Contents

Introduction

03

About Frequency relay

04

Working & Construction

05

Classification of Frequency relays

06

Importance in Load Shedding

07

Introduction
Relays have long been used in power systems to monitor current and voltage. A
constant vigil of the mentioned parameters is required to prevent the system from
going down. Its equally important to have an eye over the frequency changes taking
place so as to prevent power loss. Over the years, the load on the generators has
risen drastically. But there havent been significant changes in increasing the
generating capacity. The result is an indefinite burden on generators to feed the
indefinite load demand. In such case, it becomes necessary to implement schemes
to which help maintain the system in stable condition.

About Frequency relays

Frequency relays are that category of relays which are used in system to monitor the
frequency. Any variation in load results in over speeding and under speeding of the
generators which might result in the generators going out of synchronism.
Whenever the load on the system rises
indefinitely, the speed of the generators feeding the load reduces. As a result, the
frequency of operation also comes down. This has drastic effects both on the
consumer and the operator. As for the consumer, the heating losses are going to
increase because of windings experiencing rapid flux changes. This heating effect
might damage the device.
Another major disadvantage of having frequency
variation is that the system goes out of synchronism. This might result in complete
blackout like the famous American blackout of 1970s. Bringing the system back to
normal working condition requires starting from scratch which may take days or
even months.

Working and Construction

Electromagnet

Cup-type rotor

Coil

Fig.4.1 Frequency Relay

Constructionally, frequency relay consists of two pairs of coils and a cup type rotor
as shown in Fig.4.1.
It uses Ferraris measuring system. The frequency
relays are connected to the secondary of voltage transformer. The two pairs of coils
are connected in parallel to the supply voltage through the impedances.
Impedances are functions of frequency. At normal
frequency the impedances are tuned balancing each other. Thus no torque is
experienced by the cup type rotor at normal rated frequency.
If frequency increases then there is unbalance in the impedance and the torque say
clockwise in nature is exerted on the rotor. This operates the relay if frequency
increases beyond the setting. This is over frequency relay.
If the frequency decreases again there is unbalance in the impedance. But now
torque exerted on the rotor is anticlockwise. This operates the relay if frequency
decreases beyond the setting. This is under frequency relay.
By varying the position of sliding resistor the frequency setting can be adjusted. The
pickup sensitivity can be controlled by adjusting the restraining torque.

Classification of Frequency relays

Frequency relays can be broadly classified into two categories viz.:

Static relays
This category of frequency relays does not have any moving parts. They are
mainly solid state relays which have semiconductor elements as the primary
protective devices. These are further classified into under- frequency and
over- frequency relays depending upon their application.

Electromagnetic type relays

Moving arm/ coils are some of the parts that constitute an electromagnetic
relay. Rugged construction and robust usage are some of their characteristics.
These too are further classified into under- frequency and over- frequency
relays depending upon their application.

Importance in Load Shedding

Power systems are designed and operated so that for any normal system condition,
including a defined set of contingency conditions, there is adequate generating and
transmission capacities to meet load requirements. However, there are economic
limits on the excess capacity designed into a system and the contingency outages
under which a system may be designed to operate satisfactorily. For those rare
conditions where the systems capability is exceeded, there are usually processes in
place to automatically monitor a power systems loading levels and reduce loading
when required. The load shed processes automatically sense overload conditions,
then shed enough load to relieve the overloaded equipment before there is loss of
generation, line tripping, equipment damage, or a chaotic random shutdown of the
system.

Fig.6.1 Load Shedding Arrangement

A frequency relay helps detect any frequency fluctuation which in turn assists the
supply companies to decide on load shedding schedule.