An electrical impedance relay is a type of protective relay that operates based on the impedance of the equipment it is protecting. In the context of transformer protection schemes for distribution transformers, the electrical impedance relay is used to detect faults and abnormal conditions in the transformer's windings.
Here's a simplified explanation of how an electrical impedance relay operates in transformer protection schemes:
Impedance Measurement: The relay continuously measures the electrical impedance of the transformer windings. Impedance is the combination of resistance and reactance to the flow of electrical current. It varies depending on the transformer's load and the condition of the windings.
Setting Parameters: During the relay's installation and commissioning, specific settings are configured based on the characteristics of the transformer and the desired protection scheme. These settings define the impedance value or range within which the relay should operate.
Operation during Normal Conditions: Under normal operating conditions, the impedance relay monitors the impedance level of the transformer's windings. If the impedance remains within the acceptable range, the relay remains idle, and no action is taken.
Operation during Fault Conditions: If a fault occurs within the transformer windings, the impedance changes rapidly. For example, in the case of a winding-to-winding short circuit or a turn-to-turn fault, the impedance decreases significantly. The relay detects this abnormal impedance variation and initiates the protection action.
Pickup and Time Delay: When the impedance reaches a pre-defined threshold, known as the pickup value, the relay activates. To avoid tripping for momentary fluctuations or transient conditions, the relay may include a time delay setting. The fault condition must persist for a certain period (time delay) before the relay initiates a trip.
Trip Action: Once the impedance relay determines that a fault condition is sustained and exceeds the time delay, it issues a trip signal to the transformer's circuit breaker or other protection devices. The circuit breaker then trips, isolating the faulty transformer from the rest of the system.
Coordination with Other Relays: In a power system, various protective relays are installed at different levels to coordinate the protection scheme. Impedance relays for distribution transformers are coordinated with upstream and downstream relays to ensure that only the closest relay to the fault operates, minimizing the impact on power supply and improving system reliability.
It's important to note that modern protection schemes may use more advanced and sophisticated relays, such as microprocessor-based relays, which offer additional features and capabilities for enhanced protection and communication with other devices in the power system. Nonetheless, the fundamental principles of impedance-based protection remain integral to transformer protection schemes.