What is the Advantage of IDMT in Protective Relaying?

 

In protective relaying there are two philosophies available to effectively achieve selectivity and coordination by time grading two philosophies are available, namely: 

1. Definite time lag (DTL), or 
2. Inverse definite minimum time (IDMT). 

Traditionally, design engineers have regarded medium- and low-voltage networks to be of lower importance from a protection view, requiring only the so-called simpler type of IDMT overcurrent and earth fault relays on every circuit. In many instances, current transformer ratios were chosen mainly based on load requirements, whilst relay settings were invariably left to the commissioning engineer to determine. Most of the times, the relay settings had been chosen considering the downstream load being protected without an effort to coordinate with the upstream relays. 

Read: Basic Guide in Power System Protection

However, experience has shown that there has been a total lack of appreciation of the fundamentals applicable to these devices. Numerous incidents have been reported where breakers have tripped in an uncoordinated manner leading to extensive network disruption causing longer down times or failed to trip causing excessive damage, extended restoration time and in some cases loss of life. 

In Definite Time Lag or DTL, the relays are graded using a definite time interval of approximately 0.5 s. The relay R3 at the extremity of the network is set to operate in the fastest possible time, whilst its upstream relay R2 is set 0.5 s higher. Relay operating times increase sequentially at 0.5 s intervals on each section moving back towards the source as shown below,

Definite Time Lag or DTL

The problem with this philosophy is, the closer the fault to the source the higher the fault current, the slower the clearing time – exactly the opposite to what we should be trying to achieve. 

Read: IEC 61850 Logical Nodes and Data Classes in Power System Automation Data Modelling

On the other hand, inverse curves as shown in the figure below which describes operating faster at higher fault currents and slower at the lower fault currents, thereby offering us the features that we desire. This explains why the IDMT philosophy has become standard practice throughout many countries over the years

Although not appreciated by many engineers, the widespread use of inverse definite minimum time overcurrent and earth fault (IDMT OCEF) relays as the virtual sole protection on medium- and low-voltage networks requires as much detailed study and applications knowledge as does the more sophisticated protection systems used on higher voltage networks.  

Applying IDMT in the System

When deciding to apply IDMT relays to a network, a number of important points have to be considered. Firstly, it must be appreciated that IDMT relays cannot be considered in isolation. They have to be set to coordinate with both upstream and downstream relays. 

Their very purpose and being is to form part of an integrated whole system. Therefore, whoever specifies this type of relay should also provide the settings and coordination curves as part of the design package to show that he knew what he was doing when selecting their use. This very important task should not be left to others and once set, the settings must not be tampered (even by the operating staff ) as otherwise coordination is lost.

Minimum Grading Intervals

To engineers planning the protection for a medium- to low-voltage network and wishing to adopt the widespread use of the IDMT OCEF relay, the above can be summarized as follows: 

• Design networks with a minimum number of grading levels possible. 
• Choose CT ratios based on fault current – not load current. 
• Consider using 1 A secondary. 
• Check CT magnetization curves for knee-point voltage and internal resistance. 
• Connect ammeters, etc. onto own metering cores. 
• Provide relay settings and coordination curves as part of the design package. 
• Be careful when choosing relay plug tap setting on electromechanical relays. The lower the tap, the higher the burden. 
• Relays should not pick-up for healthy conditions such as permissible transient overloads, starting surges and reconnection of loads, which have remained connected after a prolonged outage. 
• Care should also be taken that the redistribution of load current after tripping does not cause relays on healthy circuits to pick-up and trip. 
• HV IDMT relays on transformers should trip both HV and LV breakers. 
• Normal inverse curves should not be selected for overload protection. Rather use the inverse characteristic for this duty. 
• Take advantage of the additional features offered by the modern electronic relays, e.g. fixed very low burden, integral high-set, breaker fail and busbar blocking protections, event memory, etc. However, remember, one has to do the same calculation exercises for settings and draw coordination curves whether the relays are of the electronic or electromechanical design. 
• Finally, if the switchgear suppliers also manufacture relays, do not expect them to do the protection application settings free of charge as part of the service. If this is required, specify this as a separate cost item in the specification. 

Many problems down the line can be avoided and the performance, efficiency and safety of the plant improved if a protection engineer is included in the design team, if not full time, but at least to do an audit on the proposals. Finally, remember – while  IDMT relays are the most well known and the cheapest, they are in fact the most difficult relays to set. 

Reference: 

Practical Power System Protection | Download

Authors: 

• Les Hewitson
• Mark Brown PrEng, DipEE, BSc (ElecEng), Senior Staff Engineer, IDC Technologies, Perth, Australia  
• Ben Ramesh Ramesh and Associates, Perth, Australia

Series editor: 

• Steve Mackay FIE(Aust), CPEng, BSc (ElecEng), BSc (Hons), MBA, Gov. Cert. Comp., Technical Director – IDC Technologies.