MV GENERATOR PROTECTION SCHEME
This document presents a typical protection scheme used for industrial turbine generators (below 5 MW).
1.1 Switchgear Single Line Diagram
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1.2 CONTRACTOR’s Single Line Diagram
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1.3 Switchgear Front Face
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1.4 Relay Order Code
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1.5 Relay LED indication
What indications should be included in relay’s LEDs?
They should include as follows:
• Synch-check condition fulfilled
• Relay operated (any protection functions)
• Lockout relay operated
• Interlock from Neutral Grounding Resistor is active
• Emergency Stop push button pressed
• Breaker ready for closing (all interlocks are satisfied)
• Shutdown to generator initiated
• Any auxiliary MCB open
• Trip circuit supervision alarm
• VT circuit healthy
• Common alarm
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1.6 Tripping Matrix
Protection functions of the turbine generator (TG) incomer relays are shown in the following tripping matrix table.
Trip Actions
ANSI IEC 61850
Protection Relay TG Remark
Code Identification Trip TG Fast
Locked Cooldown
CB Shutdown
Out Shutdown
Synchrocheck 25 SECRSYN1 - - - -
Standby earth
Stator earth fault 50G-1 DEFLPDEF1 X X X -
fault
Earth fault 50G-2 DEFLPDEF2 X X - X
Negative sequence
46 MNSPTOC1 X - X
overcurrent
Voltage restrained
51V PHPVOC1 X X - X
overcurrent
Reverse power 32R DOPPDPR1 X - X
Underfrequency 81U FRPFRQ1 X - - -
Overfrequency 81O FRPFRQ3 X - X -
Loss of excitation 40 UEXPDIS1 X X - X
Overvoltage 59 PHPTOV1 X X - X
Undervoltage 27 PHPTUV1 X - - -
Trip circuit TCSSCBR1,
74 - - - - Alarm only
supervision TCSSCBR2
VT fuse failure
60FL SEQSPVC1 - - - - Alarm only
supervision
Emergency stop
- - X X X -
push button
Turbine Generator Protection Relay Tripping Matrix
When a protective relay detects an abnormal condition, the response depends on both the location and severity of the issue. The generator
breaker may need to be tripped, and the turbine shut down following a cooldown period. This sequence is triggered by functions identifying
faults that are most likely internal to the generator, yet ones that will not worsen once the machine is isolated from the grid. This procedure
is known as a “Normal Shutdown” or “Cooldown Shutdown.” Before returning the machine to service, operators may need to address
the root cause of the issue.
In other scenarios, if the abnormal condition is severe and requires immediate action, the system initiates a “Fast Shutdown.” This involves
simultaneously tripping the generator breaker, removing generator excitation, and shutting down the turbine with no delay. These remedial
measures aim to limit further damage when significant internal faults are detected. After such an event, extensive repairs and efforts may
be required before the equipment can safely resume operation.
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1.7 Undervoltage protection (Function 27)
The undervoltage protection is used for protection of the generator and/or its auxiliary equipment during prolonged undervoltage conditions.
To prevent false operation and unnecessary tripping, the trip function is disabled on VT Fuse Loss protection (60FL) operation. Its operation
is also blocked if the generator breaker is open.
The selected setting of 27 is as follow:
• Pickup: 80% x Rated voltage
• Curve: Definite time
• Delay: 8s
Logic:
1.8 Reverse power protection (Function 32)
Function 32 is set to pickup for low levels of active power flowing into the generator. Operation of this function can be caused by problems
in the governor or fuel management system, or it can be caused by the misoperation of external power sources. Pickup of this function is
set to 240 kW or 8.8% of the generator rated kW with a time delay of 2 s.
To prevent false operation and unnecessary tripping, the trip function is disabled on VT Fuse Loss protection (60FL) operation. Its operation
is also blocked if the generator breaker is open.
Logic:
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1.9 Loss of excitation protection (Function 40)
40 element is used to isolate the generator when the excitation system fails during the parallel operation. During an excitation failure,
generator will absorb reactive power from the network. This condition may eventually cause loss of synchronization or system instability.
Excitation loss cannot be detected by other protection (e.g. 32, 27) since voltage is still held by other sources and active power output is
still positive. Even if the machine does not lose synchronism, it may not be acceptable to operate the machine in this state for a long time.
The underexcitation causes excessive heating in the end region of the stator winding. This can damage the insulation of the stator winding
and even the iron core.
Causes of excitation loss typically are as follow:
• Field open circuit
• Field short circuit
• Accidental trip field breaker
• Voltage regulator failure
The protection is based on the offset-mho circular characteristics on the impedance plane. The function calculates the apparent impedance
from the machine terminal voltages and currents. If the impedance vector enters the offset-mho circle, the function gives the operating
signal after a set definite time.
REG615 Impedance Mho Relay Working Principle during a Loss of Excitation
The main parameter of offset-mho circle is defined with the Offset, Diameter and Displacement settings as depicted below.
REG615 Operating Region of Impedance Mho Circle
The following basis as per REG615 Technical Manual are used:
• Diameter is set equal to machine unsaturated synchronous reactance (Xd = 1.477 pu)
• Offset is set equal to -Xd’/2 (unsaturated transient reactance Xd’ = 0.179 pu)
Time delay should be fast enough but should allow for transient condition during a disturbance which reactive power might temporarily be
negative.
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The selected settings:
• Diameter: 148% x Zbase = 19.09 ohm primary
• Offset: -9% x Zbase = -1.16 ohm primary
• Displacement: 0% x Zbase = 0 ohm primary
• Time delay: 500 ms
Zbase = (6.6 kV)2 / 3.375 MVA = 12.9 ohm primary (machine base impedance)
Logic:
1.10 Negative sequence overcurrent protection (Function 46)
Function 46 is used to protect the machine against prolonged unbalanced current conditions.
Trip level for the device 46 is set to 10% of generator full load current with I 2t constant equals 40 according to IEEE 242 recommendation.
Logic:
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1.11 Phase overcurrent (voltage restrained) (Function 51V)
51V element is used as a backup overcurrent. Voltage restrained characteristic is used. The 51V pickup current will be dynamically adjusted
depending on the measured voltage. The 51V element shall also operate under worst fault condition of no voltage regulator reaction where
short circuit current may fall lower than the generator rated current. The slope of 51V will be set as follow.
REG615 Voltage Restrained Characteristics
Main protection settings of 51V element are as follow:
Relay: REG615
Full load current: 295 A
CT ratio: 300/1 A
Start value: 1.1 x 295 / 300 1.1 x
CT
Curve: IEC B (Very Inverse)
Time delay: 1.42 (TMS)
Start value low: 0.11 x CT
Voltage low limit: 0.1 x Un
Voltage high limit: 0.8 x Un
“Start Value Low” shall fulfil following requirement to ensure satisfactory operation during a voltage regulator failure.
Start Value Low < (FLC / Xd) / 1.3
0.11 x 300 A < (295 / 1.282) / 1.3
33 A < 177 A ➔ Requirement fulfilled
Note:
Xd: Generator saturated synchronous reactance (128.2%)
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Overcurrent protection coordination curves of TG incomer are provided in the following TCC.
TG Incomer Overcurrent TCC
Logic:
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1.12 Stator earth fault (Function 50G-1)
Function 50G-1 is used for stator earth fault protection. It is also to protect the NER and also as a backup for downstream earth fault
protection. The timing characteristic should be chosen to protect the NER and to be selective with downstream earth fault relays. Refer to
Section 13.1 for the earth fault relay curve.
The selected settings are as follows:
• Pickup: 15 A primary
• Curve: Definite time
• Delay: 2s
Logic:
1.13 Earth fault (Function 50G-2)
Function 50G-2 is used to earth fault protection against external fault (downstream of generator incomers). Refer to Section 13.1 for the
earth fault relay curve.
The selected settings are as follows:
• Pickup: 12 A primary
• Curve: Definite time
• Delay: 1s
Logic:
1.14 Overvoltage (Function 59)
Function 59 is used to protect the generator against prolonged overvoltage conditions that could cause excessive dielectric stress on
generator insulating materials.
The protection is set to 115% of the rated voltage with 2 s delay to ride-through the system normal transients.
Logic:
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1.15 VT fuse failure (Function 60FL)
Function 60FL is used to supervise the health of the VT secondary circuit. A fuse failure is detected when there are significant levels of
negative sequence voltage without corresponding levels of negative sequence current measured at the output CTs.
Also, if the generator is online but there is not significant positive sequence voltage, it could indicate that all VT fuses have been pulled or
blown or the VTs are racked out. If the alarm is enabled and a VT fuse failure detected, elements that could nuisance operation are blocked
and an alarm occurs. The following protection functions shall be blocked to avoid false tripping.
1. Undervoltage (27)
2. Reverse power (32)
3. Loss of excitation (40)
4. Phase time overcurrent (51V)
5. Underfrequency (81U)
6. Overfrequency (81O)
When VT fuse failure alarm raises, operator shall immediately stop the generator to fix the problem.
Logic:
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1.16 Underfrequency (Function 81U)
Function 81U is used to protect the machines against prolonged underfrequency condition. The protection is set to trip at 48 Hz with time
delay of 10 s.
To prevent false operation and unnecessary tripping, the trip function is disabled on VT Fuse Loss protection (60FL) operation. Its operation
is also blocked if the generator breaker is open.
Logic:
1.17 Overfrequency (Function 81O)
Function 81O is used to protect the machines against prolonged overfrequency condition. The protection is set to trip at 52 Hz with time
delay of 10 s.
To prevent false operation and unnecessary tripping, the trip function is disabled on VT Fuse Loss protection (60FL) operation.
Logic:
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