Testing Directional

Overcurrent Protection

Practical Example of Use

Testing Directional Overcurrent Protection

Manual Version: Expl_OVC_Dir.AE.1 - Year 2011

© OMICRON electronics. All rights reserved.
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All rights including translation reserved.
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2
 Preface
This paper describes how to test directional overcurrent protection elements. It contains an application
example which will be used throughout the paper. The theoretical background of the directional overcurrent
protection will be explained. This paper also covers the definition of the necessary Test Object settings as
well as the Hardware Configuration for directional overcurrent tests. Finally the Overcurrent test module is
used to perform the tests which are needed for the directional overcurrent protection function.

Supplements: Sample Control Center file Example_Overcurrent_OvercurrentDirectional_ENU.occ

(referred to in this document).
Requirements: Test Universe 2.40 or later; Overcurrent and Control Center licenses.

1 Application Example
10.5 kV

Protection functions

1st element (67) / directional characteristic forward (IDMT)

2nd element (50/51) /

200/1 non-directional characteristic (DTOC)

Overcurrent Relay

Figure 1: Feeder connection diagram for the application example

Parameter Name Parameter Value Notes

Frequency 50 Hz
VT (primary/secondary) 10500 V / 110 V
CT (primary/secondary) 200 A /1 A
IEC Very Inverse Tripping characteristic
Directional Fwd Directional characteristic Forward
st 300 A Pick-up 1.5 x In CT primary
1 element
Time multiplier setting (TD; TMS; P, etc.) (only
1.2
for IDMT characteristics)
Relay characteristic angle (only for directional
45°
protection function)
DTOC Tripping characteristic
nd
2 element 600 A Pick-up 3 x In CT primary
100 ms Trip time delay

Table 1: Relay parameters for this example

© OMICRON 2011 Page 3 of 25

2 Theoretical Introduction to Overcurrent Characteristics

2.1 Tripping Characteristics

There are two major overcurrent characteristic types: Inverse time and definite time.

Tripping Characteristics

Inverse-Definite Minimum Time

Definite Time Overcurrent Relay
Overcurrent Relay

Trip-time charateristic of a two- Trip-time characteristic of an

element DTOC relay IDMT overcurrent relay

t/s t/s

t(1st el.)

t(2nd el.) t(2nd el.)

1stelement 2ndelement I/I 1stelement 2ndelement I/IP

P
50-1/51 or 50N-1/51N 50-2 or 50N-2 51 or 51N or 67

Inverse time characteristics can have different basic shapes such as these:

Characteristic Formula Annotation

120
t T
I IP   1 P
LTI (long time inverse) Suitable for motors, for example.

0.14
SI (standard inverse) t  TP
I IP 0.02  1
13.5
t T
I IP   1 P
VI (very inverse)

80
EI (extremely inverse) t  TP Suitable for co-ordination with fuse
I IP   1
2
tripping characteristics.

Table 2: IDMT tripping characteristics (see IEC 60255-3 or BS 142, section 3.5.2)

t = trip time in seconds

TP or TMS = setting value of the time multiplier
I = fault current
IP = setting value of the pick-up current

Note: Some relays have an increased pick-up value for IDMT characteristics. For example, the relay
used in this example has an actual pick-up value that is 1.1 times higher than the IP setting.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 4 of 25

2.2 IDMT Characteristics (51, 51N, 67)
As the properties of the operational equipment differ considerably (overload, short circuit behavior, etc.) the
characteristics have to be adapted to this.

1
2
3
54
5
6
7
6
8
7

9
8

Figure 2: Parameters of an overcurrent relay (AREVA)

1. Tripping characteristic for the 1st element (for this example IDMT IEC very inverse)
2. Directional function (for this example forward)
3. Pick-up setting (primary) of 1st element
4. Pick-up value at 1.1 x IP
5. Time multiplier setting (TMS) for the 1st element
6. Tripping characteristic for the 2nd element (DTOC for this example)
7. Pick-up setting (primary) of 2nd element
8. Trip time delay of 2nd element
9. Relay characteristic angle RCA (only for the directional function)
1000
5
1
100

1
10

8
1 0.1 6
3
1 7
1
0.01 4
1
200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

IEC Very Inverse (TMS = 1.2) IEC Very Inverse (TMS = 4) IEC Very Inverse (TMS = 6)

Figure 3: Comparison of IEC very inverse tripping characteristics with different time multiplier settings (TMS)

© OMICRON 2011 Page 5 of 25

2.3 Directional Overcurrent Protection (67)
A factor which is characteristic to the short-circuit is the angle between short-circuit voltage Vsc and short-
circuit current Isc.

Im Im

Vsc Vsc

φu

- φi φsc
Re Re

Isc Isc

Figure 4: Phasor diagram for the short-circuit values

The angle sc depends on the voltage level and the respective operational equipment (overhead line, cable
and transformer). This will now be examined in more detail.

380 kV 220 kV 110 kV 10 ... 30 kV Electric arc

Short circuit
Approx. 85° Approx. 80° Approx. 72° 30 ... 50° Approx. 0°
angle sc
Table 3: Short-circuit angle of overhead lines and cables depending on the voltage level

The short-circuit angle sc can be calculated from the resistance R and the reactance X of the protected
object.

X
sc  arctan
R

It is clear that the short-circuit current has to be used for determining the direction. For the selection of the
voltage to be applied the following conditions have to be taken into account:

> For a close-in fault the short-circuit voltage is almost zero.

> The angle of the directional characteristic depends on the fault type (Phase A-Ground, Phase B-Ground,
etc.). In order to determine the correct position of the forward and the reverse direction, the relay needs
a reference voltage.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 6 of 25

 For this, relay connections have been developed which make use of different reference voltages with
corrected phase angles.

Connections Advantages Disadvantages

Not suitable for HV-systems, no

0 Iph , Vph  Maximum sensitivity with
arc faults.
directional decision with a close-in
fault.

30 Iph , Vph  Vph  a  Reference voltage depends on
60  Iph ,  Vph  a  the fault.
Maximum reference voltage

90 Iph , Vph  a 2  Vph  a  with phase to ground and Not suitable for arc faults.
phase to phase faults.
Table 4: Relay connection for determining the reference voltage.

Versors:

a  1120 a 2  1  120

Note: The method used for the reference voltage depends on the relay manufacturer. For the
following discussion we use an overcurrent relay with 90° relay connection and a relay
characteristic angle of 45°.

Im
Reverse
direction
VC 1
6
Forward
direction

VA  Vsc
φsc
Re

VB 5
Directional
characteristic line 45° Isc
-45°
4 Vref
VC 3

Vref =VB -VC

Figure 5: 90° relay connection with a relay characteristic angle of 45° (Phase A-Ground fault)

Note: The forward direction for the measuring element of Phase A is in the range: 45° > sc > -135°.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 7 of 25

3 Practical Introduction to Overcurrent Characteristic Testing
The Overcurrent test module is designed for testing directional and non-directional overcurrent protection
functions with DTOC or IDMT tripping characteristics (short-circuit, thermal overload, zero sequence,
negative sequence, and customized curve characteristics).

The test module can be found on the Start Page of the OMICRON Test Universe. It can also be inserted into
an OCC File (Control Center document).

3.1 Defining the Test Object

Before testing can begin the settings of the relay to be tested must be defined. In order to do that, the
Test Object has to be opened by double clicking the Test Object in the OCC file or by clicking the
Test Object button in the test module.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 8 of 25

3.1.1 Device Settings
General relay settings (e.g., relay type, relay ID, substation details, CT and VT parameters) are entered in
the RIO function Device.

Note: The parameters V max and I max limit the output of the currents and voltages to prevent
damage to the device under test. These values must be adapted to the respective
Hardware Configuration when connecting the outputs in parallel or when using an amplifier.
The user should consult the manual of the device under test to make sure that its input rating
will not be exceeded.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 9 of 25

3.1.2 Defining the Overcurrent Protection Parameters
More specific data concerning the overcurrent relay can be entered in the RIO function Overcurrent. The
definition of the overcurrent characteristic must also be made here.

Note: Once an Overcurrent test module is inserted this RIO function is available.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 10 of 25

 Relay Parameters

This first tab contains the definition of the directional behavior as well as the relay tolerances.

1 2 3

1. Since we want to test a directional overcurrent relay, this has to be activated.

2. Regarding the feeder connection diagram (Figure 1) the VT is placed At protected object.
If Not at protected object is chosen, the voltage will have the nominal value after tripping.

At protected object Not at protected object

Protected Protected
object; object;
e.g. Line e.g. Line

Busbar Busbar

3. The CT starpoint connection has to be set according to the connection of the secondary windings of the
CT. For this example the feeder connection diagram (Figure 1) shows that the CT grounding is towards
the protected object.

To protected object From protected object

Protected Protected
object; object;
Busbar Relay e.g. line Busbar Relay e.g. line

Protected Protected
object; object;
Busbar Relay e.g. line Busbar Relay e.g. line

4. The current and time tolerances can be obtained from the relay manual.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 11 of 25

 Elements

This tab defines the characteristic of the different overcurrent elements.

1
5
6

5
3

The default overcurrent characteristic is shown above. It contains an IEC Definite Time scheme with one
element for a phase overcurrent protection. This characteristic should be adjusted to the parameters of the
relay (Table 1):

1. In order to define the elements of the phase overcurrent protection, select Phase as the
Selected element type.
Note: If other element types are also present in the relay select the related element types consecutively
in (1) to enter these elements. The selection field shows the number of already defined related elements
and how many of these are marked as active.
2. This table shows the elements which define the tripping characteristic for the selected element type. The
name of the first element may be changed according to the name used in the relay, e.g., "I>1".
3. Change the characteristic type of the first element to IEC Very inverse (Table 1).
4. Afterwards set I Pick-up and the Time index.
5. As mentioned in chapter 2.1 , the 1st element has an increased pick-up value (by factor 1.1). This has to
be considered in the Range limits of the test object. In order to do that, select Active and enter the
increased pick-up value in I min.

6. Now the second element can be added. It has an IEC Definite Time characteristic which might be
renamed to "I>2". Also set I Pick-up and the Trip time.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 12 of 25

 The list of the elements appearing after these adjustments is shown below.

1 2

1. The Reset Ratio must also be checked in the manual.

2. In order to define the directional behavior, the Direction of the 1st element has to be set to Forward.
Note: This setting is an orientation help for the reader and, once it is set, it will rotate the directional limits
by 180° if changed to Backward.

Im
Reverse
direction
VC

Forward
direction

VA =Vsc

Re

Maximum torque angle

( MTA)

V -45°
Directional B Vref MTA = -90 ° + RCA
characteristic line

VC
Relay characteristic angle
Vref  VB -VC ( RCA)

Figure 6: Difference between the relay characteristic angle and the maximum torque angle.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 13 of 25

 The adjustments of the directional characteristic have to be made in the tab Define Element Directional
Behavior:

3. As the relay characteristic angle cannot be entered in the Test Object directly, the Trip sector definition
has to be calculated. Figure 6 shows the difference between the relay characteristic angle, which is a
relay setting, and the Maximum torque angle that can be set in the Test Object.

The resulting overcurrent characteristic is shown below.

A 1st element
B 2nd element

B
B

© OMICRON 2011 Page 14 of 25

3.2 Global Hardware Configuration of the CMC Test Set
The global Hardware Configuration specifies the general input/output configuration of the CMC test set. It
is valid for all subsequent test modules and, therefore, it has to be defined according to the relay’s
connections. It can be opened by double clicking the Hardware Configuration entry in the OCC file.

3.2.1 Example Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 1 A

VA VC
VB VN

IA
IB
IC
IN

© OMICRON 2011 Page 15 of 25

3.2.2 Example Output Configuration for Protection Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 5 A

VA VC
VB VN

IA IC
IB IN

Note: Make sure that the rating of the wires is sufficient when connecting the outputs in parallel.

The following explanations only apply to protection relays with a secondary nominal current of
1 A.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 16 of 25

3.2.3 Analog Outputs

The analog outputs, binary inputs and outputs can all be activated individually in the local Hardware
Configuration of the specific test module (see chapter 3.3 ).

3.2.4 Binary Inputs

1
2

1. The start command is optional (it is needed if Starting is selected as the time reference in the test
module or if a pick-up / drop-off test is required).
2. The trip command has to be connected to a binary input. BI1 … BI10 can be used.
3. For wet contacts adapt the nominal voltages of the binary inputs to the voltage of the circuit breaker trip
command or select Potential Free for dry contacts.
4. The binary outputs and analog inputs etc. will not be used for the following tests.
Start
Trip

© OMICRON 2011 Page 17 of 25

3.2.5 Wiring of the Test Set for Relays with a Secondary Nominal Current of 1A
Note: The following wiring diagrams are examples only. The wiring of the analog current inputs may
be different if additional protective functions such as sensitive ground fault protection are
provided. In this case IN may be wired separately.

Protection
Relay

VA

VB

VC

(-) (-)

IA

IB

IC

IN

Trip
(+)
optional

Start
(+)

Protection
Relay

VA

VB

VC

(-) (-)

IA

IB

IC

IN

Trip
(+)
optional

Start
(+)

© OMICRON 2011 Page 18 of 25

3.3 Local Hardware Configuration for Directional Overcurrent Testing
The local Hardware Configuration activates the outputs/inputs of the CMC test set for the selected test
module. Therefore, it has to be defined for each test module separately. It can be opened by clicking the
Hardware Configuration button in the test module.

3.3.1 Analog Outputs

3.3.2 Binary Inputs

© OMICRON 2011 Page 19 of 25

3.4 Defining the Test Configuration
3.4.1 General Approach
When testing the directional overcurrent protection, the following steps are recommended:

> Pick-up Test: Testing the pick-up value of the overcurrent protection (only if the start contact is wired for
this relay, or if the relay is of the Ferraris disk type – see Help for more information).
> Trip time characteristic: Verifying the trip times of every element of the tripping characteristic.
> Directional characteristic: Verifying the angle of the directional characteristic.

Each of these tests can be performed with the Overcurrent test module.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 20 of 25

3.4.2 Pick-Up Test
2 1

4 5 6

1. For this test, it is not necessary to define a trigger in the Trigger tab. The pick-up test can be performed if
a start contact is wired and defined as a test module input signal in the local Hardware Configuration.
(see chapter 3.3 )
2. Settings in the Fault tab will not be needed in this test (but might be added to combine pick-up and
characteristic tests in one module).
3. As the start contact is used to trigger this test, Relay with start contact has to be chosen.
4. The phase overcurrent function is tested with phase to phase faults.

Note: In this case other protection functions may interfere with the test. Therefore, if such functions or
elements (e.g., ground fault protection, negative sequence protection, etc.) are present they may be
specified in the Test Object in the same manner as the phase elements were entered in this example.
The resulting characteristic will be calculated individually and shown for each test shot depending on its
fault type (4) and fault angle (5), ensuring a proper assessment according to the expected overall relay
behavior.

5. The test angle for the forward direction should be the maximum torque angle.
6. As the pick-up is not delayed, a step length (Resolution) of 50 ms should be sufficient.

Note: The pick-up value will be measured and assessed automatically. The drop-off value will also be
measured but it will not be assessed. The assessment of the drop-off value and of the reset
ratio has to be made manually.

More test lines can be added if needed, e.g., different fault types or a test in backward direction.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 21 of 25

3.4.3 Trip Time Characteristic Test
Trigger and Fault tabs:

1
3

3
4

1. The trigger for this test will be the trip contact.

2. A Load current during the pre-fault state will not be used in this example.
3. The Absolute max. time has to be adjusted. On the one hand, it has to exceed the upper tolerance of
the test point with the longest trip time otherwise an assessment will not be possible. On the other hand,
it should not be set to an unnecessarily high value. For shots where No trip is expected this will be the
waiting time until the assessment 'no trip' is made before continuing with the next shot. So if this time is
set to a very high value, it would unnecessarily prolong the test duration.
4. The Voltage settings define the voltages for different fault types. These voltages only apply to the faulty
phases. The non-faulty phases remain at nominal voltage. For most purposes it is sufficient to leave
these settings at the default values.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 22 of 25

 Characteristic Test tab:

1 2

3
4
3
5

1. As the function to test is a phase overcurrent function, a phase to phase fault is used.

Note: In this case other protection functions may interfere with the test. However, if such functions or
elements (e.g., ground fault protection, negative sequence protection, etc.) are present they may be
specified in the Test Object in the same manner as the phase elements were entered in this example.
The resulting characteristic will be calculated individually and shown for each test shot depending on its
fault type (1) and fault angle (2), ensuring a proper assessment according to the expected overall relay
behavior.

2. The Angle for the forward direction should be the Maximum torque angle. For reverse direction it has to
be entered shifted by 180°.
3. As the trip time of the IDMT element depends on the current, this element has to be verified with more
than one test point.
4. The trip time of the 2nd element can be confirmed with only one test point.
5. The directional behavior is confirmed with one shot at each stage in reverse direction.
6. The value of the 2nd element is also confirmed by placing two test points outside of the tolerance band of
this setting.
Instead of directly entering the magnitude value it can be expressed by its relation to an element setting,
e.g., set Relative to: to the 2nd element and set the Factor to 1.06 (i.e., 6% above the threshold) or 0.94
(i.e., 6% below the threshold).

Note: Regarding the ways to enter and modify test data please also consult the Help section of the
module (press F1).

© OMICRON 2011 Page 23 of 25

3.4.4 Directional Characteristic Test

The Trigger and Load settings are the same as explained for the trip time characteristic test. The
Absolute max. time can be reduced because the test current will be set shortly below the lower tolerance of
the 2nd element pick-up value.

As this test confirms the angle of the directional characteristic, the test points should be placed on both sides
of the directional characteristic line. In order to get a correct assessment they should be placed just outside
of the angle tolerance.

Note: A three phase fault is recommended for this test. The angle between current and voltage for each
phase is the same for this fault type. This ensures a proper assessment of the test.

Feedback regarding this application is welcome by email at TU-feedback@omicron.at.

© OMICRON 2011 Page 24 of 25

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