Types of Relay Protection Control and Their Applications


Types of Relay Protection Control and Their Applications
Types of Relay Protection Control and Their Applications

Electricity is an essential part of our lives, without which 99% of the work is not possible, whether it’s using a water motor to fill tanks or providing light to millions of people. But, it can also be dangerous when not handled properly. 

Accidents caused by electricity are increasing, especially for workers working in the electricity department. These accidents can sometimes be highly fatal. Therefore, it’s important to install a relay protection control system to avoid such accidents. 

Relay protection control systems are efficient and reliable. They work by detecting, monitoring, and fixing faults, like short circuits, overloading, current leakage, and more, to isolate the problem to prevent accidents and damages. There are different types of relay protection control systems for different problems. Let’s understand the different types and their applications.

Overcurrent Protection Relay 

This relay system works on a rated capacity, and if the equipment exceeds the rated capacity, meaning that if overcurrent occurs, the relay is activated. Overcurrent can be dangerous if not monitored, thus causing fires and high voltage shocks. Therefore, industries or companies must install an overcurrent protection relay system. It can be used in protecting several machines like transformers, generators, motors, and more. 

Electromechanical Relays

These are the most widely used relays to switch on and off the circuit. The major components of this type of relay are a coil, armature, and a few electrical connections. When the voltage passes to the magnetic coil, it moves the armature causing the current to pass through the contacts. 

It is used in power distribution to prevent short circuits, control the operation of motors and equipment, and in the automotive and communication industry to control the operation of various equipment and route signals between receiver & sender.

Distance & Direction Protection Relays

Distance protection relays are used in high-voltage transmission systems. They work by tripping the system when the voltage level exceeds the desired rate. A direction protection relay, on the other hand, saves a system during earth faults. It protects transformers, generators, and transmission lines by tripping them when a fault occurs. 

Voltage Protection Relays

These relays work when there is a surge in voltage level from high to low, which can damage the equipment. Therefore, a voltage protection relay is installed with such sensitive equipment to protect them from voltage damage. They are used to protect sensitive electronic items like home or office appliances, switching on & off computers or motors. 

Pilot Relays

Pilot relays help determine the exact place of the fault, whether the fault is inside or on the protected line. When a fault is on the line, pilot relays send signals to other relays to isolate the faulty section of the line. If the fault is inside the protected line, the circuit is tripped to prevent failure. This type of relay is used in high-voltage devices like a transmitter or distributed system where a power fault can be severe. 

These are the different types of relay protection control that have various benefits and applications to protect against faults and failures. Using the right protection relay system with medium voltage switchgear can protect electrical systems operating at medium voltage levels. Therefore, choosing the right protection system can help avoid unfortunate electrical accidents and operate safely in the electrical industry. 


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