Improvement of protection of distribution of sectioned lines with distributed generation sources (DGS)

Abstract

When powered from a backup source, the short-circuit currents in the protected area are much lower than the current cutoff insert installed at the sectioning point, therefore, in this case, the current cutoff is ineffective. In cases where the maximum current directional protection (MCDP) does not provide the required sensitivity, it is advisable to use distance protection with dependent exposure on sectioned lines and lines from distributed generation sources (DGS) in a significant decrease in voltage on the DGS buses during external short circuits through a relatively large reactance of small and medium power. Different modes of operation of sectioned lines from DGS are characterized by a change in the direction of flow of the load current and short-circuit current. Therefore, on such lines, maximum current directional protections can be applied, which provide selective action of adjacent sets of line protection in different modes of their operation. The use of definite time protection leads to the accumulation of a long time delay for the protection installed on the main switch (especially when several sectioning switches are installed on the line), which complicates the coordination of the protection of the main sections of the lines from the protection of the supply substations. The article deals with the problems of improving relay protection for distribution networks with distributed generation sources (DGS). Paying attention to the peculiarities of protection operation under different operating modes of such networks, namely: normal and post-emergency. The protection of lines from DGS must meet the general requirements for ensuring the necessary sensitivity, selectivity of action for different types of damage. Difficulties in ensuring the required sensitivity when using overcurrent protection and current cutoff in such networks are caused by the low level of short-circuit currents from backup sources. The features of the implementation of relay protection in sectioned networks when they are powered from the DGS are given. The expediency of using remote triggering devices for distance protection to increase the sensitivity of protection of sectioned lines from DGS has been substantiated.