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If the protection of one of the feeders is unavailable, the backup relay will operate for a fault on this feeder, and will isolate a larger part of the distribution system than just the faulted feeder. While less expensive to implement than a redundant scheme, back-up protection is usually slower and less selective than the primary protection. In contrast, a redundant protection scheme is a method that maintains the correct operation of the distribution protection using redundancy of elements to eliminate single points of failure. This is shown in Figure 2 (below). With this method, eight relays are required for a four feeder distribution system (four primary protection relays and four redundant relays). All four feeders have fully redundant protection. As long as one of the two relays that are protecting Feeder 1 (Relay 1 or Relay R1) is operating, the protection for Feeder 1 is available. The principle can be carried forward and extended on relay input sources, independent routing on control wiring, redundant trip coils, and redundant batteries. These principles are followed in the extra high voltage installations. Distribution networks can focus on major components of the secondary system given the actual field record for reliability of various components. In this respect, redundant instrument transformers, trip coils or batteries are not necessarily required for major improvements in the overall reliability. The exact extent of carrying the principle of redundancy needs to be driven by a cost/benefit ratio. For example, medium voltage CTs are relatively inexpensive and can be considered, while dual trip coil medium voltage breakers are hardly available.
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Relay Pair Protection: Dual redundant relays provide completely redundant protection, but they can be expensive. Some modern microprocessor relays have multiple sets of three-phase and ground current inputs, with independent overcurrent protection for each set of current inputs. This allows one relay to be the primary protection for one feeder, and the redundant protection for a second feeder, as shown in Figure 4 (page 53). Therefore, with feeder relay pairs, two relays can protect two feeders with complete redundancy, for the cost of one standard protection package.
Multiple-Source Relay Protection: Some microprocessor-based relays can accept up to six separate three-phase and ground current inputs, and provide independent overcurrent protection for each of these inputs. This is a very cost-effective method to add redundant overcurrent protection, as one additional relay can provide redundant overcurrent protection for a small distribution substation or switchgear lineup with up to six primary protection relays. This method is illustrated in Figure 5 (below).
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operating costs, increasing the information available from a substation, and more tightly integrating Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). One of the business and technological goals of the IPAC system is improving system reliability while decreasing the service downtime for greater customer satisfaction. PG&E adapted principles from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) criteria for protection of bulk lines to distribution networks when designing the IPAC system. Specifically, the IPAC system uses redundant feeder protection relays, from different manufacturers, to provide protection and control functions for a distribution feeder. The IPAC system uses a dual-redundant scheme, implemented in two feeder management relays. PG&E feels this method provides the greatest benefits in availability of the protection system, operational flexibility, and testing and maintenance. All of the basic protection functions are implemented in both the Set A and Set B relay, including directional control of overcurrent functions, undervoltage protection, and overvoltage protection. The IPAC system also uses independent sets of CTs for the Set A and Set B relays. This increases the overall availability and reliability of the system, for the cost of inexpensive medium-voltage-rated CTs. To simplify the design, and in keeping with the goal of eliminating or limiting the impact of a single point of failure, PG&E splits control functions between the Set A and Set B relays. Most of the control functions, including reclosing, breaker failure, underfrequency load shedding and local control operations, are provided in the Set A relay. The Set B relay is responsible for SCADA communications, and remote control of the distribution feeder. The split of local control operations and remote control operations between the Set A and Set B relay is intended to provide demarcation between local and remote control of the feeder. This simplifies the scheme for operations personnel, and simplicity helps maintain reliability. Splitting control between the two relays complicates the design and engineering of the original system, and requires substantial contact input/contact output communications wiring between the two relays. This integrated control has been carefully tested to ensure successful operation of the feeder. The operating states of control functions, such as neutral overcurrent blocking, reclosing sequence, and active settings group, is determined by local or remote command. This command must be sent between the Set A and Set B relays to achieve coordination of the control function. When one relay is returned to service after maintenance, the operating state of all control functions must be synchronized to the operating state of the operating, in service relay. PG&E designed their IPAC system to take full advantage of the benefits of microprocessor relays, using the dual redundant protection and control method as their new standard for medium voltage distribution feeders. Specifically, the IPAC system provides:
Completely redundant protection functions for short circuit and voltage-based protection,
Clear demarcation between local and remote control of the distribution feeder, and Integration between the Set A and Set B relay to properly execute control functions and synchronize settings.
Mohammad Vaziri is supervising protection engineer at PG&E. Bogdan Kasztenny is manager, protection & systems engineering, at GE Multilin. Rich Hunt is application engineer at GE Multilin.