NB: Some answers in this document were generated with AI help.

Please review
and understand them on your own for better clarity.

Bus-Bar Protection
Question 1: Explain the principle of differential protection for bus-bars. How does it
detect internal vs. external faults?
Answer: Differential protection compares incoming and outgoing currents via
CTs. If these are equal, no fault is present. For internal faults, the current balance
is disturbed, causing the relay to trip. For external faults, currents balance, and
the relay remains inactive.
Line Protection
Question 2: Describe the coordination of time-graded over-current relays in a radial
feeder system. Why might inverse-time relays be preferred over definite-time relays?
Answer: Relays are set with increasing time delays from load end to the source.
Inverse-time relays offer faster response for higher fault currents and improve
system selectivity over definite-time relays.
Question 3: How does directional relay coordination prevent unnecessary tripping in
parallel feeders?
Answer: Directional relays detect the direction of fault current. They ensure only
the relay on the faulted feeder operates, avoiding tripping on healthy feeders.
Reference voltage and current phase angles help in determining direction.
Question 4: Analyze the challenges of protecting a ring main system. How do
directional relays and time settings ensure selectivity?
Answer: Faults can feed from two directions in ring systems. Directional relays
identify the correct flow path, and time delays are coordinated so the relay
nearest the fault trips first.
Question 5: Explain the concept of "three-zone" distance protection. What are the roles
of Zones 1, 2, and 3?
Answer: Zone 1: 80–90% of line, instantaneous. Zone 2: Remaining 10–20% + part
of next line, with slight delay. Zone 3: Backup for the next section, with greater
time delay.
Generator Protection
Question 6: Why is differential protection (Merz-Price) critical for stator windings? What
percentage of the winding is typically unprotected, and why?
Answer: Protects against phase-to-phase or ground faults in stator windings.
Typically, 5–15% near the neutral is unprotected due to low fault current and
detection limits.
Question 7: With a schematic diagram, explain the working operation of percentage
differential protection for alternator protection. Also, write the function of balancing
resistance.
Answer:
Working Operation: CTs compare current at both ends of the stator. No relay
operation if balanced. Internal faults create imbalance, causing relay to trip.
Balancing Resistance: Compensates for unequal pilot wire impedance to prevent
false trips.

Diagram Title: "Merz-Price Percentage Differential Protection Scheme for

Alternators."

Question 8: An 11 kV, 60 MVA star-connected alternator has a synchronous reactance

of 2.42 Ω/phase and resistance of 0.646 Ω/phase. It is protected by a Merz-Price
system. Determine the unprotected winding portion if the neutral is earthed through 3 Ω
resistance. Assume relay operates at 10% of full load.
Answer:
 Full-load current:
60 × 106
𝐼𝐹𝐿 = ≈ 3,149 A
√3 × 11 × 103
 Relay pickup:
10% = 314.9 A

 Fault path impedance:

𝑍 = √(3 + 0.646)2 + (2.42)2 ≈ 4.37 Ω
  Voltage at fault:
𝑉 = 314.9 × 4.37 ≈ 1,376 V

 Phase voltage:
11,000/√3 ≈ 6,351 V

 Unprotected portion:
1,376
× 100 ≈ 21.7%
6,351
Question 9: Calculate the percentage of an 11kV, 100MVA generator’s winding
protected if it is grounded through 6Ω resistance, with CTs of 1000/5 and a relay setting
of 2A imbalance.
Answer:
1000
 Relay pickup (primary): 2 × = 400 A
5

 Phase voltage: 11,000/√3 ≈ 6,350 V

 Fault current: 6,350/6 ≈ 1,058 A

 Protected portion: 400/1,058 × 100 ≈ 37.8%

Question 10: Discuss the risks of unbalanced loading in alternators. How do negative-
sequence relays mitigate rotor damage?
Answer: Negative-sequence currents cause double-frequency currents in the
rotor, leading to overheating. These are detected by negative-sequence relays,
which issue alarms or trips.
Question 11: What are the limitations of using differential protection for inter-turn faults
in hydro-generators? How are these addressed?
Answer: Inter-turn faults do not cause significant external imbalance. Solutions
include split-phase protection, thermal detection, and vibration monitoring.
Over-Voltage & Lightning Protection
Question 12: Distinguish between internal and external causes of overvoltages.
Provide examples and mitigation strategies.
Answer:
 Internal: Switching surges (mitigate with surge arresters), ferroresonance
(use damping resistors).

 External: Lightning strikes (shielding and arresters), faults (grounding and

relays).
Question 13: Explain the mechanism of arcing ground in ungrounded systems. How
does neutral grounding resolve this?
Answer: Line-to-ground faults cause oscillating voltages due to arcing.
Grounding the neutral provides a return path, suppressing arc formation.
Question 14: Compare rod gap, horn gap, and valve-type lightning arresters.
Answer:
 Rod/horn gaps: Simple, but weather-sensitive.

 Valve-type: Use nonlinear ZnO resistors, clamp surges effectively, and self-
extinguish. Preferred in modern systems.
Question 15: A lightning strike of 30kA hits a 400Ω line. Find surge voltage.
Answer:
𝑉 = 𝐼 × 𝑍 = 30,000 × 400 = 12,000,000 V = 12 MV
Question 16: A lightning surge enters a substation protected by an earthing screen and
valve-type arresters. Describe the path of the surge.
Answer: Earthing screen intercepts direct strikes; arresters clamp residual surges
and safely divert them to ground, protecting insulation.
Relay Coordination & Design
Question 17: Design a time-graded over-current relay scheme for 4 feeders. Base
delay = 0.3s, grading = 0.4s.
Answer:
 Feeder 4: 0.3s

 Feeder 3: 0.7s

 Feeder 2: 1.1s

 Feeder 1: 1.5s
Question 18: Why do distance relays use impedance measurements instead of
current?
Answer: Impedance (Z = V/I) correlates with fault distance. Low Z = closer fault.
It’s more accurate than relying on current magnitude alone.
Question 19: Analyze the impact of CT saturation on differential protection.
Answer: Saturated CTs produce inaccurate currents → false trips or no trip.
Minimized by high-accuracy CTs, stabilizing settings, and slope characteristics.
Case Studies & Applications
Question 20: A fault occurs on Section DE in a radial feeder. Trace relay operations.
Answer:
Relay E trips first due to highest fault current and shortest time delay. Others act
only as backup.
Question 21: Propose protection for a hydro-generator with frequent stator earth faults.
Answer:
 Use Merz-Price differential relay.

 Ground neutral through resistor.

 Add 3rd harmonic neutral voltage protection for low-current faults.

Advanced Concepts
Question 22: Discuss the role of pilot wires in differential protection.
Answer:
Pilot wires transmit CT signals between line ends. Long-distance issues:
attenuation, timing errors. Fiber optics now preferred.
Question 23: How does resonance cause overvoltages?
Answer:
LC resonance amplifies voltages during switching events. Example: transformer
energization with long unloaded cables.
Question 24: Compare overhead ground wires and surge arresters for protection.
Answer:
 Ground wires: Block direct lightning but don’t clamp surges.

 Arresters: Clamp voltage but costly over long lines.

Best solution: Combine both.
Calculations & Numerical Problems
Question 25: A 132kV line has 0.2Ω/km impedance. Fault is 50km away. Zone 1
covers 80%. Relay delay = 0.1s.
Answer:
Zone 1 distance = 40km
Fault at 50km → Zone 2
Zone 2 delay = ~0.4s (standard)
Diagram-Based Questions
Question 26: Draw the schematic arrangement for the Protection of Alternators against
unbalanced loading
 Diagram Title: “Schematic arrangement for the Protection of Alternators against
unbalanced loading”

Question 27: Draw the schematic arrangement for Balanced earth-fault Protection
Diagram Title: " Schematic arrangement for Balanced earth-fault Protection "

Question 28: Draw and compare curves of DT, IT, and IDMT relays.
Diagram Title : "Relay Operating Time Characteristics: DT, IT, and IDMT Relays."
Question 29: Illustrate the operation of a valve-type lightning arrester.
Diagram Title : "Operation of Valve-Type Lightning Arrester During Surge Event."