Differential Protection Strategies for Synchronous Motor :A Case Study

J. R. Mundkar1, S.D.Suhasini2
Lecturer, Electrical Engineering dept1, A.C. Patil College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai
, Industrial Electronics dept 2, Agnel Polytechnic, Navi Mumbai
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: Three-phase synchronous motors are widely used impedance. Current-Source Inverter (CSI) is also known
in the industrial motor driven systems. Variable frequency as a six-step current inverter. In this class of VFD’s, the
drives (VFDs) which allow soft-start of motors produce controlled variable is the current to the motor. The
PWM voltage. Numerical relays are used in the protection voltage is determined by the motor’s impedance. Pulse
schemes of these high voltage motors. The location of
width Modulated (PWM) Inverter does not change the
current transformer (CT) is an important criterion in the
protection circuit. Impact of harmonics and the location of amplitude of the controlled variable to the motor
current transformer in the motor starting circuit is analysed (typically voltage). They change the rms value by turning
considering a case study. A suitable protection strategy the controlled value ON and OFF at a relatively high
recommended by IEEE for synchronous motor driven by frequency while varying the pulse width.
VFD is presented.
III. BASIC OPERATIONAL FEATURES OF VFD AS
I. INTRODUCTION SOFT-STARTER
Variable frequency drives are used for starting Introduction of a VFD allows "soft starting" and
and controlling the speed in case of induction motors and
constant speed adjustments according to load
only for starting (to limit the starting current) in case of
requirements. The process therefore can be more closely
synchronous motors. With rapid developments in monitored and controlled, with tremendous energy
electronics, solid state devices have become very popular savings as well as performance improvement. [4]. In
in electric drives. Harmonics produced by line-commutated
VFD applications, the starting currents are minimized.
converters are related to the pulse-number of the device [1].
The soft start technology constantly monitors the voltage
The converters are classified according to the pulse
and current going to the motor. When the voltage and
number and increasing the pulse number greatly
current sine waves diverge greatly or when the motor is
improves the performance of the converter. The inverters
lightly loaded and operating inefficiently, the soft start
used in VFD are classified according to the type of
reduces the current and voltage appropriately, while
voltage control. In the case of inverters with constant link
always maintaining the motor at a constant (full)
voltage, the principle of (pulse width modulation) PWM
operating speed. When the load on the motor increases,
is used. Current harmonics in the VFD input stage can
the soft start reads this condition and increases the power
also feed back into the power bus grid, and can disrupt
to the motor so that it does not stall. A Soft Start keeps
other types of equipment in the premises [2]. The motor
the motor running at full RPM.
has to be protected against any abnormal operating
conditions like overcurrents, overvoltages, short-circuits
IV. EFFECTS OF HARMONICS ON PROTECTION
etc. Current transformers in co-ordination with numerical
EQUIPMENT
relays are used for the protection. But the choice of the
location of the current transformer plays a crucial role in
Due to extensive application of nonlinear loads
the protection strategy. An inappropriate location of the
like VFDs the load current usually contains harmonic
CT can cause mal-operation of the protection equipment.
components that affect the operating characteristic of the
After a thorough study of the drive system, certain
overcurrent relay [5]. Current with a high crest factor can
protection strategies for the synchronous motor are
also nuisance-trip peak sensing devices. The current
recommended.
waveform distortions contain low order harmonics with
different THD levels. The waveform distortion of load
II. INVERTERS FOR VFD
current will alter tripping time of overcurrent relays.
The VFDs are classified in the form of the Harmonic-rich currents will have higher effective rms
variable-voltage/variable frequency power that is value as compared to non-distorted sinusoidal
supplied to the motor [3]. They are classified as: waveforms. The total harmonic distortion of load current
Variable-Voltage Inverter is also known as a voltage- is defined as:
source inverter (VSI) and a six-step voltage inverter. In %THD1=(Ih/I1rms)*100 ,where Ih=√(I2rms2+ I2rms2 + I2rms2
this class of VFD’s, the controlled variable is the voltage +...........+ I2rms2)
of the motor. The current is determined by the motor’s

International Journal Of Power System Operation and Energy Management (IJPSOEM) Volume-1, Issue-1, 2011

42
 Differential Protection Strategies for Synchronous Motor :A Case Study

Waveform distortion does affect the A VFD is the ideal soft starter since it provides
performance of protective relays and may cause them to the lowest inrush of any starter type reduces thermal and
operate improperly. However, for overloaded conditions mechanical stresses on motors and belts [8]. Any power
(or for low magnitude faults) the current may contain converter that converts ac to dc or dc to ac can be
substantial harmonics and distortion can become a considered to be a source of harmonics [9].
significant factor. The effect of harmonic currents leads A case study will be considered to show the area
to a shortened operation time of the solid-state relays. of application. An 8350 KW, 16 poles, 375 RPM Salient
The relay performance depends on THDI waveform Pole Synchronous motor is fed by 6.6 KV bus driving
distortion. The higher the THD1, the greater is the Hydrogen compressor unit. The system configuration is
variation in tripping time. As the magnitude of the as shown in figure 4. The motor at starting is driven by a
fundamental current increases the relative impact of soft starter which is a Converter-Inverter configuration
harmonic current on relay tripping is reduced. used to supply a dc field excitation and stator of
synchronous motor. Once the motor reaches to its rated
The voltage or current spikes fed back in to the speed it is then brought to a 6.6 KV bus. The currents
distribution system create a high current crest factor and measured during the start at different levels are seen in
so the peak to RMS current ratio is higher than 1.414. the single line diagram as shown in figure 4. The motor is
Current having a high crest factor can also cause provided with differential protection with CT-2 and
inaccurate secondary current in transformers. High differential protection relay element 87.
current peaks may lead to transformer saturation. When
the saturated secondary current is fed through a
resistance, the resulting voltage wave wil1 have
suppressed or flattened peaks. The current transformation
under saturated conditions is therefore nonlinear.

True RMS sensing devices are required to

provide reliable overcurrent protection when harmonics
are present [6]. Size the overcurrent devices by
measuring 1oad current using only true RMS sensing
meters.

It is impossible to generalize the behaviour of

any relay response to harmonics without actual tests, as
the actual test results show larger deviations than that of
theoretical calculation and software simulation.

Relays exhibit a tendency to operate slower

and/or with higher pickup values rather than to operate
faster and/or with lower pickup values [7]. The
overvoltage and over-current relays exhibit various
changes in the operating characteristics. Depending on
harmonic content, the operating torque of the relays could
be reversed. The harmonic currents add to the normal line
currents, which is why the input current to a VFD is
higher than the output current (by approximately 30%).
Hence, there is distortion in the current seen by the CT.
This differential current is more which may cause mal-
operation of the relay. To decrease the harmonic content, Fig.4 Single Line Diagram: Case Study
a 12-pulse converter is employed. For the twelve-pulse
During starting operation the motor is fed
system, the input current will have theoretical harmonic
through 1070KVA, 6600/2 x 735V converter transformer
components at the following multiples of the fundamental
and 12 pulse soft starters. The converter transformer is
frequency are 11, 13, 23, 25, 35, 37, etc. The 5th and 7th
built with two valve windings of equal power and voltage
harmonics are absent in the twelve-pulse system. The
ratings. One of the windings is connected in star and the
problem with 12-pulse configuration is that the two
other in delta. Soft starter is a converter inverter
rectifiers must share current exactly to achieve the
configuration which supplies controlled dc and ac power
theoretical reduction in harmonics. This requires a
to field excitation and 3 phase stator of the motor. From
converter transformer.
the inverter, power is supplied to the stator of motor
through 1670 KVA, 1450/6600 V step down transformer.
V. VFD SOFT START SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR
With this configuration, there are mainly two technical
CONFIGURATION IN INDUSTRY-A CASE STUDY
issues which have been analyzed.
International Journal Of Power System Operation and Energy Management (IJPSOEM) Volume-1, Issue-1, 2011

43
 Differential Protection Strategies for Synchronous Motor :A Case Study

A. Difference in current supplied to motor and I = Effective value of distorted current

current taken by motor. IF = Effective value of fundamental current
The measured current at the input of stator of IH = Effective value of all the harmonics produced by soft
synchronous motor is = 182 A starter

The current at the primary of converter transformer is = I= I2F + ISH11

2 2
+ ISH13 2
+ ISH23  ISH25
2
 ISH35
2
 ISH37
2

194A

From these measured values we can say that harmonic The effective value of the distorted current is:
current is getting injected into the source side. And these
harmonics are produced due to the converter inverter
configuration and the converter transformer. So, the
I = 1822 16.542 142  7.912  7.282  5.2 2  4.912
harmonic analysis has been carried out to show how this = 33760.28
difference in current has been generated.
Harmonic Analysis: = 183.73 A
The RMS values of harmonic components are inversely Harmonics generated due to Star- Delta
proportional to their harmonic order connection of transformer: In star delta connection the
magnetic flux linking both the primary and secondary
I S1 winding is a sine wave. As a result of this, the primary
I SH = and secondary phase emfs are free of third harmonic emfs
h
and their waveforms are almost sine waves. So, no
W here, I S1 = RM S value of fundam ental
harmonics generated due to star delta connection of
frequency current transformer. Harmonics generated due to Star- Star
h = 12n  1 connection with neutral of transformer: If, alternator and
the primary of star-star connected transformer have their
For the twelve-pulse soft starter input current will have neutral grounded, then third harmonic current can return
theoretical harmonic components at the 11, 13, 23, 25, through the ground. Therefore third harmonic
35, 37, etc. multiples of the fundamental frequency. So, magnetizing current can exist in the lines and in the
contributions of different harmonic currents due to 12 phase windings of the transformer [7]. So, a contribution
pulse soft starter are: of 3rd harmonic currents due to star- star connection of
transformer is:
IS1 182
ISH11 = = = 16.54 A 183.73
h 11 I S3 = = 61.2 A
IS1 182 3
ISH13 = = = 14 A So, Total current distortion at source end is
h 13
IS1 182 = 183.732 +61.2 2
ISH23 = = = 7.91 A
h 23 = 193.6 A
IS1 182  194 A
ISH25 = = = 7.28 A
h 25 So the harmonic current injected by soft starter and
IS1 182 converter transformer gives rise to the increase in current
ISH35 = = = 5.2 A towards source side [5]. The current obtained with
h 35 harmonic analysis is same as the measured current.
IS1 182
ISH37 = = = 4.91 A
h 37
B. Location of CTs for differential protection of
motor.
The Effective value IH of all the harmonics produced by
12 pulse soft starter is given by the equation: In the given system, the differential protection is
provided for the motor with the relay element 87. The
IH = 2
ISH11 2
+ ISH13 2
+ ISH23  ISH25
2
 ISH35
2
 ISH37
2
differential CTs are connected as shown in figure 4.In
this configuration, one CT-2 is located before the soft-
starter and the second CT-2 is located at the input of the
The effective value of distorted current is given by the
motor. With this way of connection of CT if the motor is
equation
started, unequal current flows through the two differential
I= I2F + I 2H protection CTs i.e. CT-2. Harmonic currents add to the
normal line currents, which is why the input current to a
Where,
International Journal Of Power System Operation and Energy Management (IJPSOEM) Volume-1, Issue-1, 2011

44
 Differential Protection Strategies for Synchronous Motor :A Case Study

VFD is higher than the output current. This difference in

current flowing through differential relay element 87
causes it to operate and give tripping signal to circuit
breaker. So, the given location of CT is not
recommended.

VI. RECOMMENDED PROTECTION STRATEGIES

FOR SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR:

A. Recommendation-1

Differential protection CTs should be connected across

the stator winding to avoid the harmonic currents flowing
through the CTs and to prevent the mal-operation of the
protection equipment. as shown in figure 5.

Fig.6. Recommended protection for Synchronous motor

VII. Conclusion

A careful design and selection of VFD decides the

harmonic distortion of the drive system. The harmonics
generated by the VFD can cause maloperation of the
protection equipment. Harmonic currents add to the
normal line currents, which is why the input current to a
VFD is higher than the output current. Considering the
effects caused by harmonics the motor should be
protected. As a part of the protection strategy, a suitable
location of the current transformer should be selected in
the motor protection circuit. The self-balancing
differential scheme of protection for the synchronous
motor driven by VFD is recommended.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Fig.5. Recommended CT Location
This industrial case study presented is a part of our
B. Recommendation-2 M.Tech. thesis which was done under the able guidance
For high power rated Synchronous motors, differential of Mr. V. D. Vaidya, General Manager-Electrical and Mr.
protection as recommended by IEEE can be provided Joginadham G., Design Engineer-Electrical, Jacobs
using flux balance CTs. This protection strategy uses Engineering India Private Limited, CBD Belapur, Navi
three current transformers, one per phase (Self Balancing Mumbai, India.
Differential Protection). This provides the ability to REFERENCES
monitor each phase of an incoming line and thereby alert
the user to any conditions of unequal current, either in the [1] David D Shipp,“ Power Quality and Line Considerations
power source or in the motor windings. It can be set to for Variable Speed AC Drives” , IEEE Transactions on
detect faults as low as 5% to 10% amps primary current. Industry, Vol. 32, no. 2, March/April 1996
This recommended connection is as shown in figure 6. [2] Aníbal.T. de Almeida, Senior Member, IEEE, Fernando J.
T. E. Ferreira, and Dick Both “Technical and Economical
Considerations in the Application of Variable Speed Drives
with Electric Motor Systems”, IEEE Transactions and
Industry Applications, VOL. 41, NO. 1, Jan/Feb 2005

International Journal Of Power System Operation and Energy Management (IJPSOEM) Volume-1, Issue-1, 2011

45
 Differential Protection Strategies for Synchronous Motor :A Case Study

[3] Les Manz, Member IEEE “Applying Adjustable-Speed

Drives to Three-Phase Induction NEMA Frame Motors
,”IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 33, no. 2,
March/April 1997.

[4] Barton.J.Sauer Consulting Applications Engineer, Patrick

A. Brady, Principal Business Developer, Siemens Energy &
Automation, Application of AC induction motors with
Variable Frequency Drives,2009 IEEE

[5]I M.A.S. Masoum, SM IEEE, S.M. Islam, SM IEEE, K.

Tan, M IEEE, N.X. TUNG ,Impact of Harmonics on Tripping
Time of Overcurrent Relays

[6] Author: James P. Brozek Cooper Industries, Bussmann D

ivision S t . Louis, Missouri The effects of harmonics on
Overcurrent protection devices

[7] IEEE Std 519-1992 (Revision of IEEE Std 519-1981)

IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for
Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems.

[8] Adjustable Speed Drive Motor Protection

Applications and Issues , Jon Gardell, Chairman Prem Kumar,
Vice Chairman

[9] Origin, Effects and control of harmonics in Power System,

Continuing education program of All India Council for
Technical Education.

[10] Operation and application of variable frequency drive

(VFD) technology, Variable Frequency Drive, Carrier
Corporation Syracuse, New York, October 2005

[11] Robert A. Hanna, Harmonics and technical barriers in

adjustable speed drives. IEEE transactions on industry
applications, vol. 25, no. 5, September/October 1989

International Journal Of Power System Operation and Energy Management (IJPSOEM) Volume-1, Issue-1, 2011

46