Formulas for predicting the dynamic performance of ROCOF relays for embedded generation applications

The paper presents a set of formulas for directly predicting the performance of rate-of-change-of-frequency (ROCOF) relays used to detect islanding of embedded synchronous generators. The formulas are analytically derived from the dynamic model of the generator and relay. Dynamic simulation results obtained using a representative distribution system confirm the validity and accuracy of the formulas. The formulas presented are a useful tool for protection engineers; they can be used, for example, to assess the effectiveness of anti-islanding schemes based on ROCOF relays, or to assist the selection of relay settings, significantly reducing the number of repeated dynamic simulations necessary to carry out such studies.