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Auto Recloser and Power Quality

Recloser is an automatic self-controlled and self-contained device used by electric utility companies to disconnect power when short circuit fault is detected on distribution lines

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8 views4 pages

Auto Recloser and Power Quality

Recloser is an automatic self-controlled and self-contained device used by electric utility companies to disconnect power when short circuit fault is detected on distribution lines

Uploaded by

amadiz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AUTO RECLOSER AND POWER QUALITY

January 14, 2021adminPower Quality


What is a recloser? Recloser is an automatic self-controlled and self-contained
device used by electric utility companies to disconnect power when short circuit fault is
detected on distribution lines. Recloser has current transformers, trip and closing
mechanism in the same enclosure and hence is a self-contained unit. Relay for recloser is
usually located on the pole below the recloser. Recloser is capable of multiple tripping and
closing operations.

Utility Auto recloser


90% of faults on
Main idea behind the use of recloser is that more than
overhead distribution lines are temporary and caused by tree
branches, small animals, lightning strike, high winds etc. If recloser is able to trip and
reclose again, fault may have disappeared (eg. dead animals) or forced to burn (eg. tree
branch). If fault is not cleared, recloser will open the circuit and retry another close
operation. These closing operations are commonly known as reclosing ‘shots’.
Reclosing allows for ‘fuse saving’ which means temporary faults will not result in
downstream fuse operation.
What is fuse saving?
Fuse saving is a philosophy in which recloser trip curve is intentionally mis-coordinated with
downstream fuses so that recloser operates faster and clears the fault. Downstream fuse is
thus ‘saved’ from opening. Idea behind this is that majority of faults on overhead distribution
circuits are temporary in nature and when recloser attempts another close, fault may have
disappeared. By using recloser, utilities can avoid high cost of sending service technicians
each time there is a temporary line fault. Downside of this method is that all customers on
the feeder will experience momentary power interruption for all faults. Fuse saving practice
is on a gradual decline within the industry.

Common recloser trip settings are 50, 70, 100, 140, 200, 280, 400, 560, 800, 1120, 1600A
with voltage up to 38kV and interrupting rating up to 16kA. Recloser could be single or three
pole. Some three phase reclosers have capability to sense current and trip and
reclose individual phases. However, if recloser goes into lockout all three
phases are locked out. Reclosers can be installed on poles or in substations and are
available in vacuum or hydraulic controls. Vacuum units have the benefit of requiring less
maintenance. Reclosers are defined by ANSI/IEEE C37.60.
Common recloser operation is to have one fast trip operation, three
delayed or two fast trip operation, two delayed.

Recloser Curves
Fast Trip: Fast operation is to clear temporary faults and allow fuse saving. For
example, overhead line struck by lightning can result in flashover which can look like line
fault to recloser relay. Conductor slapping due to high wind is another example. Since these
faults are temporary, recloser will attempt to close back with no intentional delay.
Usually the first reclosing happens in less than 1s,
typically within 10-30 cycles. Few cycles of delay is desired before reclosing the first time
to allow ionized air from a fault or lightning strike to dissipate thereby reducing
possibility of arc re-ignition.
Second reclosing attempt is in the range of 5-15s. Any
dead birds or animals are likely to fall off the pole in this interval. Third attempt may be
Most utilities only attempt
attempted around 45 seconds and so on.
two or three reclosing and rarely attempts fourth.
“80-90% of faults on overhead lines are temporary in nature.“

Considerations in deciding reclose time interval. Typical


values are shown.
*De-ionization time (Lightning strike or due to other faults): ~ 10-20 cycles
*Reset time of any upstream electromechanical relays: ~ 0.1-1sec

*Additional time to account for animal related faults: ~ 5-15sec

*Customer specific situation

Note: Utility company engineers choose reclose timing based on specific


situation. Time indicated here are typical examples only. Extremely long
reclose time intervals have draw back if fault is due to broken and fallen
conductors. Long reclose intervals may result in onlookers or first responders
to be on the scene while reclosing occurs.

Typical Reclosing Times


Delayed Trip: If fault cannot be cleared in first or second attempts, recloser
switches to a delayed response allowing downstream fuses to clear the fault. If fault is not
cleared, then fault can be assumed to be permanent and recloser will lockout. Line crew will
have to be dispatched to locate and rectify the fault.

Example two shot reclose sequence, one fast and one slow reclose
Utility voltage tolerance
Read:
Reclosing on Feeders with underground cables
Some utilities employ reclosing on underground feeder cables and will likely do only one
reclose attempt (1 shot). This is to prevent additional cable damage if that is the actual
cause of fault. Though cable faults are permanent, reclosing will help restore power in the
event fault is due to small animal (snakes, rodents etc) intrusion in switches, transformers
etc.

Power Quality and Reclosing


Fast reclosing while quickly restores power has some power quality implications:
Voltage Sag on non-faulted buses: Multiple reclosing will result in
repeated voltage sags on substation bus and all feeder loads connected to the bus.
Depending on the short circuit strength of bus, this voltage sag can be ‘seen’ in a wide
radius and can affect lot of customers.
Bus voltage decay: When recloser initially opens, motors in the system will start
slowing down and can regenerate voltage on the bus. If voltage is restored before motors
are significantly slowed down, then large torque pulsations on motor shaft can occur.
Cogeneration: When customer operates local cogeneration that ties into the utility
grid, any recloser operation will have to be coordinated with the cogeneration disconnect
time.
Automatic transfer schemes: It is a good idea to coordinate reclosing
time to facility automatic transformer scheme so that unnecessary transfer to another
source or generator can be avoided.
Equipment shutdown: When power is switched off and then back on, many
processes can shut down (example chillers, conveyors etc.). This can be avoided to an
extend if critical process computers and safety interlocks are UPS backed up or fed from a
DC source. Some large drives have ‘flying restart’ capability when enabled allows drives to
continue operating after a brief (few cycles) voltage loss
Ground Current Flow: When line fault is due to broken and fallen conductors,
reclosing will lead to ground current flow and ground potential rise.
Ground Potential Rise, Ferroresonant Transformer, VFD
Read:
Undervoltage Fault

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