Protection system analysis using fault signatures in Malaysia

Electrical power outages are major concerns to power utilities throughout the world. Unfortunately, power outages will continue to happen and they cannot be totally prevented. Outages could be due to lightning strikes, tree encroachments or equipment failures. However, the impact can be reduced if power system operators are equipped with appropriate tools to analyze the root causes of the outages. To ensure system operators have the system fault conditions immediately after a tripping has occurred, this paper discuses practical solutions to be applied in the control center. This paper presents a tool for analyzing protection system performance with special emphasis on the fault signatures using Digital Fault Recorders (DFRs).

► Ability to differentiate the fault signature such as due to lightning strikes, tree and crane encroachments, and others.
► Introduction of a simplified protection system analysis report whereby a non-protection engineer can understand.
► Development of a new methodology for early detection of protection system failures before they lead to a cascaded tripping.
► Provide control engineers with an appropriate tool to help them with their critical decision making process.
► Ability to reduce the unscheduled outage time and minimize the operating cost.