Basler BE1-59NC User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR
NEUTRAL OVERVOLTAGE RELAY
BE1-59NC
P0046-15
Serial No. H01234567891
NEUTRAL OVERVOLTAGE RELAY
BE1-59NC
Style No.A1ED1JC0S1F
Publication: 9279400990
Revision: B 09/07

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC Introduction i
INTRODUCTION
This instruction manual provides information about the operation and installation of the BE1-59NC Neutral
Overvoltage relay. To accomplish this, the following information is provided:
•General Information and Specifications
•Controls and Indicators
•Functional Description
•Installation
•Testing
WARNING!
To avoid personal injury or equipment damage, only qualified personnel should
perform the procedures in this manual.
NOTE
Be sure that the relay is hard-wired to earth ground with no smaller than 12 AWG
copper wire attached to the ground terminal on the rear of the unit case. When
the relay is configured in a system with other devices, it is recommended to use a
separate lead to the ground bus from each unit.

ii BE1-59NC Introduction 9279400990 Rev B
First Printing: April 1994
Printed in USA
© 1994, 2007 Basler Electric, Highland Illinois 62249 USA
All Rights Reserved
September 2007
It is not the intention of this manual to cover all details and variations in equipment, nor does this manual
provide data for every possible contingency regarding installation or operation. The availability and design
of all features and options are subject to modification without notice. Should further information be
required, contact Basler Electric.
BASLER ELECTRIC
ROUTE 143, BOX 269
HIGHLAND IL 62249 USA
http://www.basler.com, [email protected]
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
of Basler Electric, Highland Illinois, USA. It is loaned for confidential use, subject
to return on request, and with the mutual understanding that it will not be used in
any manner detrimental to the interest of Basler Electric.

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC Introduction iii
REVISION HISTORY
The following information provides a historical summary of the changes made to the BE1-59NC
instruction manual (9279400990). Revisions are listed in reverse chronological order.
Manual
Revision and Date Change
B, 09/07 •Updated Output Contacts ratings in Section 1.
•Moved content of Section 6, Maintenance to Section 4.
•Updated front panel illustrations to show laser graphics.
•Moved content of Section 7, Manual Change Information to manual
introduction.
•Added manual part number and revision to all footers.
•Updated cover drawings.
•Updated power supply burden data in Section 1.
•Updated Target Indicator description in Section 3.
A, 09/94 •Corrected voltage sensing input range in Specifications and
throughout the manual.
•Changed Figure 1-3, Overvoltage Inverse Time Curves to divide the
curves for low ranges (sensing input ranges 1, 3, 5, and 7) and high
ranges (sensing input ranges 2, 4, 6, and 8).
•Corrected typographical error in Figure 4-9.
•Changed Testing Procedures, D1 and D2 Timing Options TIME DIAL
settings.
•Added Section 7.
—, 04/94 •Initial release

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9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC Introduction v
CONTENTS
SECTION 1 •GENERAL INFORMATION................................................................................................ 1-1
DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................................................... 1-1
APPLICATION .................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Capacitor Bank Switching............................................................................................................. 1-1
Protection...................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Input Sensing................................................................................................................................ 1-2
Alarms and Outputs...................................................................................................................... 1-2
MODEL AND STYLE NUMBER.......................................................................................................... 1-3
Style Number Example................................................................................................................. 1-3
SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................................................. 1-4
Voltage Sensing ........................................................................................................................... 1-4
Sensing Input Ranges.................................................................................................................. 1-4
Pickup Accuracy........................................................................................................................... 1-4
Dropout......................................................................................................................................... 1-4
Timing Characteristics.................................................................................................................. 1-4
Output Contacts............................................................................................................................ 1-4
Power Supply................................................................................................................................ 1-5
Target Indicators........................................................................................................................... 1-5
Type Tests.................................................................................................................................... 1-5
Physical ........................................................................................................................................ 1-5
Agency Recognition/Certification ................................................................................................. 1-6
SECTION 2 •CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ....................................................................................... 2-1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 2-1
SECTION 3 •FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION........................................................................................... 3-1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 3-1
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................... 3-1
Inputs............................................................................................................................................ 3-1
Filters............................................................................................................................................ 3-1
Overvoltage Comparator.............................................................................................................. 3-1
Definite Time Delay...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Inverse Time Delay....................................................................................................................... 3-2
Reference Voltage Circuit............................................................................................................. 3-2
Power Supply Status Output ........................................................................................................ 3-2
Power Supply................................................................................................................................ 3-2
Target Indicators........................................................................................................................... 3-2
SECTION 4 •INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................. 4-1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 4-1
RELAY OPERATING GUIDELINES AND PRECAUTIONS ............................................................... 4-1
MOUNTING......................................................................................................................................... 4-1
CONNECTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 4-9
MAINTENANCE................................................................................................................................ 4-12
STORAGE......................................................................................................................................... 4-12
SECTION 5 •TESTING ............................................................................................................................ 5-1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 5-1
REQUIRED TEST EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................................5-1
OPERATIONAL TEST ........................................................................................................................ 5-1
E2 Timing Option.......................................................................................................................... 5-1
D1 Timing Option.......................................................................................................................... 5-3
D2 Timing Option.......................................................................................................................... 5-5

vi BE1-59NC Introduction 9279400990 Rev B
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9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC General Information 1-1
SECTION 1 •GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage Relays provide sensitive protection for capacitor banks. There are three
common types of capacitor bank failures that BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage Relays recognize. They are:
•Unit dielectric failure
•Capacitor bank insulator failure
•Blown fuses
BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage relays protect for overvoltage due to internal voltage shifts that occur as a
result of these types of failures.
APPLICATION
Capacitor banks are widely used by utilities to maintain specified system voltage. Addition of capacitive
loads at appropriate points on the system compensate for heavy inductive loading that normally tends to
reduce voltage. This adding of leading megavars to compensate for the lagging megavar component of
electric loads is frequently referred to as power factor correction. Capacitor banks must be switched in
response to actual load conditions in order to obtain maximum power factor correction benefits.
Capacitor Bank Switching
One of the common methods of maximizing capacitor bank benefits is by evaluating the bus voltage. A
bandwidth surrounding the desired bus voltage level is established. When the bus voltage falls below the
bandwidth level, the capacitor bank is switched into the circuit. When the bus voltage rises above the
bandwidth level, the capacitor bank is switched out.
Protection
Protection of capacitor banks has always been difficult. It is especially difficult to sense failures inside the
capacitor banks because of the configuration. Experience indicates that most capacitor bank faults
involve one or more insulator failures with arcing across groups and/or phase-to-phase inside the bank. In
most cases, these types of faults are not seen by the bus differential or other protection unless the arcing
spills over to the area between the fuses and the circuit switcher. A fault across an insulator usually
means that one or more groups of parallel units are shorted. This will cause a neutral shift and
unbalanced phase currents. Unbalanced phase current magnitudes are determined by the number of
series connected groups. For full phase-to-neutral flashover, the maximum phase current is three times
normal capacitor bank load in the faulted phase.
One main protection concern is overvoltage cascading. A capacitor bank is unique in that cascading of
units may take place after a predetermined number of unit fuses have operated. Normally after a fuse has
blown in any other type of equipment, the faulted apparatus is disconnected and usually does not affect
any remaining equipment that is in service. That is not so with a capacitor bank. Each fuse that blows to
isolate the faulted unit sets up an increased voltage stress on the remaining units (Figure 1-1). Sometime
later, the next weakest unit in that group fails. As each successive fuse blows, the voltage increases
another step and rapidly causes the next unit to fail. Cascading takes place and results in serious
damage to the capacitor bank and possible hazards to personnel. While the capacitor bank is failing, the
station in minimally affected. The voltage is nearly normal, the current flow is almost unaffected, and
station relay protection is not taking any action until the failure has developed into a phase-to-phase or
phase-to-ground fault.
A solution was to develop a protective scheme for the capacitor bank with the main emphasis on
preventing overvoltage cascading. To do this, a ground fault relay or neutral shift device had to be
developed that was sensitive enough to detect blown fuses for both alarming and tripping purposes. The
best place to obtain the sensing information is between the neutral of the capacitor bank and ground.
Voltage differentials between the normal capacitor bank status and that of one blown fuse are very small.
However, BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage relays are sensitive enough to differentiate between these
conditions and act decisively.

1-2 BE1-59NC General Information 9279400990 Rev B
Figure 1-1. Ungrounded 3-Phase, 3-Wire System
Input Sensing
BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage relays receive the input signal from voltage sensing devices connected
between the capacitor bank neutral and ground. These voltage sensing devices can be potential
transformers or resistor potential devices. Ideally, the voltage across each leg of a capacitor bank is
balanced, and the voltage from neutral to ground is zero. If a single capacitor fails and blows the
protecting fuse, an unbalanced condition occurs that shifts the neutral and creates a small but
measurable voltage. Through the potential sensing devices, the neutral relay senses this voltage
unbalance and reacts to give the appropriate signal (usually an alarm or trip depending on the voltage
level).
Further loss of more capacitors increases the neutral voltage. The relay senses this voltage increase, and
reacts to give the appropriate signal. This signal is usually a trip depending on the voltage levels and how
the protection scheme is designed.
Alarms and Outputs
Sensitive settings on the relay are used as an alarm to alert that a fuse has blown and maintenance is
required. They would be typically set at a level corresponding to the voltage rise caused by one blown
fuse. The second output would have a setting that would be set to trip the capacitor bank off the bus or
line when the voltage exceeds 110% of the nominal capacitor bank voltage. This setting depends on the
capacitor bank size and configuration.

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC General Information 1-3
MODEL AND STYLE NUMBER
Electrical characteristics and operational features included in a specific relay are defined by a
combination of letters and numbers that make up the style number. Model number BE1-59NC designates
the relay as a Basler Electric Neutral Overvoltage Relay. The model number, together with the style
number, describes the options included in a specific device and appears on the front panel, draw-out
cradle, and inside the case assembly.
The style number identification chart for the BE1-59NC relay is illustrated in Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-2. Style Number Identification Chart
Style Number Example
If a BE1-59NC relay has a style number of A5E–E2J–C0S1F, the relay has the following features:
A--------Single-phase voltage sensing
5--------120 Vac, 60 Hz, nominal 1 to 20 Vac pickup
E--------Two output relays with normally open contacts
E2------Setpoint 1 Definite (0.1 to 99.9 sec.), Setpoint 2 Definite (0.1 to 99.9 sec.)
J--------125 Vdc or 100/120 Vac power supply
C--------Internally operated targets
0--------None
S--------Push-to-energize outputs
1--------Two SPDT auxiliary output relays, one for setpoint 1 and one for setpoint 2
F--------Semi-flush mounting case

1-4 BE1-59NC General Information 9279400990 Rev B
SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical and physical specifications are listed in the following paragraphs.
Voltage Sensing Maximum continuous rating: 360 Vac for 100/120 Vac input, 480 Vac
for 200/240 Vac input, with a maximum burden of 2 VA.
Sensing Input Ranges
Ranges 1 and 5: 1 to 20 Vac pickup
Ranges 2 and 6: 10 to 50 Vac pickup
Ranges 3 and 7: 2 to 40 Vac pickup
Ranges 4 and 8: 20 to 100 Vac pickup
Pickup Accuracy
Ranges 1, 3, 5, or 7: ±2.0% or 100 millivolts, whichever is greater.
Ranges 2, 4, 6, or 8: ±2.0% or 200 millivolts, whichever is greater.
Dropout
98% of pickup within 7 cycles.
Timing Characteristics
Inverse: Response time decreases as the difference between the monitored
voltage and the setpoint increases. The inverse time characteristics
switch is adjustable from 01 to 99 in 01 increments. Each position
corresponds to a specific curve except 00, which is instantaneous.
Accuracy is within ±2% or 25.0 milliseconds, whichever is greater.
Definite: Adjustable from 00.1 to 99.9 seconds, in steps of 0.1 seconds. (A
setting of 00.0 provides instantaneous timing.) Accuracy is within
±5% or 25.0 milliseconds, whichever is greater.
Output Contacts
Resistive Ratings
120 Vac: Make, break, and carry 7 Aac continuously
250 Vdc: Make and carry 30 Adc for 0.2 s, carry 7 Adc continuously,
break 0.3 Adc
500 Vdc: Make and carry 15 Adc for 0.2 s, carry 7 Adc continuously,
break 0.3 Adc
Inductive Ratings
120 Vac, 125 Vdc, 250 Vdc: Break 0.3 A (L/R = 0.04)

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC General Information 1-5
Power Supply
Power supply types and specifications are listed in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1. Power Supply Ratings
Type Nominal
Input Voltage Input Voltage Range Burden at Nominal
K (midrange) 48 Vdc 24 to 150 Vdc 2.5 W
125 Vdc 24 to 150 Vdc 2.8 W
J (midrange) 120 Vac 90 to 132 Vac 12.4 VA
L (low range) 24 Vdc 12 to 32 Vdc ∗2.7 W
48 Vdc 24 to 150 Vdc 2.5 W
Y (midrange) 125 Vdc 24 to 150 Vdc 2.8 W
250 Vdc 68 to 280 Vdc 3.0 W
Z (high range) 240 Vac 90 to 270 Vac 19.7 VA
∗Type L power supply initially requires 14 Vdc to begin operating. Once operating, the input voltage may
be reduced to 12 Vdc and operation will continue.
Target Indicators
Electronically latched, manually reset target indicators indicate closure of the trip output contacts. Either
internally operated or current operated targets may be specified.
Current Operated Targets
Minimum Rating: 200 mA flowing through the trip circuit
Continuous Rating: 3 A
1 Second Rating: 30 A
2 Minute Rating: 7 A
Type Tests
Shock: Withstands 15 G in each of three mutually perpendicular planes
without structural damage or performance degradation.
Vibration: Withstands 2 G in each of three mutually perpendicular planes,
swept over the range of 10 to 500 Hz for a total of six sweeps, 15
minutes each sweep, without structural damage or degradation of
performance.
Isolation: 1,500 Vac at 60 Hz for one minute in accordance with IEC 255-5 and
ANSI/IEEE C37.90-1989 (Dielectric Test)..
Radio Frequency Interference: Field tested using a five-watt, hand-held transceiver operating at
random frequencies centered around 144 megahertz and 440
megahertz, with the antenna located six inches from the relay in both
horizontal and vertical planes.
Surge Withstand Capability: Qualified to IEEE C37.90.1-1989, Standard Surge Withstand
Capability (SWC) Tests for Protective Relays and Relay Systems.
Physical
Temperature
Operating Range: –40 to 70°C (–40 to 158°F)
Storage Range: –65 to 100°C (–85 to 212°F)
Weight: 13.5 lbs (6.12 kg)
Case Size: S1 (See Section 4 for panel cutting/drilling dimensions.)

1-6 BE1-59NC General Information 9279400990 Rev B
Agency Recognition/Certification
Gost-R Certification: Gost-R certified, No. POCC US.ME05.B03391; complies with the
relevant standards of Gosstandart of Russia. Issued by accredited
certification body POCC RU.0001.11ME05.
CHARACTERISTIC CURVES
BE1-59NC overvoltage inverse time curves are illustrated in Figures 1-3 and 1-4.
Figure 1-3. Overvoltage Inverse Time Curves, Low Ranges

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC General Information 1-7
Figure 1-4. Overvoltage Inverse Time Curves, High Ranges

1-8 BE1-59NC General Information 9279400990 Rev B
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9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC Controls and Indicators 2-1
SECTION 2 •CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
INTRODUCTION
Controls and indicators are located on the front panel. The controls and indicators are shown in Figure 2-
1 and described in Table 2-1. Figure 2-1 illustrates a relay with the maximum number of controls and
indicators. Your relay may not have all of the controls and indicators shown and described here.
P0046-16
Serial No. H01234567891
NEUTRAL OVERVOLTAGE RELAY
BE1-59NC
Style No.A1ED1JC0S1F
A
B
C
D E F
G
H
I
J
Figure 2-1. Location of Controls and Indicators
Table 2-1. Control and Indicator Descriptions
Locator Description
A OVERVOLTAGE 1 PICKUP Adjustment. A multiturn potentiometer that sets the
overvoltage comparator threshold voltage. Continuously adjustable for the sensing input
voltage range.
B OVERVOLTAGE 1 PICKUP LED. A red LED that illuminates when overvoltage exceeds
the pickup setting.

2-2 BE1-59NC Controls and Indicators 9279400990 Rev B
Locator Description
C OVERVOLTAGE 1 TIME DIAL.Thumbwheel switch that selects the desired overvoltage
output delay (definite timing characteristic adjustable from 00.1 to 99.9 seconds, in 0.1
second increments). A setting of 00 is instantaneous.
D OVERVOLTAGE 2 PICKUP Adjustment. A multiturn potentiometer that sets the
overvoltage comparator threshold voltage. Continuously adjustable for the sensing input
voltage range.
E OVERVOLTAGE 2 PICKUP LED. A red LED that illuminates when overvoltage exceeds
the pickup setting.
F OVERVOLTAGE 2 TIME DIAL.Thumbwheel switch that selects the desired overvoltage
output delay (definite timing characteristic adjustable from 00.1 to 99.9 seconds, in 0.1
second increments). A setting of 00 is instantaneous.
G POWER LED. LED illuminates when proper operating power is applied to the relay
internal circuitry.
H Target Reset Switch. Provides manual reset of the target indicators (locator J).
I PUSH TO ENERGIZE OUTPUTS.These pushbuttons allow manual actuation of the
output relays. Output relay actuation is achieved by inserting a nonconductive rod
through the front panel access holes.
J Target Indicators. These electronically latched red target indicators illuminate when the
trip output relays energize. To ensure proper operation of a current-operated target, the
current flowing through the trip circuit must be 200 mA or higher. The target indicators are
reset by operating the target reset switch (locator H).

9279400990 Rev B BE1-59NC Functional Description 3-1
SECTION 3 •FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION
BE1-59NC relay functions are illustrated in Figure 3-1 and described in the following paragraphs.
Figure 3-1. Function Block Diagram
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Inputs
Sensed voltage developed across the input sensing device connected in the neutral-grounding current
transformer secondary is applied to the BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage Relay. Internal transformers
provide further isolation and step down for the relay logic circuits. BE1-59NC Neutral Overvoltage Relays
may also be used in ungrounded systems with voltage transformers connected in wye/broken delta
configurations. Typical connection methods are shown in Section 4. Overvoltage #1 and Overvoltage #2
circuits are functionally the same except for timing characteristics.
Filters
Bandpass filters provide peak sensitivity at 50 or 60 hertz for the overvoltage #1 and overvoltage #2
inputs. Third harmonic rejection is 40 dB minimum.
Overvoltage Comparator
Each overvoltage comparator circuit receives a sensing voltage from the bandpass filter and a reference
voltage from the front panel setting. When the input exceeds the setting reference, the comparator output
enables the timing circuit and the OVERVOLTAGE PICKUP LED turns ON.
Definite Time Delay
An output signal from the comparator circuit enables a counting circuit to be incremented by an internal
clock. When the counting circuit reaches the count that matches the number entered on the TIME DIAL,
the output relay and auxiliary relay are energized. However, if the sensed input voltage falls below the
pickup setting before the timer completes its cycle, the timer resets within 2.0 cycles.

3-2 BE1-59NC Functional Description 9279400990 Rev B
The definite time delay is adjustable from 00.1 to 99.9 seconds in 0.1 second increments. Front panel
mounted switches determine the delay. Position 00.0 is instantaneous.
Inverse Time Delay
Inverse time delay circuits are identical to definite time delay circuits except that a voltage controlled
oscillator (VCO) is substituted for the clock signal. The VCO is controlled by a voltage derived from the
sensed input. Because the frequency of the oscillator is kept proportional to the sensed input voltage, the
desired inverse time delay is produced.
Inverse time characteristic curve thumbwheel switches are settable from 01 to 99 in 01 increments. Each
position corresponds to a specific curve setting except 00, which is instantaneous. Refer to Figures 1-3
and 1-4 to see the inverse time characteristic curves.
Reference Voltage Circuit
A constant voltage source provides a reference voltage to the potentiometers on the front panel. The
potentiometers, in turn, provide reference voltages to all the comparator circuits and establish the
threshold for each circuit.
Power Supply Status Output
The power supply status relay has a set of normally closed contacts and energizes when operating power
is applied to the relay. If relay operating power is lost or either side of the power supply output (+12 Vdc
or –12 Vdc) fails, the power supply status relay de-energizes and opens the power supply status output
contacts.
Power Supply
Operating power for the relay circuitry is supplied by a wide range, electrically isolated, low-burden power
supply. Power supply operating power is not polarity sensitive. The front panel power LED and power
supply status output indicate when the power supply is operating. Power supply specifications are listed
in Table 1-1.
Target Indicators
Target indicators are optional components selected when a relay is ordered. The electronically latched
and reset targets consist of red LED indicators located on the relay front panel. Latched targets are reset
by operating the target reset switch on the front panel. If relay operating power is lost, any illuminated
(latched) targets are extinguished. When relay operating power is restored, the previously latched targets
are restored to their latched state.
A relay can be equipped with either internally operated targets or current operated targets.
Internally Operated Targets
The relay trip outputs are directly applied to drive the target indicators. The indicators are illuminated
regardless of the current level in the trip circuits.
Current Operated Targets
Current operated targets are triggered by closure of the corresponding output contact and the presence of
at least 200 milliamperes of current flowing in the trip circuit.
NOTE
Prior to September 2007, the BE1-59NC target indicators consisted of
magnetically latched, disc indicators. These mechanically latched target
indicators have been replaced by the electronically latched LED targets in use
today.