A.2.

6
Voltage
controlled/re
strained
overcurrent
(51V)
This function
provides
backup
protection for
system faults.
The steady-
state fault
current for a
three-phase
system fault
may result in
generator
current
magnitudes
less than the
full-load
current of the
generator.
However, the
fault will
cause
generator
terminal
voltage to
drop
significantly.
In order for a
current relay
to
detect and
properly
operate for
uncleared
system faults,
either a
voltage
controlled or
voltage
restrained
overcurrent
relay should
be used.
For a three-
phase fault at
the output
terminals of
the
transformer,
the steady-
state fault
current (CT
secondary)
may be
calculated by
the following
equivalent
circuit (see
Figure A.15).
In order to
find the
lowest fault
current, it is
assumed that
the automatic
voltage
regulator is
off-line and
the generator
was not
loaded prior to
fault. This is
the limiting
case as it
assumes the
transient and
subtransient
times have
elapsed
and machine
impedance has
switched to its
synchronous
value (steady-
state fault
current).
A.2.6 Voltage controlled/restrained
over current (51V)
This function provides backup protection for system faults. The steady-state fault current for a
three-phase system fault may result in generator current magnitudes less than the full-load
current of the generator. However, the fault will cause generator terminal voltage to drop
significantly. In order for a current relay to detect and properly operate for uncleared system
faults, either a voltage controlled or voltage restrained over current relay should be used.

For a three-phase fault at the output terminals of the transformer, the steady-state fault current
(CT secondary) may be calculated by the following equivalent circuit (see Figure A.15). In
order to find the lowest fault current, it is assumed that the automatic voltage regulator is off-
line and the generator was not loaded prior to fault. This is the limiting case as it assumes the
transient and sub-transient times have elapsed and machine impedance has switched to its
synchronous value (steady-state fault current).

Where E is the no load voltage at the generator terminals and the fault current (I) is given by
Equation (A.26):
E/(Xd + XTG) = 69.28/((1.1888 + 0.11607) × 17.56) = 3.02 A (A.26)
It may be seen that the steady-state fault current is less than the full-load current.

However, the voltage at the generator terminals during the fault is given by:
VG = 3.02 × 0.11607 × 17.56 = 6.16 V
Note this is less than 10% of rated generator terminal voltage. This voltage will be higher if
the generator was loaded prior to the fault and/or if the voltage regulator is in service.
However, even with the regulator in service, the generator current and voltage will be limited
by the excitation system ceiling voltage. This is typically between 1.5 times to 2 times the
rated exciter voltage. Thus, generator voltage will still be greatly reduced below normal for a
fault at the output terminals of the transformer.

Considering the application of a voltage controlled over-current relay, the following are
typical pickup settings:
Over-current pickup: Set at 50% of generator full-load current = (3.95/2) = 1.98 A
Under-voltage element pickup: Set at 75% of rated voltage = 69.28 × 0.75 = 52 V

Considering the application of voltage restrained over-current relay the following are typical
pickup settings:
Over-current pickup at rated voltage: 150% of full-load current = 3.95 × 1.5 = 5.93 A
During the fault condition when the voltage drops, the over-current relay pickup also drops
linearly and it should be verified that for the limiting case the relay pickup should be around
50% of the fault current to ensure definite relay operation.

In this example, for the limiting case the generator current is 3.02 A (CT secondary) at 6.16 V
(VT secondary), therefore, the relay pickup current at 6.16 V should be about 1.5 A. (This is
approximately 25% of the 51V pickup setting at rated voltage or 25% of 5.93 A).

If this relay is also used to provide thermal protection (as is sometimes the case with diesel
generators) the 51V inverse curve should be shown to be below the generator thermal damage
curve.

The inverse time curve and time dial settings for both voltage control and voltage restraint
relays should be set to coordinate with system line relays for close-in faults on the
transmission lines at the plant. A time-current plot of the 51V relay function along with the
transmission line relays; time-current function will illustrate the coordination between these
relays.