Module 1 - 8 PSP
Module 1 - 8 PSP
Module I
Over Current Protection :
Current Time characteristics, TSM,PSM.
Important Terms
(i) Pick-up current. It is the minimum current
in the relay coil at which the relay starts to
operate.
So long as the current in the relay is less than
the pick-up value, the relay does not operate
and the breaker controlled by it remains in the
closed position.
However, when the relay coil current is equal
to or greater than the pickup value, the relay
operates to energise the trip coil which opens
the circuit breaker.
(ii) Current setting.
It is often desirable to adjustthe pick-up current to any
required value. This is known as current setting and is
usually achieved by the use of tappings on the relay
operating coil.
The taps are brought out to a plug bridge as shown in Fig.
The plug bridge permits to alter the number of turns on
the relay coil.
This changes the torque on the disc and hence the time of
operation of the relay.
The values assigned to each tap are expressed in terms of
percentage full-load rating of C.T. with which the relay is
associated and represents the value above which the disc
commences to rotate and finally closes the trip circuit.
∴ Pick-up current = Rated secondary current of C.T. × Current setting
For example, suppose that an over-current relay having current setting of
125% is connected to a supply circuit through a current transformer of
400/5.
The rated secondary current of C.T. is 5 amperes.
Therefore, the pick-up value will be 25% more than 5 A
i.e. 5 × 1·25 = 6·25 A.
It means that with above current setting, the relay will actually operate for
a relay coil current equal to or greater than 6·25 A.
The current plug settings usually range
from 50% to 200% in steps of 25% for
over current relays
and 10% to 70% in steps of 10% for
earth leakage relays. The desired
current setting is obtained by
inserting a plug between the jaws of a
bridge type socket at the tap value
required.
(iii) Plug-setting multiplier (P.S.M.). It is the ratio of fault
current in relay coil to the pick-up current i.e.