Effect of Power Swing on Distance Protection

In last post Power Swing, we discussed Power Swing and behavior of machine on Power Swing. Now we will discuss the impact of Power Swing on Distance Relaying.

I= Volateg / Z

  = (E_se^jδ – E_R) / (Zs+Z_L+Z_R)

Let, Z = Zs+Z_L+Z_R

Now, Impedance seen by Relay,

Z = Voltage seen by Relay/Current seen by Relay

   = (E_se^jδ– IZs)/I

   = -Zs + E_se^jδ/I

   = -Zs + E_se^jδ/[(E_se^jδ– E_R) / (Zs+Z_L+Z_R)]

   = -Zs + E_se^jδxZ/(E_se^jδ– E_R) ……………………(Since Z = Zs+Z_L+Z_R)

   = -Zs + Z/[1- (E_R/E_S) e^-jδ]

Assume that E_R/E_S = K and K = 1 for simplicity then

Z = -Zs + Z/[1- e^-jδ] = -Zs + Z/[1-cosδ+jsinδ]

   = -Zs + (Z/2)/[sin²δ/2+jsinδcosδ] = -Zs +(Z/2sinδ/2)/[sinδ/2 + jcosδ/2]

  = -Zs + (Z/2sinδ/2)( sinδ/2 – jcosδ/2)

  = -Zs + (Z/2)( 1 – jcotδ/2)

Impedance seen by Relay, Z = -Zs + (Z/2)( 1 – jcotδ/2)                                          = (-Zs +Z/2) – j(Z/2)cotδ/2

From above equation of Impedance seen by Relay, if δ= 180°

Z = (-Z_s +Z/2) as cotδ/2 = 0

Geometrical Interpretation:

The vector component in above equation is a constant in R – X plane. The component – j(Z/2)cotδ/2 lies on a straight line, perpendicular to line segment   (-Zs +Z/2). Thus, the trajectory of the impedance measured by relay during the power swing is a straight line as shown in figure below. The angle subtended by a point in the locus on S and R end points is angle δ. For simplicity, angle of Zs, Z_R and Z_L are considered same.

The point where the Power Swing locus intersects line AB, the angle between E_S and E_R is 180 degree which means both the sources are out of step. This point of intersection is called Electrical Center.

The existence of the electrical center is an indication of system instability, the two Generators being out of step. If the power swing is stable, i.e. if the post fault system is stable, then δ_max will be less than (180°- δ) as in this case both the sources won’t be out of step.

Now, suppose ER/ES = K ≠1 then,

It is also clear from the above figure that the location of the Electrical Center is dependent upon the ratio E_S/E_R. Appearance of electrical center on a transmission line is a transient phenomenon. This is because, during unstable transient, is not stationary. As the rotor angles separate in time Electrical Center arises during out-of-step condition.

Voltage at the Point of Occurrence of Electrical Center:

The voltage profile across the transmission system at the point of occurrence of electrical center is shown in figure below.

Here, Swing impedance trajectory is also overlapped on relay characteristics for a simple case of equal end voltages (i.e. k = 1) and it is perpendicular to line AB. It is clear from figure that δ_z1, δ_z2 and δ_z3are rotor angles when swing just enters the zone Z1, Z2 and Z3 respectively and it can be obtained from the intersection of swing trajectory with the relay characteristics as shown in figure above.

As we know that δ_maxis the maximum rotor angle for stable Power Swing, hence we can conclude following from the figure:

• If, δ_max< δ_z3 then swing will not enter the relay characteristics.

• If, δ_z3<δ_max< δ_z2 swing will enter in zone Z3. If it stays in zone -3 for larger interval than its time setting, then the relay will trip the line.

• If δ_z2<δ_max< δ_z1, swing will enter in both the zones Z2 and Z3. If it stays in zone-2, for a larger interval than its time setting, then the relay will trip on Z2. Typically, time setting of Z2 is less than Z3.

• If δ_max> δ_z1, swing will enter in the zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 and operate zone-1 protection without any intentional delay.