The technical paper evaluates applications of pulse gating technology
Pulse closing is a new technology for the protection of overhead distribution systems. It uses a new method to verify that the power line has cleared the fault before starting the closing operation.
Pulse closing is a new technology for the protection of overhead distribution systems. It uses a new method to verify that the power line has cleared the fault before starting the closing operation. Pulse closing is an alternative to classic reclosing. It is expected to significantly reduce stress on system components and also improve the quality of power customers experience before failure.
S&C Electric Co. has released a technical paper that outlines a project initiated by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to work with utilities to assess the performance and benefits of pulse-closing technology. The project includes step-by-step fault testing at the Hydro-Quebec IREQ test facility as well as real-world monitoring of pulse-closer installations on the distribution lines of the participating power companies. At the time of writing, the project is still open to new members
This paper aims to quantitatively evaluate and compare the reliability impact of using an automatic loop recovery scheme in a typical distribution system with and without pulse closure technology. Permanent interruptions, instantaneous interruptions, and voltage sags are the three main service reliability attributes that are considered in reliability case studies.
Pulse closing is a new technology for ceiling distribution system protection. It uses a new method to verify that the power line has cleared the fault before starting the closing operation. Pulse closing is an alternative to classic reclosing.
– Distribution failures can damage equipment, reduce reliability and adversely affect a company’s bottom line. Some existing fault management strategies can even cause more damage by multiplying the energy applied to the system when testing the line for faults after the event. Better switching and protection techniques are available to increase customer reliability and reduce the impact of sustained outages on customers.
Author: Jason Lander
Utilities around the world are transitioning to advanced point-on-wave switching schemes with S&C’s IntelliRupter® PulseCloser® Fault Interrupter. Utilizing PulseClosing® technology, which uses 95% less energy than fault current when fault testing, IntelliRupter® fault interrupters are designed to rapidly close and open the fault contacts on individual poles and test for the continued presence of a fault after the fault is initially interrupted.
PulseClosing technology dramatically reduces the amount of force used during fault testing and significantly reduces short-term outages for customers on the main feeder. This requires accurate voltage and current sensing. The IntelliRupter fault arrester senses the voltage on both sides of the arrester at each pole and its current sensors are accurate to within ±0.5%, resulting in a protection accuracy of better than ±2%. This article describes three different protection techniques that utilities can use to increase customer reliability by reducing the impact of sustained outages on customers. These techniques are Intelligent Fuse Saving, PulseFinding™ Fault Location Technique and Loop Restoration.
Intelligent saving of fuses
In conventional fuse saving schemes, the upstream protective device operates to save a fuse located on the supply line. With intelligent fuse sensing, IntelliRupter surge arresters can detect fault current levels and then adjust the operating time based on whether the device can operate faster than the fuse. This eliminates any unnecessary flickering along the line that occurs with conventional fuse-saving strategies when conventional reclosers fail to overcome the fuses. Customers behind the IntellRupter fault interrupter will then not experience an immediate outage.
Coordination with fuses on traction lines is also important because the combined line exposure behind all fuses on these lines is usually much greater than on main lines. Effectively applied overcurrent protection of the saving fuse can reduce the frequency of outages for downstream customers. Part of the problem is the historical difficulty of achieving effective fuse savings in disposable devices equipped with conventional time characteristic curves (TCCs).
READ RELATED :