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Relay Protection Current Parallel Connection Method

Paralleling relays or current transformers (CTs) in protection schemes is possible but requires careful design to avoid measurement errors, unequal current sharing, and relay maloperation.

Parallel Connection of Relays

Paralleling mechanical relay contacts to increase current capacity is generally not recommended because differences in contact timing and resistance can lead to unequal current sharing, overheating, and premature relay failure. Even if multiple relays are used in parallel, the last contact to open may carry excessive current, causing arcing or contact damage. Some advanced methods use semiconductor devices across relay contacts to shunt transient currents and reduce arcing, allowing smaller relays to share a load safely.

However, this adds complexity and is application-specific. Parallel Connection of Current Transformers (CTs)In protective relay applications, especially line current differential (87) or bus protection, CTs are sometimes paralleled to feed a single relay when the number of CTs exceeds the relay inputs. While this practice has been used historically, it introduces several challenges: CT Saturation: Paralleled CTs may saturate unevenly during external faults, reducing relay security.

Accuracy Issues: Differences in CT ratios, burden, and wiring can cause measurement errors. Relay Design Dependency: Low-impedance bus 87 relays can share CTs, but high-impedance bus 87 relays require dedicated CTs for each relay to maintain proper operation. System Configuration: The method of wiring CTs depends on transformer connections (delta or wye) and relay type (electromechanical vs digital).

Digital relays with internal compensation may allow more flexible CT connections.

Best Practices

Avoid paralleling contacts solely to increase ampacity; use relays rated for the required current. Use dedicated CTs for high-impedance or critical protection relays to ensure accuracy and security. Consider relay type and system configuration: Digital relays with internal compensation can tolerate some parallel CT connections, whereas electromechanical relays may require specific wiring (e.g., delta for wye windings).

Monitor for unequal current sharing and ensure proper burden matching when paralleling CTs. Use protective devices or semiconductor shunts if paralleling relays is unavoidable to reduce arcing and contact wear. In summary, while parallel connections of relays or CTs can be implemented in certain scenarios, careful attention to relay design, CT characteristics, and system configuration is essential to maintain protection reliability, accuracy, and safety.

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