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Comparison of Protection Relay Types

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Co mp aris o n o f Pro te c tio n Re lay Typ e s (p ho to b y s witc hg e ars up p o rt.c o m)

Comparison Table
T his comparison summarize characteristics of all protection relay types described in previously published
technical articles:
Characteristic El. Mech. Relay Static Relay Digital Relay Numerical Relay

Technology 1st generation relays. 2nd generation Present Present

Standard relays. generation relays. generation relays.

Operating T hey use principle of In this relays T hey use T hey use
Principle electromagnetic transistors and IC’s microprocessor. microprocessor.
principle. been used Within built Within built
sof tware with sof tware with
predef ined values predef ined values

Measuring Induction disc, R, L, C, transistors, Microprocessors, Microprocessors,

elements/ electromagnets, analogue ICs digital ICs, digital digital ICs, digital
Hardware induction cup, balance comparators dignal processors signal processors
beam

Measuring Electrical qtys Level A/D conversion, A/D conversion,

method converted detects,comparison numerical numerical
intomechanical f orce, withref erence value algorithm algorithm
torque in analogue techniques techniques
comparator

Surrounding Depend upon T here value may

Environment gravitation and the vary with respect to
value changes to the temperature also.
surrounding magnetic
f ields also.

Characteristic El. Mech. Relay Static Relay Digital Relay Numerical Relay

Relay Size Bulky Small Small Compact

Speed of Slow Fast Fast Very f ast

Response

T iming Mechanical clock Static timers Counter Counter

function works, dashpot

T ime of Temp. dependant Temp. dependant Stable Stable

Accuracy

Reliability High Low High High

Vibration Proof No Yes Yes Yes

Characteristics Limited Wide Wide Wide

Requirement Required Required Not required Not required

of Draw Out

CT Burden High Low Low Low

CT Burden 8 to 10 VA 1 VA < 0.5 VA < 0.5 VA

Characteristic El. Mech. Relay Static Relay Digital Relay Numerical Relay

Reset T ime Very High Less Less Less

Auxiliary Required Required Required Required

supply

Range of Limited Wide Wide Wide

settings
 Isolation Low High High High
Voltage

Function Single f unction Single f unction Multi f unction Single f unction

Maintenance Frequent Frequent Low Very Low

Resistance 100 mille ohms 10 Ohms 10 Ohms 10 Ohms

Output < 1 Pico Farad > 20 Pico Farads > 20 Pico Farads > 20 Pico Farads
Capacitance

Characteristic El. Mech. Relay Static Relay Digital Relay Numerical Relay

Deterioration Yes No No No
due to
Operation

Relay No Partially Programmable Programmable

Programming

SCADA No No Possible Yes

Compatibility

Operational Not Possible Possible Possible Possible

value
indication

Visual Flags, targets LEDs LEDs, LCD LEDs, LCD

indication

Self No Yes Yes Yes

monitoring

Parameter Plug setting, dial T humb wheel, dual Keypad f or Keypad f or

setting setting in line switches numeric values, numeric values,
through computer through computer

Fault Not possible Not possible Possible Possible

Disturbance
Recording

Relay’s Nomenclat ure as per ANSI

No Type of Relay

2 Time delay relay

3 3 Checking or Interlocking relay

21 21 Distance relay

25 Check synchronizing relay

27 Under voltage relay

30 Annunciation relay

32 Directional power (Reverse power) relay

37 Low f orward power relay

40 Field f ailure (loss of excitation)

46 Negative phase sequence relay

49 Machine or Transf ormer T hermal relay

50 Instantaneous Over current relay

51 A.C. IDMT Over current relay

52 Circuit breaker

52a Circuit breaker Auxiliary switch “Normally open” (‘a’ contact)

52b Circuit breaker Auxiliary switch “Normally closed” (‘b’ contact)

55 Power Factor relay

56 Field Application relay

59 Overvoltage relay

64 Earth f ault relay

67 Directional relay

68 Locking relay

74 Alarm relay

76 D.C Over current relay

78 Phase angle measuring or out of step relay

79 AC Auto reclose relay

80 Monitoring loss of DC supply

81 Frequency relay

81 U Under f requency relay

81 O Over f requency relay

83 Automatic selective control or transf er relay

85 Carrier or pilot wire receive relay

 86 Tripping Relay

87 Dif f erential relay

87G Generator dif f erential relay

87G T Overall dif f erential relay

87U UAT dif f erential relay

87NT Restricted earth f ault relay

95 Trip circuit supervision relay

99 Over f lux relay

186A Auto reclose lockout relay

186B Auto reclose lockout relay

Relays f or Transmission and Dist ribut ion Lines prot ect ion

No Line Protection

1 400 KV Main-I: Non switched or Numerical Distance Scheme

Transmission
Line Main-II: Non switched or Numerical Distance Scheme

2 220 KV Main-I : Non switched distance scheme (Fed f rom Bus PTs)
Transmission
Line Main-II: Switched distance scheme (Fed f rom line CVTs) With a changeover
f acility f rom bus PT to line CVT and vice-versa

3 132 KV Main Protection: Switched distance scheme (f ed f rom bus PT ).

Transmission
Line Backup Protection: 3 Nos. directional IDMT O/L Relays and
1 No. Directional IDMT E/L relay.

4 33 KV Lines Non-directional IDMT 3 Over Current and 1 Earth Fault relays

5 11KV Line Non-directional IDMT 2 Over Current and 1 Earth Fault relays

References:
- Handbook of Switchgear – Bhel
- Digital/Numerical Relays - T.S.M. Rao