Protection Scheme Testing Using a Power System Model JA. Jodice, Doble Engineering Company AT. Giuliante, ATG Exodus Introduction Modern relay systems are multi-function devices that are designed to provide complete protection for a power system component. These devices require extensive configuration and seiting procedures. Some ofthe newer designs have over 2000 setting possibilities. The traditional method of testing indvid- ual steady-state calibrations, one ata time, is no longer a vi- able method because of the excessive time it would require to reconfigure for each individual clement tested. In addition, ‘traditional test methods were designed on the assumption that ‘users did not have test equipment for testing relays under power system conditions, So, test procedures were developed using basic test equipment such as variacs, phase shifters, and load boxes. With today’s moder test equipment, power system conditions can easily be modeled. ‘This paper describes @ new method for testing relay schemes and relay panels. The new procedure is based on @ power system model that is used to simulate diferent events selected according to the application. Events are played back through power system simulators that also monitor scheme performance. Some ofthe advantages offered with this method as compared to traditional test methods ar: ‘+ For cach simulated power system even, the performance ofthe complete relay scheme is tested. This allows a relay performance database to be created. When the relay sys- tem isin service and operates for a power system event, ts performance can be compared tothe relay performance database to determine ifthe relay scheme has operated correctly. This technique can aid both relay engincers and. system operators in evaluating power system events. * The operating time of many line relay systems depends upon the system impedance ratio (SIR). With this new test procedure, different SIRs can be modeled to determine the range of relay operating times, The traditional test method never considers the affect of SIR on performance. # The performance ofall scheme responses, including un- faulted phase units, can be evaluated since the model and simulators generate three-phase wye voltages and currents This allows the accurate modeling of power system evens New Relays; Old Test Methods ‘Technological advances in protective relays over the last fifteen years have been revolutionary and fast paced. These advances have allowed more flexibility and reliability ofthe devices than ever before. Although the power of this technol- ‘oy is applied to protection, we still commission, test, and ‘maintain the relays in a way that is no longer viable CCECE'96 The setting and configuring possibilities of the relays increases the time needed to commission ata time when avail- able manpower is decreasing as a result ofthe move to down- size. The test procedures used today also are labor intensive and are based on needs of older technology. I is time to think about how we do things in different ways, To apply old tech- ‘niques of testing and commissioning to the new relay technol cay impacts productivity at a time when an increase in produc tivity is needed, Recommendations ‘The recommendation of this paper isto stop running steady-state tests. The protective relays today are smarter, The test procedures used also need to be smarter. Using a dynamic state simulation with a power model will provide a much better understanding of the operation of the protection system, ‘There have been some IEEE papers on this subject in recent years, but there is a new report from IEEE - 113 work- ing group that is now being published, Its called Relay Per- Jormance Testing and it discusses how dynamic-state testing ‘and transient simulations provide a far better understanding of how the relay system performs. By making a profile of the op- eration of the scheme, malfunctions can be found faster be- cause it is easier to identity the changes in measurements and logic circuits that don’t operate the way they are expected. Relay test schediules, and the tests themselves, are still based upon what was required with outdated technology. This ‘means that all testing and maintenance time is spent ooking for problems. Today's relays have the capability of telling us ‘when there isa problem, Moreover, the technology exists to enable, with the proper monitoring and modeling, to know when there will be a problem. Test intervals are being extended now because of the shrinking resource of manpower and the time intensive nature of test procedures that don’t match today’s technology. Un- derstanding the power system and the protection scheme’s hardware and configuration by running dynamic simulations ‘means that diagnostic test intervals can be realistically ex- tended and productivity improved ANew Test Method Introduction ‘The new test method will be described in two pars. Part ‘one, called Basic Test, will describe what can be done today with readily availabe test instruments, Part two, called Ad- vanced Test, describes what can be done using the power of today’s technology, tomorrow. 0-7803-3143-5 /96/$4.00 © 1996 IEEE‘asic Test ‘The basic test method involves testing the completo shome using power systom specific tests with dynamie-state «mulations in order to insure the reliability and proper opera- ‘on of relay protection. The complete scheme should be tested 1a dynamic-state simulation that models the power system the slay scheme will protect. ‘The equipment needed todo this exists today. The test- ag of a relay protection scheme can be done using system- pectic dynamic-state simulations. Computational programs ‘uch as One liner and CAPE and other mathematical calcula~ ion tools such as spreadsheets and Mathcad can be used to aodel the power system in order to derive the fault vltages ind currents forthe power system event, Programs are av ible that will interface these to state simulators which consist sf test equipment that can reproduce the power system states ‘equired to confirm the relay performance. Test Plan for Scheme Diagnostics ‘The simulators required for performing necessary dy- ramio-state testing will only be as effective as the test plan sod with it. The intent ofthe test plan is to test the relay scheme’s operation under actual (simulated) dynamic condi- sions. To generate a test plan for scheme diagnostics, three ar- cas should be taken into consideration: 1. The parameters that will characterize the scheme opera- tion, defining the simulations and evaluating the response and time. 2. Other simulations in tho test plan that affect the power system andthe operation ofthe protetion 3. Other applications can be included in the test plan to check and verify measurement and recording equipment such as digital fault recorders, events recorders and metering Characterizing the Scheme Operation ‘To adequately characterize the operation of the scheme, the following parameters need tobe taken into account: + Define the source and line parameters with input load flow included as critical parts ofthe model ‘+ Define the faut types making sure to include phase to ground and multi-phase faults. Various fault resistances, reverse faults (monitoring breaker operations) and fault lo- cations (from the beginning to the end of the line and be- hind and ahcad of the next zone) should also be included in the simulation. The response of all zones of protection, in- stantaneous and delayed should be evaluated. Since this isa three phase simulation, what is happening on the unfalted phases also needs tobe taken into consid ‘eration. The operation of communications signals should also be evaluated here. Figure 1 summarizes the test plan to characterize the scheme operation This soems like a lot of tests. Itcan be, depending on hhow many systom parameters are defined, Of course, the more parameters, the more closely the power system is simulated, However, it only takes seconds to un a dynamic tet 30 that 100 to-200 tess will tke approximately five minutes. To run @ steady-state test with this amount of detail wil take sig nificantly longer because of all the communications that is e- quired with the relay. And, stl, the result wil not give the high confidence level thatthe dynamic test will. This is bo- cause the tet simulates true power system conditions. The tet should not only be dynamic, but the relay should not be touched. In this way, the relay will operate in its intended mode of operation. The results will indicate the true operating per- formance for each power system event tested Test Plan for Scheme Diagnostics Characterize Scheme Operation Response & Time | All Zones. a Inst & Delayed + Communications Signals: + Breaker j Operations Figure 7 Other Simulations ‘The integrated system test needs to account not only for power system conditions, but also forthe actions of other apparatus on the power system that interact when a fault o¢- ‘cus, Therefore, breaker operations need to be taken into ac- count, including the action of breaker failure relaying and re closing and restoration Microprocessor-based relays have programmable logic that enhances their flexibility. But when the logic is pro- grammed, steady-state testing lacks the means to insure thatthe correct logic output is given for various system conditions as it sequences through. Contact races and operating and resetting cof measuring units may be common problems. Therefore, there is a nced to test the scheme as a whole, including the evalua- tion of programmable logic, to insure proper operation and proper non-operation under fault conditions. ‘The operations of switch-onto-fault, power swing blocking and tripping and blown fase conditions also need to be taken into account to accurately simulate the operation of | the scheme on the power system, Other Applications ‘Since accurate, measurable quantities are being injected during the dynamic-state testing with documented action, this ‘can be used to check and verify the accuracy of recording and measurement equipment: © With the digital fault recorder (DFR) connected for the dynamic test, the trigger settings can be verified and the DFR can be calibrated The operation of events recorders can be checked and verified‘The accuracy of metering can be verified, With all the technology available today, is there a way toiimprove this new test method? The answer is yes. Advanced Test As previously discussed, there are more productive and effective methods than steady-state testing availabe. I is time to stop steady-state testing and test smarter with dynamic-state testing, The discussion will now go beyond testing smarter to testing absolutely intelligently ‘Dynamie-state testing focused on scheme testing versus relay testing finding how the scheme as a whole would operate under simulated system conditions. Now we go a step beyond and ask: what isthe system doing? ‘A New Test Method ~Advanced- + Measures Performance Continuously + Analyzes with Expert System Protection Scheme Performance Circuit Breaker Operation ‘Transformer Condition * Issues Prioritize Maintenance Alerts Identify Malfunctions Guide Maintenance Actions + Displays ‘Waveforms ‘Measurements Contact Operations Figure 2 ‘Work is in progress on an expert system that is an on- line diagnostic system that continuously measures the perform ance ofthe power system. Based upon years of testing experi- ence with al aspects of equipment on the power system, this integrates the knowledge gained with today’s technology to form a new level of diagnostics and monitoring of the power system as a whole. ‘The expert system continuously monitors actions and status of the performance of the protection scheme as well as circuit breaker operations and the condition of transformers. An Expert System - INSITE Known as INSITE, this system acts like a relay in that it only makes itself known when it detects a change in condit signaling a potential problem is developing. When a meaning ful change in condition is detected, a prioritized maintenance alerts issued. This is mot an alarm that signals Something is already wrong and needs immediate action, The object of an alert isto signal that a change has been detected in operation and that a check needs to be made in the near future on a breaker, transformer, or protection scheme. ‘The alert identifies a malfunction and guides mainte- nance actions for investigation. It provides information on ma ‘waveforms, measurements and contact operations. As previ- ‘ously mentioned, the majority of maintenance time is spent looking for problems with a smaller percentage of the time ‘used finding and correcting problems. INSITE will monitor th system for problems, reducing the stress on manpower re- sources and increasing productivity. As an example, suppose a fault occurs and the relay trips in zone I. Since INSITE is continuously monitoring, and the zone 1 trip was correc, it will not alert. However, what i! it should have been a zone | trip that tripped in zone 2? The result isa lot of lights were turned off that didn’t need to be ‘tumed off: Why? INSITE has all the information stored to fu ‘out if it was the relay, the communications scheme or if the breaker was slow to clear and backup protection took over. Tt information is accessed on a PC with waveforms, measure- ‘ments and contact operations much like a DFR. The informa- tion is needed to correct the problem, but things don’t need to be taken apart on a regular basis just to see if something is ‘wrong. INSITE identifies the malfunction to guide the mainte- ‘nance process and make this process more efficient, ‘Although INSITE in this instance acts as a DFR, it provides much more. INSITE Components The heart ofthe system i a data acquisition unit (DAU) that has both analog and digital inputs that are comected to individual breakers, PT signal, relay signals and transformers ‘The DAU communicates via a local area network (LAN) toa controler that is located inthe control house. The LAN hap pens to be ModBus+, but different networks are posible The DAU’ only function isto acquire data. The data is {ed continuously toa system controller. When an event occurs, ‘messages are sent to the system controller that run the expertsystem to decide if there is a problem. Figure 3 shows a block iagram of atypical system that is being installed at various >eations in North America in order to monitor power system pparatus such as circuit breakers and transformers. Continuous Monitoring Parameters ‘The system provides insight into what the power system s doing, Sensors may be specifically dedicated toa particular ipparatus. A multitude of conditions are monitored by the AUs for changes in operation. Monitoring includes the fol- owing areas, all providing integrated data to see what is hap- >ening onthe system: Circuit Breakers » phase currents » trip and close coil currents primary and secondary trips heater currents tank and mechanism pressures for air or gas breakers, mo- tion and auxiliary contact timing Transformers Combustible gasses are monitored. If carbon monoxide is detected, it means the oil is overheated. If ethylene is de- tected in the ol, itis indicative of arcing. + Line currents and voltages are also measured. This allows the measurement of magnetizing curent that in tum allows the expert system to know if there is any change in the ‘magnetic structure ofthe transformer. ‘+ Terminal voltages are measured to allow an equivalent cir- cait of the transformer to be generated to monitor leakage reactance. This will alert a change inthe col’s geometry that may signify damage due to through faults. Protection Schemes ‘The expert system can also monitor what the protection scheme is doing. What parameters can be input against which ‘the system can compare? This is where the paper tes the test- ing methods, basic and advanced, together. A baseline per- formance can be established that is based upon the results of the scheme diagnostic tests Sampling Rates The system looks for statistical changes in certain sig- nals, The information is digitized at 10kHLz which allows 150 to 160 samples per cycle. Tis is used in @16 bit system, so very small changes can be observed. Features are extracted from waveforms when a change is found. The feature is then ‘analyzed by an algorithm which quantifies its value ‘As an example ofthe kinds of things that are important, ‘when a trip signal is given to a breaker, the trip curent starts to increase exponentially until the latch moves. When the latch just begins to move, there isa small downward deflection in the waveform duc to an inductance change of the trip coil, and m2 then the trip current continues to rise. That small downward deflection is monitored. A change in this deflection may mean the latch is beginning to stick. A continuous statistical analysis is made of features like these that, when integrated into an overall picture, provide an excellent indication of what is going ‘om in the power system and the health of it, Summary ‘The expert system described will monitor the power system and the components init to watch for changes in the system operation. I there isa change, it wil let you know ‘where the change is, what itis, and try to define what the problem is This makes maintenance and operation resources rmore effective so that time can be spent on fixing problems and ‘improving the system rather than spending most of the avail- able time looking for problems. ‘The expert system suggested here is forthe future, not for today. But the future will be here within this year. Two utilities are going to install additional DAUs on their apparatus along with an INSITE system to help in developing the protoc- tion system analysis, ‘The time is coming when the running of periodic tests will be a thing ofthe past. There are fewer and fewer personnel these days because of downsizing. The time and resources available must be used effectively. This approach will find the problems, then the time can be scheduled to go and fix them. References: IEEE Special Publication # 96TPIL5-0 Relay Performance Testing Power System Relaying Committee, Report of Working Group 113,