Power system phase rotation and polarized protective relays

Many common protective relays used in protection of power equipment are sensitive to phase sequence rotation of the utility supply. A method of analyzing the relay response to the respective phase rotation and other possible variables is described. It is demonstrated that phase rotation usually does not affect zero-sequence polarized relays. The technique is an exercise in voltage and current phasors, maximum torque lines of polarized relays, and the possible effect of system power factor. The following relays are discussed: directional power relay (IEEE Protective Device No.32) as used to protect prime movers on induction and synchronous generators from being motored by the generator due to loss of mechanical power; directional VAr relay (IEEE Protective Device No.55) as used to protect synchronous motors and synchronous generators from receiving VArs from the external power system due to loss of field excitation; directional current phase relay (IEEE Protective Device No.67) as used to detect reverse current flow into a power system from another source due to a system phase fault; and directional current ground relay (IEEE Protective Device No.67N) as used to detect reverse ground current flow into a power system from another source due to a system ground fault