1

Influence of Power Quality on Operation of

Protection System
N. X. Tung and G. Fujita, Member, IEEE

times are computed by simulation. The second approach is

Abstract--Theoretical and experimental analyses are used
to investigate the effects of harmonics on the operation of
overcurrent relays. Two analytical approaches based on relay
characteristics provided by the manufacturer and simulations
using PSCAD software package are used to estimate tripping
times under non-sinusoidal operating conditions. The tests
were conducted such that the order and the magnitude of
harmonics could be controlled by employing a computer-
based single-phase harmonic source. Computed and
measured tripping times are compared and suggestions on the
application of overcurrent relays in harmonic polluted
environments are provided.
Index Terms--Overcurrent relay, harmonic, tripping time,
coordination, power quality.
I. INTRODUCTION
ue to the extensive application of nonlinear loads and
experimental analysis performed under same condition as
that of first method. Theoretical and experimental analyses
of this paper indicate that waveform distortion of load
current will alter the tripping time of overcurrent relays
and do impact on coordination between relays. Suggestions
on the application of overcurrent relays in harmonic
polluted environments are provided.
II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND SOFTWARE
SIMULATION
A. RMS and THD of the Non-sinusoidal Load Current
It is imperative to size the overcurrent device to true rms
as measured by a true rms meter. Average sensing, rms
equivalent meters do not correctly respond to harmonic
current. Harmonic-rich currents will have higher effective
rms as compared to non-distorted sinusoidal waveforms.

D the introduction of renewable energy devices the load

current usually contains harmonic components that
The rms value of a pure sinusoidal waveform
( I rms = I1rms ) is defined as:
affect the operating characteristic of the overcurrent relay. 2π 2
1 I1max
The technical literature is filled with documents and
references to harmonics in power systems [1-5], however,
I1rms =
2π ∫
0
I1max 2 sin 2 (ωt )dt =
2
(1)

few have addressed the influence of these waveform The rms value of a non-sinusoidal current waveform
distortions on protective relays [6-9]. ( I ns-rms ) is defined as:
The effects of non-sinusoidal voltages and currents on 2π 2π
the performance of underfrequency and overcurrent relays 1 1
were experimentally studied by Fuller, Fuchs et al. [10]. It
I ns2 -rms =
2π ∫
0
i 2 (t)dt =
2π ∫ [I
0
1max sin(ω t + ϕ1 ) +
was found that for harmonic voltage and current
I 2max sin(2ω t + ϕ 2 ) + .... + I nmax sin( nω t + ϕ n )]2 dt
amplitudes, under frequency relays and the time delay
2
operation of overcurrent relays show a marked I 1max I2 I2
= + 2max + ..... + nmax
deterioration in their performance; however, the 2 2 2
instantaneous operating characteristics of overcurrent Simplifying the above equation results in:
relays are hardly affected.
Girgis, et al. [7] studied the effects of voltage and
current harmonics on the operation of four types of solid- I ns −rms = I 12rms + I 22rms + ... + I nrms
2
(2)
state relays (SSR’s). Their experimental results indicate The total harmonic distortion of load current is defined as:
that voltage harmonic distortion may cause a delay in the Ih
turn-on time of more than a cycle. In some cases, complete THD I = × 100% (3)
I 1rms
failure to turn on or off may occur.
Elmore, et al. [9] describe the theoretical expectations where I h =
2 2 2
I 2rms + I 3rms + ...+ I nrms .
of harmonic influence and present laboratory confirmation
of the results. The results indicate that a distinct change in B. Operation Characteristic of Relay
relay operation is reported for single harmonic injections. A solid state overcurrent relay type MCGG of Alstom
In this paper, two analytical approaches are done. First T&D Protection & Control Ltd [14] is used. Operating
approach is based on relay characteristics provided by the time characteristics of the relay are provided by
manufacturer to investigate the performance of overcurrent manufacturer as follow:
relays under non-sinusoidal operating conditions. Tripping
 2

• Standard Inverse Characteristic (SI) characteristics provided by the manufacturer (Eq.4; Eq.5;
0.14 Eq.6) and results are shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3.
tsi = 0.02 [s] (4) Note that time values shown in those tables denote
[ I − 1]
deviation of tripping time in percentage as bellow:
• Very Inverse Characteristic (VI)
tno _ harmonic − tharmonic
13.5 Δt = x100 (7)
tvi = [s] (5) tno _ harmonic
[ I − 1]
Figure 1 shows the simulation diagram implemented by
• Extremely Inverse Characteristic (EI)
PSCAD software. Detail of this simulation is as follow:
80
tei = [s] (6) • Three first current sources are with different
[ I − 1]
2
frequencies (3rd, 5th, 7th frequencies respectively),
where: tsi , tvi and tei are the tripping times based on the from this block harmonic current is extracted
standard inverse, very inverse and extremely inverse (signal Ih). Similarly, fundamental frequency
characteristics, respectively. current is extracted from last current source
I = I input / I pickup with I pickup is pickup threshold of relay. (signal If).
• Harmonic current is passed through gain block
C. Simulation Implementation (THD block) to get desired value in order to
control THD of input current to relay and then
To investigate the impact of waveform distortion on the added up with fundamental current If to form total
tripping time of the relay, a load current with the following input current to relay.
harmonic spectrum is assumed: • Multiple block is a gain block used to adjust total
•The fundamental component of the distorted load input current to preset values in regarding to
current is varied from 1.20 to 4.4 times of the pickup current of relay.
pickup current. • In order to avoid transient process during startup
• For 10% of Total Harmonic Distortion (THDI), of simulation, that may affects measurement, so
amplitudes of fundamental, third, fifth and total input current is only fed to relay after
seventh harmonics current components are set to specific time as set by TIME block.
100%, 9.03%, 3.92% and 3.04%, respectively.
• For higher THDI levels (e.g., 20% and 30%), the III. EXPERIMENT MEASUREMENTS
fundamental component of the load current is A single-phase testing system for measuring the effects
maintained while the magnitudes of harmonic of (individual and/or mixed) harmonic currents on the
distortions are proportionally increased. performance and tripping time of protective relay has been
• Higher harmonic orders can be included, however, developed (Fig.2). A computer based waveform generator,
they are assumed to be negligible in this an amplifier and corresponding software and interface
investigation. circuits are used to test a solid state over-current relay.
Tripping times of the relay computed based on relay’s Individual harmonics currents and any combinations of up
to four harmonic components with desired orders,
magnitudes and phase shifts can be inject and the
corresponding tripping times could be measured.
Ih Experimental are performed for:
1.0 [ohm] • Sinusoidal currents (fundamental current), and
If
1.0 [ohm]
• Distorted currents with harmonics.
The first tests are used to determine the standard
characteristic of the relay as provided by the manufacturer.
Ih
*
THD D
+
*
Multiple Input
The second tests are to determine the effect of harmonics
+
F
on characteristic of relay regarding to the deviations of
If tripping times.
RMS A
Ctrl = 1 Waveform Generator: The computer based waveform
Input
51 generator uses software (named DaqGen) to generate non-
B
0.0
Relay output
sinusoidal signals with the desired harmonic magnitudes
Ctrl
and harmonic phase angles.
Sw Power Amplifier: a power amplifier was utilized which can
TIME Sw
generate a current up to 4A. A 20W Amplifier Module Kit
(K5116) manufactured by Altronic Company, Australia
was used.
Fig. 1 Simulation diagram
Resistor: A variable resistor of maximum 10Ω is used to
limit the output current of amplifier.
 3

Relay: Experiments are performed for an Alstom single
phase overcurrent relay type MCGG. This relay uses solid
state techniques.
actual test results show larger deviations than that of
theoretical calculation.
• Finally, in harmonic polluted environment as such
industrial factories, the impact of harmonics on the
coordination of relays should be carefully investigated
because this impact depends greatly on configuration of
grid, setting time and relay’s utilized characteristic as well.

V. APPENDIX
TABLE 1
COMPUTED TRIPPING TIME FOR SI CHARACTERISTIC

Standard Inverse Characteristic

Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI
10% 20% 30%
1.2 -2.82 -10.26 -20.04
1.4 -1.54 -5.84 -11.96
1.6 -1.08 -4.25 -8.84
1.8 -0.93 -3.46 -7.26
2 -0.80 -2.99 -6.18
Fig. 2 Principle diagram of experiment setup 2.4 -0.63 -2.40 -5.04
2.8 -0.59 -2.08 -4.31
Digital Timer: This digital timer is a combination of a 3.2 -0.50 -1.85 -3.87
3.6 -0.56 -1.67 -3.52
timer and an internal 3 phase contactor. Resolution of 4.0 -0.40 -1.41 -3.21
timer is 10ms. 4.4 -0.22 -1.29 -3.01

Power Quality Analyzer FLUKE 43: Power quality

TABLE 2
analyzer is mainly used to capture waveforms of injected COMPUTED TRIPPING TIME FOR VI CHARACTERISTIC
current and measure total harmonic distortion (THDI).
Very Inverse Characteristic
Using the experiment: tripping times of the relay are Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI
measured for distorted currents with THD levels of 10%, 10% 20% 30%
20% and 30%, as specified in section A. Fundamental 1.2 -3.08 -11.20 -21.88
component is varied from 1.20 to 4.4 times of the pickup 1.4 -1.81 -6.84 -14.04
1.6 -1.38 -5.29 -11.07
current. Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6 shows the measured
1.8 -1.18 -4.56 -9.54
deviation of tripping time in percentage. 2 -1.04 -4.00 -8.52
2.4 -0.83 -3.42 -7.37
IV. CONCLUSION 2.8 -0.80 -3.20 -6.80
3.2 -0.81 -3.09 -6.35
Theoretical and experimental analyses of this paper have 3.6 -0.77 -2.70 -5.97
shown the impact of harmonic on solid state overcurrent 4.0 -0.67 -2.67 -5.78
relay. A representative relay was tested using sinusoidal 4.4 -0.76 -2.52 -5.79
and distorted currents containing harmonics. Main
conclusions are: TABLE 3
COMPUTED TRIPPING TIME FOR EI CHARACTERISTIC
• Waveform distortion does affect the performance of
protective relays. These impacts are significant at overload Extremely Very Inverse Characteristic
current ranges (1.2 to 2 times of pickup current); in case of Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI
fault conditions, effects are theoretically negligible. 10% 20% 30%
1.2 -3.36 -12.20 -23.82
• Based on test results, it can be generally concluded that 1.4 -2.11 -7.97 -16.32
the effect of harmonic currents would lead to a shortened 1.6 -1.72 -6.51 -13.55
operation time of the solid-state relays; and relay performs 1.8 -1.51 -5.77 -12.13
differently when THDI waveform distortion varies. 2 -1.42 -5.36 -11.32
Moreover, relay may even respond differently when 2.4 -1.31 -4.88 -10.35
2.8 -1.20 -4.70 -9.91
different characteristics are investigated. 3.2 -1.15 -4.50 -9.58
• The higher the THDI, the greater the variation of tripping 3.6 -1.20 -4.48 -9.42
time that can be seen. Significant deviations can occur with 4.0 -1.13 -4.32 -9.19
20% or greater THDI in current waveform at all three (SI, 4.4 -1.15 -4.36 -9.17
VI, EI) characteristics of relay.
• It is likely to be impossible to generalize the behavior of
any relay response to harmonics without actual tests, as the
 4

TABLE 4 [6]. Fuller, J.F.; Fuchs, E.F.; Roesler, D.J., Influence of harmonics on
MEASURED TRIPPING TIME FOR SI CHARACTERISTIC power distribution system protection, Power Delivery, IEEE
Transactions, Volume 3, Issue 2, April 1988, pages 549-557.
Standard Inverse Characteristic [7]. Girgis, A.A.; Nims, J.W.; Jacomino, J.; Dalton, J.G.; Bishop, A.,
Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI Effect of voltage harmonics on the operation of solid-state relays in
10% 20% 30% industrial applications, Industry Applications, IEEE Transactions,
Volume 28, No. 5, 1992, pages 1166-1173.
1.2 -20.40 -34.76 -41.82
[8]. Rob, R.A.; Jewell, W.T., Computer based harmonic simulation and
1.4 -17.52 -24.73 -27.99
testing for microprocessor-based phase distance relay with phase
1.6 -11.95 -21.38 -28.62 locator, Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical
1.8 -10.94 -20.21 -21.39 Conference, May 1993, pages 70-77.
2 -11.57 -15.69 -20.49 [9]. Elmore, W.A.; Kramer, C.A.; Zocholl, S.E., Effect of waveform
2.4 -6.25 -9.43 -11.79 distortion on protective relays, Industry Applications, IEEE
2.8 -6.49 -11.33 -13.12 Transactions, Volume 29, Issue 2, March-April 1993, pages 404-
3.2 -5.41 -10.33 -12.88 411.
3.6 -4.75 -9.51 -12.32 [10]. Alstom T&D Protection & Control Ltd 1999, Overcurrent relay for
4.0 -4.34 -8.68 -10.19 phase and earth faults type 22, 42, 52, 53, 62, 63 and 82, Manual
4.4 -4.08 -7.76 -10.00 Guide.
[11]. DaqGen Features. Retrieved September 15, 2005, from
TABLE 5 http://www.daqarta.com/DGINTRO.HTM
MEASURED TRIPPING TIME FOR VI CHARACTERISTIC
VII. BIOGRAPHIES
Very Inverse Characteristic Nguyen Xuan Tung was born in Hai Duong,
Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI VietNam, on April 15, 1975. He rcceived the
10% 20% 30% B.E. from Hanoi University of Technology,
1.2 -24.97 -39.26 -47.25 VietNam in 1999 and the M.E degree in Curtin
1.4 -25.82 -34.67 -38.14 University of Technology, Australia in 2005.
1.6 -13.91 -25.84 -34.50 Currently, he has been pursuing PhD degree in
1.8 -14.02 -24.94 -24.94 Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan.
2 -12.44 -19.84 -26.50 His interests are about relay protection system
2.4 -9.03 -13.92 -17.40 and power quality issue.
2.8 -10.90 -18.01 -20.02
3.2 -8.81 -16.72 -20.60
3.6 -9.58 -17.07 -20.91
4.0 -8.98 -14.77 -16.57 Goro Fujita (M’1997) was born in January 1970.
4.4 -6.88 -13.99 -19.95 He received the B.E., M.E. and Ph.D degrees in
electrical engineering from Hosei University,
TABLE 6 Tokyo, Japan in 1992, 1994 and 1997
MEASURED TRIPPING TIME FOR EI CHARACTERISTIC respectively. In 1997, he was a research student
of Tokyo Metropolitan University. Since 1998,
Extremely Very Inverse Characteristic He is in Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo,
Iin/Ipick THDI THDI THDI Japan as an associate professor. His interest is in
10% 20% 30% power system control including AGC and
1.2 -29.86 -45.32 -47.69 FACTS. He is a member of the Society of
Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE) of
1.4 -21.40 -29.72 -38.14
Japan, the IEE of Japan, and IEEE.
1.6 -19.69 -32.94 -43.04
1.8 -16.81 -30.61 -34.19
2 -17.52 -28.86 -42.63
2.4 -11.53 -20.00 -25.26
2.8 -13.75 -24.85 -28.90
3.2 -12.40 -24.39 -29.92
3.6 -12.02 -23.38 -30.25
4.0 -14.66 -25.00 -29.17
4.4 -10.16 -21.71 -28.29

VI. REFERENCES
[1]. Masoum, M.A.S.; Fuchs, E.F.; Roesler, D., Impact of Nonlinear
Loads on Anisotropic Transformers, IEEE Trans. on Power
Delivery, Vol.6, No.4, Oct. 1991, Page(s): 1781-1788.
[2]. Wagner, V.E.; Balda, J.C.; Griffith, D.C.; McEachern, A.; Barnes,
T.M.; Hartmann, D.P.; Phileggi, D.J.; Emannuel, A.E.; Horton,
W.F.; Reid, W.E.; Ferraro, R.J.; Jewell, W.T, Effects of harmonics
on equipment, IEEE Transactions Power Delivery, Volume. 8,
Issue 2, April 1993, Page(s): 672-680.
[3]. Stones, J.; Collinson, A., Power quality, Power Engineering Journal,
Volume 15, Issue 2, April 2001, Page(s):58-64.
[4]. Heydt, G.T., Power quality engineering, Power Engineering Review,
IEEE, Volume 21, Issue 9, Sept. 2001, Page(s): 5-7.
[5]. Mack Grady, W.; Santoso, S., Understanding power system
harmonics, Power Engineering Review, IEEE, Volume 21, Issue
11, Nov. 2001, Page(s): 8-11.