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Coordination of Protective Devices

This document is issued by PE, SABIC E&PM, Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The information contained in
this document is the confidential property of SABIC. It cannot be disclosed, copied or used for any purpose without approval
from SABIC. If you are not authorized to posses this document, please destroy it immediately.
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Contents

1 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 3
3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................... 3
4 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................... 3
5 SEC AND SAUDI ARABIAN GRID CODE REQUIREMENTS ..................................................... 4
6 SHORT CIRCUIT DATA ............................................................................................................... 4
6.1 Symmetrical Short-circuit Currents ....................................................................................... 4
6.2 Fault Contribution Considerations ......................................................................................... 5
7 TRANSFORMER DATA................................................................................................................ 5
8 MOTOR DATA .............................................................................................................................. 6
8.1 Large Motor Coordination ..................................................................................................... 6
8.2 Specific Motor Protection Devices ........................................................................................ 6
9 RELAY DATA ................................................................................................................................ 7
9.1 Data Shown on Drawings...................................................................................................... 7
9.2 Protective Relays .................................................................................................................. 7
10 BREAKER DATA .......................................................................................................................... 7
10.1 Breaker Curves ..................................................................................................................... 7
11 FUSES .......................................................................................................................................... 8
12 CABLES ........................................................................................................................................ 8
13 COORDINATION TIME INTERVALS (CTI) .................................................................................. 8
14 ADDITIONS TO GRAPHS ............................................................................................................ 9
15 RELAY COORDINATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES ................................................................... 9
16 REVISION HISTORY .................................................................................................................. 10
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1 Scope
This standard is for coordinating the performance of system protective devices through a
coordination study. The guidelines specify data required and methods used for constructing, and
graphically presenting coordinated protective device time-current curves.

2 References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments,
and supplements to these documents shall apply unless otherwise indicated.
SABIC Engineering Standards (SES)
E02-G01 Electrical System Design Criteria
E02-G02 Arc Flash Implementation Guideline
E03-G02 Guidelines for LV & MV Power System Protection ApplicationsE03-S01 Electrical
Protection Relays
E01-C12 Typical Protection SLDs ( IEEE )
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
141 Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants
242 Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems
C37.91 Guide for Protective Relay Applications to Power Transformers
C37.96 Guide for AC Motor Protection
C37.112 Standard Inverse-Time Characteristic Equations for Overcurrent Relays
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
70 National Electrical Code

3 Definitions
For the purpose of understanding this standard, the following definitions apply.
Circuit Breaker. A device designed to open and close a circuit by non-automatic means and to
open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when
properly applied within its rating. The automatic opening means can be integral, direct acting with
the circuit breaker, or remote from the circuit breaker.
Full-load Current. The greatest load that a circuit is designed to carry under specific conditions;
any additional load is overload.
Protective Device. A unit of an electrical system, for example a fuse, circuit breaker, or relay, that
is designed to isolate a portion of the electrical circuit when an abnormality occurs.
Time-current Characteristics. The correlated values of time and current that designate the
performance of all or a stated portion of the functions of a protective device.
Time-current Curves. Graphic representation of time and current values. These curves can be
computer generated from plotted characteristics.

4 General
4.1 For Guidelines on LV & MV power system protection refer E03-G02.The selection of relays
and the proper trip settings to protect feeders, transformers, motors and generators requires
a basic understanding of the operating characteristics of protective devices. The current and
voltage conditions on the electrical power distribution system under the various possible
fault conditions shall also be understood. To evaluate and achieve selective isolation of
faults on plant electrical power systems, it is necessary to plot the time-current
characteristics of all the protective devices that are in series.
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4.2 Selective coordination of protective relays has a major impact on a plant's electrical system
performance and reliability. This standard provides guidelines for creating, analyzing, and
documenting a coordination study. The coordination study can optimize circuit protection to
minimize damage to system components and prevent injury to personnel. Additional benefits
include sustaining service continuity and limiting the extent and duration of service
interruptions.
4.3 The primary purpose of a coordination study is to determine satisfactory ratings and settings
for electrical system protective devices. Protective devices shall be chosen so that pickup
currents and operating times are short, but sufficient to override system transient overloads,
for example inrush currents experienced when transformers are energized or motors
started. When an abnormality occurs, the protective device shall isolate a minimal amount
of the electrical system. Further, the protective device shall be coordinated so that the circuit
interrupter closest to the fault opens before other devices.
4.4 The relay coordination study shall follow the guidelines given in IEEE 141 and 242. It shall
also conform to SES E02-G01 & E03-G02.
4.5 Any conflict(s) between this standard, SES and industry standards, engineering drawings,
and contract documents shall be resolved at the discretion of SABIC.
4.6 Refer E02-G02-Arc Flash Implementation Guideline. The recommendations in E02-G02
section 6.5 shall be considered and the most suitable method used to conduct the system
selectivity and relay-co-ordination study.
4.7 A complete protection drawing shall be prepared for a complete power system. Such
drawing is important as to indicate the locations and types of all protective devices and
associated voltage and current transducers. Drawing reference shall be based on SES-E01-
C12
4.8 Other relevant information required is A Tabulated settings of individual devices such as
setting range,steps,CT ratio and type of relay curve

5 SEC and Saudi Arabian Grid Code requirements

5.1 The Fault Clearance time shall be as per Saudi Arabian Grid Code requirements “Table 3.
Fault Clearance Times”.
5.2 The faults at the SABIC plant switchgear shall be isolated from the grid with necessary
discrimination not exceeding the Fault Clearance times as per Table 3 of the Grid Code. As
per the grid code para 2.5.2.8: “Where no circuit breaker is provided at the User Connection
Point, the User must provide to the TSP all necessary facilities and schemes to isolate with
discrimination and as necessary the Faults or Grid abnormalities, due to the User
Connection, on the Transmission System. In these circumstances, for Faults on the User
System, the User Protection should also trip higher TSP circuit breakers. These tripping
facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements specified in the relevant Connection
Agreement”

6 Short Circuit Data

6.1 Symmetrical Short-circuit Currents
6.1.1 A short-circuit study shall be made to determine values needed for the coordination
study. The study shall include all major contributions to a fault.
6.1.2 Symmetrical short-circuit currents shall be plotted at each voltage level (for
example, values for short-circuit currents on both sides of each transformer shall be
determined).
6.1.3 Minimum symmetrical short-circuit current shall also be verified, to take care of
installations where differences exist due to variations in utility supply, number of
transformers in parallel, or fault at the end of the feeder versus fault at the substation
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bus. This step is necessary to be sure protective devices operate as intended over
the operating range.
6.2 Fault Contribution Considerations
6.2.1 The connection to the electric utility system is often made through a supply
transformer. Since a fault within a plant appears as only a small increase to the
utility system, the contribution remains constant.
6.2.2 Large numbers of small induction motors and single large induction motors make
sizable contributions to short-circuit currents, which greatly affect the operation of
fuses and instantaneous devices.
6.2.3 Large generators and synchronous motors behave somewhat the same as induction
motors. Where present, the various short-circuit currents available from these
machines shall be included, remembering that the instantaneous impedance of
these machines changes with time during the fault. The length of time it takes the
protective device to operate is related to this changing impedance.
6.2.4 Transformers connected in parallel on the secondary side shall include the
combined short-circuit currents.
6.2.5 The available ground-fault current shall be identified on the ground relay
coordination graph. The fault current during a line-to-ground fault is sometimes
limited by a resistor on the neutral leg at the power source.

7 Transformer Data
7.1 The full load current shall be plotted for each transformer. Care shall be taken to determine
whether the self-cooled or fan-cooled rating of the transformer is being used.
7.2 The inrush current shall also be plotted to ensure coordination with instantaneous settings
of relays. If several transformers are connected to a single feeder, then the total inrush
current shall be plotted. Normally, this value is plotted at 12 times full load current. However,
it may vary from 8 to 14 times, depending upon the manufacturer and transformer size. The
inrush current value is plotted at 0.1 s and shall be below the primary protection device
curve.
7.3 Transformers can be damaged by faults external and downstream of the transformer if they
are not provided adequate through fault protection. The transformer damage curve shall be
plotted on the relay coordination sheet. The fault protection curve depends on the
transformer size, impedance, and predicted fault occurrences. It has been widely recognized
that damage to transformers from through faults is the result of mechanical and thermal
effects. Although the temperature rise associated with high magnitude through faults is
typically quite acceptable, the mechanical effects are intolerable if such faults are permitted
to occur with any regularity. This results from the cumulative nature of some of the
mechanical effects, particularly insulation compression, insulation wear, and friction-induced
displacement. For this reason, separate damage curves have been created for different
categories of transformers that experience infrequent and frequent faults. Frequent faults
are generally defined as more than ten in the transformer's lifetime. See IEEE 242 for data
on transformer damage curves.
7.4 Winding connections affect the coordination study. In plotting coordination curves, it is
important to know the relationship between transformer primary line currents and secondary
line currents for various types of secondary faults. This relationship may require the
protective device curves to be shifted horizontally on the coordination graph (generally this
requirement is programmed into the software such as ETAP)
7.4.1 For delta primary-grounded wye secondary, the maximum primary line current is
[0.58 X secondary voltage (line-to-line)/primary voltage (line-to- line)] X secondary
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fault current for a secondary line-to-ground fault. For a line-to-line fault, the 0.58
becomes 1.16.
7.4.2 For delta primary-corner-of-delta grounded secondary transformers, the maximum
primary line current is [1.0 X secondary voltage (line-to-line)/primary voltage (line-
to-line)] X secondary fault current for a secondary line-to-line or line-to-ground fault.
7.5 See E03-G02 for requirements on transformer protection. Refer C37.91 for typical co-
ordination curves.

8 Motor Data
8.1 Large Motor Coordination
8.1.1 When large motors require coordination, two pieces of basic data shall be plotted
before any coordination is attempted: the thermal damage curve (Hot and Cold stall
times) and the motor-starting characteristic curve.
8.1.2 Large motors, or the transformers that supply them, can be damaged if the vendor's
recommendations on number or frequency of starts are violated. Waiting periods of
an hour or more may be involved after making a certain number of starts. The
manufacturer shall furnish the thermal damage curve. This curve shall be obtained
at the time of the original purchase. All motor protective relaying shall fall below this
curve.
8.1.3 If the exact motor-starting characteristic is available, it shall be plotted. The
characteristic curve consists of the following:
a Inrush current
b Locked-rotor current
c Current during acceleration
d Allowable stall time
e Motor full-load current
8.1.4 If all the information is not available, the characteristics (or typicals) that can be
obtained shall be plotted. More recently manufactured energy-efficient motors have
been found to experience a higher inrush current than older motors. This shall be
considered when using typical data.
8.1.5 Many times, the entire coordination is based upon the relaying of a large motor,
because its protective devices are set so high that they dictate the settings of all
relaying upstream, including that of the public utility.
8.2 Specific Motor Protection Devices
8.2.1 Another category that shall be required on coordination graphs is specific motor
protection devices. The devices may be as simple as thermal overloads or the more
complex microprocessor-based motor protection relays (MPRs) that are common
today. The settings for these MPRs are too numerous to include with the protective
settings curves in their entirety. Typically, only an abbreviated summary is included
with the curves, and the complete setting record for these motor relays is shown in
tabular form.
8.2.2 For typical protection schemes based on motor size and type of switching device (
motor controller or circuit breaker) refer E03-G02.For protection settings refer to
IEEE C37.96.
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9 Relay Data
9.1 Data Shown on Drawings
9.1.1 The following data shall be shown on the coordination drawings or indicated on a
provided data sheet or both. Data shall be indicated for each relay curve.
9.1.2 The relay tap setting and corresponding minimum pickup current shall be
designated on the relay curve (at the voltage in which the relay's current transformer
is connected).
9.1.3 Instantaneous settings are shown as a vertical line from the time characteristic.
Instantaneous settings for motors shall be set at approximately 175 percent of
locked-rotor current. Instantaneous settings for relays feeding unit substation
transformers shall be set at approximately 200 percent of the secondary three-
phase symmetrical fault current. The 200 percent margin comprises 160 percent for
asymmetrical dc offset, 110 percent for voltage variance, and 113 percent for safety
margin.
9.1.4 The ‘Tap’ and ‘Inst. setting’ information shall include the range available along with
the actual setting.
9.1.5 Additional settings for special relays, for example voltage and differential relays,
shall also be indicated.
9.2 Protective Relays
9.2.1 Protective relays are classified by the variable they monitor, or by the function they
perform. Some common relays are overcurrent (51), differential (87), and directional
overcurrent (67). As shown in the parentheses, the ANSI relay function number shall
be indicated on the curve drawing and attached documentation. See IEEE 141 for
a complete listing of ANSI relay function numbers.
9.2.2 The application and coordination of the relays is usually a mixture of good
engineering practice and protection performance compromises. The system is
usually separated into zones, with specific relay protection for each zone. If the
primary protection in the affected zones does not operate properly, some form of
backup relay protection shall be provided. With backup protection, the time for the
fault to clear will increase and typically cause more of the system to be de-
energized.
9.2.3 For guidelines on LV & MV power system protection refer E03-G02.For specification
of relays refer to E03-S01.

10 Breaker Data
10.1 Breaker Curves
Breaker curves for low-voltage power circuit breakers shall be plotted on the coordination
curve with the following information:
a. Both pickup points and the range of pickups shall be shown
b. Long-time pickup settings in multiples of trip-device or sensor current shall be shown
(including the primary current value). Long-time delay characteristics shall be shown as
a function of time.
c. Short-time pickup settings in multiples of trip-device or sensor current (including the
primary current value) shall be shown. Short-time delay characteristics shall be shown
as a function of time.
d. Instantaneous pickup setting in multiples of trip-device or sensor current (including the
primary current value) shall be shown
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e. For circuit breakers with ground-fault detection, the pickup settings and ranges shall be
shown

11 Fuses
11.1 Both the minimum melting time and the total clearing time curves shall be shown on the
coordination graph. A fuse may coordinate on one fault, but if the minimum melting curve
has been crossed, the fuse may not coordinate on the next fault.
11.2 Standards permit ±10 percent current tolerance for fuse curves. This means that an actual
fuse curve, supplied by a vendor as a single-line curve, is actually a band of ±10 percent
current values from those on the single-line curve.
11.3 For information on primary fusing of power transformers, see IEEE 242 and NFPA 70 Article
450.
11.4 When fuses operate in the current-limiting range, the instantaneous peak let-through current
shall be taken into account when trying to obtain selective coordination. The total energy let-
through by the fuse is a function of current squared (I2) multiplied by time (t) and is
commonly designated as I2t let-through. For two fuses in series to coordinate properly, the
total clearing I2t of the downstream fuse shall not exceed the minimum melting I2t of the
upstream fuse. Most vendors provide ratio information between their fuses to facilitate
coordination. For a fuse to coordinate with an upstream relay or breaker with an
instantaneous setting, the total clearing I2t shall not exceed the instantaneous pickup. This
is why instantaneous settings are not usually used on a circuit breaker that feeds a motor
control center.

12 Cables
12.1 The overcurrent protection required for a 600 V cable is dictated by the ampacity of the
conductor in accordance with NFPA 70 Article 240.
12.2 Feeders over 600 V without overcurrent protection shall have short-circuit protection in each
ungrounded phase. The protective setting can be as high as three times ampacity for a fuse,
or six times ampacity for a breaker.
12.3 Cable/conductor heating limit curves shall be plotted on the coordination graph, to ensure
thermal limits are not exceeded.
12.4 Medium voltage (MV) cable shield ampacity shall also be evaluated during a coordination
study. This information can be included and evaluated on the ground relay coordination
graph. During phase-to-ground faults, the cable shield on MV cables carries part of the fault
return current. To prevent cable damage, the cable shield ampacity shall be adequate to
carry the available system ground-fault current for a time period exceeding the system
ground-fault clearing time.

13 Coordination Time Intervals (CTI)

13.1 To obtain selective coordination between devices in series, coordination margins shall be
used when selecting device settings. Note that fuses and circuit breakers are usually
represented on the coordination graph with operating bands. These bands account for
manufacturing operating tolerances. When the settings are being evaluated, the upper and
lower edges of the bands shall be used.
13.2 The low-voltage circuit breaker (LVCB) curve and the fuse curve shall be clearly separated
between the upper edge of the downstream device and lower edge of the upstream device.
No overlap shall occur.
13.3 The CTI between relays is usually recognized as 0.25 s. This assumes an five-cycle breaker
with normal manufacturing tolerances. This time margin can be reduced by the following
methods:
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a. Calibrating relays at the operating point

b. Using faster-operating breakers
13.4 Depending on the operating time of the circuit breaker, different CTI are required. The CTI
of 0.25 s is based on the operating time of an five (5)-cycle breaker, plus 0.17 s for
manufacturing tolerances and relay-setting errors. If the relays are properly field calibrated
and tested, the tolerance can be reduced to 0.12 s. In that case the margin can be reduced
to 0.20s
13.5 When coordinating relays and other downstream protective devices, for example a
downstream fuse, only the relay tolerance margins need to be considered.
13.6 Due to unforeseen circumstances, selective coordination may not be possible. For example,
a primary protection device curve may not fit completely under a backup protection device
curve. In this case, either maximum protection or selective coordination shall be
compromised. Usually, however, the compromise decided upon results in the least amount
of economic impact. See IEEE 242.
13.7 The selecting CTI also depends on the choice of relay curve type used such as Normally
(Moderately) Inverse, Very Inverse of Extremely Inverse. Refer to IEEE C37.112

14 Additions to Graphs
14.1 A simplified single-line diagram shall be included to show only the parts involved in the
coordination, for example the power transformer, breakers, fuses, and current transformers.
The following data shall be included on the coordination curve drawing or the data sheet (or
both)
a. Current transformer ratios
b. Voltage levels
c. Transformer capacity rating
d. Transformer impedance
e. Fault location
f. Device designations
14.2 Notes shall be added to explain unusual conditions that may affect coordination. For
example, if a large power source (for example, a generator) in the vicinity of the plant is out
of service, the short-circuit may be greatly reduced. Such an example might also affect the
starting of large motors, or the resulting voltage drop might cause shutdown of other
equipment. Reduction of potential short circuit availability affects the relay setting points and
co-ordination. Such condition shall be part of the Protection Co-ordination study.
14.3 References to one-line diagrams and other drawings shall be listed on the coordination
drawing.

15 Relay Coordination Software Packages

15.1 Coordination curves shall be prepared using ETAP by M/s OTI.
15.2 The ETAP library shall be updated with relays identified with a unique and agreed
identification code for the project/plant with reference to the Single Line Diagram.
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16 Revision History
Revision No.1, January 2011
Revision No.2, June 2015
Revision No. 3 , Mar 2018
Addendum No. 1 incorporated,
References updated,
Generally revised.
Addendum No. 2 incorporated,
References updated,
Saudi Arabian Grid Code requirements
incorporated,
Generally revised.
Addendum Incorporated
References Updated
Generally Revised