A direct current differential relay

Abstract

In a grounded direct current system, motor faults may occur which will not be indicated by ordinary protective devices, but which will affect motor operation or create unsafe conditions. All such faults are manifested by the fact that the current in one lead supplying the motor will be greater than that in the other.

This current differential can be made to operate a direct current differential relay. About the two supplying leads, when such a fault occurs, will exist a magnetomotive force. This mmf will set up a flux in the core and armature of a relay which forms a magnetic circuit about the supplying conductors. Since the armature of the relay is balanced on a knife edge, the force of attraction between core and armature which is caused by the flux passing from one to the other will move the armature, and in so doing close a pair of contacts.

A model relay was built which operates on this principle. Testing demonstrated that it would operate on a differential of approximately one and one-half amperes and that the relay would release when the differential was reduced to approximately four-tenths amperes. The test also showed that these differentials did not vary when the total currents involved changed.

These results indicate that a relay built with a slightly different design, (so as to overcome the shortcomings of test model, notably the insecure armature mounting, and so as to provide certain other features, such as control of the current differential for which the relay will operate), would be responsive to current differentials of less than one-half ampere. Such a relay would be a practical device and would be capable of performing, in conjunction with a second, conventional, relay and a circuit breaker, an important control function.