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RELEASE
FOR INTERNAL REVIEW
October 26, 2020

Marketing contact:
Martin Van Der Linde
General Manager - Directional Power Explained
Marketing

Tel : +61 7 3907 8777

October 26, 2020
Fax : +61 7 3399 6777
[email protected]
www.nojapower.com.au Introduction

With the recent addition of ANSI 32 Directional Power to NOJA Power’s OSM
Recloser system, in this article we explore the technical background and
applications of this protection functionality.

Directional power protection (ANSI 32) is used where a generator runs in

parallel to another generator or a utility. It has two forms, overpower and
underpower.

Directional Overpower and Underpower protection calculate the total

apparent power flow through the recloser based on the voltages and
currents. Directional Overpower operates when the measured apparent
power exceeds a threshold limit. Directional Underpower protection operates
when the measured apparent power falls below the threshold limit. In both
the cases the protection operates, and the generator is disconnected due to a
protection trip and/or an alarm is raised.

Directional power protection is applicable to Three Phase, Two Phase, Single

Phase and Single Triple reclosers.

Overview
Directional overpower and underpower can be used in several different
applications. The following section
Q will highlight some of the most
common. However, let’s first
consider the general operating
conditions of each element.
To describe the operation of the
Ss
Sm PDOP element, consider the
following diagram:
Where:
P Ss = Set apparent power
θs = Set power angle
Sm = Measured apparent power
θm = Measured power angle

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Operation will occur if:

Sm > Ss/[sin(θs) * sin(θm) + cos(θs) * cos(θm)]

Note: Checks are required to ensure appropriate sign of trigonometric functions.

Q
Similarly, the operation of
the PDUP element can be
described by the following
formula:
Ss
Sm < Ss/[sin(θs) * sin(θm) +
cos(θs) * cos(θm)] Sm

Note: As per PDOP, checks are

required to ensure appropriate sign of P
trigonometric functions.

It can be noted from the above diagrams that the further the measured angle
is from the set point, the higher the measured value is out to the threshold.
As this difference in angle approaches 90°, the value for Sm approaches
infinity and, for any value outside of ±90°, Sm cannot pass the threshold. Thus
at these angles, regardless of the power measured, for overpower it will
never operate and for underpower it will always operate.
Having discussed the general characteristics of directional power protection,
let us now consider some specific applications.

Reverse power
If a generator is connected to the grid or in parallel with another generator
and the prime mover fails, energy can flow back into the alternator and
attempt to drive the generator as a motor. To avoid this, directional
overpower can be used to detect when the power flows in the reverse
direction and disconnect the generator from the source.
For reverse active power protection, the power angle should be set to 180°,
and for reverse reactive power protection, the angle should be set to -90°.
This is illustrated below:

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Q
Q

Angle=180°
P P

Power
Operating Power
Angle=-90°
region

Operating
region

Reverse active power protection Reverse reactive power protection

Power limitation

PDOP can also be used to limit the output of a generator. There are two
situations that this may be of interest for protection. Firstly, it can be used to
maintain operation within components of the generator’s capability curve.
Depending on the desired characteristic, ie over/under excitation or armature
current, the angle can be set to trip if the generator falls outside the limit.
The second situation where power limitation may be of value is where a
network connection includes contractual requirements to limit real or
reactive power to/from a utility. To achieve this, PDOP can be used to isolate
the recloser or set an alarm on real or reactive power by adjusting the angle
to 0° or 90° respectively.

Underpower protection

Underpower protection can be used to prevent a generator from overspeed

conditions when large loads are disconnected from its network. The operating
characteristics for underpower are shown below:
Q
Q
Non- Operating region

Operating
region Non- Power
Operating Operating region
Power region
Angle=120°
P P

Power angle at 0° Power angle at 120°

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Differences Between Directional Overcurrent and Directional

Power Direction Detection

NOJA Power’s set of directional protections provide both conventional

overcurrent directional elements as well as directional power protection. The
overcurrent directional elements and power flow elements are calculated
separately and, under certain conditions, can show reversed signs on the
phase angle for directional events. This is because the overcurrent elements
calculate the phase angle going from the current to the voltage, while the
power flow elements use the method defined by the IEEE standards, which
states the phase angle as being from the voltage to current.

Phase angle calculation for Phase angle calculation for

directional overcurrent elements directional power

“Directional Power functionality extends the capability of our recloser range

to be used as distributed generator circuit breakers,” reports NOJA Power
Group Managing Director Neil O’Sullivan.

Conclusion

Directional Power Protection is available as part of the 1.25 Firmware for

NOJA Power’s RC10 and RC15 controllers. A comprehensive application note
on configuration of this functionality is available from NOJA Power. To find
out more, visit www.nojapower.com.au or contact your local NOJA Power
Distributor.