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Multilin
Appendix
A.1
Description
This application note describes general protection concepts and provides guidelines on
the use of the 489 to protect a generator stator against ground faults. Detailed
connections for specific features must be obtained from the relay manual. Users are
also urged to review the material contained in the 489 manual on each specific
protection feature discussed here.
The 489 Generator Management Relay offers a number of elements to protect a generator
against stator ground faults. Inputs are provided for a neutral-point voltage signal and for
a zero-sequence current signal. The zero-sequence current input can be into a nominal 1 A
secondary circuit or an input reserved for a special GE Multilin type HGF ground CT for very
sensitive ground current detection. Using the HGF CT allows measurement of ground
current values as low as 0.25 A primary. With impedance-grounded generators, a single
ground fault on the stator does not require that the unit be quickly removed from service.
The grounding impedance limits the fault current to a few amperes. A second ground fault
can, however, result in significant damage to the unit. Thus the importance of detecting all
ground faults, even those in the bottom 5% of the stator. The fault detection methods
depend on the grounding arrangement, the availability of core balance CT, and the size of
the unit. With modern full-featured digital generator protection relays such as the 489,
users do not incur additional costs for extra protection elements as they are all part of the
same device. This application note provides general descriptions of each of the elements in
the 489 suitable for stator ground protection, and discusses some special applications.
A1
CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
A.1.2
R is selected for a
maximum fault current
of 10 A, typically.
Distribution
Transformer
Overvoltage
Relay
808739A1.CDR
The operating time of this element should be coordinated with protective elements
downstream, such as feeder ground fault elements, since the neutral overvoltage element
will respond to external ground faults if the generator is directly connected to a power grid,
without the use of a delta-wye transformer.
In addition, the time delay should be coordinated with the ground directional element
(discussed later), if it is enabled, by using a longer delay on the neutral overvoltage element
than on the directional element.
It is recommended that an isolation transformer be used between the relay and the
grounding impedance to reduce common mode voltage problems, particularly on
installations requiring long leads between the relay and the grounding impedance.
When several small generators are operated in parallel with a single step-up transformer,
all generators may be grounded through the same impedance (the impedance normally
consists of a distribution transformer and a properly sized resistor). It is possible that only
one generator is grounded while the others have a floating neutral point when connected
to the power grid (see the figure below). This operating mode is often adopted to prevent
circulation of third-harmonic currents through the generators, if the installation is such
that all the star points would end up connected together ahead of the common grounding
impedance (if each generator has its own grounding impedance, the magnitude of the
A2
CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
circulating third harmonic current will be quite small). With a common ground point, the
same Vneutral signal is brought to all the relays but only the one which is grounded should
have the neutral overvoltage element in service.
For these cases, the neutral overvoltage element has been provided with a supervising
signal obtained from an auxiliary contact off the grounding switch. When the grounding
switch is opened, the element is disabled. The grounding switch auxiliary contact is also
used in the ground directional element, as is the breaker auxiliary contact, as discussed
later.
If all the generators are left grounded through the same impedance, the neutral
overvoltage element in each relay will respond to a ground fault in any of the generators.
For this reason, the ground directional element should be used in each relay, in addition to
the neutral overvoltage element.
Common
Grounding
Impedance
Grounding
Switch
G1
Breaker
Trans. & R
Isolating
Trans.
Aux.
Contact
Aux.
Contact
489
Relay
Vneutral
Grounding
Switch
G2
Breaker
Aux.
Contact
Vneutral
Aux.
Contact
489
Relay
Other Generators,
as the case may be
808737A1.CDR
A.1.3
A3
CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
The core balance CT can be a conventional CT or a 50:0.025 Ground CT, allowing the
measurement of primary-side current levels down to 0.25 A. Using a Core Balance CT, on
the output side of the transformer will provide protection against stator ground faults in
ungrounded generators, provided that there is a source of zero-sequence current from the
grid.
Though in theory one could use this element with a zero sequence current signal obtained
from a summation of the three phase currents (neutral end or output end), by connecting it
in the star point of the phase CTs, Options 4 and 5 in the figure below, this approach is not
very useful. The main drawback, for impedance-grounded generators is that the zerosequence current produced by the CT ratio and phase errors could be much larger than
the zero sequence current produced by a real ground fault inside the generator.
Again the time delay on this element must be coordinated with protection elements
downstream, if the generator is grounded. Refer to Ground Directional on page 540 for
the range of settings of the pickup levels and the time delays. The time delay on this
element should always be longer than the longest delay on line protection downstream.
GENERATOR
CORE
BALANCE
CT
Option 2
Option 1
CORE
BALANCE
CT
Option 5
(similar to
Option 4)
Phase CTs
BREAKER
Breaker
Aux.
Option 3
489
Option 4
Ground current input
from one of the five
options
Ground
Overcurrent
Element
808736A1.CDR
FIGURE A3: Ground Overcurrent Element with Different Current Source Signals
A.1.4
A4
CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
grounding impedance is inductive, the plane of operation will be the 270 plane, again,
with the polarity convention shown below. If the polarity convention is reversed on one
input, the user will need to change the plane of operation by 180.
GENERATOR
Io
Io
CORE
BALANCE
CT
90
Plane of operation
for resistive
grounding impedance
Io
180
0
Vo
F10
H10
489
Relay
Io
G10
E10
270
Isolating
Transformer
808735A1.CDR
GENERATOR
CORE
BALANCE
CT
BREAKER
Aux.
Contact
Grounding
Switch
Grounding
Impedance
(Trans. &
Resistor)
Aux.
Breaker
489
To Relay
Ground
Directional
Element
(or O/C)
Vneutral
Input
Isolating
Transformer
Grounding
Switch
Aux. Cont.
Neutral
O/V
Element
G.S.
Status
Ground
Current
Input
Ground
O/C
Element
Breaker
Status
808734A1.CDR
The operating principle of this element is quite simple: for internal ground faults the two
signals will be 180 out of phase and for external ground faults, the two signals will be in
phase. This simple principle allows the element to be set with a high sensitivity, not
normally possible with an overcurrent element.
The current pickup level of the element can be adjusted down to 0.05 CT primary,
allowing an operate level of 0.25 A primary if the 50:0.025 ground CT is used for the core
balance. The minimum level of Vneutral at which the element will operate is determined by
hardware limitations and is internally set at 2.0 V.
Because this element is directional, it does not need to be coordinated with downstream
protections and a short operating time can be used. Definite time delays are suitable for
this element.
A5
CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
A.1.5
Unit
Breaker
Ground
Switch
Element
Ground
Directional
Neutral
Overvoltage
Ground
Overcurrent
Shutdown
Open
Open
Out-of-service
Out-of-service
In-service
Open Circuit
and
grounded
Open
Closed
In-service
In-service
Loaded and
Grounded
Closed
Closed
In-service
In-service
In-service
Loaded and
Not
Grounded
Closed
Open
In service as a
simple overcurrent
element
Out-of-service
In-service
which simplifies to
V P3 17V N3
(EQ 1.1)
The 489 tests the following conditions prior to testing the basic operating equation to
ensure that VN3 is of a measurable magnitude:
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CHAPTER A: APPENDIX
Neutral CT Ratio
V P3 > 0.25 V and V P3 Permissive_Threshold 17 ---------------------------------------Phase CT Ratio
(EQ 1.2)
where: VN3 is the magnitude of third harmonic voltage at the generator neutral
VP3 is the magnitude of third harmonic voltage at the generator terminals
VP3' and VN3' are the corresponding voltage transformer secondary values
Permissive_Threshold is 0.15 V for the alarm element and 0.1875 V for the trip
element.
In addition, the logic for this element verifies that the generator positive sequence terminal
voltage is at least 30% of nominal, to ensure that the generator is actually excited.
This method of using 3rd harmonic voltages to detect stator ground faults near the
generator neutral has proved feasible on larger generators with unit transformers. Its
usefulness in other generator applications is unknown.
Note
If the phase VT connection is Open Delta, it is not possible to measure the third harmonic
voltage at the generator terminals and a simple third harmonic neutral undervoltage
element is used. In this case, the element is supervised by both a terminal voltage level and
by a power level. When used as a simple undervoltage element, settings should be based
on measured 3rd harmonic neutral voltage of the healthy machine. It is recommended
that the element only be used for alarm purposes with open delta VT connections.
A.1.6
References
1.
C. R. Mason, The Art & Science of Protective Relaying, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1956,
Chapter 10.
2.
3.
4.
R. J. Marttila, Design Principles of a New Generator Stator Ground Relay for 100%
Coverage of the Stator Winding, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-1,
No. 4, October 1986.
A7