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Author
Jens Baumeister | jens.baumeister@omicron.at
Date
Feb 10, 2015
Application Area
Line Differential Protection End to End testing
Keywords
RelaySimTest, System Testing, Line Differential Protection, End to End testing, GPS synchronization, PTP
Version
v1.1
Document ID
ANS_14002_ENU
Abstract
Due to the increasing complexity of our electrical power systems, the need for highly selective protection is
increasingly being fulfilled by the use of line differential protection. Sometimes a transformer is included
in the protected area of the line differential protection system. To test such a protection system thoroughly, a
distributed end-to-end test with synchronized injection can be utilized.
This application note describes how this could be done in an easy and comfortable way using the OMICRON
RelaySimTest software. RelaySimTest offers simulation based system testing methods. To perform a test a
fault scenario is calculated based on the simulation of the power system network. The resulting voltages and
currents for the different relay locations can be used to test the correct behavior of the differential protection
system. For this reason RelaySimTest offers the possibility to control several distributed and time
synchronized CMC test sets.
OMICRON Page 1 of 24
General information
OMICRON electronics GmbH including all international branch offices is henceforth referred to as
OMICRON.
The product information, specifications, and technical data embodied in this application note represent the
technical status at the time of writing and are subject to change without prior notice.
We have done our best to ensure that the information given in this application note is useful, accurate and
entirely reliable. However, OMICRON does not assume responsibility for any inaccuracies which may be
present.
OMICRON translates this application note from the source language English into a number of other
languages. Any translation of this document is done for local requirements, and in the event of a dispute
between the English and a non-English version, the English version of this note shall govern.
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction of any kind, for example, photocopying, microfilming,
optical character recognition and/or storage in electronic data processing systems, requires the explicit
consent of OMICRON. Reprinting, wholly or partly, is not permitted.
OMICRON 2015. All rights reserved. This application note is a publication of OMICRON.
DANGER
Death or severe injury caused by high voltage or current if the respective
protective measures are not complied.
Carefully read and understand the content of this application note as well as
the manuals of the involved systems before starting its practical application.
Please contact OMICRON before you continue the process if you do not
understand the safety instructions, operating instructions, or parts of it.
Follow each instruction mentioned there especially the safety instructions
since this is the only way to avoid danger that can occur when working at
high voltage or high current systems.
Furthermore, only use the involved equipment according to its intended
purpose to guarantee a safe operation.
Existing national safety standards for accident prevention and
environmental protection may supplement the equipments manual.
Only experienced and competent professionals that are trained for working in high voltage or high current
environments may perform this application note. Additional the following qualifications are required:
authorized to work in environments of energy generation, transmission or distribution and familiar with
the approved operating practices in such environments.
familiar with the five safety rules.
good knowledge of OMICRON CMC test sets, RelaySimTest and CMGPS 588.
Before you get started with this application note, read the Getting Started manual [1] of RelaySimTest.
Please make sure that you also have a good knowledge about the CMC test system.
The application note describes how End-To-End relay tests of a line differential protection system with a
transformer inside of the protected area could be performed using the predefined RelaySimTest template.
Therefore it shows the following content.
The application note does not describe single end tests, wiring checks and parameter tests. To test the
protection thoroughly such tests are also recommended.
A line differential protection system compares the current flowing into the protected area with the current
flowing out of the protected area. Under normal conditions there should be nearly no difference between this
currents. A high differential current (Idiff) indicates a fault on the line. The protection system should switch off
the line as fast as possible if a fault occurs.
Figure 1: Protection principle: No fault on the line (left); fault on the line (right)
Some effects like capacitive currents and measurement errors lead to a relatively small differential current
even if there is no fault. To prevent unwanted tripping due to these influences the protection system has to
If a transformer is inside the protected area, the protection system has to take its ratio and vector group into
account. Furthermore the stabilization has to be increased, because the magnetization current and the tap
changer position will increase the differential current calculated by the protection system. The protected area
is defined by the current transformer at the beginning and the end of the line. That means a line differential
protection system provides 100% selectivity for this area, but no back-up protection for any other object.
Faults outside of the protected area should not lead to a trip of the differential protection system.
Figure 3: Transformer inside the protected area: no fault (left); fault outside of the protected area (right)
Due to the fact that the line ends are distanced from each other, there has to be one relay on each end of
the line. For the comparison of the currents a communication between the ends is necessary. With this
communication the measured current values are transmitted to the relay at the remote end. This is often
realized by optical fiber. Two synchronized CMCs are necessary to test such a distributed system with two
ends (see chapter 5.1 ).
The following figure shows the line and the transformer with its line differential protection system that is used
as example in the RelaySimTest template.
CB A
3-pole CB B
trip time = 50 ms same as CB A
close time = 100 ms
CT A Y D5 CT B
Trip 110 V 200 A / 1 A 1 kA / 1 A Trip 110 V
Relay Relay
A1 communication connection B1
Figure 5: Example protected area (CT: Current Transformer, CB: Circuit Breaker)
The parameter of the substations with their bays and relays according to the example (see chapter 3.1 ) are
in the System Under Test Menu.
The number colors in Figure 6 correspond to the colors of Figure 5 to show where the different parameters
are defined.
Comments:
1. Bay A1 and B1: This menu contains the trip and close time of the circuit breaker (CB). With this
information the binary outputs of the CMC could simulate the behavior of the CB. However the test
template doesnt use this feature. Furthermore the Bay menu item contains the sub menu Instrument
transformers that includes the CT direction setting (see Figure 7).
2. Relay A1 and B1: This menu item contains the test voltage and current limits. Relay manuals specify a
voltage and a current that does not cause damage to the relay. The limits of RelaySimTest should be
adapted according to the current and voltage limits of the relay manual. Nevertheless it is important to
do breaks between the tests to ensure that the relays are not stressed too much!
4 Test cases
Figure 8 shows the Test cases Menu with the sub menus Model power system (1), Design test scenario
(2) and test steps (3). At first the test template includes only one test case. Chapter 4.2 describes further
test cases, while chapter 4.3 shows some useful features to implement them.
The protected area of the example is part of the grid that is shown in Figure 9.
A Phase angle of minus 150 for infeed 2 simulates a no load condition due to the vector group of the
transformer (Yd5).
This chapter describes test scenarios that fit to the application. Figure 10 gives an overview of the different
test cases, while the chapters 4.2.1 to 4.2.7 describe them in detail. In all test cases the relay trip
command of relay A and B is observed. Chapter 4.3.3 describes how to implement the trip time
measurement and assessment.
For the faults in the different test cases (except test case 6, see chapter 4.2.5 ) at least the following Fault
types should be used:
> L1-N
> L2-L3
> L1-L2-L3
Depending on the relays under test, on the relays parameter and on the grid where the protection system is
used, it can be necessary to add more fault types.
The Initial state of a fault is inactive to get transients in the beginning. The faults of test cases 7 and 8 are
exceptions, because high transient currents are not wanted for these tests.
The nominal trip time of the differential protection is 0 s, therefore the simulation time after a fault or
switching event is at least 0.5 s. Hence the protection system has enough time to show its reaction on the
event.
A Siemens 7SD610 relay system was used to test the RelaySimTest template that belongs to this
application note. For more information about this relay see number [4] of the bibliography.
> At first the line is switched off the circuit breaker (CB) on both sites are open.
The fault current flows through the protected line. It differs between test case 2 and 3 due to the different
source impedances of infeed 1 and 2. There is no differential current (except the charging and magnetization
current). Therefore the differential protection is not allowed to trip.
4.2.3 Test case 4 Double infeed, fault on line 1 (high voltage site of the transformer)
This test case should show that a fault on the protected line on the high voltage site of the transformer leads
to a trip of the differential protection.
The height of the fault current depends on the fault location. Hence the fault is placed on different Fault
locations.
> Fault locations: 0%, 50%, 100% of line 1.
> The fault inception angle is 0 to get high transients.
> A fault on line 1 leads to a differential current. Therefore the protection system has to trip.
4.2.4 Test case 5 Double infeed, fault on the low voltage site of the transformer inside the protected area
This test case should show that a phase to phase and a three-phase-fault on the low voltage (LV) site of the
transformer (inside of the protected area) leads to a trip of the differential protection. Furthermore it should
show that a phase to ground fault at the location does not lead to a relay trip.
> The fault occurs on the node where the LV-site of the transformer is connected to the grid.
> The fault inception angle is 0 to get high transients.
A phase to phase and a three-phase-fault on the low voltage site of the transformer (inside the protected
area) leads to a differential current. Therefore the protection system has to trip. The relays are not allowed to
trip if a phase to ground fault occurs, since the fault is in an isolated grid (delta winding of the transformer
and infeed 2 has an insulated grounding).
4.2.5 Test case 6 Double infeed, phase to ground faults on the low voltage site of the transformer
This test case should show that the relays trip, if two phase to ground faults occur on the transformer low
voltage site.
In the beginning there is only one phase to ground fault (L1-N) in an isolated grid, therefore the relays are
not allowed to trip. The second phase to ground fault is in another phase (L2-N), therefore it leads to a
differential current. Now the relays have to trip.
4.2.6 Test case 7 Single infeed B, fault on line 1 (high voltage site of the transformer)
This test case represents a fault on line 1 that is characterized by a particularly small differential current. The
test is similar to test case 4 but with the following differences:
> A fault resistance of 5 Ohm is used to reduce the fault current. (Number [3] of the bibliography shows
how to estimate an arc resistance for a 110kV grid.)
> The initial state of the fault is Active to suppress transients.
The fault has to lead to a trip, because there is a fault inside of the protected area even if the fault current is
small.
4.2.7 Test case 8 Single infeed A, fault on the low voltage site of the transformer inside the protected
area
This test case represents a fault on the low voltage site of the transformer inside the protected area that is
characterized by a particularly small differential current. The test is similar to test case 5 but with the
following differences:
> A fault resistance of 5 Ohm is used to reduce the fault current. (Number [3] of the bibliography shows
how to estimate an arc resistance for a 110kV grid.)
> The initial state of the fault is Active to suppress transients.
A phase to phase and a three-phase-fault must lead to a trip, because there is a fault inside of the protected
area even if the fault current is small. The relays are not allowed to trip if a phase to ground fault occurs,
since the fault is in an isolated grid.
The predefined test template that corresponds to this application note includes only test case 1. The other
test cases of chapter 4.2 can be realized in the Design test scenario menu (see Figure 8 number 2). This
chapter shows some useful features to make it easier to implement them.
> The start measuring event is the beginning of the corresponding fault, if the fault has to lead to a trip.
> The start measuring event is the beginning of the simulation (0s) or the beginning of the corresponding
fault for tests where the relays are not allowed to trip.
The Set assessment condition menu (next to the Define measurements menu) defines the assessment of
the test steps. For test points where the relays have to trip the min/max values have to be entered (option
Custom min/max values, see Figure 17). For those test points where the relays are not allowed to trip the
option No stop event occurs is the assessment condition.
Due to the distribution of the protection system an end-to-end test of a line differential protection system with
two ends requires two CMCs. RelaySimTest offers the possibility to control both CMCs with one main
application via internet. For this reason two computers with internet access are necessary one at the local
and one at the remote end. The local PC runs the RelaySimTest main application, the remote PC just a
proxy application which takes care of network connection issues and announces the test device to the
controlling software application at the other end. This proxy application is the OMICRON Test Set Remote
Agent. How to configure RelaySimTest and the Test Set Remote Agent for such an application is described
in the next chapter. Figure 23 illustrates the end to end test setup.
To perform a test the main application of RelaySimTest on the local PC calculates a fault scenario based on
the simulation of the power system network. It calculates the voltages and currents not only for its own end
but also for the remote end. The results are used for the end to end test where the main application controls
the local and the remote CMC.
To perform an end to end test for a line differential protection system synchronized injection of test currents
is necessary. The synchronization ensures that both test sets the local and the remote one start the test
at the same time. This is very important since any inaccuracy can result in an unwanted differential current
and thus in an unexpected relay behavior. For this reason RelaySimTest supports the use of CMGPS 588
an antenna-integrated GPS controlled time reference to synchronize the starting point of a CMC test
process. Each end needs its own CMGPS 588 (see Figure 23). It delivers a time signal using PTP (Precision
Time Protocol). For more information about PTP see [5].
This chapter assumes that the test set up according to chapter 5.1 is already done:
> The local PC is running RelaySimTest, the remote PC the Test Set Remote Agent.
> Both have Internet access.
> The wiring between the CMCs and the relays is already done.
> The local and the remote CMC are already switched on and synchronized via CMGPS 588.
> If the connections between the CMCs and the PCs are done by Ethernet, it has to be ensured that both
CMCs are associated to the local PC.
The Test sets configuration menu (local PC) defines the CMCs and their configuration used for the tests.
At first the test template includes two general CMCs as shown in Figure 24. The label on the left site of the
CMC icon shows that the first CMC belongs to substation A and the second one to substation B.
After a click on the Choose test set button on the right site of the CMC icon, a new window opens and
offers the CMC that is connected to the local PC. A click on the local CMC selects it.
Afterwards RelaySimTest displays both CMCs the local and the remote one. Figure 28 illustrates this. The
test sets are ready for time synchronized injection due to the use of CMGPS 588. The green watches next to
the CMC icons indicate that.
The Getting Started manual of RelaySimTest [1] describes how the wiring between the CMCs and the relays
can be configured in the Test sets configuration menu.
Figure 29: Execute selected and Execute all button for a certain test case (top figure) and in the Test Manager menu (bottom figure)