1.

ABOUT RSTPS 400 KV SWITCH YARD

400 KV Switchyard of Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station is the most
vital switching station in the southern Grid 2600 MW of Bulk Power
generated by three 200 MW Units and four 500 MW Units of NTPC
Ramagundam is evacuated for supplying to the southern states.

Switchyard consists of four 400 KV busbar systems fed by 7 Nos. of generator

feeders, 10 Nos of 400 KV feeders, 3 Nos of 220 KV feeders and two nos. of
132 Kv feeders as shown in the single line diagram of 400 Kv switch yard.

In addition to the above, four nos. of Tie Transformers, five nos. of Auto
Transformers and two nos. of Shunt Reactors are provided as shown in the
switchyard line diagram.

1.1. 400 KV TRANSMISSION LINES

1. Ramagundam Nagarjunasagar Circuit 1 Double Circuit lines (267

2. Ramagundam Nagarjunasagar Circuit 2 Km length)
3. Ramagundam Gajwel Circuit 1 135Km
4. Ramagundam Malkaram Circuit 1 151Km
5 Ramagundam Hyderabad Circuit 3 Double Circuit lines (189
6 Ramagundam Hyderabad Circuit 4 Km length)
7. Ramagundam Warangal Circuit 1 Single line ( 98.5Km length)
8. Ramagundam Chandrapur Circuit 1 HVDC back to Back integrid
connecting double circuit lines
9 Ramagundam Chandrapur Circuit 2
(180Km lengh)
10 Ramagundam Dichipally 1 Single line (156 Km)

1.2. 220 KV TRANSMISSION LINES

1. NTPC AP Transco line 1 Through 400 Kv/220KV
2. NTPC AP Transco line 2
250MVA A.T # 3 & 4
3. NTPC AP Transco line 3 Through 400 KV/220KV
250MVA A.T # 5

1.3. 132 KV TRANSMISSION LINES

1. NTPC AP Transco line 1 Through 400 Kv/132KV

2. NTPC AP Transco line 2
200MVA A.T # 1 & 2

1.4. AUTO TRANSFORMERS

Five Auto Transformers with on Load Tap Changers are provided to
interconnect the 400 Kv system of NTPC and 220/132 Kv system of AP
Tranco, Malyalapally sub station situated 1.8 Km away from the RSTPS
switchyard.
1 400/132 Kv 200 MVA (TELK make) 2 Nos

.
2 400/220 Kv 250 MVA (TELK make) 2 Nos

.
3 400/220 Kv 315 MVA (Crompton Greevs 2 Nos
. Ltd. make)

1.5 TIE TRANSFORMER

Four nos. of Tie Transformers are provided for feeding power to station
auxiliaries like Cooling water & Raw water pumps, Coal Handling & water
treatment Plants, Ash & Fuel Handling pumps, Cooling towers and lighting
requirements of station & colony.

1.6 SHUNT REACTORS

Long lines when lightly loaded, the receiving end voltage raises, due to
ferranti effect. Shunt Reactors produce lagging MVAR there by control the
receiving end voltages during lightly loaded conditions. Shunt reactors also
limit the short circuit fault levels. Therefore, Shunt reactors are provided on
both the ends of Nagarjuna Sagar lines 1 & 2, the length of these lines being
about 267 km.
 2. SWITCHYARD OPERATION ACTIVITIES
As mentioned else where, RSTPS switchyard is handling bulk power and its
operation and Maintenance has become critical. Any ambiguity in the
operation of the switchyard may lead to such disasters like grid failure, station
outages crippling not only the normal life of people but also the very economy
of the country. Even in less serious situations such as cascade tripping of
Auto Transformers due to unplanned over loading has caused under utilization
of our generating capacity many times. The operation of switchyard calls for
a very alert staff that shall have to sense the abnormalities in time and prompt
to concern timely to enable normalcy of the system. The following are some
of the identified activities of 400 KV switchyard operations.

1. Identifying of faulty equipment, safe isolation of equipment without

disturbing other system as much as possible, raising job cards,
arranging shutdowns, trial charging and normalization of 400 KV
SWYD. And 132KV Swyd, associated equipment like CBs,
Isolators, Ats, TTS, Shunt Reactors, ACDBs, DCDBs, Battery Plant,
Charges PLCC equipment, Swyd. Compressors and lighting.

2. Daily inspection of indoor/outdoor swyd equipment, checking of oil

leakages, temperatures and any other abnormalities like sparks etc.
SF6 gas pressures, compressed air pressures, running period of
compressors, availability status of mulsifier system, swyd. And
station P.A. system and PLCC communication system etc.
monitoring of physical conditions of swyd equipment.

3. Analyzing and locating of fault leading to feeder/Transformer trip,

reporting emergencies to the higher authorities, coordinating with
other agencies like AP Transco/Genco, PGCIL in clearing faults
and normalization of system.
4. Quick arrangement of startup power supply in case of grid failures,
station outages.

5. Continuous monitoring of system parameters like voltage,

frequency, line and Transformer, loading unit generations, MVAR
and MW net exports etc. recording and corrective action where the
abnormality found.

6. Preparing of daily power generation / export/import energy reports,

exchanging data with CPCC, OS (ED), OS (SR), collection of
generation details from other power projects and storing.
 3. SWITCHYARD EQUIPMENT

3.1 CIRCUIT BREAKER

It is an automatic device capable of making and breaking an Electrical Circuit

under normal and abnormal conditions such as short circuits. SF6 is the arc
quenching media for all the 400 KV and 220 KV breakers installed in the
switchyard. Pneumatic operating system is provided in AEG, ABB and
NGEF make breakers and Hydraulic operating system is provided in BHEL
make breakers. 132KV breakers provided in 132 KV lines are of Minimum
oil type operating on spring charge mechanism.

3.2 ISOLATORS

Isolator is an off load device provided in conjunction with circuit breaker to

disconnect the equipment or the section, which is to be isolated from all other
live parts. The isolators provided in the switchyard are of central break type.
The operation of Isolators can be done from control room (remote) or local.
Motorized operation for opening & closing of Isolator is provided, however
Isolators can also be opened & closed manually in the even of non-availability
of motorized operation.

3.3 EARTH SWITCH

Earth switch is mounted on the isolator base on the line side or breaker side
depending upon the position of the isolator. The earth switch usually
comprises of a vertical break switch arm with the contact, which engages with
the isolator contact on the line side. Earth switch is required to discharge the
trapped charges on the line or equipment (under shut own) to earth for
maintaining safety. Earth switch can be operated only from local either by
electrical operation or manually.
3.4 BUSBAR

Busbar is an Aluminium tube of 4” IPS having wall thickness of 0.4”, where

all incoming and outgoing feeders are connected in a schematic way to enable
smooth operation and Maintenance of equipment without any interruption to
the system. At RSTPS one and half breaker scheme is provided for 200 MW
generator feeders and 400 KV outgoing lines, Two-breaker scheme is
provided for 500 MW generator feeders.

3.5 SURGE / LIGHTING ARRESTERS

Surge Arresters are provided to ground the over voltage surges caused by
switching and lighting surges. Surge Arresters provide leakage path to the
ground whenever the system voltage rises above the specified value. They are
equipped with surge monitors, which measure the leakage currents and a
counter to record the number of surges taken place.

3.6 CURRENT TRANSFORMER (CT)

Current Transformers are provided to step down the current to low values
suitable for measuring protection and control instruments. Current
Transformers also isolate measuring and protective devices from high system
voltage. CTs in the switchyard consist of five secondary cores. Core 1&2 are
used for busbar protection, 4 & 5 are for main 1&2 protection and core 3 is for
measuring instruments.
3.7 CAPACITIVE VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER (CVT)

CVTs step-down the system voltage to sufficiently low value (110 V) for
measuring, protection and synchronizing circuits. CVT has a H.F. terminal
point for receiving & transmitting the high frequency signals for carrier
protection and communication.

3.8. WAVE TRAP

Wave Trap is a parallel resonant circuit tuned to the carrier frequency

connected in series with the line conductor at each end of the protected
transmission line section. Wave trap offers high impedance path for high
frequency signals and low impedance path for power frequency current. This
keeps carrier signal confined to the protected line section and does not allow
the carrier signals to flow into the neighboring sections.
 4. SWITCH YARD CONTROL ROOM EQUIPMENT

The control room is the place where the conditions of the system are
monitored, controls initiated and operations are integrated. Control room
consists of the following equipment.

4.1 CONTROL PANELS

Corridor type flat control panels are provided in U shape with doors at both
the end panels. Between the front and rear panels, there is adequate space
for inspection of interior wiring. The controlling knobs are provided on front
Panel for opening & closing of breakers and isolators. The close/open
position of the breakers / isolators / earth switches is indicated through lamps
or semaphore indicators. The relative position of each equipment is shown in
the mimic single line diagram that is painted on front side of the control
panels. The indicating instruments (MW, MVAR, voltage, current etc.) and
annunciation windows are provided on the top of front panel for monitoring of
the equipment. Breaker monitoring and protective relays such as LBB, Auto
reclosure, check synchronization, Trip circuit monitoring, Annunciation relays
and energy meters are mounted on the rear side of the panel.

4.2 RELAY PANELS

Relay panels are of cubicle type, flat independent boxes with a door at
backside. All the protective relay units related to one bay are divided into two
groups viz. Main 1 protection, stub protection, O/V protection and their
auxiliary & trip relays as group 1 and Main 2 protection, U/v protection and
their auxiliary & trip relays as group 2 relays. Group 1 & group 2 relays are
mounted on front side of two separate panels side by side. Fault locator and
disturbance recorder of the corresponding bay mounted on front side of the
third panel. A separate glass door is provided front side of all the panels to
cover the relays from dust.
4.3 EVENT LOGGER

Even Logger recognizes the changes in signal-input states, plus time data
allocation for sequential recording of events. It displays the events in a time
sequential of 1/ sec, such as opening/closing of breaker poles, Isolator poles,
E/S etc. pressure high/low of air, SF6, N2 Oil etc. Alarm Appeared/reset of all
protection / trip relays, it also displays the status of equipment, in service/ out
of service in a regular period say 8 hrs. This is one of the important
diagnostic equipment available to operation staff to understand the type of
emergency in a flick of a second.

4.4 MASTER CLOCK

One maser clock (make Keltron) is provide in switchyard control room to

synchronize the timings of all the Event loggers, DAS (Data Acquisition
system of units), Disturbance Recorders, clocks provided in control rooms,
etc., to maintain a uniform time, so that the sequence of events can be
recorded and analyzed to know the cause of disturbance.

The types of data displays available in GDAMS are given below.

TYPES OF DISPLAYS

1 Alpha Numeric Display Displays direct of measured parameter along

2 Mimic Diagram Display
3 Graphical Display
4 Threshold Display
5 Alarm Displays
6 Trend display
with name of the parameter in a tabular form
In this Display the single line diagram of the
circuit with position of the breakers along
with real time power flow is indicated.
This displays the graph of quantities
In threshold blackout Display the threshold
(border) values of quantity are Displayed.
Alarms are Displayed to draw the attention
of operator.
In this display the trend of the quantity real
 time values in a specified time blocks are
shown

The data Acquisition by GDAMS is more vital in analyzing the faults,

forecasting the local trends, impact of the line and unit outages, estimation of
variations in frequency and voltages in different seasons, generating reports
etc.

4.6 DISTURBANCE RECORDER

All 400 KV lines connected to this switchyard are provide by the Disturbance
Recorders (D/R), D/R is a PC based or Microprocessor based on line
monitoring equipment D/R is the most vital diagnostic equipment in analysis
of post fault trippings.

4.7 FAULT LOCATOR

When a line tripped on fault, the Fault Locator provided in the Relay panel
indicates the approximate distance of the fault location so that Maintenance
group easily track the fault and clear it. When F.L. indicates zero or very less
distance, operation staff should assume that the fault is in the switchyard
equipment, and check for all equipment connected to the concerned bay,
which was tripped on fault.

4.8 INDICATING & RECORDING INSTRUMENT

The following measuring instruments were providing on control panels of all

bays.
a) At the top of the control panel.
1. Ammeters in three phases.
2. Volt (KV) meters in three phase
3. Reactive power (MVAR) meter
4. Watt (MW) meter
 5. Winding Temperature indicating meter (for only
Transformer bays)
6. Tap position indicating meter (do)

b) Rear side of the each bay control panel

1. Main energy meter (export)

2. Check Energy meter (do)
3. Main energy meter (import)
4. Check Energy meter (do)

4.9 PLCC (power line carrier communication )

In order to achieve fast clearance and correct discrimination for
faults in 400 KV transmission network, it is necessary to signal
between the points at which protection relays are connected.
PLCC is high frequency signal transmission along with actual
overhead power line. IT is robust and therefore reliable,
constituting a low loss transmission path that is fully controlled
by the power authority. PLCC is required for the following cases.

a) Inter tripping

In inter trip (direct or indirect trip) applications; if the command is

unmonitored by a protective relay at the receiving end, reception of the
command causes circuit breaker operation.

b) Permissive tripping

Permissive trip commands are always monitored by a protection relay. The

circuit breaker can be operated only when reception of the command
coincides with operation of protective relay responding to a system fault.

c) Blocking
Blocking commands are always monitored by a protection relay. The circuit
breaker can be operated only if the command is absent when the protection
relay is operated by a fault.

d) Telemetry

Telemetry refers to science of measurement from remote location. The

various measurements obtained from transducers converts into signals and
these signals transmit to remote control rooms through PLCC ex. All lines
and generators of RSTPS parameters like MW, MVAR, etc linked up to IOCC
through PLCC.

e) Telephone

PLCC can be used as a speech channel. All substations connected to RSTPS

are providing by one direct telephone (hot line) for speedy communication.
Communication is also available for all PGCIL S/S through PLCC telephone
exchanges.

4.10. 220 V DCDB & BATTERY PLANT

220 VDC supply is required mainly for the following applications.

a) Control supply for 400, 220, 132, 33 KV breakers, and associated

equipment.

b) Control supply for relaying and protection circuits.

c) Annunciation & indication circuits.
d) Emergency lighting.

5. RELAYS AND PROTECTION SCHEMES

Every power system element is subjected t a fault or a short circuit. The cause
of fault is any of the following.

1. Healthy insulation in the equipment subjected to either transient over

voltages of small time duration due to switching and lighting strokes,
direct or indirect.
2. Aging of insulation.
3. An external object, such as a tree branch, bird, kite, rodent etc.
spanning either two power conductors or a power conductor and
ground.

5.2. EFFECTS OF FAULTS

1. Equipment is likely damage due to over heating and sudden

mechanical force developed.
2. Arcing faults invariably are a fire hazard and damage the equipment.
3. A frequency drop may lead instability among interconnected system.
4. Unsymmetrical faults result in voltage imbalance and negative
sequence currents, which lead to overheating.

5.3 PROTECTIVE RELAYS

A relay detects the faulty element in the integrated power system and removes
it, with the help of the circuit breaker, from the remaining healthy system as
quickly as possible to avoid damage and maintain security or reliability of
supply in the healthy system. The quality of relaying depends on its
sensitivity, selectivity, speed and reliability. Varieties of protection relays are
provided to protect EHV lines and Transformers. A brief Description is given
below about the relays used for protection of Transformers and lines
connected to switchyard.

5.4 OVER CURRENT RELAY

There are basically three types of OC relays

1. Instantaneous OC relay

As the name signifies instantaneous OC relay operates without any intentional

time delay as and when the input current exceeds the pickup value or the plug
setting.

2. Definite time OC relay (DTOC Relay)

The DTOC Relay has two settings; the first one is the pick value in amperes
(plug setting.). Another setting is the constant or definite operating time of
the relay. The relay delivers trip output only when the current exceeds the
pickup value and that after a specified time delay.

3. Inverse Definite Minimum Time OC Relay (IDMT OC Relay)

The operating time of IDMT relay is inversely proportional to the square o the
relay input current (plug setting) and the travel time of the disk to close the
NO contacts. The travel time of the disk to close the NO contact can be
changed by moving the backstop of the relay (Time multiplier setting).

5.5 DIRECTIONAL RELAYS

Conventional over current relays are non-directional, which means the relay
operates on current magnitude and not on its direction or phase shift. The
Directional over current relay comprises two elements, a directional element
and OC relay element. The OC element is inhibited for operating until the
directional element has operated. The directional element is a watt metric
device, which measures the direction of power flow.

5.6 EARTH FAULT RELAY

Earth fault relay is a sensitive protection against earth faults, which responds
only to residual current of the system, since a residual component that exists
only when fault current flow to earth. The residual component is extracted by
connecting the line CTs in parallel.

5.7 DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION:

The differential relay checks the difference between the input and output
currents for any power system element, either in amplitude or in phase or
both, to determine whether the state of the power system is healthy or faulty.
In the event of a substantial difference, the element is assumed to be faulty
and trip the concerned breakers.

5.8 PILOT WIRE PROTECTION:

Pilot wire protection scheme can be used for protection of transmission lines
of 220 KV and below voltages. Similar current Transformers at each end of
the protected zone are interconnected through pilot wires. Current transmitted
through the zone causes secondary current to circulate round the pilot circuit
without producing any current flow in relay. A fault within the protected zone
will cause secondary current flow in to protection relay.
5.9 PHASE COMPARISON RELAY

The basic principle of the phase comparison relay is to check the phase
difference of current at both ends of the protected line. The carrier channel is
used to convey the phase angle of the current at one relaying point to another
for comparison with the phase angle of the current at that point.

5.10 DISTANCE RELAY

Distance relay is of the high speed class can provide both primary and back up
facilities in a single scheme. Distance relay operate only for faults occurring
between the relay location and the selected reach point, thus giving
discrimination for faults that may occur between different line sections. The
basic principle is comparing of the fault current ‘seen’ by the relay with
voltage at the relaying point; by comparing these two quantities sit is possible
to determine whether the impedance of the line up to the point of the fault is
greater than or less than the predetermined reach point independence.

For EHV, line where fast fault clearance and high reliability vital ‘full scheme
of distance relays are provided. Full distance scheme uses six measuring units
per zone, three for phase faults and three for earth faults. All 18 measuring
units in three zones operate independently to protect the line and provide
backup to the adjacent lines.

5.11 POWER SWING BLOCKING

Power swings are variations in power flow which occur when the voltage of
generators at different points of the power system slip relative to ach other to
cater changes of load magnitude and direction or as a result of faults and their
subsequent clearance. In the case of a transient power swing, it is important
that the Distance relay should not trip and should allow the power system to
return to a stable condition. For this reason Distance, protection scheme has
an optional power swing-blocking feature.
 SWITCHYARD EMERGENCIES AND
PLAN OF ACTION
6.1 CONDITION MONITORING

The abnormalities in equipment or system are continuously monitored by the

relays, pressure/level switches etc. and initiate a trip / alarm followed by an
annunciation. The Alarm alerts the operator and annunciation flashes give the
first information of the type of breakdown. Event logger provides the
sequence of events taken place along with time. This does allow some
assessment in relation to failure of equipment.

6.2 BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS

The details break down analysis can be done after checking the relays,
protections operated at relay panels. Disturbance recorder provides the
voltage and current graph with respect to time of pre and post incident of fault
conditions. D/R also provide the sequence of protections operated.

6.3 ANNUNCIATIONS AND ALARM SCHEME

Annunciation and alarm scheme is provided to call attention of the operation

staff against any abnormality in the switchyard equipment and control system,
so the quick preventive measures can be initiated. The annunciation flashes
along with an alarm on the control panel until it is acknowledged. The
annunciation is reset only after normalization of the system. The operation
staff upon receiving an alarm has to comprehend the nature of the problem to
take appropriate steps at the earliest, thus saving the equipment system from
failing further. The various annunciations are provided for 400 KV lines and
Auto Transformers at RSTPS switchyard control room are shown in the
following tables.
6.4 Types of Annunciation

A brief description about the annunciations provided, and the plan of action to
be taken by the operation staff is as follows.

A) CIRCUIT BREAKER CONDITION MONITORING ANNUNCIATIONS

1. C.B. AUTO TRIP

This annunciations appears whenever circuit breaker trips on a protection or

on intertrip signal (Other than manual trip)

PLAN OF ACTION

1. Confirm the opening of the other end breaker if it is a line feeder or

opening of the LT side breaker if it is a Transformer.

2. Check for the event logger and D/R printouts for various relay
operations and events taken place.

3. Reset the CB auto trip indication by giving the trip impulse with the
breaker close/open handle at control panel.

2. CB POLE DISCREPANCY TRIP

All the three poles of a circuit breaker must open or close at a time when a trip
or close command initiated. If one of the pole fails or delayed to open or
close within a specified (0.02 secs) time, circuit breaker trips immediately
followed by C.B. pole discrepancy alarm.
 PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check the flag indication for operation of pole discrepancy relay

(62x) in relay panel.
2 Confirm from local, the opening of all the three poles of breaker. If
not immediate action to be taken to open the poles.
3 Breaker tripped on pole discrepancy protection shall be charged only
after checking and rectifying the problem.

3. LBB PROTECTION OPERATED

This annunciation appears when the master trip relay (86) operates in
response to a fault but the concerned circuit breaker fails to trip. Local
Breaker Breakup relay (50Z) acts and initiates the busbar protection of the
respective bus, which trips all other circuit breakers connected to the bus.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for the protection relay, which caused operation of Group A/B
trip relays.
2 Check for the busbar protection trip relay (96) for Main/tie breaker
whichever LBB has operated.
3 Check for physical opening of breakers for which LBB relay
operated.
4 Inform Maintenance group for attending the problem.
5 Restore the normalcy through the other breaker (Tie breaker) in case
of Main breaker failed to trip and vice versa.
 4. C.B. SF6 DENSITY LOW/ AIR PRESSURE LOW

This annunciation appears whenever SF6 gas pressure/ Air pressure falls
below the specified value.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check the SF6 pressure / Air pressure locally, and asses the rate of
leakage.
2 If the rate of leakage is high, after obtaining necessary clearance trip
and isolate the breaker as early as possible. Otherwise the breaker
may go into lockout state, which is to be avoided as much as
possible.
3 If leakage rate is low inform Maintenance group for attending the
problem.

5. CB OPERATION LOCKOUT

This annunciation appears whenever either air pressure (oil pressure in case of
hydraulic operated breakers) or SF6 gas pressure falls below specified values.
In operation lockout state circuit breaker will not operate. This feature is very
much required to prevent the breaker operation in adverse conditions of
operating system and/or arc quenching media (SF6 gas)

PLAN OF ACTION

A) FOR PNEUMATIC OPERATED BREAKER

1 Check for the air pressure and SF6 gas pressure locally.
2 Identify the problem. If heavy leakage is observed in SF6 gas/ AIR
system, then sough permission from IOCC for isolates the breaker from
connecting bus.
3 Isolate the breaker by opening the both the side isolators after making
the load flow zero.
B. ALARMS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION LINE FEEDER
PROTECTION

1. OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION OPERATED (86 O/V)

Over voltage relay operate when the line voltage rises above a specified value.
Instantaneous and definite time over voltage relay is provided for each line. If
the voltage exceeds 40% of the rated voltage (400 kv) instantaneous relay
picks up and trip the line. If voltage exceeds 10% of rated value for duration
of more than 5 sec. the time delay relay picks up and trip the line.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check whether time delayed or instantaneous element has picked up.

2 Confirm the relay operations/ breaker tripping at the other end.
3 Check the D/R and voltage recorder printouts.
4 Check the CVT physically for any damage of equipment.
5 Find out there is any system disturbance at other end.
6 Line is to be charged only after testing CVT secondary voltages and
obtaining clearance from Maintenance group.

2. MAIN /12 PROTECTION UNHEALTHY (97XY)

This alarm appears when one of the main protections becomes unhealthy due
to D.C. supply failure for relay unit or some in built problem in the relay.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Identify the faulty relay

2 Check for the DC fail indication
3 Inform to Maintenance staff for rectification

3. PROTECTION PANEL D.C. SUPPLY FAIL (80 MT/80MZ)

All protection relays work on 220 volts DC supply; Protection panels are
provided with two separate sources of 220 volts DC supply. This alarm
appears whenever one or both D.C. supply sources fails.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check the operation of the DC supply supervision relays 80MI/80M2

and identify which source of DC supply failed.
2 If both the sources of DC supply failed, immediate action to be taken to
restore the supply with the help of Maintenance group.

4. VT FUSE FAIL (97RX/XX)

6 Nos of fuses are provided for the three secondary cores of a CVT. VT fuse
fail annunciation appears in case of one of the fuse fails.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for the flag indication for the operation of the relay indication.
2 Inform Maintenance group for replacing the CVT fuse/rectifying the
problem.
3 In case the rectification of problem takes more time. The voltage inputs
to the over fluxing relay, directional over current relay and VT fuse
failure relay shall be shifted to other 400 KV bus.

5. INTERTRIP SIGNAL RECEIVED

(PERMISSIVE INTERTRIPPING 85XY)
In carrier aided distance schemes carrier signal is used in connection with
distance relays to speed up fault clearance, falling in delayed zone 2, from
both ends. The delay inherent in the second zone may be overcome by
transmitting an intertrip signal to the relay at the remote terminal via a carrier
channel, transmission being initiated by local zone 1 relay operation. The
intertrip signal thereby allows simultaneous and fast tripping at both ends of
the line and also permits application of auto reclosure schemes.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Confirm the breakers tripping at both ends.

2 Collect the other end relay operations and analyse the fault
3 After getting the clearance from the other end operator and IOCC charge
the line.

6. GROUP 1/2 PROTECTION OPERATED (95CA/95CB)

The protection scheme provided for the bay equipment are divided into two
groups and connected separately to two trip relays. Operation of any
protection relay will operate the trip relay connected to that group. The
operation of any one of the two trip relays initiates the above annunciation.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for protection relays in the group operated.

2 Confirm the breaker opening at both the ends.
7. AUTO RECLOSURE LOCKOUT (186 A/B)

Auto reclosure feature is provided to ensure availability of feeder during

transient faults. In the event of a feeder fault, protection relay detect the fault
and trips the line. Auto reclosure relay operate and close the breaker after a
specified time (0.5m sec). If the fault is still persisting, the breaker trips again
on protection relay operation. Auto reclosure relay locks out on its own after
one reclosure effect.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Collect the other end relay and breaker operation and correlate with the
operations of this end.
2 Do not charge the line until Maintenance clearance obtained.

8. FAULT LOCATOR FAULTY (CS57)

This alarm appears whenever power supply unit of fault locator fails (power
switch off position etc.) or some in built problem in the unit arises.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for D.C. Supply fuse for F/L

2 Check the selector switch in/out
3 Inform Maintenance group to attend.
 9. DISTURBANCE RECORDER FAULTY (DRX) / 86B CIRCUIT
FAULTY

This alarm appears whenever power supply unit of D/R fails (power switch
off position etc.) Or some in built problem in the unit arises.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for the DC supervision relay flag indication.

2 Inform Maintenance group to attend.

10. REACTOR TROUBLE (30 L/M/O/R/G/H/J/K)

Reactor trouble Annunciation indicates the unhealthiness of the reactor or

NGR (Neutral Grounding reactor) Generally neutral point of a reactor is
grounded through a reactor. This annunciation appears when one or more of
the following events taken place.

1. Reactor Buchholz alarm

2. Reactor wdg. Temp. High alarm
3. Reactor oil temp. High alarm
4. Reactor oil level low alarm
5. NGR Buchholz alarm
6. NGR wdg. Temp. High alarm
7. NGR oil temp. High alarm
8. NGR oil level low alarm
PLAN OF ACTION
1 Check for the protection relay operations of the reactor and identify the
fault.
2 Check physically reactor and its NGR (Neutral grounding reactor)
observe any oil spillage in the surroundings, oil leakages, gas
accumulation in buchholz relay.
3 If any abnormality observed take permission from IOCC and trip the
line.
4 Inform to Maintenance group to attend the problem.

C. ALARMS RELATED TO TRANSFORMER PROTECTIONS

1. TRANSFORMER COOLER TROUBLE

Cooler trouble alarm appears when one or more of the following conditions.

1. Failure of cooler supply

2. Cooling fan failure
3. Cooling pump failure

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for the cooling fans and pumps operation.

2 In case of a group of fans or pumps not in service check their overload
relay operation and reset.
3 Check for availability of two sources of power supply
2. TRANSFORMER BUCHHOLZ ALARM/ TRIP

Buchholz relay is a gas-operated relay. When a slight or incipient fault occurs

in the Transformer, the gas generated will collect in the top of the buchholz
relay. A pre set volume of gas collection in the relay causes the buchholz
annunciation / trip contacts to operate.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Confirm the flag indication for the operation of the relay

2 Check for the gas accumulation in Buchholz relay
3 If gas collection is found, Transformer shall be hand tripped

After getting clearance from SCE, DGM (EM), IOCC and AP TRANSCO

PLAN OF ACTION

1 The Transformer can be charged only after carrying out tests including
DGA and obtaining clearance in writing from EM dept.
2 In case the gas is not found in buchholz relay, the reason shall be
established for operation of buchholz relay and then the Transformer
should charged.
3 In case of air accumulated in Buchholz relay, the Transformer can be
charged after releasing the air.
3. PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE OPERATED

Pressure release device allows for the rapid release of excessive pressure that
may be generated in the event of a serious fault in the Transformer. A bright
colour coded Mechanical indicator pin in the cover moves with the valve disc
during operation of PRD and is held in position by an in the pin bushing. This
pin is clearly visible from the ground level indicating that the device is
operated.

PLAN OF ACTION

1 Check for any other protection relays operated to identify the problem.
2 Check for both LT and HT side breaker tripping. If any one of the
breaker in service hand trip the same.
3 Check for any gas accumulation in Buchholz relay
4 Transformer may be charged only after thorough investigation for the
reason of PRD operation and obtaining clearance from Maintenance
group.

7.DEENERGISATION AND ISOLATION OF SWITCHYARD

EQUIPMENT

De energisation of equipment isolation from live parts, normalization of the

equipment after completion of Maintenance jobs trail charging and taking in
to service are the important day-to-day operation activities.
7.1 IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY IN SWITCHYARD OPERATION

Isolation and charging of high voltage equipment have great potential for
hazardous occurrences and need to consider safety at each juncture. Safety in
electrical system concerns three different areas; protection of life, protection
of equipment, protection of uninterrupted productive output. The protection
of human life is paramount. Equipment can be replaced lost production can
be made up. However, human life can never be recovered nor human
sufferings compensated. Therefore, only qualified and authorised persons
shall be allowed to operate switchyard equipment.

7.2 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

a) All apparatus should be legibly marked for every identification.

These makings should not be placed on removable part.

b) There must be checks and cross checks to confirm that you are at
right apparatus for the particular operation.

c) NO part of the body should touch any part of the equipment under
charging during isolation or normalization.

d) Proper illumination should be there to avoid poor visibility in any

part.

e) All control knobs and indicative lamps should be in working

condition.

f) Operation staff for their own safety should use the personal
protective equipment like safety shoe, hand gloves etc. at work.

g) Operation staff they must understand operations to be done and be

completely familiar with every details of his part of operation.
7.3 DE- ENERGIZATION & ISOLATION OF EQUIPMENT

De energisation and Isolation of equipment required during the following

situations.

1. When some abnormality observed in a section of the system, The

faulty section should be isolated from the main system to safe guard
the rest of the system.

2. When the equipment found defective while in service, isolation of

defective equipment or section is necessary to stop further damage to
that equipment or surrounding equipment.

7.4 PLANNING OF SHUTDOWN PF EQUIPMENT

If it is a planned shutdown, to attend a preventive or break down

Maintenance job, the problem will be discussed in daily planning meeting
in the presence of operation and Maintenance representatives and the
shutdown schedule of equipment will be planned.

If the required shutdown is going to affect the power flow in the tie lines
connected to PGCIL substations, then shutdown concurrence must be
obtained from IOCC. For the line belongs to AP Transco, shutdown
concurrence must be obtained from LDC.

7.5 REQUEST FOR PERMIT TO WORK (PTW)

The concerned authorized area Maintenance Engineer requests for a permit

to work (PTA) on the shutdown-planned equipment in a specified form to
the authorized operation engineer of the location. Operation Engineer
takes the responsibility of de energizing and isolating the equipment for
which shutdown is required with the help of the controllers and operators.
 7.6 PRE REQUISITES BEFORE DE ENERGISAITON

a) Take clearance from the shift in charge for de energisation of

the equipment..

b) Inform orally to the other end substation shift in charge regarding the de
energisation of line/Transformer and hold him on line.

c) If the de energisation is for a tie line or auto Transformer inform the

other end substation operator and take clearance.

d) Check the line loads and ensure that the shutdown of the equipment,
should not make over loading the other lines or Transformers.

e) Identify the correct bay and concerned main and tie breakers to be
tripped for de energisation of the line/ Transformer.

f) Keep the Auto Recloser switches of the main and tie breakers in N.A.
position.

g) Give announcement in swyd. PA system, the name and the number of

the breaker, which is going to hand, trip to aware the personnel working
in swyd.

h) Give announcement in station PA system, the name of the line or

Transformer that is going to hand trip, to alert the unit desk operation
engineers to face any abnormality arises during line de energisation.
7.7 PROCEDURE OF DE ENERGISATION

A) DE ENERGISATION OF 400 KV TRANSMISSION LINES

1. Hand trip Main/ Tie breaker whichever bay is to be energized.

Subsequently trip the other breaker if the bay equipment is not under
PTW.

2. Confirm from the other end operator on telephone that the breaker at
their end tripped on intertrip signal.

B) DE ENERGISATION OF 220 KV/132 KV LINES

1. Hand trip the main breaker of the line to be de energized if the line is
connected to main bus or the transfer bay breaker if the line is
connected to transfer bus.

2. Confirm from the other end operator on telephone that the breaker at
their end tripped on intertrip signal.

C. DE-ENERGISATION OF 400 KV/220KV AUTO TRANSFORMERS

1. Hand trip Main/ Tie breaker (400 KV SIDE) whichever bay is to be

de energized. Subsequently trip the other breaker also if the bay
equipment is not under PTW.

2. Hand trip line breaker (220 KV side) and inform the other end shift in
charge on phone that the Transformer is de energized and ensure that
the other end breaker tripped on intertrip signal.
D. DE ENERGISATION OF 400KV/132 KV AUTO TRANSFORMERS

1. Hand trip Main/ Tie breaker (400 KV SIDE) whichever bay is to be

de energized. Subsequently trip the other breaker also if the bay
equipment is not under PTW.

2. Hand trip the LT breaker (220 KV SIDE) of the Transformer is on main

bus or hand trip the transfer bus breaker if the Transformer is on
transfer bay. Inform the other end operator on telephone that the
Transformer is de energized.

7.8 ISOLATION OF 400 KV TRANSMISSION LINE BAY

1. Physically check at breaker for open indications in 3 poles and ensure

that the breaker is absolutely in open position.

2. Open the 400 KV side (HT) isolator from remote or local mode.

3. Open the 220kv/132kv side (LT) isolator either from remote or from
local position.

4. Ensure physically all the three poles of isolators opened.

5. Close the 400 kv side isolator earth switch and 220 kv/132 kv side
earth switches and lock them.

6. Keep the danger tags at breakers on/off handle giving the details of
the permit being issued.

7. Note down on the permit card the isolations done along with the
precautions to be taken further by the recipient at time of work carrying
the work and issue the permit card to the applicant.
8.NORMALIZATION AND CHARGING OF LINES AND
TRANSFORMERS

For normalizing and charging the transmission lines and Transformers, certain
preconditions are required to be met so as to safely normalize and charge the
feeder or Transformer. As the transmission lines in 400 KV net work are so
long and Transformer s are of large capacities, certain conditions like enough
capacity of the system to absorb the line MVAR to be ensured. Safety of
personnel to be ensured. While synchronizing the feeder, enough precautions
to be taken to ensure that the grid system is compatible and within limits so
that there should not be power swings owing to a synchronism.

8.1 COMMON INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHARGING THE LINE AND

TRANSFORMERS

a) Lines or Transformers shall be charged always from the strong source

end, where there is a facility to absorb reactive power and
synchronization shall be done from the other end in normal conditions.

b) When a line or a Transformer is charging after completion of

Maintenance works trips on a fault, second attempt shall not be made
until it is thoroughly investigated and reasons for tripping should be
established.

c) If the frequency and voltage are not in synchronism limits. Line /

Transformer shall not synchronies to Grid. A synchronous inter
connection may lead to unwarranted power swings that may cause not
 only grid disturbances but also accidents SRLDC shall coordinate with
SEBs to bring the parameters within the limits.

8.2 CHECKS BEFORE NORMALIZATION

a) Check physically the work area for removal of men and Material.

b) Take clearance from IOCC, if the line is connected to PGCIL

substations or from LDC, if the line is connected to AP Transco
substations and take clearance from shift in charge.

c) Ensure that all switchyard equipment associated with the line or

Transformer under shutdown is in operating condition.

d) Check for SF6 gas and air/ oil pressure of main/ tiebreakers.

e) Ensure that the Local / Remote switches of the Main/ Tie breakers
are kept on remote position.

f) Check physically for the healthiness of line shunt reactor or the

Transformer going to be charged.

g) Ensure that all relay flags are reset.

h) Check that no window indication is persisting and ensure that

annunciation lamp test OK.

i) Ensure that disturbance recorder, fault recorder, and event logger are
in service.

j) Check the communication book for remarks if any on the equipment

associated to the shutdown bay. Remarks if any found take written
clearance for charging the bay form the concerned area Maintenance
engineer.
8.3 NORMALIZATION OF A TRANSMISSION LINE BAY
EQUIPOTENT

a) Open the earth switch of the line isolator. Also open the earth
switches of main and tie bay isolators if any closed position.

b) Close the line isolator of the line under shut down.

c) Close the Bus 1 / Bus 2 connecting isolators in main bay, if permits

are not pending on the concerned bay equipment.

d) Close the tie bay isolators I the permits are not pending on Tie bay
equipment.

e) Close the shunt reactor isolator if shunt reactor available for the line
and it is in isolated condition.

f) If isolators are closed in remote mode, check physically to confirm

all the three poles closed properly.

8.4 CHARGING OF TRANSMISSION LINES

In case of IOCC instructed to charge the line from this end and to synchronize
from the remote substation.

a) Inform IOCC that the line is ready for charging and take the final
clearance for charging the line.

b) Inform orally to the other end substation operator that the line is
ready for charging and hold him on line.

c) Give announcement in swyd PA system regarding line charging to

aware the Maintenance group any body working in swyd.
 d) Give announcement in station PA system for alerting the unit desk
operation engineers to face abnormality if any arises during process
of line charging.

e) Keep heck synchronizing selector switch in bypass position (switch

available in control panel no.12) and plugin the synchroscope into
the concerned breaker synchronizing socket Keep the synchroscope
in on mode.

f) Close main/ tiebreaker which ever bay is made ready for charging
the line (dead line charging). Subsequently close the other breaker
also If the bay equipment not under permit.

g) Inform the remote end operator on telephone that the line is charged
and give clearance for synchronizing to the grid.

8.5 NORMALIZATION OF TRANSFORMER BAY EQUIPMENT

a) Inspect the Transformer physically and check the following.

1. Conservator oil level of main tank and OLTC is maintained

2. Breather silica gel colour is blue.

3. Check for heavy oil leaks if any from tank, radiator, pipes
and bushings.

4. Check the availability of cooler supply and healthiness of

fans and pumps by running in manual mode.

5. Check the cleanliness of Transformer & surround area.

 6. Check any removal of HT/LT connections and fuses in
marshaling box.

7. Check the emulsifier system operation.

b) Open the earth switches of the 400 KV Bus side Isolator

(HT) and 220 kv line side isolator (LT) . Also open the
earth switches of main and tie-bay isolators if any found in
close position.

c) Check for any portable earthlings on bay equipment. If

found any, request Maintenance staff to remove the same.

d) Close 220 kv side isolators and 400 kv side main and tie
bay isolators provided the permits are not pending.

e) If isolators are closed in remote mode, check physically to

confirm all the three poles closed properly.

8.6 CHARGING OF TRANSFORMER FEEDER

In case, AP Transco requested to change the 220 KV line from this end and to
synchronize at their substation.

a) Inform LDC that the 220 KV line is ready for charging and take the
final clearance for charging the line.

b) Inform orally to the AP Transco substation Engineer that Auto

Transformer is going to be charged at our end.

c) Give announcement in swyd & station PA system regarding charging

of Transformer.
d) Inform to the AP Transco Engineer on telephone that 20 kv line is
going to charge and hold him on line.

e) Keep check synchronizing selector switch in by pass position and

plug in the synchroscope into concerned breaker synchronizing
socket. Keep the synchroscope in on mode.
f) Close Main/ Tie breaker which ever bay is made ready for charging
the Transformer. Subsequently close the other breaker also if the
bay equipment not under permits.
g) Inform AP TRANSCO ENGINEER that feeder is charged and check
for voltage at their end. Give clearance to synchronize the feeder at
their end.

8.8 SYNCHRONIZING THE TRANSFORMER FEEDER

In case, AP LDC requested to charge the Transformer feeder at remote end

and synchronize at this end.

a) Give clearance to AP Transco Engineer to charge the 220 Kv line at

their end.

b) After getting information from AP Transco Engineer regarding the

closing of 220 KV line breaker at their end, check for the line
voltage at control panel meter and confirm.

c) Keep check synchronizing selector switch in bypass position and

plugin the sysnchroscope into the concerned Auto Transformer
breaker-synchronizing socket. Keep the synchroscope in on mode.
d) Close Main/ Tie breaker which ever bay is made ready for charging
the Auto Transformer. Subsequently close the other breaker also if
the bay equipment is not under permit.
Auto Transformer is in idle charge condition. Check the current in three
phases to ascertain the healthiness of the Transformer.

e) Normalize the check-synchronizing switch from by pass position.

f) Inform the AP Transco Engineer on telephone that 220 KV line is

going to synchronies and hold him on line.

g) Keep the check synchronizing selector switch in on position and

plugin the synchroscope into the concerned line breaker-
synchronizing socket. Make the syncrhoscope on.

h) Ascertain that the voltage and the frequency are within

synchronizing limits.

i) Give announcement in switchyard & station PA system regarding

closing of breaker

j) Close the 220 kv line breaker (LT breaker of Auto Transformer).

k) Inform to AP Transco S/S & APLDC that the line is synchronized.

 9. BLACKOUT OF STATION AND BLACK START PROCEDURES

Despite of all precautions and protective measures, the integrity of the power
system is occasionally at risk owing to human error, malfunction of
equipment, lack of complete information, and natural disasters. The
emergency like grid failure/ partial grid failure may lead to total loss of power
supply in the region / station, which is called the blackout condition.

In case of total Blackout of station / region due to grid failure or partial grid
failure, operation staff are responsible.

1.To analyse and locate the fault leading to the situation

2. To inform all the authorities and units about the problem.

3.To arrange startup power at the earliest to bring back the units.

9.1 PLAN OF ACTION DURING STAITON BLACKOUT

1. See and ensure DC lighting has come in auto.

2. Have a broad lock on the panel, see whether any unit has
survived on house load and / or any line feeding on house load
has survived.

3. Inform shift charge engineer and all units about the status on
emergency PA system through group call.

4. Specifically inform shift charge engineer, Sr. supdt. (Operation)

DGM (O), DGM (EM), AGM (O&M), and GM (R) about grid
failure.
 5. Check and not down the relays operated, ascertain the reasons of
cause leading to grid failure also whether it is from station side or
switchyard side or substation side.

6. See that all outgoing feeder breakers have opened out, if not,
open them manually.

7. Normal sources of startup power are Chandrapur HVDC S/S and

Nagarjuna sagar Hydro power station (AP GENCO). Find out
how much startup power can be made available.

8. Inform shift charge engineer about the amount of startup power

available and quantum thereof. This I necessary to decide further
course of action regarding bringing back the units.

9. As per recommendations of CPCC/LDC, Hyderabad startup

power is to be availed through respective feeder.

9.2 BLACK START FACILITIES AT RSTPS

In general at least one of the 400 KV Chandrapur Ramagundam HVDC back-

to-back lines is always in service. With the consent of SRLDC, startup power
supply can be taken immediately from Western region by passing HVDC back
to back like at Chandrapur.

In case of startup power not available form CHANDRAPUR S/S due to

outage of equipment or any other, reason the following alternate arrangements
to be made.

1. Charge 220 kv substation at Warangal.

2. Charge 20 kv Warangal Malyalapally line at Warangal S/S
3. charge 220 kv Malyalapally substation.
4. Take start-up power supply from Malyalapally substation.
9.4 ACTIVITIES AFTER OBTAINING STARTUP POWER

a) Close 400 KV breakers pertaining to above set feeder and thus charge
400 kV buses 1 or 2
b) Charge 400/33 kV Tie Transformer 1 or 2 or 3.
c) Charge 33 kV bus 1 and / r 2 and / or 3.

d) Depending on the quantum of power available and units to be brought

on bar; seek shift charge engineer instructions regarding charging of
CW Transformers, WTP Transformers, Station Transformers and act
accordingly.

e) Charge switchyard service Transformers and extend supply to

switchyard MCC and lighting panel

f) After normal supply is resumed, switch off DC lights.

g) Due to lack of power, battery chargers had tripped and the ENTIRE D
Batteries supplied load.

i) Check the condition of batteries and accordingly keep the chargers in

service.

j) See that air compressor, providing compressed air for breaker

operations, have started and developing adequate pressure.

k) Now situation is normal. Once units are ready for synchronization seek
instructions from IOCC and LDC, accordingly take lines in service and
synchronize the units.
OPERATION GUIDELINES OF 400 KV SWITCH YARD

Contents

S.NO Description Page

. Nos.
1 ABOUT RSTPS 400 KV SWITCH YARD
2 SWITCHYARD OPERATION ACTIVITIES
3 SWITCHYARD EQUIPMENT
4 SWITCHYARD CONTROL ROOM EQUIPMENT
5 RELAYS & PROTECTION SCHEMES
6 SWITCHYARD EMERGENCIES AND PLAN OF
ACTION
7 DE ENERGISATION AND ISOLATION OF
SWITCHYARD EQUIPMENT
8 NORMALISATION & CHARGING OF LINES &
TRANSFORMERS

9 BLACKOUT OF STATION AND BLACKSTART

PROCEDURES