Installation, Maintenance, Testing &

Commissioning of Substations

A Study of Distance Protection

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Distance Protection: 1. Fault Types: 4. Measuring loop for single- phase faults

Distance protection is a non-unit system of protection, which measures the ◼ Transmission lines 85% The distance protection relays are always set based on the phase
impedance between the relay location and the point where the fault is ◼ Busbar 12% impedance to the fault. The measured Impedance is a function of
incident and compares it with the set value. If the measured impedance is ◼ Transformer/ Generator 3% positive and zero sequence impedance
less than the set value, the relay operates and isolates the faulty section.
Since, the line impedance is directly proportional to line length, we get the ◼ Transient faults
exact location of the fault in kms. Since it protects a certain length of ◼ are common on transmission lines, approximately 80-85%
transmission line, it is called a distance relay. If the measured impedance < ◼ lightnings are the most common reason
setting impedance, the relay operates. ◼ can also be caused by birds, falling trees, swinging lines etc.
◼ will disappear after a short dead interval
So, the input quantities to the distance relay are voltage and current and the
output it gives is V/I which is impedance (Z). Since it uses two input ◼ Persistent faults
quantities, its reliability is more than that of overcurrent relay, which uses ◼ can be caused by a broken conductor fallen down 5. Distance Protection Zones
only one input quantity (i.e., current) ◼ can be a tree falling on a line
◼ must be located and repaired before normal service There could be usually 03 to 05 impedance zone depending upon the
Power lines have impedances of size 0,3- 0,4 ohm/km and normal angles of application.
80-85 degrees. 2. Measuring loop for three- phase faults

The principle of distance protection The distance protection relays are always set based on the phase
ZL =R+jX impedance to the fault. The measured impedance is equal to the
positive sequence impedance up to the fault location

The line impedance must be converted to secondary values with the formula:

𝑽𝑻𝒔𝒆𝒄 𝑪𝑻𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒎
𝒁𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝒁𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒎 𝒙 𝒙
𝑽𝑻𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒎 𝑪𝑻𝒔𝒆𝒄
3. Measuring loop for two- phase faults

The distance protection relays are always set based on the phase
impedance to the fault. The measured impedance is equal to the
positive sequence impedance up to the fault location

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Prepared By: Babar Shahzad Date: 18-03-2023 Rev:00 Page 1 of 2
 Installation, Maintenance, Testing &
Commissioning of Substations

A Study of Distance Protection

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Zone 1: therefore cleared with no intentional time delay.

9. Switch onto Fault Logic (SOTF)
1. Mainly intended to cover the entire length of the protected line
length and set to operate instantaneously i.e with no intentional time When energizing a power line onto a forgotten earthing no measuring
delay. voltage will be available and the directional measuring can thus not
2. To avoid the loss of discrimination with the zone 1 protection of the operate correctly.
following line section, zone i distance is set at 80 to 90 % of the line
and not 100%. Hence, it is called as an Under-reaching Element. A special SOTF function is thus provided. Different principles can be
3. This safety margin of 10 to 20 % is kept for relay/CT/VT errors, used, from one phase current to unidirectional impedance measuring.
infeed/outfeed effects and inaccuracies in line impedance
parameters. Suppose the line is set at 100% of the protected line and
the fault occurs on the adjacent line, but due to CT/VT errors, it may
appear to the relay that the fault is on the protected line, thereby
tripping the protected line, which is a wrong operation.
7. Permissive Over Reach Transfer Trip Scheme (POTT)
Zone 2:
The working principle of the POTT (used for the short lines) pattern is
that if there is a disturbance felt by the two-distance relay zone, the
1. Mainly intended to cover the remaining 10 % to 20 % of the
relay will send the signal to the other end terminals and
protected line and provide backup for the adjoining lines (50% of the
the other ends of the terminals will only work if the SOTF condition can either be taken from the manual closing signal
adjoining length).
interference is also felt by the two relays. activating the CB input or it can be detected internally by a logic.
2. It set to cover remote end busbar and hence it is called as an
overreaching element.
3. It is set at 150% of the protected line length or 100% of the protected 10. Broken Conductor
line length plus the 50% of the shortest adjoining line length,
whichever is the less. Phase-phase or phase-ground faults lead the current to increase
4. The operating time of zone 2 is delayed by 15-45 cycle time, so as to appreciably and therefore they can easily be detected in most
be selective with zone 1 of the adjacent line i.e the zone 1 relays that applications. Open circuit faults are a different type of faults that can
are supposed to trip get a chance to do their job first. For a 220kV happen in electrical networks. These faults can be caused by broken
feeder, the operating time of the zone 2 it is about 400ms. conductors, blown fuses or mis-operation of a pole of a circuit-breaker.
Series faults will not lead to an increase in phase current and therefore
Zone 3: they cannot be easily detected by common overcurrent relays. However,
this type of faults produce an unbalance that creates negative phase
1. it is intended to give full back up to the adjoining line section. sequence current, which can be detected. Broken conductor function
8. Stub protection function measures the ratio between the negative and the positive phase
2. Zone-III is primarily intended to provide backup against external
uncleared faults and hence set to cover the longest adjoining line. sequence current and issue a tripe as the delay time elapsed.
It is not possible for the distance protection relay to measure impedance
3. It covers full protected line length and full adjacent line plus the
when the line disconnector is open. Not to risk incorrect operation the
safety margin of 20 %.
distance protection must be blocked and a Stub protection is released.
4. The operating time of zone-III should be slightly more than the zone-ii
The Stub protection is a simple current relay
operating time. for a 220 kV line, it is about 700ms.

6. Permissive Under Reach Transfer Trip Scheme (PUTT)

To provide fast fault clearance for all faults, both transient and
End of Training;
permanent, along the length of the protected circuit, it is necessary to
use a signal aided tripping scheme. The simplest of these is the
Hope after going through all above, each participant has a greater level of
Permissive Under Reach (PUR) protection scheme. The channel for a
understanding regarding distance protection.
PUTT scheme is by operation of the underreaching zone 1 elements of
the relay. If the remote relay has detected a forward fault upon receipt
of this signal, the relay will operate with no additional delay. Faults in
the last 20% (If Zone-1 set to cover 80%) of the protected line are

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Prepared By: Babar Shahzad Date: 18-03-2023 Rev:00 Page 2 of 2