Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / The essentials of necessary auxiliary relays in tripping and control applications

The art of tripping and auxiliary

Tripping circuit breakers and operating alarms in control and protection applications usually require more than one relay contact. Tripping relays are used to multiply the number of contacts available, provide isolation between the source and system operating element and meet the required duty.

The essentials of necessary auxiliary relays in tripping and control applications
The essentials of necessary auxiliary relays in tripping and control applications (photo credit: Edvard Csanyi)

In some applications, the relay contacts may have to be rated to carry heavy and highly inductive currents and this requires large contacts and high contact pressures.

Auxiliary relays offer varying levels of functionality to best suit the tripping and control applications. They can be found installed in many control applications such as electrical utilities, power generation, electrical substations, transportation, industry, oil & gas, food & beverage, water treatments, mining, minerals, and metals.

Table of Contents:

  1. Auxiliary relays in general
  2. Types of auxiliary relays
    1. Instantaneous trip relays
    2. Trip circuit supervision relays
    3. Trip and lockout relays
    4. Auxiliary supply circuit supervision relays
    5. Time-lag relays (or timers)
    6. Undervoltage relays
    7. Underfrequency relays

1. Auxiliary relays in general

Examples of basic circuit breaker tripping schemes are given in Figure 1. The disadvantage of intermediate tripping relays is that they increase the overall fault clearance time by adding another stage in the fault clearance sequence. Therefore alternatives such as optoisolators, reed relays and solid-state switches may be considered to provide good isolation and faster responses.

Changeover ‘all-or-nothing’ relays may be divided into auxiliary and tripping classes. Tripping relays must have the following characteristics:

  1. Fast, with less than 10 millisecond operating times.
  2. High operating contact ratings to operate circuit breaker trip coils.
  3. Mechanically stable and shock-resistant.
  4. Must not be prone to maloperation.
  5. Have provision for a visual ‘flag’ or operation indicator in the relay case.
Relay contacts are referred to as being ‘normally open’ (N.O.) or ‘normally closed’ (N.C.) in the normal unenergized state. In order to understand schematic diagrams, it must be emphasized that this N.O. or N.C. state has nothing to do with the usual state of the relay when included in its particular circuit.

For throw-over or bistable relay contacts the convention is for illustration in the state which will apply when the initiating device is in the normally open state.  For circuit breakers, the auxiliary switches are shown with the circuit breaker main contacts in the open position.

Figure 1 – Basic circuit breaker trip initiation schemes

Basic circuit breaker trip initiation schemes
Figure 1 – Basic circuit breaker trip initiation schemes

Standard IEC 60255 ‘Measuring relays and protection equipment ’ gives the following nominal DC relay coil voltages: 6 V, 12 V, 24 V, 48 V, 60 V, 110 V, 125 V, 220 V, 250 V and 440 V. The IEC preferred working voltage for all-or-nothing relays is 110 to 80% of nominal. The systems designer should be careful when matching battery systems and relay coil voltages.

A 110 V nominal DC system when using Gaston Planté lead-acid cells will have a float charge of some 124 V DC. Therefore 125 V relay coils should be used and not 110 V coils. In addition, the substation battery voltage at the end of the discharge period could well be below the 80% minimum.

For example, British Electricity Supply Standards have recognized this and an assured trip operation at <53% of rated voltage is specified. This is a difficult requirement for overseas manufacturers to meet and is probably over stringent. It is possible to specify a 110 to 70% working voltage range or to slightly oversize the substation battery.

It is essential that the trip circuits do not maloperate owing to earth fault currents.

In the circuit shown in Figure 2, an earth fault on the wire between the protection relay contact and the trip relay could cause current to flow through the relay as the wiring capacitance on the negative side of the battery discharges. In a transmission voltage substation, there is a large amount of secondary wiring permanently connected to the substation auxiliary supply battery.

Figure 2 – Effect of earth faults on trip relay operation: (a) typical shunt reinforcing contactor system; (b) earth leakage path

Effect of earth faults on trip relay operation: (a) typical shunt reinforcing contactor system; (b) earth leakage path
Figure 2 – Effect of earth faults on trip relay operation: (a) typical shunt reinforcing contactor system; (b) earth leakage path

Therefore a standard test for a tripping relay is that it should not operate when a 10 Farads capacitor charged to 150 V is connected across the relay coil. If the substation battery centre point is resistance earthed then there is also another path for the current to circulate.

It is usual to size this resistor to limit the maximum earth fault current to about 10 mA. As very light duty auxiliary relays will certainly operate at this current level they should not be used in protection trip schemes if spurious signals are to be avoided.

Table 1 – Performance of ABB’s trip relays

Manufacturer: ABBHeavy (button contacts)Medium (finger contacts)Light (reed relay)
Current carrying capacity (1 s)30–75A50 A2.4 A
Continuous rating6–10A5 A2 A
Making current L/R10 ms30 A30 A2 A
Breaking capacity:
• DC L/R<ms @ 24V10–20A4 A1 A
• DC L/R<ms @ 125V0.7–5A0.3 A0.16A
Operating times35–50ms20–40ms1–5ms
Operating burdens2.7–4W1.5W0.8W

A typical trip relay is illustrated in Figure 3. The attracted armature relay is used for high-speed operation (20-40 ms) at high current levels. In order to avoid damage to the protection relay contact if it has to break the trip relay current or sustain it for a long length of time, a self-cut-off contact is incorporated which breaks the coil current when the operation is complete.

For self-reset relays, an ‘economy’ resistor is placed in series with the coil to limit the current once the relay has operated.

Figure 3 – Left: Trip circuit supervision relay; Right: Auxiliary supply circuit supervision relay, type RelayAux (Schneider Electric)

Left: Trip circuit supervision relay; Right: Auxiliary supply circuit supervision relay
Figure 3 – Left: Trip circuit supervision relay; Right: Auxiliary supply circuit supervision relay

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2. Types of auxiliary relays

Auxiliary relays may be divided into the following groups:


2.1 Instantaneous trip relays

Instantaneous trip relays, whose contacts change instantaneously from the rest position to the working position when the coil is energized. The contacts return to the rest position when the coil is no longer energized. This range includes relays with 2 and 4 contacts, with standard operating times (20 ms) or fast operating times (8 ms), depending on the manufacturer and the model.

Instantaneous trip relays can operate directly to the tripping and control circuit and usually have 4 changeover contacts.

Figure 4 – Instantaneous trip relay contacts

Instantaneous trip relay contacts
Figure 4 – Instantaneous trip relay contacts

There are also instantaneous fast trip relays intended for tripping applications where high demanding requirements in operating time and breaking capacity are needed, such as the case of tripping HV and MV circuit breakers. They usually have 4 or 8 changeover contacts.

Figure 5 – Instantaneous fast trip relay contacts

Instantaneous fast trip relay contacts
Figure 5 – Instantaneous fast trip relay contacts

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.2 Trip circuit supervision relays

Lockout trip relays are used for single-phase or three-phase circuit breakers. Through a small supervision current the whole circuit is supervised, in both positions of the circuit breaker (opened or closed). The correct state of the circuit is shown with a green LED on the front plate of the relay. The output contacts change their position if the relay detects a failure in the continuity of the circuit.

Figure 6 – Connection of trip circuit supervision relay for single-phase circuit breakers

Trip circuit supervision for single-phase circuit breakers
Figure 6 – Connection of trip circuit supervision relay for single-phase circuit breakers

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.3 Trip and lockout relays

Used to ensure that once a circuit breaker has been tripped by the protection scheme it cannot be reclosed either manually or automatically until the trip relay has been reset. The reset function may be either manual or electrical.

Trip relays with 2 stable positions for the output contacts. Depending on which coil is energized, the contacts will change from one position to the other. The design of trip and lockout relays have no consumption in permanence and prevent both coils from being energized simultaneously.

This kind of relay includes 4 and 8 contacts, with operating times below 10 ms, depending on the manufacturer and model, and the possibility of manual reset. The position change is made with 2 sets of coils with separated entrances, and with breaking-flame contacts for each set of coils.

Nowadays, you can find Fast Trip and Lockout relays intended for tripping and locking applications where high-quality requirements in operating time and breaking capacity are needed. They usually have 4 or 8 changeover contacts.

Figure 7 – Fast Trip and Lockout relay contacts – Left: with 4 changeover contacts; Right: with 8 changeover contacts

Fast Trip and Lockout relay contacts - Left: with 4 changeover contacts; Right: With 8 changeover contacts
Figure 7 – Fast Trip and Lockout relay contacts – Left: with 4 changeover contacts; Right: With 8 changeover contacts

If you want to learn more about lockout relays and their practical applications on mainstream switchgear and protection, visit the below article:

Suggested reading – Lockout relay in substation protection and control design

Lockout relay (master trip relay) in substation protection and control design

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.4 Auxiliary supply circuit supervision relays

Since small and reliable silicon diodes are available it is nowadays common practice to rectify the AC and use ordinary highly reliable DC relays. If AC relays are used the design must take into account the fact that the holding flux in the armature will fall to zero every half cycle. Small copper shading rings are sometimes employed to cause a phase shift sufficient to damp any flux reversal vibrations or relay chatter.

Auxiliary relays with four changeover contacts are aimed to supervise the failure of trip supply. Connecting the relay across the trip circuit supply, the equipment is normally energized. Faults will occur when the trip voltage is lost, so the relay drops off in those cases, providing the related signs and alarms.

In order to avoid faulty alarms due to instantaneous supply voltage dips, the drop off time of the relay is delayed over 100 ms so those non-permanent failures of trip supply would not be considered.

Figure 8 – Auxiliary supply supervision relay, type RelayAux (Schneider Electric)

Auxiliary supply supervision relay, type RelayAux (Schneider Electric)
Figure 8 – Auxiliary supply supervision relay, type RelayAux (Schneider Electric)

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.5 Time-lag relays (or timers)

Highly accurate solid-state timers are available by using digital electronics to divide down and count pulses from a known standard. The time delay may be derived from 50 Hz or 60 Hz mains, a simple free-running RC oscillator, an internal piezoelectric quartz crystal oscillator, reception of a calibrated radio beacon or satellite transmission.

Setting ranges of 0.02 to many hours may be obtained with an accuracy down to less than 0.3% of the set value. Clockwork, wound spring mechanisms and synchronous motors have also been used in the past with 10 to 1 timer ranges and 5 to 10% accuracy levels.

The delayed reset relay is arranged to change the state of the output contacts immediately upon energization. It will also allow a preset delay period of time to elapse before the change of state on the loss of supply. The delayed operate timer relay allows change of state of its output contacts after some adjustable preset period following energization of the coil.

Simple diodes or RC networks may be applied to relays in order to slow down operation. The application of these delays helps prevent ‘races’ between circuits operating at slightly different speeds. A mechanical dashpot damper device is also used on some 400 V distribution air circuit breaker operating mechanisms.

Figure 9 – Time-lag relay contacts

Time-lag relay contacts
Figure 9 – Time-lag relay contacts

Time-lag relays allow 16-time settings (from 30 ms to 99 h) and 10 different functions (all of it being easily adjustable from the front of the relay):

  • Pick-up timing
  • Pick-up timing acceleration
  • Drop-out timing
  • Flashing timing
  • Special timing

This auxiliary relay with 4 contacts makes possible direct action on HV and MV switchgear.

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.6 Undervoltage relays

DC undervoltage relays are used to provide continuous trip circuit supervision or main substation DC distribution voltages. AC undervoltage relays are used to protect large motors from damage that could occur from running at low voltage, in mains failure monitors and in VT secondary circuits.

Again, solid-state relays offer advantages over older electromechanical types in terms of accuracy and have typical drop-off and pick-up voltage settings within 1% of each other without cost penalty.

Specifications should cover the following points:

  1. Single or adjustable setting
  2. Setting or setting range required
  3. Instantaneous or time-delayed operation
  4. Single or three-phase supervision
  5. Resetting ratio or adjustment range required

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


2.7 Underfrequency relays

Underfrequency relays are usually applied to the generation plants to avoid fatigue or excess vibration when running outside synchronous speed. The relays operate in conjunction with load shedding schemes in order quickly to bring the generation back into synchronism and up to speed.

Digital electronic underfrequency counter relays divide down and compare the supply frequency with an internally derived stable clock reference. A delay is incorporated in order to prevent anomalous operation under transient conditions (DC offsets under fault conditions, harmonics, voltage dips on large motor starting, etc.).

The advantage of the under-frequency relay is that it may be installed almost anywhere throughout the network and wired to initiate tripping of particular loads on a customer’s premises.

In contrast, telecontrol methods tend to operate out to primary substations rather than customer premises and therefore are less selective in the particular loads shed. The characteristics required are explained in the technical article “The art of load shedding and online applications in a power system under an emergency state“.

A useful formula for designing a load shedding scheme is:

Formula for designing a load shedding scheme

where:

  • H – total system inertia [MJ]
  • L – system load [MW]
  • G – system generator output [MW]
  • ft – frequency at time t following load or generation change
  • f0 – initial frequency
  • t – time in seconds following disturbance

Figure 9 shows a typical set of time-frequency curves for various degrees of system overload with under-frequency relay trip setting points at 49 and 48 Hz. Several stages of load shedding are established in order to minimize outages whilst maintaining system stability.

Figure 10Underfrequency load shedding curves

Underfrequency load shedding curves
Figure 10 – Underfrequency load shedding curves

The load shed should always slightly exceed the theoretical minimum required in order to avoid further, more drastic stages of shedding. A time delay between stages is necessary such that the effect of the first load shedding (which will take several hundred milliseconds depending upon circuit breaker operating times, generator inertia and generator governor response) can be determined before the second stage is started.

On a large steam generation system, up to five stages of load shedding may be applicable, whereas on a single gas turbine or light diesel installation only one or two stages with 300 ms delays might be applicable.

Suggested Course – Learn How to Depict Switchgear & Substation Single-Line Diagrams

Learn How to Depict Switchgear and Substation Single-Line Diagrams

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


Sources:

  • T&D Electrical Engineering by Dr C. R. Bayliss
  • RelayAux – Auxiliary relays for tripping and control applications by Schneider Electric

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

5 Comments


  1. LAMFU KENEDY LIFOLAV
    May 11, 2022

    Thanks so much for the knowledge.

    More graces and strength


  2. [email protected]
    Apr 21, 2022

    guys
    it seems my question might be unrelated to the subject but in the figures above is there an article which explains the numbers , for example

    Fig 9 I can see the symbol of the Time-lag relay contacts
    and there are numbers like
    3 with 11
    4 with 12
    5 with 13
    6 with 14

    what are these numbers what do they explain?


  3. HARERIMANA Silas
    Mar 14, 2022

    very important introduction


  4. TANZEEM KHAN
    Mar 04, 2022

    I have one query, if my SF6 pressure on HD4 ABB CB goes to insufficient level, can i hold the circuit breaker from tripping, that can cause and impact tripping with huge production loss. And what can be the consequence of holding my CB on 280kpa insufficient gas sf6 pressure, please guide.


  5. yogeshwar singh rana
    Feb 28, 2022

    Well explained. Very informative.

Leave a Reply to yogeshwar singh rana

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

forty two  +    =  43

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge