RW N - Reverse Power Relay

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1. Applications 2. Mode of Operation

During parallel operation of a generator with a grid or The reverse power relay RW N 1 consists of an
with another generating system, it is necessary to electronic power-measuring circuit and a freely
supervise the power direction. Should, for instance, the adjustable time circuit for a switching-delay and a time
driving unit fail, the generator acts as a motor by taking circuit for connection time lag. The latter is
power from the grid and driving the unit. The reverse permanently set and suppresses the function of the
power relay RW N 1 detects the reversal of power power measuring circuit.
direction and disconnects the generator in case of fault.
By this power losses as well as dangerous conditions For about 8s after the application of the supply voltage.
for the driving unit are prevented. The power measuring circuit determines the magnitude
The unit RW1 is also suitable as a minimum load and direction of the 3-phase power and causes a
monitor. change-over of the relay from contact position 1 to the
Two variants of the appliance are available. Type contact position 2 (see Fig. 1) in case of the percen-
RW N 1-10 is used in low-tension installations and tage-value selected by the user.
type RW N1-12 in medium tension installations.
If a negative percentage-value is adjusted, then the
Front plate RW N 1-10 power monitor responds to the reverse power. By
adjusting a positive value, ft can also be used as a
minimum-load monitor. Diagram 1 illustrates as to
when the reverse-power relay remains in contact posi-
tion 1 or switches over to contact position 2.

Fig. 1 Contact positions

Should, for instance, the setting be in the negative

range (-10% to 0%), then the relay remains in the
contact position 1 if
• The reverse power is smaller than the adjusted value,
• The power is equal to zero or positive.
Front plate RW N 1-12
A changeover to the contact position 2 takes place if
the reverse power is greater than the adjusted value.
Besides the adjustment value for the power-measuring
circuit, a switching delay between Os and 30s can be
selected in order to by-pass the dynamic reactions. This
delay is required, for instance, in case of wind-drives
where a feedback is caused by the customers at times

Diagram 1

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3. Instructions for Adjustment

The reverse-power relay RW N 1 has a spindle

potentiometer for the adjustment of the switching point
(in %) and the switching delay (in seconds).

3.1 Adjustment of the Switching Point of the Power-

measuring Circuit

Should the relay respond, for instance, at a generator

reverse power of 10%, it does not (!) mean that the
adjustment value of RW N 1 amounts to 10%. The
adjustment value of the switching point must first be
calculated because of the ratio of the transformers.
Calculation of the adjustment value

Necessary data:
Note:
PGEN [kW] Active power of the generator in kW It is
calculated from the apparent power of the While connecting the relay it is to be observed that the
generator current-transformer terminals k (S1) and l (S2) are
SGEN according to PGEN = SGEN cos ϕ connected as shown. Further the current and voltage
PRW1 [kW] Reference power of the RW N 1 in kW It measurement must be done on the same phase.
is
calculated from Active power of the generator
IN Nominal current of the relay PGEN = 625 kVA x 0.8 = 500 kW
UN Nominal voltage of the relay nominal current of RW N 1 IN =5A
ni Ratio of the current transformer nominal voltage of RW N 1 UN = 230 V
nu Ratio of the voltage transformer ratio of the current ni = 1000 A/5 A
for 4 wire system (unit RW1-10) transformer = 200
according to
=> reference power of the unit
PRW10 = (√3) x IN x (√3) x UN x ni x nu PRW10 = (√3) x 5A x (√3) x 230V x 200 = 693 kW

For 3 wire system (unit RW N 1-12) If the relay should respond at a reverse power of 5%
according to (refered to the active power of the generator), then
PREV = -5% and the adjustment value can be
PRW12 = (√3) x IN x UN x ni x nu calculated in the following way:
If PREV [%] is the desired reverse-power value in %
referring to the active power of the generator, then the 500 KW
value to be adjusted on the relay is calculated as per Adjustment = x (-5 %) = -3.6 %
folllowing formula: Value in % 693 KW

In the foregoing example the relay RW1 is to be

PGEN [kW] adjusted to - 3.6 %, so that it responds to a generator
Adjustment reverse-power of 5 % (corresponds to 25 kW in case of
= x PREV [%]
Value in % generator active-power of 500 kW).
PRW1 [ kW]
Calculation-example 2

Medium tension installation, unit RW N 1-12,

generator for turboset
Circuit example:
Calculation-example 1 3 phase, 3 wire, current and voltage Transformer

Low tension installation, unit RW N 1-10,

diesel generator
Circuit example:
3 phase, 4 wire with current transformer

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 operated at 5 % of its active power. The response of the
relay can be noticed by disconnecting of the generator.

As soon as the switching point (i.e. the adjustment

value) has been found, k (s1) and I (s2) must be
properly connected again in order to operate the RW
N 1 as a reverse power relay.

3.3 Examples of reverse power values and switching

delay
Examples of reverse-power values
• for turbines approx. 2 - 4 %
• for gas engines approx. 4 - 6 %
• for diesel generators approx. 6 - 8 %

Examples of the adjustments of time-delay

• generator in parallel operation
with large grid approx. 5 -10 s
Note: • generator in parallel operation
with other generators in an
• The proper connection of k(S1)and I(S2) is to be isolated system approx. 10 - 20 s
observed. • generator in parallel operation
• L1, L2, and L3 are to be connected as shown. with other generators when
• The current measurement must been done here in reverse power is caused
phase L1 Occasionally by the consumer approx. 20 - 30 s

Active power of the generator 4. Functional Check

PGEN = 1875 kVA x 0.8 = 150 kW
nominal current of RW N 1 IN = 5A With the help of following functional check it can be
nominal voltage of RW UN = 100V tested whether the appliance RW N 1 is properly
Ratio connected.
• the current transformer ni = 150 A/5 A 30
• the voltage transformer nu = 10KV/100V The generator to be protected is operated at a small
= 100 (positive) power. If the spindle potentiometer for the
=> reference voltage of the unit power-measuring circuit is now turned in the positive
PRW12 = (√3) x 5A x 100V x 30 x 100 = 2598 kW range, the relay must switch over from contact position
1 to contact position 2 at a specific positive adjustment
If the relay should respond at a reverse power of 3 % value (see Fig. 1) and cause a disconnection of the
(refered to the active power of the generator), then generator. In this case the RW N 1 is properly
PREV = -3 % and the adjustment value can be connected. It is now adjusted to the desired adjustment
calculated in the following way: value for use as a reverse-power relay.

If the relay does not respond, then the following que-

1500 KW stions are to be clarified:
Adjustment = x (-3 %) = -2 %
Value in % 2598 KW • Are k (s1) and I (S2) properly connected on the
secondary side of the current transformer?
In the foregoing example the relay RW N 1 is to • Are L1 and N (in case of appliance RW1-10) or L1,
be
adjusted to -2 %, so that it responds to a generator L2 and L3 (in case of appliance RW1-12) properly
reverse-power of 3 % (corresponds to 45 kW in case connected?
of generator active power of 1500 kW). • Is the current and voltage measurement in the same
phase L1?
If the relay should respond at a reverse power of 5 %,
for instance, the adjustment value on the RW1 can also
be located by simulating a reverse power of 5 % and
turning the setting element of the RW1 from the
highest value down until the relay responds.

The simulation of reverse power of 5 % is achieved if k

(s1) and l (s2) are interchanged at the current
transformer and the generator to be monitored is

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5. Technical Data

General Data
Type : RW N 1-10 for ac-current or 4 wire system
RW N 1-12 for 3 wire system
type suffix S for switchboards marine type
Design : static protection unit
Maintenance : none
Permissible operating time : continuous operation
Fitting position : operation independent on fitting position

Measuring circuit
Rated voltage : 58 V, 127 V, 230 V, 3 x 110 V, 3 x 230 V, 3 x 400 V
Over voltage withstand50 % for approx 2 s
Rated current : 1 A, 5 A
Rated frequency : 50 - 60 Hz
against extra charge : 400 Hz
Own consumption in standstill condition : current measuring circuit 2 VA
voltage measuring circuit 5 VA
Setting ranges
• power setting : -10% up to+10%
• switching delay Tripping : 0 up to 30 s
• hysteresis : 0.5 %

Auxiliary Voltage
Not Required
Output Circuit
Contacts : potential free, 1 NC, 1 NO
Contact capacity : 660 VA at 250 V/AC or 2 A at 24 V/DC
Contact material : silver coated
Contact service life : 106 switching operations
Terminals : M4, wire termination, max. 2.5 mm2

Ambient Conditions
Ambient temperature limits
• for storage : -40°C up to +80°C
• for operating : -25°C up to + 60°C

Tests
Effect of temperature : < 1 % of adjusted value at 0°C to 60°C
Approvals : units with type suffix S are tested for ship-installations

Case, Dimensions, Weight and Fitting

Case : SEG standard case
Material : track-resistant moulded base and transparent cover
Heigth x width x depth : 141 x 105x91 mm
Fitting positions : independent
Weight : approx. 0.78 kg
Mounting : screwed
Protection class : case IP20, terminals IP00

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