I b ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + 1.0 ⋅ I b ∠ − 120°

> LP
3

3
I b > LP ⋅ = 5.63
(−0.1 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 15.57° + 0.7 ⋅ 0.983∠ − 254.43° + 1.0∠ − 120°)

That the pickup current is higher for a phase B to ground fault compared to phase A to ground is due to the
fact that the symmetrical component computations of IT are made referenced to phase A.

Contributed by:
Solveig Ward
Revision 0, 03/25/02

ABB Inc.
7036 Snowdrift Road
Allentown, PA 18106
800-634-6005 Fax 610-395-1055
Email: powerful.ideas@us.abb.com
Web: www.abb.com/substationautomation

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