Power system protection handbook for engineers

Power System Protection

This handbook aims to provide an introductory overview of power system protection. This encompasses an examination of prevalent types of anomalies, such as faults, that may result in power system failure, along with the techniques for identifying and rectifying these irregularities to reinstate normal functionality. The fault detection and cleaning approach necessitates specialized hardware specifically engineered for this function.

This handbook does not focus on hardware, as it necessitates up-to-date information regarding the goods offered by different manufacturers. The focus will be on analytical techniques required to assess system conditions at the detection point and approaches to enhance the speed and efficacy of detection.

These methodologies are applicable to protective devices from any manufacturer, hence representing general methods for protective system analysis.

The discourse on system protection is largely aimed at engineers or students acquiring knowledge in the field. Nonetheless, this does not imply that the presentation is rudimentary. The reader is assumed to have acquired the standard qualifications of a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and to possess familiarity with digital computers.

The reader is also assumed to possess a fundamental understanding of symmetrical components.

This handbook focuses on this analytical approach. We start with an examination of the fundamental equipment configurations that supply the protective apparatus with its raw data. We subsequently advance to the calculation of protective system parameters, starting with basic circuit configurations and evolving to more intricate scenarios.

This pertains to the analysis of the Thevenin impedance observed by the protective device at the application point. This notion is analyzed in environments intended to safeguard lines, generators, transformers, and bus structures.

Ultimately, we investigate specific subjects, encompassing system protection features and the reliability of protective systems.

Figure 1 – A 974 MVA generating unit

Prevention And Control Of System Failure

The majority of failure types in a power system can be managed to mitigate damage and thereby improve dependability. Mechanical failures are mitigated by engineering the system to endure all but exceptionally extreme mechanical loads, including significant ice accumulation, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

This approach aims to minimize the overall energy transport cost, necessitating a balance between initial expenditure and maintenance expenses. The insulation design is orchestrated to mitigate damage to costly equipment caused by electrical surges.

Given the impracticality of designing a system to endure all potential failures, the alternative is to create a defensive system capable of swiftly identifying abnormal conditions and executing suitable responses.

This book explores the two fundamental categories of defensive systems as follows:

1. Reactionary devices

Reactionary devices are engineered to identify certain hazards within the power system environment and to execute specified actions to mitigate such hazards. Typically, the hazard pertains to an anomalous operational condition within the system that may ultimately lead to the breakdown of one or more components.

Consequently, the typical response is to isolate the segment of the system encountering the hazard, so allowing the remainder of the system to function normally.

2. Protection devices

Protection devices are engineered to identify certain hazards within the power system environment and to execute specified actions to mitigate such hazards.

A concise discussion of each equipment type will ensue.

Further Study – Design, testing, and commissioning of an IEC 61850-based substation automation system

Design, testing, and commissioning of an IEC 61850-based substation automation system