Improving the Learning Experience of Power System Protection Students using Computer-based Simulations and Practical Experiments

This paper presents a survey on the activities carried out to improve the learning experience of electrical engineering undergraduate students in power system protection unit in Curtin University, Australia. The unit was conducted initially based on lectures and tutorials where only two sessions on computer simulation and one session of laboratory demonstration were conducted. In academic year of 2013, to improve the learning experience of students, several computer-based simulations and laboratory experiments were prepared. The students are introduced with two power system analysis software, namely ETAP and PSCAD/EMTDC which are used to demonstrate the over-current relays performance and their coordination as well as the time transient analysis of different faults in an electric network where some protection relays are applied. A practical setup composed of LabVolt electrical modules and SEL relays is used to simulate an electric network. Several tests are built up to simulate fault and protection layout for transformer and induction motor. Finally, a secondary injection test set is used to introduce the concepts of relay testing and commissioning.