Generator Protection

Protection of Medium-
Sized and Large Generators
with SIPROTEC 7UM6

n 1. Introduction
Medium-sized and large generators make a major
contribution to power generation. They carry the
basic load and ensure the stability of an energy
system.
The task of electrical protection in these systems is
to detect deviations from the normal condition
and to react according to the protection concept
and the setting. Based on experience with larger
power station units, cost-effective protection con-
cepts can also be implemented with SIPROTEC
relays for medium-sized generators.
The scope of protection must be in reasonable re-
lation to the total system costs and the importance
of the system.

n 2. Basic connections
In medium-sized and large power stations the
generators are operated exclusively in unit
connection.
In the unit connection the generator is linked to
the busbar of the higher voltage level via a trans-
former. In the case of several parallel units, the
generators are electrically isolated by the trans-
formers. A circuit-breaker can be connected be- Fig. 1 SIPROTEC generator protection
tween the generator and the transformer
(see Figs. 2 and 3).

Fig. 2 Block diagram of generator protection

Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005 1

 Generator Protection

Fig. 3 Redundant protection concept for large generators

n 3. Protection concept Full redundancy (see Fig. 5)

Components of the protection concept are: In this system design the redundancy concept is
n The redundancy concept applied consistently throughout by duplicating all
the essential components. As shown in Fig. 5, the
n The tripping concept
redundancy begins with separate transformers or
n Protection function scope transformer cores, continues through the protec-
tion relays, and the TRIP signal is passed through
3.1 Redundancy concept separate DC voltage paths to switchgear with 2
The redundancy concept is crucial in the design of circuit-breaker coils (see Fig. 5). In the protection
protection systems. Many concepts are based on relays the protection functions can be duplicated
the n-1 principle. That means that the failure of a on the one hand; on the other hand additional
component is under control and does not lead to a protection functions with different measuring
total system failure. However, this principle is not principles are desired. Typical examples are
always applied consistently. In smaller systems earth-fault and short-circuit protection.
there is a compromise between redundancy and
costs. The following strategies are common in The displacement voltage measurement covers
practice for medium-sized and large generators. about 90 % of the protected zone in the event of
an earth fault. The totally different method –
Partial redundancy (see Fig. 4) injecting an external voltage (20 Hz) into the
At least 2 protection relays are used here. The pro- stator circuit – ensures 100 % protection.
tection relays/functions are selected so that the
The same can be implemented for the short-
system can continue to operate when a relay fails.
circuit protection. The main protection is the fast
However, certain restrictions have to be accepted.
and selective current differential protection. Sup-
This system design is seldom used in high-power
plementary to this, impedance protection is used,
generators. The protection is connected to the
with which the backup protection for the power
same transformers for example.
system protection can be achieved by appropriate
grading.

2 Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005

 Generator Protection

Fig. 4 Example: Partial redundancy Fig. 5 Example: Full redundancy

3.2 Tripping concept

The special feature of generator protection is that l Generator circuit-breaker
different switching devices have to be activated de- l De-excitation switch
pending on the fault. The number is basically de-
l Turbine valve closing
l System switch
termined by the system/plant concept. As a rule,
l Auxiliaries switch 1
most of the switching devices need to be actuated l Auxiliaries switch 2
in the larger units. Special trippings are used in l Auxiliaries transfer
hydro-electric power stations. l Spray water system, unit transformer
Fig. 6 shows the basic concepts. On one side there l Spray water system, station-service trans-
former
are the switching devices to be actuated and on the
l Backup
other side the connected protection functions. l Special trippings for hydropower
The tripping program or tripping concept de- (e.g. braking)
pends on the recommendations/experiences and Fig. 6 Protection tripping by the matrix
the operating conditions. There are two opposing
philosophies. The tripping program is determined
The function matrix is scalable to meet different re-
individually by a tripping matrix (a software ma-
quirements (see Table 1).
trix in digital technology) and the switching de-
vices are activated directly. The other (American-
The selection simplifies division into
influenced) variant reduces the tripping to two
object and application-related groups.
programs, e.g. exclusive shutdown of the gener-
ator and shutdown of the power station unit.
Lockout relays are used to control the switching
devices. The protection needs only a few trip con-
tacts.

3.3 Protection function scope

Numerous protection functions are necessary for
reliable protection of electrical generators. The
scope and the combination are determined by
various factors such as generator size, operating
principle, system design, availability requirements,
experiences and philosophies. This automatically
leads to a multifunctionality which can be con-
trolled excellently by numerical technology.

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 Generator Protection

Protection functions Generator rated power n 4. Protection functions and setting

The basic connection (Fig. 2) is considered for the
5 - 50 MVA 50 - 200 MVA > 200 MVA
setting value calculation – with generator data
Stator earth-fault protection 90 % n n n from the Table 3. Manufacturer characteristics
Stator earth-fault protection 100 % n n (e.g. power diagram) are necessary for some pro-
tection settings. The physical backgrounds and the
Differential protection n n n
formulae for calculation are in the manual. The
Overcurrent-time protection n £ £ secondary setting values are shown.
Impedance protection n n
Rotor earth-fault protection n n n
Negative-sequence n n n
(or load unbalance) protection
Underexcitation protection n n n
Out-of-step protection £ n
Stator overload protection n n n
Rotor overload protection n
Overvoltage protection n n n
Frequency protection f > n n n
Frequency protection f < n n n
Reverse-power protection n n n
Undervoltage protection ¤ ¤ ¤
Overexcitation protection £ n n
n Available
£ Optional
¤ Pumped-storage station (motor protection and phase modifier operation)
Table 1 Recommended protection functions according to generator rated power

A function selection taking redundancy into

consideration is shown in Table 2.

Protection group A Protection group B

(System 1, 7UM622) (System 2, 7UM622)
Stator earth-fault 100 % Stator earth-fault 90 %
Differential protection Differential protection (as
unit protection)
Impedance Impedance
Rotor earth-fault Negative-sequence
Negative-sequence Underexcitation
Underexcitation Out-of-step
Overvoltage Stator overload
Frequency f >< Overvoltage
Reverse power Frequency f ><
Overexcitation Reverse power
Overexcitation
Table 2 Function selection for a redundancy concept

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 Generator Protection

Generator data
Rated voltage UN 15.75 kV ± 5 %
Rated apparent power (40 °C cold gas) SN 327 MVA
Circuit-breaker cos ϕ 0.8
Rated active power PN 261.6 MW
Rated current IN 12 kA
Rated frequency fN 50 Hz
Maximum overexcitation (U/f)max % from the manufacturer’s overexcitation characteristic
Permissible overexcitation duration t (U/f)max from the manufacturer’s overexcitation characteristic
Synchronous longitudinal reactance xd 264.6 %
(for drum rotor generators: xd = xq)
Transient reactance xd1 29.2 %
Maximum exciter voltage Uexc-min 77 V
Maximum continuous permissible inverse current Imax prim / IN 10 %
Thermal continuous permissible primary current Imax / IN 1.2
2
Asymmetry factor (I2) K = (I2/IN) t 20 s

Current transformer Iprim Isec ü Target

Star-point side
T1, core 1 14 kA 1A 14 000 System 1
T1, core 3 14 kA 1A 14 000 System 2
Busbar side
T2, core 1 14 kA 1A 14 000 System 1
T2, core 3 14 kA 1A 14 000 System 2
110 kV side
T3, core 1 2 000 A 1A 2 000 System 2

Earthing transformer Uprim Usec ü Target

T4; U0 15.75 kV/ 3 5 V/ 3 54.56 System 1

External voltage Uprim Usec ü Target

transformer
Generator side
T5, UL1, UL2, UL3 15.75 kV/ 3 100 V/ 3 157.5 System 1, 2

Unit transformer data

Vector group Ynd5
Total coupling capacity HV-LV Ck 14.4 nF (4.8 per phase)
Maximum overexcitation (U/f)max 120 %
Permissible overexcitation time t (U/f)max from the manufacturer’s overexcitation characteristic
Permissible overload Imax / IN from the manufacturer’s overexcitation characteristic
Winding Primary Secondary
Rated voltage UN 115 kV 15.75 kV
Rated apparent power SN 318 MVA 318 MVA
Rated current IN 1.596 kA 11.657 kA
Short-circuit voltage uSC 15 %
Control range of the tap changer ± 9 x 1.25 %
Table 3 Data of the power station unit with gas turbine

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 Generator Protection

4.1 Current differential protection 4.2 Stator overload protection

(ANSI 87G, 87M, 87T) (ANSI 49)
The function is the instantaneous short-circuit The overload protection should protect the stator
protection in generators, motors and transformers winding of generators and motors against exces-
and is based on the current differential protection sively high continuous current overloads. All load
principle (node set). The difference and restraint cycles are evaluated by a mathematical model. The
(stabilization) current is calculated from the phase basis for the calculation is the thermal effect of the
currents. Optimized digital filters safely attenuate current r.m.s. value. The transformation corre-
disturbance variables such as aperiodic DC ele- sponds to IEC 60255-8.
ments and harmonics. The high resolution of the
Setting instructions
measuring variables enables small difference cur-
rents (10 % of IN) to be picked up, i.e. a very high The cooling time constant is prolonged automati-
sensitivity. A settable restraint characteristic al- cally, dependent on the current. If the ambient
lows optimum adaptation to the conditions of the temperature or coolant temperature is fed in
protected object. through a transducer (MU2) or via the
PROFIBUS-DP, the model automatically adapts
Setting instructions to the ambient conditions; otherwise a constant
An important setting is the position of the star ambient temperature is assumed.
points of the current transformer sets on both The following table shows the setting options and
sides of the protected object. In addition, the rated the setting example of important parameters
data (SN GEN/MOTOR, UN GEN/MOTOR) of the genera- (without taking the ambient or coolant tempera-
tor to be protected and the primary and secondary ture into account).
rated currents of the main current transformers
are requested on both sides. The setting values Parameter Setting options Setting
refer to these. In addition, they are used for exam- k-factor 0.1 to 4.0 1.11
ple to determine the primary measured values.
Thermal warning 70 to 100 % 95 %
As an additional security measure against unwant- level
ed operation when connecting a previously non- Current warning 0.1 to 4.0 A 1.0 A
energized protected object, the increased pickup level
value can be switched on when starting up. kt-time factor at 1.0 to 10.0 1.0
standstill
The table below shows the setting options of
selected parameters. The settings are relevant for Limit current for 0.5 to 8.0 A 3.30 A
the generator and not for the unit (protection the thermal replica
group A). Dropout time after 10 to 15000 s 100 s
emergency start
Parameter Setting options Default *) Table 5 Parameter overview for the stator overload
protection
Pickup value of the trip 0.05 to 2.0 I/INObject 0.2 I/INObject
stage Idiff> The setting ranges and presettings (defaults) are
Delay of the trip stage 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 0.00 s specified for a secondary rated current of IN = 1 A.
Idiff> At a secondary rated current of IN = 5 A, these va-
Pickup value of the trip 0.05 to 12.0 I/INObject 7 I/INObject lues must be multiplied by 5. The ratio of the cur-
stage Idiff>> rent transformer must be taken into account
Delay of the trip stage 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 0.00 s additionally for settings of primary values.
Idiff>>
Slope 1 of the trip 0.1 to 0.5 0.15
characteristic
Foot of slope 1 of the 0 to 2.0 I/INObject 0 I/INObject
trip characteristic
Slope 2 of the trip 0.25 to 0.95 0.5
characteristic
Foot for slope 2 of the 0 to 10.0 I/INObject 2.50 I/INObject
trip characteristic
Table 4 Parameter overview for the differential
protection

*) In this example, most of the default settings can be used.

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 Generator Protection

4.3 Negative-sequence protection (ANSI 46) Parameter Setting options Setting

Asymmetrical current loads of the three phases of
Continuously permissible 3.0 to 30.0 % 8.6 %
a generator lead to heating up in the rotor due to load unbalance
the reverse field. The protection detects an unbal-
Delay time of warning 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 10.0 s
anced load of three-phase generators. It operates stage
on the basis of symmetrical components and eval-
uates the negative-sequence component of the Asymmetry factor K 2.0 to 100.0 s; ∞ 11 s
phase currents. The thermal processes are taken Cooling time of thermal 0 to 50000 s 1500 s
into account in the algorithm and lead to an model
inverse-time characteristic. In addition, the nega- Excitation current I2>> 10 to 100 % 51.4 %
tive-sequence is evaluated by a definite-time
Delay time T I2>> 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 3.0 s
warning and tripping stage which is supplemented
by delay elements. Table 6 Parameter overview for negative-sequence
protection
Setting instructions
4.4 Underexcitation protection (ANSI 40)
Thermal characteristic
The protection prevents damage due to out-of-
The generator manufacturers specify the permissi- steps resulting from underexcitation. The complex
ble negative-sequence with the following formula: master value is calculated from the generator ter-
minal voltage and current. The protection func-
K
t perm = 2 tion offers three characteristics for monitoring the
 I2  static and dynamic stability. The exciter voltage
 
 IN  can be fed in through a transducer and a fast re-
sponse of the protection can be achieved by timer
tperm = Maximum permissible application time of switching in the event of a failure. The straight
the negative-sequence current I2 line characteristics allow optimum adaptation of
K = Asymmetry factor (generator constant) the protection to the generator diagram. The set-
ting values can be read out directly from the per-
I2/IN = Negative-sequence (ratio of negative- unit representation of the diagram. The positive-
sequence current I2 to rated current IN) sequence components of the currents and voltages
The asymmetry factor is generator-dependent and are used for calculating the variables, whereby
represents the time in seconds for which the gen- correct operation is ensured even under asymme-
erator may be loaded at the maximum with 100 % trical conditions.
unbalanced load. The factor is mainly in the range Setting instructions
between 5 s and 30 s. On exceeding the permissi- The tripping characteristics of the underexcitation
ble load unbalance (value of the continuously per- protection are made up of straight lines in the
missible negative-sequence current), simulation of master value diagram, defined by their reactive
the heating of the object to be protected in the re- part of the admittance 1/xd and their angle of
lay begins. The current-time-area is calculated inclination α.
continuously taking different load cases correctly Table 7 shows the settings for this application
into consideration. If the current-time-area example.
((I2/IN)2· t) reaches the asymmetry factor K, trip-
ping takes place with the thermal characteristic. Parameter Setting options Default *)
Table 6 shows the setting options and the setting Pickup threshold 1/xd characteristic 1 0.25 to 3.0 0.37
example. Characteristic slope characteristic 1 50 to 120 ° 80 °
Delay time characteristic 1 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 10.0 s
Pickup threshold 1/xd characteristic 2 0.25 to 3.0 0.33
Characteristic slope characteristic 2 50 to 120 ° 90 °
Delay time characteristic 2 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 10.0 s
Pickup threshold 1/xd characteristic 3 0.25 to 3.0 1.0
Characteristic slope characteristic 3 50 to 120 ° 100 °
Delay time characteristic 3 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 1.5 s

Table 7 Parameter overview for underexcitation protection

*) In this example, most of the default settings can be used.

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 Generator Protection

4.5 Reverse-power protection (ANSI 32R) Parameter Setting options Setting

The reverse-power protection monitors the active
power direction and picks up in the event of a me- Delay time with emer- 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ ∞s
gency tripping
chanical energy failure, because the drive energy is
then taken out of the system. This function can be Delay time without 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 6.00 s
used for operational shutdown of the generator emergency tripping
but also prevents damage to steam turbines. The Pickup threshold re- 30.0 to 0.50 % -3.42 %
position of the emergency tripping valve is entered verse power
as binary information. This switches between two Pickup seal-in time 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 1.00 s
delays of the open command. The reverse power is Table 8 Parameter overview of reverse-power
calculated from the positive phase sequence sys- protection
tems of current and voltage. Asymmetrical system
conditions therefore do not impair the measuring 4.6 Impedance protection (ANSI 21)
accuracy. This fast acting short-circuit protection protects
the generator or unit transformer on the one hand
If reverse power occurs, the turbo set must be dis- and is the backup protection for the system. It has
connected from the system, because operation of two adjustable impedance stages whereby the first
the turbines is not permissible without a certain stage is additionally switchable by a binary input.
minimum steam throughput (cooling effect), or The impedance measuring range can be extended
the motorized load is too great for the system in a with open system switch. The overcurrent pickup
gas turbo set. with undervoltage seal-in provides reliable pickup
The trip command is delayed by an adjustable and loop selection logic for determining the faulty
time to bridge any brief power consumption loop. It also allows correct measurement through
during synchronization or in the event of power the transformer.
swings due to system faults. In the event of a Setting instructions
closed emergency tripping valve on the other The maximum load current occurring during op-
hand, the unit must be shut down with a short de- eration is decisive for setting the overcurrent
lay. By entering the position of the emergency pickup. Pickup by overload must be ruled out.
tripping valve through a binary input, the short The pickup value must therefore be set above the
delay becomes effective in the event of emergency maximum expected (over) load current. Recom-
tripping. It is also possible to block the tripping by mended setting: 1.2 to 1.5 times rated generator
means of an external signal. current.
The value of the consumed active power is deter- The pickup logic corresponds to that of the defi-
mined by the friction losses to be overcome and, nite-time overcurrent protection I>. If the excita-
depending on the system, is approximately: tion is derived from the generator terminals and
n Steam turbines: Prev/SN 1 % to 3 % the short-circuit current is able to drop below the
n Gas turbines: Prev/SN 3 % to 5 % pickup value due to collapsing voltage, the under-
n Diesel drives: Prev/SN > 5 %
voltage seal-in is activated.
The undervoltage seal-in U< is set to a value just
However, it is advisable to measure the reverse
below the lowest phase-to-phase voltage occurring
power with the protection itself in the primary
during operation, e.g. to U< = 75 % to 80 % of the
test. About 0.5 times of the measured motoring
rated voltage. The seal-in time must be greater
energy, which can be read out under the “percent-
than the maximum fault clearance time in the
age operational measured values”, is chosen as a
backup case. (Recommended: This time + 1 s).
setting value.
Table 8 shows the setting of selected parameters.

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 Generator Protection

As described in the manual, the protection has Parameter Setting options Setting
three characteristics which can be set independ-
Pickup value of the 0.10 to 20.0 A 1.20 A
ently: overcurrent pickup
n Zone (instantaneous zone Z1) with the setting Pickup voltage of the 10.0 to 125.0 V 75.0 V
parameters undervoltage seal-in
ZONE Z1 reactance = reach, Seal-in time of the 0.1 to 60.0 s 10.0 s
ZONE1 T1 = 0 or short delay if necessary. undervoltage seal-in
n Overreach zone Z1B, controlled externally by a Trip time of the end time stage 0.1 to 60.0 s 3.0 s
binary input with the setting parameters
Impedance zone Z1 0.05 to 130.0 Ω 7.28 Ω
OVERR. Z1B reactance = reach,
OVERR. T1B T1B = 0 or short delay if necessary. Trip time zone Z1 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 0.30 s
n 2nd zone (Zone Z2) with the setting parameters Impedance overreach stage Z1B 0.05 to 65.0 Ω 11.44 Ω
ZONE Z2 reactance = reach, Trip time overreach stage Z1B 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 8.00 s
ZONE2 T2 T2 should be chosen so high that it
is above the grading time of the system protec- Impedance zone Z2 0.05 to 65.0 Ω 11.44 Ω
tion. Trip time Z2 0 to 60.0 s; ∞ 8.00 s
n Undirected final stage with the setting parame- Table 9 Parameter overview for the impedance protection
ters T END T END must be chosen such that
the second or third stage of the series-connected 4.7 Overvoltage protection (ANSI 59)
power system distance protection is overreached. This protection prevents insulation faults as a
Since it can be assumed that the impedance pro- result of high voltage. Optionally the maximum
tection measures into the generator transformer, phase-to-phase voltages or phase-to-earth volt-
it must be ensured that the parameterization ages (in low-voltage generators) can be evaluated.
selec- tion sufficiently considers the control range In the phase-to-phase voltages, the measuring re-
of the transformer. For ZONE Z1, a reach of sult is independent of the zero point displace-
about 70 % of the zone to be protected is therefore ments resulting from earth-faults. The protection
normally chosen (i.e. about 70 % of the trans- function is designed in two stages.
former reactance) without or with only slight de- The setting of the limit values and delay times of
lay (i.e. = 0 s to 0.50 s). the overvoltage protection depends on the speed
For ZONE Z2, the reach could be set to about at which the voltage regulator can regulate volt-
100 % of the transformer reactance or a system age fluctuations. The protection may not interve-
impedance additionally. The corresponding time ne in the regulating process of the voltage regula-
stage ZONE2 T2 must be chosen so that it tor when it is operating trouble-free. The two-
overgrades the system protection relays of the fol- stage characteristic must therefore always be
lowing lines. above the voltage time characteristic of the regu-
lating process.
The following settings apply for the configuration
example (without activation of the out-of-step Setting instructions
block): The long-time stage U> and T U> should inter-
vene in the case of steady-state overvoltages. It is
set to about 110 to 115 % UN and to 1.5 to 5 s,
depending on the regulator speed. In the event of
a full load disconnection of the generator, the
voltage first rises according to the transient volt-
age and is reduced to its rated value by the voltage
regulator afterwards. The U>> stage is generally
set as a short-time stage so that the transient pro-
cess in full load shutdown does not lead to trip-
ping. About 130 % UN – with a delay T U>> ran-
ging from zero to 0.5 s – are usual (for example)
for U>>.

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 Generator Protection

Parameter Setting options Default *) 4.9 Overexcitation protection (ANSI 24)

Overexcitation protection serves to detect an im-
Pickup voltage U> 30 to 170 V 115 V
permissibly high induction (proportional to U/f)
Delay time T U> 0 to 60 s; ∞ 3s in generators or transformers which leads to
Pickup voltage U>> 30 to 170 V 130 V thermal overloading. This danger can occur in
Delay time T U>> 0 to 60 s; ∞ 0.50 s
start-up processes, in full load disconnections, in
“weak” systems and in separate island operation.
Dropout ratio RV U> 0.90 to 0.99 0.95 The inverse-time characteristic is set with the ma-
Table 10 Parameter overview for the overvoltage nufacturer data by way of 8 points. A definite-
protection time alarm stage and a short-time stage can be
used additionally. Apart from the frequency, the
4.8 Frequency protection (ANSI 81) maximum of the three phase-to-phase voltages is
Frequency protection prevents impermissible used for calculating the quotient U/f. The monito-
loading of the equipment (e.g. turbine) at under rable frequency range is between 11 and 69 Hz.
and overfrequency, and also serves often as a mo-
Setting instructions
nitoring and control element. The function is de-
signed in four stages, whereby the stages can The overexcitation protection contains two-staged
operate either as under or overfrequency protecti- characteristics and one thermal characteristic for
on. Each stage can be delayed individually. The approximate simulation of the heating of the pro-
complex frequency measuring algorithm also fil- tected object due to overexcitation. On exceeding
ters out the fundamental harmonic reliably in the of an initial pickup threshold (alarm stage U/f), a
event of distorted voltages and determines fre- time stage T U/f > is started, at the end of which
quency very accurately. The frequency measure- an alarm message is output.
ment can be blocked by an undervoltage stage. The limit value of induction in relation to the
Setting instructions rated induction (B/BN) specified by the protected
object manufacturer forms the basis for setting
If the frequency protection is used for the task of
the limit value U/f >.
system decoupling and load shedding, the setting
values depend on the concrete system conditions. The characteristic for a Siemens standard trans-
Usually a grading according to the importance of former has been chosen as default. If the protected
the consumers or consumer groups is aimed at for object manufacturer supplies no data, the default
load shedding. Other applications are to be found standard characteristic is retained. Otherwise, any
in the power station sector. Basically the frequen- tripping characteristic can be specified by point-
cy values to be set depend on the presettings of the by-point input of parameters by a maximum of
system or power station operator. 7 straight sections.
The following table shows the settings which meet
practical requirements.

Parameter Setting Setting

options
Pickup frequency f1 40 to 65 Hz 47.5 Hz
Delay time T f1 0 to 600 s 40 s
Pickup frequency f2 40 to 65 Hz 47 Hz
Delay time T f2 0 to 100 s 20 s
Pickup frequency f3 40 to 65 Hz 51.50 Hz
Delay time T f3 0 to 100 s 40 s
Pickup frequency f4 40 to 65 Hz 52 Hz
Delay time T f4 0 to 100 s 20 s
Minimum voltage 10 to 125 V; 0 65 V
Table 11 Parameter overview for frequency protection

*) In this example, most of the default settings can be used.

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 Generator Protection

4.10 90 % stator earth-fault protection directio- Parameter Setting options Setting

nal, non-directional (ANSI 59N, 64G, 67G)
Pickup voltage U0> 2 to 125 V 10 V
In generators operated with an isolated star point,
an earth fault is indicated by occurrence of a dis- Pickup current 3I0> 2 to 1000 mA 5 mA
placement voltage. In unit connection, the displa- Slope angle of the 0 to 360 ° 15 °
cement voltage is a sufficient, selective protection directional lines
criterion. If a generator is connected electrically to Delay time T SES 0 to 60 s; ∞ 0.30 s
a busbar, the direction of the flowing earth-cur-
Table 12 Parameter overview for the stator earth-fault
rent must be evaluated additionally for selective protection
earth-fault detection. The protection measures the
displacement voltage on a voltage transformer in 4.11 Rotor earth-fault protection (ANSI 64R)
the generator star point, or at the open delta win- This protection function can be effected with the
ding of a voltage transformer. Optionally the 7UM62 in three ways. The simplest form is the
zero-sequence voltage can also be calculated from method of rotor earth-current measurement (see
the phase-to-earth voltages. Depending on the the manual: Chapter on sensitive earth-fault
system design, 90 to 95 % of the stator winding of protection, resistance measurement at system
a generator can be protected. frequency voltage).
When starting, it is possible to switch over to The second form is rotor earth-resistance measu-
zero-sequence voltage measurement via an exter- rement with system frequency voltage coupling
nally coupled signal. Various earth-fault protecti- into the rotor circuit (see the manual: Chapter on
on concepts can be implemented with the func- rotor earth-fault protection). The coupled voltage
tion, according to the protection setting. and the flowing rotor earth-current are detected
by the protection. Taking account of the complex
Setting instructions resistance of the coupling device (7XR61), the ro-
For generators in unit connection, the pickup tor earth resistance is calculated by a mathemati-
value must be chosen so high that displacement cal model. This form is often used for medium-
voltages, which affect the stator circuit through sized generators.
the coupling capacitances of the unit transformer,
do not lead to pickup. The damping by the load The third form is resistance measurement with
resistance must also be taken into account here. square-wave voltage injection of 1 to 3 Hz. In larg-
The setting value is twice the displacement voltage er generators a higher sensitivity is required. On
value coupled in at full system displacement. Final the one hand, disturbances caused by the rotor
specification of the setting comes during commis- earth capacitance must be eliminated better, and
sioning with primary variables according to the on the other hand the interference margin to the
manual. Tripping in the event of stator earth-fault harmonic (e.g. 6th harmonic) of the exciter device
is set time-delayed (T SES). The overload capacity must be increased. The injection of a low-frequen-
of the load equipment must also be taken into ac- cy square-wave voltage into the rotor circuit has
count when setting the delay. All set times are ad- proven effective here (recommended for this ap-
ditional delays which do not include the operating plication). The square-wave voltage injected by
times (measuring time, dropout time) of the pro- the controller unit 7XT1 leads to polarity reversal
tection function. of the rotor earth capacitance. Through a shunt in
the 7XT1, the flowing earth-current is detected
Table 12 shows the setting options for selected and injected into the protection (measuring in-
parameters. The settings are selected for this pro- put). In a fault-free case (RE ~ ∞), the rotor
tection configuration. earth-current after charging of the earth capaci-
tance is nearly zero. In the event of a fault, the
earth resistance – including coupling resistance
(7XR6004) and the incoming supply voltage – de-
termines the steady-state current. Via the second
input (control input), the transfers, the current
square-wave voltage and the polarity reversal
frequency are recorded. Fault resistances up to
80 kΩ can be detected with this measuring
principle.

Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005 11

 Generator Protection

Monitoring of the rotor earth circuit for interrup- in generators with high earth capacitances – e.g.
tion takes place by evaluating the current during large hydroelectric generators – is enabled. Angle
polarity reversals. faults due to the earthing or star-point trans-
former are detected during commissioning and
Setting instructions (1 to 3 Hz protection) corrected in the algorithm. The protection func-
Since the protection calculates the resistive rotor tion has a warning and trip stage. In addition, the
earth resistance directly from the values of applied measuring circuit is monitored and a failure of the
voltage, series resistance and flowing earth-current,
the limit values for the alarm stage (RE WARN) and 20 Hz generator detected. Regardless of the earth
the trip stage (RE TRIP) can be set immediately as resistance calculation, the protection function ad-
resistance values. In most cases the preset values ditionally evaluates the r.m.s. value of the current.
(RE WARN = 40 kΩ and RE TRIP = 5 kΩ) are suffi- Another stage is available for earth-faults in which
cient. Depending on the insulation resistance and the displacement voltage and thus the fault cur-
coolant, these values can be changed. It is impor- rent exceed a certain value.
tant to pay attention to an adequate margin be-
Taking the following parameters into considera-
tween the setting value and the actual insulation
tion, the following settings for the application
resistance. As a result of possible disturbances due
example apply.
to the exciter device, the setting for the alarm stage
is finally determined during the primary tests. n Load resistance on the earthing transformer
The delay is usually set for the alarm stage (T RE RL = 4.63 Ω
WARN) to about 10 s, and for the trip stage (T RE n Transformation ratio, voltage divider
TRIP) to a short time of about 1 s. üKl = 200 / 5
The set times are additional time delays which do n Transformation ratio, voltage divider
not include the operating times (measuring time, üdivider = 2 / 5
dropout time) of the protection function. n Transformation ratio, earthing transformer
ütransf = 15.75: 3 / 0.5 kV
Parameter Setting options Default *)
Parameter Setting Setting
Pickup value of the 5 to 80 kΩ 40 kΩ
options
alarm stage
Pickup value of the 20 to 700 Ω 193 Ω
Pickup value of the 1 to 10 kΩ 5 kΩ
alarm stage SES 100 %
trip stage
Pickup value of the 20 to 700 Ω 48 Ω
Delay time of the 0 to 60 s; ∞ 10 s
trip stage SES 100 %
alarm stage
Delay time of the alarm stage 0 to 60 s; ∞ 10 s
Delay time of the 0 to 60 s; ∞ 1s
SES 100 %
trip stage
Table 13 Parameter overview for the rotor earth-fault Delay time of the trip stage 0 to 60 s; ∞ 1s
protection SES 100 %
Pickup value 100 % I>> 0.02 to 1.5 A 0.27 A
Monitoring threshold for 0.3 to 15 V 1V
4.12 100 % stator earth-fault protection with 20 Hz voltage
20 Hz injection (ANSI 64 G (100 %))
Monitoring threshold for 5 to 40 mA 10 mA
The injection of a 20 Hz voltage for detection of 20 Hz current
faults in the star point or close to the star point of
Angle correction for I SES 60 ° 0°
generators has proven a safe and reliable method.
Unlike the 3rd harmonic criterion (see page 12, Transition resistance Rps 0 to 700 Ω 0Ω
Catalog SIP 6.1), it is independent of the genera- Parallel load resistance 20 to 700 Ω; ∞ ∞Ω
tor properties and the operating method. Mea- Table 14 Parameter overview for the 100 % stator earth-fault
surement at system standstill is still possible. This protection
protection function is designed so that it detects
earth-faults both in the whole generator (real
100 %) and in all galvanically connected system
components. The protection relay detects the in-
jected 20 Hz voltage and the flowing 20 Hz cur-
rent. Disturbance variables such as stator earth
capacitances are eliminated, and the ohmic fault
resistance is determined by a mathematical model.
As a result, high sensitivity is ensured and the use

*) In this example, most of the default settings can be used.

12 Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005

 Generator Protection

4.13 Out-of-step protection (ANSI 78)

This protection function serves to detect power
swings in the system. If generators feed too long
onto a system short-circuit, a compensation pro-
cess (active power swings) may take place be-
tween the system and the generator after fault dis-
connection. If the center of power swings is in the
area of the unit, the “active power surges” lead to
impermissible mechanical stressing of the gener-
ator and the whole generator mounting – includ-
ing the turbine. Since these are symmetrical proc-
esses, the positive-sequence impedance is calculat-
ed from the voltage and current positive-sequence
components and the impedance curve is evalua-
ted. In addition, the symmetry is monitored by
evaluating the negative-phase sequence system
current. Two characteristics in the R/X diagram
describe the range of effect (generator, unit trans-
former or system) of the out-of-step protection.
The appropriate counters are incremented, de-
pending on in which characteristic range the im-
pedance vector enters and exits. If the set counter Fig. 7 Power swing polygon
reading is reached, tripping takes place. If no more
power swings occur after a set time, the counters
The meaning, calculation and setting of the pa-
are automatically reset. Every power swing can be
rameters for the trip characteristics are described
signalled by a settable pulse. The extending of the
in detail in the manual.
characteristic in R direction determines the de-
tectable power swing angle. 120 ° are practicable. The following table shows the setting options and
The characteristic can be tilted at an adjustable the calculated settings.
angle to adapt to the conditions when the system
is feeding off several parallel generators. Parameter Setting options Setting
Pickup value of the 20 to 400 % 120 %
Setting instructions measurement release I1>
A minimum value of the positive-sequence com-
Pickup value of the 5 to 100 % 20 %
ponents of the currents I1> must be exceeded measurement release I2>
(overcurrent pickup) to enable the measurement.
Resistance Za of the polygon 0.2 to 130 Ω 8.25 Ω
In addition, a maximum value of the negative- (width)
sequence components of the currents I2< may not
be exceeded, due to the symmetry condition. As a Reactance Zb of the polygon 0.1 to 130 Ω 19.60 Ω
(reverse)
rule, the setting value I1> is chosen above rated
current – i.e. about 120 % IN – to avoid pickup by Reactance Zc of the polygon 0.1 to 130 Ω 8.90 Ω
(forward char. 1)
overload. The pickup threshold of the negative-
sequence component of the current I2< is set to Reactance difference 0 to 130 Ω 1.10 Ω
char. 2 – char. 1
about 20 % IN.
Inclination angle of the polygon 60 to 90 ° 90 °
The impedances of the protected zone seen from
the protection relay are decisive for determining Number of oscillations by 1 to 4 1
characteristic 1
the setting values. In the direction of the generator
(seen from the installation position of the voltage Number of oscillations by 1 to 8 4
characteristic 2
transformer set), the power swing reactance of the
generator must be taken into account; it can be set Seal-in time of characteristic 1 0.2 to 60 s 20 s
approximately equal to the transient reactance xd'. and characteristic 2
This means the transient reactance related to the Seal-in time of the message 0.02 to 0.15 s 0.05 s
secondary side is calculated and set for Zb xd' (see out-of-step, char. 1 and
out-of-step char. 2
Fig. 7).
Table 15 Parameter overview for out-of-step protection

The setting ranges and presettings are specified for

a secondary rated current of IN = 1 A.

Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005 13

 Generator Protection

n 5. Connection diagram n 6. Communication

The 7UM6 relays fully meet the requirements of
modern communication technology. They have
interfaces which allow integration in master con-
trol stations, convenient parameterization and
operation by PC (locally or via a modem). The
7UM6 supports the widely used international
open communication standards
n PROFIBUS-DP, RS485 or optical 820 nm
double-ring ST connector
n IEC 60870-5-103,
n DNP3.0, RS485 or optical 820 nm double-ring
ST connector and
n MODBUS, RS485 or optical 820 nm
double-ring ST connector
Note
All SIPROTEC 4 relays also operate with star
coupler. This enables the user to access all infor-
mation from the office or en route (for simple ap-
plications). With the PROFIBUS-DP protocol,
SIPROTEC relays can easily be integrated in PLC-
based process control systems (e.g. SIMATIC
S5/S7). The protocols DNP3.0 and MODBUS
ASCII/RTU allow integration in numerous instru-
mentation and control systems of other manu-
facturers.

n 7. Summary
Beginning with the recommendations for protec-
tion functions [1], it has been described that effi-
cient concepts can be created with modern
SIPROTEC relays in medium-sized generators,
despite the need to consider cost factors. The mul-
tifunctional, numerical SIPROTEC relays enable a
greater functional scope than the previous single
relays. Self-monitoring substantially improves the
availability of the protection relays.
For further information about the function range
and setting, the 7UM62 manual is recommended,
Fig. 8 Connection diagram of 7UM6 chapter 2 of which has been compiled as an appli-
cation manual.

n 8. References
Herrmann, H.-J.: “Digitale Schutztechnik”
(Digital Protection Technology).
Basic principles, software, examples of
implementation.
VDE-Verlag GmbH, Berlin 1997,
ISBN 3-8007-1850-2.
Herrmann, H.-J.: “Elektrischer Schutz von
Kleinkraftwerken” (Electrical Protection of Small
Power Stations).“Elektrizitätswirtschaft Jg. 97”
(Electricity Industry Year 97) (1998) Issue 24
Manual
7UM62 Multifunction Generator, Motor and
Transformer Protection Relay

14 Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005