GB/T 32900-2025 Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 32900-2025
Replaces GB/T 32900-2016
Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station
光伏发电站继电保护技术要求
Issue date: 2025-12-02 Implementation date: 2026-04-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 General Requirements
5 Relay Protection Configuration Requirements
6 Relay Protection Setting Requirements
7 Setting Management Requirements
Annex A (Informative) Schematic Diagram of Typical Photovoltaic Power Station Connection
Annex B (Informative) Nominal Voltages and Average Rated Voltages for Various Voltage Levels
Bibliography
Technical Requirements for Relay Protection of Photovoltaic Power Stations
1 Scope
This document specifies the general requirements, configuration requirements, setting requirements, and setting management requirements for relay protection in photovoltaic power stations.
This document applies to the research and development, design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, dispatching, operation, maintenance, and overhaul related to relay protection in photovoltaic power stations (including those configured with electrochemical energy storage) connected to the grid at voltage levels of 10 kV and above. Photovoltaic power stations connected at other voltage levels shall refer to this document for implementation.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions which, through normative reference in this text, constitute essential provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 14285-2023 Technical code for relaying protection and security automatic equipment
GB/T 14598.24 Measuring relays and protection equipment - Part 24: Common format for transient data exchange (COMTRADE) for power systems
GB/T 19964-2024 Technical requirements for connecting photovoltaic power station to power system
GB/T 20840.2 Instrument transformers - Part 2: Additional requirements for current transformers
GB/T 29319 Technical requirements for connecting photovoltaic power system to distribution network
GB/T 34120 Technical requirements for power conversion system of electrochemical energy storage system
GB/T 37138 Implementation guide for security level protection of electric power information system
GB/T 37408-2019 Technical requirements for photovoltaic grid-connected inverter
GB/T 40864 Technical requirements for relay protection of flexible AC transmission equipment connected to power grid
DL/T 553 General technical conditions for power system dynamic recording devices
DL/T 559 Operational setting code for relay protection of 220 kV～750 kV power networks
DL/T 584 Operational setting code for relay protection of 3 kV～110 kV power networks
DL/T 866 Guide for selection and calculation of current transformers and voltage transformers
DL/T 1455 Security and its evaluation technical requirements for power system control software
NB/T 32004 Technical specification for photovoltaic grid-connected inverter
NB/T 42088 Technical specification for relay protection information system substation
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 photovoltaic (PV) power station
A power station consisting of a photovoltaic power generation system and various buildings (structures), electrical equipment, and auxiliary facilities that provide services for operation, overhaul, and maintenance.
[SOURCE: GB 50797-2012, 2.1.6, modified]
3.2
point of grid connection of PV power station
For a photovoltaic power station with a step-up substation, refers to the busbar or node on the high-voltage side of the step-up substation; for a photovoltaic power station without a step-up substation, refers to the output collection point of the photovoltaic power station.
3.3
outgoing transmission line of PV power station
The transmission line from the point of grid connection of the photovoltaic power station to the public power grid.
3.4
PV inverter
Equipment that converts the direct current output from the photovoltaic array into alternating current.
3.5
power conversion system (PCS)
Power conversion equipment in an energy storage system that converts direct current to alternating current or alternating current to direct current, enabling the charging and discharging of electrical energy storage devices.
[SOURCE: GB/T 42313-2023, 5.2.2, modified]
3.6
unit transformer
Equipment connected to the photovoltaic inverter (or power conversion system) to step up the voltage of the alternating current on its output side.
3.7
collection line
A transmission line that conveys electrical energy from the high-voltage side of the unit transformers in a photovoltaic power station to a collection point.
3.8
collection bus
The busbar that connects multiple collection lines.
3.9
collection system
The system composed of all electrical equipment from the high-voltage side of the unit transformers in a photovoltaic power station up to and including the collection bus.
3.10
transformer with balance winding
A transformer whose high-voltage and low-voltage windings are star-connected, and which is equipped with a delta-connected winding that provides a path for the third harmonic current.
NOTE: This type of transformer provides a neutral point for the collection system while changing the AC voltage.
3.11
islanding
A state where a portion of the power grid containing loads and generation sources continues to operate independently after being disconnected from the main grid.
NOTE: Islanding can be categorized as unintentional islanding and intentional islanding. Unintentional islanding refers to an unplanned, uncontrolled occurrence of islanding. Intentional islanding refers to a planned occurrence of islanding according to a pre-configured control strategy.
[SOURCE: GB/T 37408-2019, 3.19]
3.12
anti-islanding
Preventing the occurrence of unintentional islanding.
[SOURCE: GB/T 37408-2019, 3.20]
3.13
main protection
3.14
backup protection
Protection that is intended to operate within a predetermined time when a power system fault is not cleared or other abnormal conditions are not detected because the main protection fails to operate, fails to operate correctly, or the associated circuit breaker fails to operate.
[SOURCE: GB/T 14285-2023, 3.1.3]
4 General Requirements
4.1 Relay protection shall adapt to the safe and stable operation requirements of the photovoltaic power station and the power system. It shall be capable of responding to various faults and abnormal conditions within the photovoltaic power station, and shall act by tripping or issuing control/alarm signals, meeting the requirements for reliability, selectivity, sensitivity, and speed. Power equipment shall not operate without protection at any time.
4.2 When determining the main electrical connection and operation mode of the photovoltaic power station, as well as selecting power equipment, coordinated and reasonable arrangements shall be made considering the configuration and operation of relay protection. Main electrical connections, transformer connections, power equipment, current transformer configurations, and operation modes that prevent relay protection from ensuring the safe and stable operation of the photovoltaic power station should be avoided. When new types of power equipment are applied for the first time, the adaptability of the relevant relay protection shall be studied. A schematic diagram of a typical photovoltaic power station connection is shown in Annex A.
NOTE: This document takes as examples common two-winding transformers and transformers with balance windings where the low-voltage side of the main transformer is a single branch; other configurations shall refer to this document for implementation.
4.3 The configuration and setting of relay protection shall be compatible with the requirements for power system stability, power equipment safety, and load power supply reliability. Relay protection schemes with suitable performance and as simple as possible in principle shall be selected, complying with the provisions of GB/T 14285-2023, DL/T 584, and DL/T 559, and adapting to the operational characteristics and fault behavior of photovoltaic power stations.
4.4 The near-backup protection principle shall be adopted for voltage systems of 220 kV and above, and the far-backup protection principle shall be adopted for voltage systems of 110 kV and below.
4.5 Single-phase ground faults in the collection system shall be cleared quickly. The neutral point of the collection system shall be grounded via a low resistance or a Petersen coil (arc suppression coil). For photovoltaic power stations connected to the 220 kV and above voltage level, the collection system shall adopt low resistance grounding. Low resistance or Petersen coil grounding shall be achieved using grounding transformers, main step-up transformers with balance windings, or isolation transformers.
4.6 The configuration and setting of relay protection for the collection system shall be compatible with the operation modes of the primary system, preventing faults from causing unnecessary tripping of the main transformer or outgoing transmission line of the photovoltaic power station.
4.7 In a low resistance grounding system, each section of the collection bus shall have one and only one neutral point grounded. If the grounding point is lost, all circuit breakers on the collection bus shall be tripped.
4.8 On the premise of meeting the primary system requirements, the selection of the grounding resistance value for the low resistance grounding system shall ensure that the zero-sequence current protection has sufficient sensitivity for single-phase ground faults in the collection system.
4.9 A short-circuit current calculation model and parameters shall be established, and model validation and accuracy evaluation shall be performed for use in relay protection setting calculations.
4.10 Various types of relay protection within the photovoltaic power station shall be capable of operating reliably under low resistance conditions.
4.11 The performance of current transformers (CTs) used for relay protection shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 20840.2 and DL/T 866. Dead zones for the main protection should be avoided, and the following requirements shall also be met:
Standard
GB/T 32900-2025 Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station (English Version)
Standard No.
GB/T 32900-2025
Status
valid
Language
English
File Format
PDF
Word Count
13500 words
Price(USD)
405.0
Implemented on
2026-4-1
Delivery
via email in 1~5 business day
Detail of GB/T 32900-2025
Standard No.
GB/T 32900-2025
English Name
Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station
GB/T 32900-2025 Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 32900-2025
Replaces GB/T 32900-2016
Technical requirements for relaying protection of photovoltaic power station
光伏发电站继电保护技术要求
Issue date: 2025-12-02 Implementation date: 2026-04-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 General Requirements
5 Relay Protection Configuration Requirements
6 Relay Protection Setting Requirements
7 Setting Management Requirements
Annex A (Informative) Schematic Diagram of Typical Photovoltaic Power Station Connection
Annex B (Informative) Nominal Voltages and Average Rated Voltages for Various Voltage Levels
Bibliography
Technical Requirements for Relay Protection of Photovoltaic Power Stations
1 Scope
This document specifies the general requirements, configuration requirements, setting requirements, and setting management requirements for relay protection in photovoltaic power stations.
This document applies to the research and development, design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, dispatching, operation, maintenance, and overhaul related to relay protection in photovoltaic power stations (including those configured with electrochemical energy storage) connected to the grid at voltage levels of 10 kV and above. Photovoltaic power stations connected at other voltage levels shall refer to this document for implementation.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions which, through normative reference in this text, constitute essential provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 14285-2023 Technical code for relaying protection and security automatic equipment
GB/T 14598.24 Measuring relays and protection equipment - Part 24: Common format for transient data exchange (COMTRADE) for power systems
GB/T 19964-2024 Technical requirements for connecting photovoltaic power station to power system
GB/T 20840.2 Instrument transformers - Part 2: Additional requirements for current transformers
GB/T 29319 Technical requirements for connecting photovoltaic power system to distribution network
GB/T 34120 Technical requirements for power conversion system of electrochemical energy storage system
GB/T 37138 Implementation guide for security level protection of electric power information system
GB/T 37408-2019 Technical requirements for photovoltaic grid-connected inverter
GB/T 40864 Technical requirements for relay protection of flexible AC transmission equipment connected to power grid
DL/T 553 General technical conditions for power system dynamic recording devices
DL/T 559 Operational setting code for relay protection of 220 kV～750 kV power networks
DL/T 584 Operational setting code for relay protection of 3 kV～110 kV power networks
DL/T 866 Guide for selection and calculation of current transformers and voltage transformers
DL/T 1455 Security and its evaluation technical requirements for power system control software
NB/T 32004 Technical specification for photovoltaic grid-connected inverter
NB/T 42088 Technical specification for relay protection information system substation
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 photovoltaic (PV) power station
A power station consisting of a photovoltaic power generation system and various buildings (structures), electrical equipment, and auxiliary facilities that provide services for operation, overhaul, and maintenance.
[SOURCE: GB 50797-2012, 2.1.6, modified]
3.2
point of grid connection of PV power station
For a photovoltaic power station with a step-up substation, refers to the busbar or node on the high-voltage side of the step-up substation; for a photovoltaic power station without a step-up substation, refers to the output collection point of the photovoltaic power station.
3.3
outgoing transmission line of PV power station
The transmission line from the point of grid connection of the photovoltaic power station to the public power grid.
3.4
PV inverter
Equipment that converts the direct current output from the photovoltaic array into alternating current.
3.5
power conversion system (PCS)
Power conversion equipment in an energy storage system that converts direct current to alternating current or alternating current to direct current, enabling the charging and discharging of electrical energy storage devices.
[SOURCE: GB/T 42313-2023, 5.2.2, modified]
3.6
unit transformer
Equipment connected to the photovoltaic inverter (or power conversion system) to step up the voltage of the alternating current on its output side.
3.7
collection line
A transmission line that conveys electrical energy from the high-voltage side of the unit transformers in a photovoltaic power station to a collection point.
3.8
collection bus
The busbar that connects multiple collection lines.
3.9
collection system
The system composed of all electrical equipment from the high-voltage side of the unit transformers in a photovoltaic power station up to and including the collection bus.
3.10
transformer with balance winding
A transformer whose high-voltage and low-voltage windings are star-connected, and which is equipped with a delta-connected winding that provides a path for the third harmonic current.
NOTE: This type of transformer provides a neutral point for the collection system while changing the AC voltage.
3.11
islanding
A state where a portion of the power grid containing loads and generation sources continues to operate independently after being disconnected from the main grid.
NOTE: Islanding can be categorized as unintentional islanding and intentional islanding. Unintentional islanding refers to an unplanned, uncontrolled occurrence of islanding. Intentional islanding refers to a planned occurrence of islanding according to a pre-configured control strategy.
[SOURCE: GB/T 37408-2019, 3.19]
3.12
anti-islanding
Preventing the occurrence of unintentional islanding.
[SOURCE: GB/T 37408-2019, 3.20]
3.13
main protection
3.14
backup protection
Protection that is intended to operate within a predetermined time when a power system fault is not cleared or other abnormal conditions are not detected because the main protection fails to operate, fails to operate correctly, or the associated circuit breaker fails to operate.
[SOURCE: GB/T 14285-2023, 3.1.3]
4 General Requirements
4.1 Relay protection shall adapt to the safe and stable operation requirements of the photovoltaic power station and the power system. It shall be capable of responding to various faults and abnormal conditions within the photovoltaic power station, and shall act by tripping or issuing control/alarm signals, meeting the requirements for reliability, selectivity, sensitivity, and speed. Power equipment shall not operate without protection at any time.
4.2 When determining the main electrical connection and operation mode of the photovoltaic power station, as well as selecting power equipment, coordinated and reasonable arrangements shall be made considering the configuration and operation of relay protection. Main electrical connections, transformer connections, power equipment, current transformer configurations, and operation modes that prevent relay protection from ensuring the safe and stable operation of the photovoltaic power station should be avoided. When new types of power equipment are applied for the first time, the adaptability of the relevant relay protection shall be studied. A schematic diagram of a typical photovoltaic power station connection is shown in Annex A.
NOTE: This document takes as examples common two-winding transformers and transformers with balance windings where the low-voltage side of the main transformer is a single branch; other configurations shall refer to this document for implementation.
4.3 The configuration and setting of relay protection shall be compatible with the requirements for power system stability, power equipment safety, and load power supply reliability. Relay protection schemes with suitable performance and as simple as possible in principle shall be selected, complying with the provisions of GB/T 14285-2023, DL/T 584, and DL/T 559, and adapting to the operational characteristics and fault behavior of photovoltaic power stations.
4.4 The near-backup protection principle shall be adopted for voltage systems of 220 kV and above, and the far-backup protection principle shall be adopted for voltage systems of 110 kV and below.
4.5 Single-phase ground faults in the collection system shall be cleared quickly. The neutral point of the collection system shall be grounded via a low resistance or a Petersen coil (arc suppression coil). For photovoltaic power stations connected to the 220 kV and above voltage level, the collection system shall adopt low resistance grounding. Low resistance or Petersen coil grounding shall be achieved using grounding transformers, main step-up transformers with balance windings, or isolation transformers.
4.6 The configuration and setting of relay protection for the collection system shall be compatible with the operation modes of the primary system, preventing faults from causing unnecessary tripping of the main transformer or outgoing transmission line of the photovoltaic power station.
4.7 In a low resistance grounding system, each section of the collection bus shall have one and only one neutral point grounded. If the grounding point is lost, all circuit breakers on the collection bus shall be tripped.
4.8 On the premise of meeting the primary system requirements, the selection of the grounding resistance value for the low resistance grounding system shall ensure that the zero-sequence current protection has sufficient sensitivity for single-phase ground faults in the collection system.
4.9 A short-circuit current calculation model and parameters shall be established, and model validation and accuracy evaluation shall be performed for use in relay protection setting calculations.
4.10 Various types of relay protection within the photovoltaic power station shall be capable of operating reliably under low resistance conditions.
4.11 The performance of current transformers (CTs) used for relay protection shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 20840.2 and DL/T 866. Dead zones for the main protection should be avoided, and the following requirements shall also be met:
