01

Protection Relays

MiCOM P521
Fast feeder differential protection

The MiCOM P521 relay provides high-speed

two-ended current differential unit protection
of overhead lines and underground cables in
applications such as ring mains and parallel
feeders. The integration of many protection
functions allows application to a wide range of
power systems, providing both local and remote
backup protection.

Optimum phase selection is assured, as the

scheme measures the currents entering and
leaving the protected plant zone. Fast tripping
results for an internal fault, with stability for any
out-of-zone fault

The signalling interface options support metallic,

direct fibre optic and multiplexed digital links. As
digital communication is used, long distances
CUSTOMER BENEFITS between scheme ends can be achieved, and the
signalling channel is monitored continuously.

• Highly selective unit protection. Tripping uses a proven characteristic comparing

differential current with through current. Phase
• Variety of end-to-end differential elements of this type offer consistent
communications interface
options
detection of solid and resistive faults, with optimum
faulted phase selection, tripping, and indication.
• Integrated back-up elements can
run as hot standby in the event of A full range of back-up protection is integrated.
comms channel outage This enhances the dependability of the protection,
• 8 boolean logic equations
as hot-standby elements such as overcurrent
can be brought into service whenever a signalling
• 4 programmable inter-trip channel outage may occur.
commands
With latest upgrade, MiCOM P521 now can provide
• Cost effective Ethernet
communication
the optional Ethernet communication with 2 RJ45
interfaces.
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Protection Relays MiCOM P521

Protection functions overview P521

87P Phase segregated current differential protection 
Intertripping (Direct, Permissive and Current differential)  MiCOM P521:
Propagation delay compensation  A full suite of
3 Pole tripping only  protection and
Fibre optic or metallic signalling channels  control standard
Supervision of protection signalling channel  functions
Interchangeable protection signalling interface 
Vector Compensation (all vector groups) 
Ratio Correction 
Inrush restraint (menu selectable) 
50/51 Non-directional phase overcurrent protection 
50/51N Non-directional earth fault protection 
49 Thermal overload 
46 Negative sequence overcurrent protection 
46BC Broken conductor detection 
37 Undercurrent detection 
CBF Circuit breaker fail protection 
CTS Current transformer supervision 
Circuit breaker control 
Circuit breaker monitoring 
TCS Trip circuit supervision 
Cold load pick-up protection for phase and E/F protection 
Blocking logic 
Selective logic 
5 optically isolated inputs 
8 output relays + watchdog output relay 
4 fixed function LEDs and 4 programmable LEDs 
2 setting groups 
Front EIA(RS)232 communication port (Modbus) 
Rear EIA(RS)485 communication port (choice of protocol) 
8 Boolean logic equations 
Rear optional Ethernet port (2* RJ45) 

Functional
overview

(Description of ANSI
code nos.,
see Protection Function
Overview)
 03
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

APPLICATION MAIN FUNCTIONS

The MiCOM P521 current differential scheme Differential protection
provides a comprehensive protection package, The primary protection element in the P521 relay MiCOM P521:
primarily designed for unit protection of overhead is true, phase-segregated current differential A comprehensive
and underground feeders up to and including protection. The measurement algorithm is
protection package
distribution voltage levels. extremely reliable, offering fast detection of
internal faults, and stability for external faults.
The P521 is limited to three pole tripping only and The differential algorithm has a dual slope
is suitable for cable applications where no auto- percentage bias restraint, as shown in Figure 2.
reclosing is required. An internal fault will generate differential current.

The MiCOM P521 is supplied with a full suite of Fig.2 : Biased current differential protection
protection and control functions as standard.
Current differential protection by its nature
requires few protection settings, and for most ap-
plications the factory default settings can be used
- the P521 relay as supplied is ready to protect!

Transformer applications
Figure 1 shows a protected line and transformer
“unit”. The P521 compensates for the vector
group shift and zero sequence filtering effects
of the in-zone transformer. Second harmonic
restraint is used to stabilize the protection against
magnetizing inrush currents.

Where transformer loads are tapped off the

protected line, it is not essential to install CTs at
the tap. There exists the facility to time grade the
differential protection with downstream relays or
fuses.

The bias current is that which merely flows

through the protected unit, as a load or through-
Fig.1 : P521 in-zone transformer application
fed external fault. The initial slope (k1) ensures
sensitivity to low current faults, whereas the k2
slope is raised to counter the effects of current
transformer saturation mismatch.

When a trip is issued by the differential element,

in addition to tripping the local breakers, the P521
sends a current differential intertrip signal to the
remote end. This will ensure tripping of both ends
of the protected line.

CT ratio and vector correction

Where line CT ratios at either end of the protected
feeder are different, the P521 contains a settable
correction factor to compensate for the mismatch.

In applications with in-zone transformers, the

P521 compensates for the vector group shift
and zero sequence filtering effects of the in-zone
transformer, so no external interposing CTs are
required.
 04
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

Inrush restraint / blocking Cold load pickup

Second harmonic restraint is used to stabilize the When a feeder is energised after a long outage most connected devices
protection against magnetizing inrush currents will draw a significant inrush current. The inrush current may be greater
during transformer energisation. Alternatively, than the overcurrent or earth fault settings thus causing mal-operation.
user can select the blocking mode which will To prevent unwanted tripping the P521 has a cold load pickup function
block differential from tripping when the second that automatically increases the overcurrent settings for a selectable time.
hamonic component exceeds the setting. Following a successful close the settings revert back to their normal values.

Overcurrent and earth fault protection

The overcurrent and earth fault protection is
provided as a form of back-up protection. The
P521 has four stages of overcurrent and four
stages of earth fault protection. The first two Fig.3 : Protection signalling options
stages have an IDMT or definite time (DT)
characteristic.

The third and fourth stages are DT only. The

overcurrent and earth fault protection can
be either permanently enabled or disabled,
or alternatively enabled upon failure of the
differential protection communication channel.
A wide range of IEC and IEEE/ANSI curves are
available.

Negative sequence overcurrent

protection
Negative sequence overcurrent protection can
be used to provide greater sensitivity to resistive
phase to phase or phase to earth faults even
with delta transformers present. The negative
sequence element can also be used to provide
efficient back-up protection for dedicated motor
protection relays.

Broken conductor detection

The broken conductor protection element
detects unbalanced conditions caused by
broken conductors, maloperation of single phase
switchgear or single phasing conditions.

Undercurrent protection
The P521 provides undercurrent detection that
can be used to provide loss of mains protection.

Thermal overload
Transformers and cables must be protected to
account for their particular thermal characteristics.
The MiCOM P521 relay includes a thermal
overload element based upon the true RMS value
of the current. Alarm and overload thresholds
are fully programmable to match each device
requirement.
 05
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

PROTECTION SIGNALLING Direct intertripping

Interfacing options A typical application of the user defined direct intertripping facility is shown in
The MiCOM P521 relay is designed to ensure Figure 4.
compatibility with a wide range of communication
equipment and media. It is supplied fitted with one Using the selective Intertrip settings, either a user-configurable input or
of the following protection signalling interfaces an internal status signal can be assigned for this purpose. Upon receipt of
(order option): this message the remote relay will operate user specified outputs for direct
• 850nm multi-mode fibre transfer tripping or blocking, and provide indication of the remote intertrip.
• 1300nm multi-mode fibre The indication can be disabled then it acts as signal transfer function.
• 1300nm single-mode fibre
• EIA(RS)232 electrical
• EIA(RS)485 electrical
These interfaces allow a variety of signalling links Fig.4 : Example application of direct intertripping
to be used, as shown in Figure 3 and summarised
below. Signalling bandwidths of 9.6 / 19.2 / 56 /
64 kbps are available, subject to the type of link
used.

Where 4 wire unconditioned twisted-pair metallic

pilots are available, distances up to 25km can be
achieved using Interface Units. For distances less
than 1.2km, direct 4 wire EIA(RS)485 connection
can be used.

For 2 or 4 wire unconditioned twisted-pair metallic

pilots, options for other modems exist, allowing
distances up to 18km to be achieved.

For 2 wire conditioned pilots (provided by a

telecommunications company), a suitable type of Permissive intertripping
modem must be used, and there is no strict limit There is an auxiliary signalling facility whereby
to the distance. a permissive intertrip command is sent over the protection communication
channel.
For connection to multiplexer equipment,
electrical interfaces conforming to the G.703, A user configurable input can be assigned for this purpose. When energised,
V.35, and X.21 recommendations are available, the communication message to the remote relay is modified. Upon receipt of
by using the 850nm fibre interface in the P521. this message, and providing one or more currents are above the differential
setting (Is1), the remote relays will initiate a trip, operate the user defined
In direct fibre optic applications, the distance outputs and provide an indication of the remote intertrip. If required the
achievable depends on the type of fibre interface current checking can be disabled thus enabling the permissive intertrip
chosen, as detailed in the table below. feature to operate as a second direct intertrip function. The indication can be
disabled then it acts as signal transfer function.
Fibre Interface Typical fibre run
Option Programmable intertripping
850nm multi-mode 1 km There are 4 independent programmable intertripping signals which can be
(to P59x) assigned with any logic inputs, protection signals and logic equation outputs
1300nm multi-mode 50 km and transfer these signals to the remote end relay.

1300nm single-mode 100 km

The P521 protection signalling interface is

interchangeable, which allows simple upgrade
without the need for any software changes.
 06
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

CONTROL
Circuit breaker control
Circuit breaker control is available from the front
Fault records
Records of the last 25 faults are stored in Flash
memory. The information provided in the fault
25
panel user interface, optically isolated inputs and record includes: Last faults stored
remotely via the substation communications. • Indication of faulted phase
• Protection flags
Programmable inputs and outputs • Active setting group
The MiCOM P521 relay includes 5 logic inputs • Local phase and neutral currents
and 9 logic outputs including a watch-dog. All • Differential currents

5
inputs and outputs are freely configurable, with • Maximum bias current
the exception of RLY1 which is a dedicated trip • Communications channel status
relay. RLY1 and RLY2 outputs are changeover • Fault time and date
contacts, typically used for tripping.
All programmed thresholds (time delayed or Disturbance recording (oscillography) Disturbance files
instantaneous) can be easily routed to any of the A total of 5 disturbance records can be stored stored with 15
outputs. with 15 seconds in total duration. The disturbance seconds in total
recorder function is triggered by any of the duration
programmable thresholds, by an external input,
Blocking logic
or via the remote communications. The data is
When the MiCOM P521 relay is used on critical
stored in memory and can be transferred to a
networks, management of protection relays must
data analyser using the front communication port
take surrounding devices into consideration.
Blocking inputs can be configured independently
or the rear EIA(RS)485 port.
up to

250
from each other to block any combination of the
user selected elements (e.g. current differential, Instantaneous records
thermal overload, overcurrent etc.). Five instantaneous (start) records can be stored
in the MiCOM P521 relay. Each instantaneous
record includes: Events can be
Selective relay scheme logic
• Start time (date & duration) stored in the
A dedicated input can temporarily alter the
overcurrent and earth fault time-delay settings • Origin (phase & earth threshold) MiCOM P521
in response to a downstream phase/earth fault relay’s Flash
start condition. This function allows the MiCOM
These records are intended to aid preventative memory
maintenance.
relay to discriminate correctly when used in a
cascade scheme.The selective relay scheme logic
function can be enabled or disabled by the user
MEASUREMENTS
as required. General measurements
• Local and remote phase currents
Output relay latching • Local neutral current
Any of the outputs, including trip, can be latched. • Phase differential currents
Reset of the outputs is possible from a logic • Phase bias currents
input, the front panel user interface or through the • Sequence currents
remote communications. • Thermal state
• Peak and rolling demand values
Boolean logic equations
A total of 8 logic equations are available, Protection signalling supervision
each with 16 variables. The variables can be Dependable communications are essential for
logic input, protection signals, output of other high-performance differential protection. The
equations, etc. MiCOM P521 monitors the protection signalling
channel, and reports the following error statistics
MEASUREMENTS & in line with the guidance from ITU-T G.821.
POST FAULT ANALYSIS
• Channel propagation delay
Event recording
Up to 250 events are stored in the MiCOM P521
• Channel status
relay’s Flash memory. Events include the change
• Number of valid messages
in state of inputs/outputs and presence of any • Number of errored messages
alarms. All events are time-tagged to 1ms. • Number of errored seconds
• Number of severely errored seconds
 07
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

PLANT SUPERVISION INFORMATION INTERFACES

Circuit breaker failure protection Information exchange is performed via the
If the fault current has not been interrupted LCD, the local PC interface and via the rear
following a set time delay from circuit breaker communications interface.
P521 makes
trip initiation, the P521 can be configured to
current
initiate a circuit breaker failure (CBF) condition. Local communication differential
CBF operation can be used to backtrip upstream The front EIA(RS)232 port has been designed
protection
breakers or remove blocking signals from for use with MiCOM S1, providing the ability to
available over
upstream relays. programme the settings (on or off-line), configure
pilot wires.
the relay, extract and view records, view the
Circuit breaker supervision and measurement information dynamically and
monitoring perform control functions.
The MiCOM P521 relay provides advanced
circuit breaker monitoring features. The relay Remote communication
monitors the operating and closing times of the The rear communication port is based upon
CB to ensure that they do not exceed adjustable EIA(RS)485 voltage levels and is designed for
thresholds. The state of the circuit breaker is also permanent connection to network control and data
monitored by use of the CB auxiliary contacts. acquisition systems (see Figure 5). One of the
If the relay detects the circuit breaker contacts in three protocols listed below should be selected at
the same state for more than 5 seconds the relay the time of order:
will initiate an alarm. During faults, I and I2 values • Modbus
are summed and memorised for each phase. • IEC 60870-5-103
The MiCOM P521 relay also provides Trip Circuit • DNP3
Supervision via a user definable input. Any break
in the trip circuit will be accompanied by an alarm.
Fig. 5 : Connect to Control System
Current transformer supervision
This innovative CTS function can detect a CT
failure by comparing the load currents and
unbalanced currents of local and remote end.
Upon the detection of a CT failure, the negative
sequence overcurrent, undercurrent and broken
conductor protection will be inhibited. The
differential protection can be restrained upon the
setting.

Fig.6 : Optional Ethernet communication port

With latest upgrade, MiCOM P521 now provides
the optional Ethernet communication. The new
Ethernet communication option offers:
• 2 x RJ45 interfaces ( replace the standard
RS485 port)
• 10 Base-T / 100 Base-TX communication
• Single or Dual Stand-by mode set by HMI
operation
• Modbus TCP/IP or IEC60870-5-103 Ethernet
- as per ordering option
 08
Protection Relays MiCOM P521

TRACK RECORD - HIGH SPEED

DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

•P
 54x MiCOM series introduced in
1999. Worldwide application, with over
13,200 units delivered.

• PQ741 numerical current differential

protection launched in 1996.
Over 3,000 units delivered.

•P
 521 MiCOM series introduced in
2003. Worldwide application, with over
2,200 units delivered.

© 2013 Schneider Electric - All rights reserved

Schneider Electric As standards, specifications and designs change from time to time, please ask for confirmation
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NRJED111299EN 07-2013