Testing Protection & Control Systems

Considerations & Requirements

Mauro Borrielli – Jun Verzosa

Doble Engineering Company

Protection Testing Seminar

Dammam – Saudi Arabia
May 2014
 Topics Covered

• Why Test?
– Protection & control system requirements
– Classification of P&C systems

• What factors should be considered for testing?

• Test system requirements

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 Protection System Requirements
• Functionality – suitability to application
• Speed of operation
• Sensitivity
• Reliability
– Dependability
– Security

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1 - Classification of Protection & Control Systems

1. Technology
2. Functional, Performance and Operating
Characteristics
3. Scheme Design

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1 - Classification of Protection & Control Systems

1 - Technology
• Electromechanical relays – single function
• Solid state relays – single or multi-functions
• Microprocessor-based relays
– Multi-function relays, mostly
– Protection algorithms implemented in software
– Logic implemented in software
• Protection systems based on IEC 61850

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1 - Classification of Protection & Control Systems

2 - Functional, Performance and Operating

Characteristics
• Undervoltage/Overvoltage
• Overcurrent – definite time, inverse time
• Directional – polarizing methods
• Differential – vector and ratio compensation
• Impedance – mho, polygon, residual comp.
• Phase comparison, directional comparison
• Reclosing/Synch-check
• High-speed vs. low-speed
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1 - Classification of Protection & Control Systems

3 - Scheme Design
• Single relay with single function and simple logic
• Multiple relays wired together to form a protection
scheme and more complex logic in a protection panel
• Multi-function schemes in microprocessor-based
relays with complex logic using software Boolean
logic and timers
• Multi-terminal protection schemes
– Line teleprotection systems
– Distributed busbar protection (ex: REB 500)

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 2 - Types of Tests
• Conformance tests
• Certification tests
• Application tests
• Factory acceptance tests
• Site commissioning tests
• Preventive maintenance tests
• Trouble-shooting and corrective maintenance

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 3 - Testing Techniques
• Steady-state testing
• Dynamic testing
• Transient testing
• End-to-end testing
• Real-time digital simulators

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 3 - Testing Techniques
• Steady-state testing
– Verify set points – sensitive, reach, timing
– Verify static characteristics
– Verify connections – analog inputs, logic
inputs/outputs
– Test simple scheme logic
– Manual testing and automated testing
– Test quantities - no model or very simple model
– Usually only one parameter is varied during testing
– Most steady state tests are not realistic

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 3 - Testing Techniques
• Dynamic testing
– Automated testing of two or more states (such as pre-fault,
fault, breaker opening, reclosing, etc.)
– All test quantities (amplitude & angles) can change
simultaneously
– Test quantities – based on a power system model and fault
inception angles
– May include power system decaying dc currents
– CT/CVT and other transients not considered
– Tests dynamic behavior – reach, timing, dynamic
characteristics, directionality, memory and polarizing
circuits, complex scheme logic
– Realistic testing
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 3 - Testing Techniques
• Transient testing
– Point-by-point control of instantaneous V and I
– Playback transient files DFRs, relays, EMTP
simulators (COMTRADE format and others)
– Testing under realistic and actual power system
conditions including high-frequency transients –
capacitor switching, CVT transients, CT saturation,
inrush, cable/line capacitances
– Tests dynamic behavior – reach, timing, dynamic
characteristics, directionality, memory and pol. circuits
– Most realistic testing
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 3 - Testing Techniques
• End-to-end Testing
– Tests an entire protection system
• Teleprotection system – 2 or more terminals
• Distributed Busbar protection – multiple bays
– Requires personnel and test set at each location
– Requires synchronization of all test sets
– Test plans need to be prepared in advanced
– May combine state simulation and transient testing
– Test quantities should be based on models of the
protected object and system for realistic simulation

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 3 - Testing Techniques
• Real-time digital simulators
– Software modeling of power systems, including
accurate modeling of cables, lines, transformers,
generators, breakers, series/shunt compensating
equipment, surge arresters
– Closed-loop testing
– Requires external amplifiers
– Requires highly-skilled personnel
– Very expensive and used in laboratories

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 4 - Site Commissioning Tests
• Purpose:
– Prove that all devices are working
– Prove that the system functions in accordance with the
design and settings
• Tests include:
– Prove set points of functions related elements
– Check timing and characteristics per settings
– Prove that the scheme logic works correctly
– Functional tests with the in-service settings and involves
associated peripheral devices
• Serves as a benchmark for future maintenance and
trouble-shooting tests
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 4 - Site Commissioning Tests
• Combine various testing techniques as may be necessary to
achieve test objectives in an efficient and effective way,
taking advantage of the capabilities of modern test sets and
software
• Consider the design of the P&C system and device
configuration and settings
– Technological generation of the devices
– Where to inject test currents and voltages
– Where to monitor relay outputs. What relay outputs and
functions/elements are available for monitoring? Test
without changing the relay settings, as much as possible
– Wet contact or dry contact?
– What relay logic inputs need to be simulated by the test sets?
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 4 - Site Commissioning Tests
• Relay configuration and settings
• External connections
– In-service testing of a relay or scheme
• Test switches for injection and logic output monitoring
• Outputs available for test monitoring
– Dry contact or wet contact
– Single output contact that is common for all elements
– Output contact available for each element
• Change settings or not
– Isolate function/element under test?

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 5 - Preventive Maintenance Tests
• Reasons for relay testing
• Essential relay testing equipment
• The importance of using different test techniques for
various relay generations
• Traditional test procedures for element testing
• Logic and dynamic testing
• Combining test techniques for more efficient and
effective relay testing
• Applying test techniques that take advantage of
modern test equipment and software

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 5 - Preventive Maintenance Tests
• Purpose
• Consider technological generation of devices
– Electromechanical relays – need calibration more
often
– Static relays – components fail and drift – testing
needs to make sure that all elements are covered
– Microprocessor-based relays – less testing of the
device is required, especially those covered by self
monitoring. Input and outputs need to be tested.
Avoid changes in settings. Mostly dynamic testing
techniques needed.
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 6 - Testing Tool Requirements
• Test equipment and accessories
• Test software
• Test monitoring and documentation

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 6.1 - Test Equipment
• Provide the required Voltage and Current sources
– Required number of sources (usually 6V and 6I)
– Required V and I source output amplitude and power
• Independent phasor control of amplitude, phase angle
and frequency of each source
• Support transient playback testing
• Required number of logic inputs and outputs to test
complex logic
• Support for GPS-synchronized end-to-end testing
• Optionally, as needed, should have
– Support for IEC 61850 sampled values and GSE messaging
– DC auxiliary power source
– DFR capability
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 6.2 - Test Software
• Support manual testing and automated testing
• Support steady-state, dynamic and transient testing
• Models parameters and characteristics of protection functions
and elements
• Automatic computation of system conditions and faults based
on power system models and relay models
• Automatic computation of expected values and evaluation of
test results
• Reusable protection models and test templates
• Provide graphical visualization of relay characteristics and tests
values
• Provides test documentation
• Easy to use
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 6.2 - Test Software
• Support manual testing and automated testing
• Support steady-state, dynamic and transient testing
• Models parameters and characteristics of protection functions
and elements
• Automatic computation of system conditions and faults based
on power system models and relay models
• Automatic computation of expected values and evaluation of
test results
• Reusable protection models and test templates
• Provide visualization of relay characteristics and tests values
• Provides test documentation
• Easy to use

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 Testing Protection & Control Systems
Considerations & Requirements

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