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 / Commissioning tests of protection relays at site (before set to work)

Installation of protection relays

Installation of protection relays at site creates a number of possibilities for errors in the implementation of the scheme to occur. Even if the scheme has been thoroughly tested in the factory, wiring to the CTs and VTs on site may be incorrectly carried out, or the CTs/VTs may have been incorrectly installed.

Commissioning tests of protection relays at site (before set to work)
Commissioning tests of protection relays at site (before set to work) - photo credit: elect-pc.com

The impact of such errors may range from simply being a nuisance (tripping occurs repeatedly on energisation, requiring investigation to locate and correct the errors) through to failure to trip under fault conditions, leading to major equipment damage, disruption to supplies and potential hazards to personnel.

The strategies available to remove these risks are many, but all involve some kind of testing at site. Commissioning tests at site are therefore invariably performed before protection equipment is set to work. The aims of commissioning tests are:

  1. To ensure that the equipment has not been damaged during transit or installation
  2. To ensure that the installation work has been carried out correctly
  3. To prove the correct functioning of the protection scheme as a whole

The tests carried out will normally vary according to the protection scheme involved, the relay technology used, and the policy of the client. In many cases, the tests actually conducted are determined at the time of commissioning by mutual agreement between the client’s representative and the commissioning team.

The following tests are invariably carried out, since the protection scheme will not function correctly if faults exist.

  • Wiring diagram check, using circuit diagrams showing all the reference numbers of the interconnecting wiring
  • General inspection of the equipment, checking all connections, wires on relays terminals, labels on terminal boards, etc.
  • Insulation resistance measurement of all circuits [details]
  • Perform relay self-test procedure and external communications checks on digital/numerical relays [details]
  • Test main current transformers
  • Test main voltage transformers
  • Check that protection relay alarm/trip settings have been entered correctly [details]
  • Tripping and alarm circuit checks to prove correct functioning
In addition, the following checks may be carried out, depending on the factors noted above (not covered in this technical article):

  • Secondary injection test on each relay to prove operation at one or more setting values
  • Primary injection tests on each relay to prove stability for external faults and to determine the effective current setting for internal faults (essential for some types of electromechanical relays)
  • Testing of protection scheme logic


Insulation resistance tests

All the deliberate earth connections on the wiring to be tested should first be removed, for example earthing links on current transformers, voltage transformers and DC supplies. Some insulation testers generate impulses with peak voltages exceeding 5kV. In these instances any electronic equipment should be disconnected while the external wiring insulation is checked.

The insulation resistance should be measured to earth and between electrically separate circuits. The readings are recorded and compared with subsequent routine tests to check for any deterioration of the insulation.

Various tests performed on protection relays (photo credit: canahighvoltage.ca)
Various tests performed on protection relays (photo credit: canahighvoltage.ca)

The insulation resistance measured depends on the amount of wiring involved, its grade, and the site humidity. Generally, if the test is restricted to one cubicle, a reading of several hundred megohms should be obtained. If long lengths of site wiring are involved, the reading could be only a few megohms.

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Protection relay self-test procedure

Digital and numerical relays will have a self-test procedure that is detailed in the appropriate relay manual. These tests should be followed to determine if the relay is operating correctly.

This will normally involve checking of the relay watchdog circuit, exercising all digital inputs and outputs and checking that the relay analogue inputs are within calibration by applying a test current or voltage.

For these tests, the relay outputs are normally disconnected from the remainder of the protection scheme, as it is a test carried out to prove correct relay, rather than scheme, operation.

To shorten testing and commissioning times of SIPROTEC relays, extensive test and diagnostic functions are available to the user in DIGSI 5
To shorten testing and commissioning times of SIPROTEC relays, extensive test and diagnostic functions are available to the user in DIGSI 5

Unit protection schemes involve relays that need to communicate with each other. This leads to additional testing requirements. The communications path between the relays is tested using suitable equipment to ensure that the path is complete and that the received signal strength is within specification. Numerical relays may be fitted with loopback test facilities that enable either part of or the entire communications link to be tested from one end.

After completion of these tests, it is usual to enter the relay settings required. This can be done manually via the relay front panel controls, or using a portable PC and suitable software.

Whichever, method is used, a check by a second person that the correct settings have been used is desirable, and the settings recorded. Programmable scheme logic that is required is also entered at this stage.

SIPROTEC relay wiring test editor for monitoring and testing of binary inputs, binary outputs and LED
SIPROTEC relay wiring test editor for monitoring and testing of binary inputs, binary outputs and LED (click to expand)

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Current transformer tests

The following tests are normally carried out prior to energisation of the main circuits: checking of polarity and current transformer magnetisation curve.


Polarity check

Each current transformer should be individually tested to verify that the primary and secondary polarity markings are correct (see Figure 1).

The ammeter connected to the secondary of the current transformer should be a robust moving coil, permanent magnet, centre-zero type. A low voltage battery is used, via a single-pole push-button switch, to energise the primary winding. On closing the push-button, the DC ammeter, A, should give a positive flick and on opening, a negative flick.

Current transformer polarity check
Figure 1 – Current transformer polarity check

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Checking of magnetisation curve

Several points should be checked on each current transformer magnetisation curve. This can be done by energising the secondary winding from the local mains supply through a variable auto-transformer while the primary circuit remains open. See Figure 2.

The characteristic is measured at suitable intervals of applied voltage, until the magnetising current is seen to rise very rapidly for a small increase in voltage. This indicates the approximate knee-point or saturation flux level of the current transformer.

The magnetising current should then be recorded at similar voltage intervals as it is reduced to zero.

Testing current transformer magnetising curve
Figure 2 – Testing current transformer magnetising curve

Care must be taken that the test equipment is suitably rated. The short-time current rating must be in excess of the CT secondary current rating, to allow for measurement of the saturation current. This will be in excess of the CT secondary current rating. As the magnetising current will not be sinusoidal, a moving iron or dynamometer type ammeter should be used.

It is often found that current transformers with secondary ratings of 1A or less have a knee-point voltage higher than the local mains supply. In these cases, a step-up interposing transformer must be used to obtain the necessary voltage to check the magnetisation curve.

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Voltage transformer tests

Voltage transformers require testing for polarity, ratio and phasing.


Polarity check of voltage transformer

The voltage transformer polarity can be checked using the method for CT polarity tests. Care must be taken to connect the battery supply to the primary winding, with the polarity ammeter connected to the secondary winding. If the voltage transformer is of the capacitor type, then the polarity of the transformer at the bottom of the capacitor stack should be checked.

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Ratio check of VT

This check can be carried out when the main circuit is first made live. The voltage transformer secondary voltage is compared with the secondary voltage shown on the nameplate.

Namplate of a single phase voltage transformer
Namplate of a single phase voltage transformer (photo credit: emadrlc.blogspot.com)

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Phasing check of VT

The secondary connections for a three-phase voltage transformer or a bank of three single-phase voltage transformers must be carefully checked for phasing. With the main circuit alive, the phase rotation is checked using a phase rotation meter connected across the three phases, as shown in Figure 3 below.

Provided an existing proven VT is available on the same primary system, and that secondary earthing is employed, all that is now necessary to prove correct phasing is a voltage check between, say, both ‘A’ phase secondary outputs. There should be nominally little or no voltage if the phasing is correct.

However, this test does not detect if the phase sequence is correct, but the phases are displaced by 120o from their correct position, i.e. phase A occupies the position of phase C or phase B in Figure 3.

This can be checked by removing the fuses from phases B and C (say) and measuring the phase-earth voltages on the secondary of the VT. If the phasing is correct, only phase A should be healthy, phases B and C should have only a small residual voltage.

Voltage transformer phasing check
Figure 3 – Voltage transformer phasing check

Correct phasing should be further substantiated when carrying out ‘on load’ tests on any phase-angle sensitive relays, at the relay terminals. Load current in a known phase CT secondary should be compared with the associated phase to neutral VT secondary voltage.

The phase angle between them should be measured, and should relate to the power factor of the system load.

If the three-phase voltage transformer has a broken-delta tertiary winding, then a check should be made of the voltage across the two connections from the broken delta VN and VL, as shown in Figure 3 above. With the rated balanced three- phase supply voltage applied to the voltage transformer primary windings, the broken-delta voltage should be below 5V with the rated burden connected.

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑


Protection relay setting checks (alarm and trip settings)

At some point during commissioning, the alarm and trip settings of the relay elements involved will require to be entered and/or checked. Where the complete scheme is engineered and supplied by a single contractor, the settings may already have been entered prior to despatch from the factory, and hence this need not be repeated.

The method of entering settings varies according to the relay technology used. For electromechanical and static relays, manual entry of the settings for each relay element is required. This method can also be used for digital/numerical relays.

However, the amount of data to be entered is much greater, and therefore it is usual to use appropriate software, normally supplied by the manufacturer, for this purpose. The software also makes the essential task of making a record of the data entered much easier.

Once the data has been entered, it should be checked for compliance with the recommended settings as calculated from the protection setting study. Where appropriate software is used for data entry, the checks can be considered complete if the data is checked prior to download of the settings to the relay.

Otherwise, a check may required subsequent to data entry by inspection and recording of the relay settings, or it may be considered adequate to do this at the time of data entry. The recorded settings form an essential part of the commissioning documentation provided to the client.

Go back to Commissioning tests ↑

Resource // Network protection and automation guide – Areva

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.

9 Comments


  1. Sergio Garza
    Aug 30, 2022

    Good article; checking the relay logic to ensure the programmable contacts operate circuit breaker trip coil(s), a bus lockout relay, and/or aux timer would be helpful.


  2. Mahmood T. Alkhayyat
    Mar 16, 2020

    I hope to cooperate in research field. My suggestion is to send the problem and the overseas researcher give you the proposed solution though an article. Thanks


  3. Tony.G.Chen
    Jun 25, 2019

    After main equipment energized we should do on load test. Like differential protection balance check, Direction check for 67 or 67N. Stator earth fault protection function check with 3ed harmonic


  4. PRASAD JAGANNATH
    Sep 23, 2018

    Excellent,thanks.


  5. Allah Nawaz Qabulio
    Jul 25, 2017

    Excellent article and comments.
    Would like to read more
    Any guidance to start with.


  6. Hrvoje Moric
    Mar 01, 2017

    I am very happy to see that you think about electrical protection as a system, not only about the relays.
    It is very important to understand that protection will work correctly only if the whole system is correct.
    I am preparing a book how to commission electrical protection on site with similar idea.


  7. José Manuel Mugaua Jamal
    Mar 01, 2017

    Thank you! It is helpful for me as a protection engineer aspirant. I have been using raley test sets like ISA and OMICRON for testing SIPROTEC 4 and other SIPROTEC family via DIGSI 4 but some issues was remaining unclear then this article came.


  8. Luis Lopez
    Nov 04, 2016

    Excellent article. It describes pretty much in detail what a Test engineer do on a Substation.


  9. Emmanuel Britto F.
    Jul 12, 2016

    Dear,
    Excelent article.
    I would only add checkin CT saturation.
    This may be made theoretically first – by determining the knee voltage – or at site by gradually increasing the secondary cutrrent and comparing with the voltage at the relays terminals.

Leave a Reply to PRASAD JAGANNATH

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!

  +  twenty six  =  thirty one

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