Circuit protection system

• US 7,254,001 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB SPA (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Premerlani, William James, Berkcan, Ertugrul, Papallo, Thomas F., Lavoie, Gregory P., Fletcher, David G
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Demakis; James A.
• Application Number:
  US10/373,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 361/64
• US Class Current: 361/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/05 Digital input using the sampling of an analogue quantity at regular intervals of time , input from a/d converter or output to d/a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/20 operated by excess current as well as by some other abnormal electrical condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0061 concerning transmission of signals transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/05 with means for increasing reliability, e.g. redundancy arrangements for logic circuits H03K19/003
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/261 involving signal transmission between at least two stations transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/262 involving transmissions of switching or blocking orders
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/263 involving transmissions of measured values comparison of currents or voltages using pilot wires H02H3/30
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/30 Staggered disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0004 : involved in a protection system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 : Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 : The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/001 : Methods to deal with contingencies, e.g. abnormalities, faults or failures
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/007 : Arrangements for selectively connecting the load or loads to one or several among a plurality of power lines or power sources for providing uninterruptable power supply H02J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/12 : for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0658 : Clock or time synchronisation among packet nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0661 : using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0018 : based on latency requirement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 : using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 : Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 : Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 : by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 : Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 : Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 : Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 : Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker. A control processing unit can determine a dynamic delay time for opening a first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in the circuit. The control processing unit delays opening the first circuit breaker until after the dynamic delay time has elapsed to provide an opportunity for the nearest circuit breaker to clear the fault.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a circuit having a first circuit breaker and a second circuit breaker downstream of said first circuit breaker, the method comprising:

detecting a fault in said circuit, said fault being downstream of said second circuit breaker;

determining a dynamic delay time for opening said first circuit breaker; and

opening said first circuit breaker after said dynamic delay time has elapsed,

wherein determining said dynamic delay time comprises monitoring electrical parameters of said circuit and communicating said electrical parameters over a network to a microprocessor, said microprocessor being configured to operate said first and second circuit breakers, wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on a clearing time of said second circuit breaker.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an open command by said microprocessor in response to said electrical parameters, communicating said open command from said microprocessor to a circuit breaker actuator operably connected to said second circuit breaker, and opening said second circuit breaker in response to said open command.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an open command by said microprocessor in response to said electrical parameters, communicating said open command from said microprocessor to a circuit breaker actuator operably connected to said first circuit breaker, and opening said first circuit breaker in response to said open command after said dynamic delay time has elapsed.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing said electrical parameters with a sensor, communicating signals representative of said electrical parameters to a data sample and transmission module and communicating said signals to said microprocessor, wherein said module, said sensor and said microprocessor are communicatively coupled.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising detecting if said fault is cleared.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein detecting if said fault is cleared comprises monitoring said electrical parameters and communicating said electrical parameters over said network to said microprocessor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising opening said first circuit breaker after said dynamic delay time has elapsed if said fault is not cleared in response to opening said second circuit breaker.

8. A method of protecting a circuit having a first circuit breaker arranged upstream of a plurality of second circuit breakers, the method comprising:

detecting a fault in said circuit;

determining a location of said fault;

determining a dynamic delay time for opening said first circuit breaker based at least in part upon said location of said fault; and

delaying opening said first circuit breaker until after said dynamic delay time has elapsed,

wherein determining said location of said fault comprises determining a nearest breaker upstream to said fault of said plurality of second circuit breakers, said nearest breaker being nearest to said fault and upstream of said fault, and wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part upon a clearing time of said nearest breaker.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said dynamic delay time is determined by at least one control processing unit, said at least one control processing unit being in communication with said first circuit breaker and said plurality of second circuit breakers over a network, said at least one control processing unit being configured to open and close said first circuit breaker and said plurality of second circuit breakers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein detecting said fault and detecting said location of said fault comprise monitoring electrical parameters of said circuit and communicating said electrical parameters over said network to said at least one control processing unit.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising opening said first circuit breaker in response to said electrical parameters communicated to said at least one control processing unit.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising sensing said electrical parameters with a plurality of sensors, communicating said electrical parameters to a plurality of data sample and transmission modules and communicating signals representative of said electrical parameters to said at least one control processing unit, wherein each of said modules is in communication with at least one of said first circuit breaker or said plurality of second circuit breakers, at least one of said plurality of sensors, and said at least one control processing unit.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said dynamic delay time is the sum of a pre-defined time delay and said clearing time of said nearest breaker.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining dynamic delay times for opening each of a plurality of third circuit breakers based at least in part on said nearest breaker, said plurality of third circuit breakers being upstream of said nearest breaker, and opening each of said plurality of third circuit breakers after said dynamic delay times have elapsed.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining a state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers, said state being either open or closed; and

opening at least one of said plurality of third circuit breakers based at least in part on said state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers, said state being either open or closed;

determining a topology of said circuit based upon said state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers; and

opening at least one of said first circuit breaker or said plurality of third circuit breakers based on said topology.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining a change in said state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers; and

monitoring a change in said topology based upon said change in said state for each of said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said plurality of third circuit breakers.

18. A protection system coupled to a circuit having a first circuit breaker arranged upstream of a plurality of second circuit breakers, the system comprising:

a network and at least one control processing unit operatively controlling said first circuit breaker and said plurality of second circuit breakers, said network being communicatively coupled to said circuit, said first circuit breaker, said plurality of second circuit breakers and said at least one control processing unit, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a dynamic delay time for opening said first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in said circuit, and wherein said at least one control processing unit delays opening said first circuit breaker until after said dynamic delay time has elapsed,

wherein said at least one control processing unit receives parameter signals representative of electrical parameters of said circuit, wherein said at least one control processing unit opens at least one of said second circuit breakers in response to said parameter signals if said fault is detected in said circuit and wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on a location of said fault.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of data sample and transmission modules and a plurality of sensors, each of said modules being in communication with at least one of said first circuit breaker or said plurality of second circuit breakers, at least one of said plurality of sensors and said at least one control processing unit, wherein said plurality of sensors sense said electrical parameters and communicate said parameter signals to said plurality of modules, wherein said plurality of modules communicate said parameter signals to said at least one control processing unit, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a nearest breaker upstream to said fault of said plurality of second circuit breakers, said nearest breaker having a clearing time, and wherein said at least one control processing unit determines said dynamic delay time based at least in part on said clearing time.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a circuit breaker actuator in communication with said at least one control processing unit, wherein said circuit breaker actuator receives an actuation signal from said at least one control processing unit, said actuation signal causing said circuit breaker actuator to open said first circuit breaker after said dynamic delay time has elapsed.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a nearest breaker upstream to said fault of said plurality of second circuit breakers, said nearest breaker having a pre-defined delay time and a clearing time, and wherein said at least one control processing unit determines said dynamic delay time based on said pre-defined delay time and said clearing time.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said at least one control processing unit selectively generates a de-actuation signal, and wherein said de-actuation signal causes said circuit breaker actuator to close said nearest breaker.

23. A power distribution system comprising:

a circuit having a plurality of circuit breakers, at least one power source and at least one load, said plurality of circuit breakers being arranged with at least one first circuit breaker upstream of a plurality of second circuit breakers;

a network; and

at least one control processing unit operatively controlling said plurality of circuit breakers, said network being communicatively coupled to said at least one control processing unit and said circuit,

wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a dynamic delay time for opening said at least one first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in said circuit, said dynamic delay time being based at least in part on a location of said fault and wherein said at least one control processing unit delays opening said at least one first circuit breaker until after said dynamic delay time has elapsed,

wherein said at least one control processing unit receives parameter signals representative of electrical parameters of said circuit, wherein said dynamic delay time is selectively generated by said at least one control processing unit in response to said parameter signals if said fault is detected in said circuit, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a nearest breaker upstream to said fault of said plurality of second circuit breakers and wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on a clearing time of said nearest breaker.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of data sample and transmission modules and a plurality of sensors, each of said modules being in communication with at least one of said plurality of circuit breakers, at least one of said plurality of sensors and said at least one control processing unit, wherein said plurality of sensors sense said electrical parameters and communicate said parameter signals to said plurality of modules, and wherein said plurality of modules communicate said parameter signals to said at least one control processing unit.

25. The system of claim 23, further comprising a circuit breaker actuator in communication with said at least one control processing unit, wherein said circuit breaker actuator receives an actuation signal from said at least one control processing unit and opens said at least one first circuit breaker after said dynamic delay time has elapsed in response to said actuation signal.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein each of said plurality of circuit breakers has a circuit breaker actuator, wherein said at least one control processing unit selectively generates an actuation signal in response to said parameter signals if said fault is detected in said circuit and communicates said actuation signal to said circuit breaker actuator of said nearest breaker, and wherein said actuation signal causes said circuit breaker actuator of said nearest breaker to open said nearest breaker.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said at least one control processing unit selectively generates a de-actuation signal and communicates said de-actuation signal to said circuit breaker actuator of said nearest breaker, and wherein said de-actuation signal causes said circuit breaker actuator of said nearest breaker to close said nearest breaker.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said nearest breaker has a pre-defined delay time, and wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part upon said pre-defined delay time and said clearing time.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said plurality of circuit breakers further comprises a plurality of third circuit breakers upstream of said at least one first circuit breaker and said nearest circuit breaker, and wherein said at least one control processing unit determines dynamic delay times for opening each of said plurality of third circuit breakers, said dynamic delay times being based at least in part on said pre-defined delay time and said clearing time of said nearest breaker.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a state for each of said plurality of circuit breakers, said state being either open or closed, wherein said at least one control processing unit determines a topology of said circuit based upon said state of each of said plurality of circuit breakers, and wherein said at least one control processing unit opens at least one of said plurality of third circuit breakers based on said topology.