Automatic Recloser Adjustment for Power Distribution Systems

In this paper, a self-adaptive protection system is proposed for adjusting the time dial (TD) of reclosers found in electrical power distribution systems (EPDSs). The self-adjustment is carried out in both phase and ground protection. The methodology considers the fuses along the feeder to obtain the fuse-saving philosophy. This feature allows less interference on the protection system already implemented by the electrical power distribution utilities. This methodology also allows using other frameworks, such as the estimation of the fault distance. The software used for computer modeling and simulation was PSCAD (TM)/EMTDC (TM). The flexibility provided by the method, which allows the incorporation of new logic and changes in decision-making, resulted in an adaptive method with a good performance against different locations, types, and fault impedance. It also resulted in better coordination between the protection devices (PDs). The results compared with well-coordinated conventional protection have shown significant performance gain with the adaptive system.