NOJA-7126

APPLICATION GUIDE

NOJA Power

Configuration of the OSM recloser for

Distribution System Automation (DSA)

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Revision History
Rev Author Date Comment
0 BOS 29/08/2014 First Draft

source: S:\Service-700\Service Procedures\RC10__CMS instructions and procedures\Source\NOJA-7126-00 RC10 DSA

Application guide.doc

LIMITATIONS

NOJA Power® and OSM® are registered trademarks of NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd. This document is
copyright and is intended for users and distributors of NOJA Power Switchgear product. It contains
information that is the intellectual property of NOJA Power Switchgear and the document, or any part thereof,
should not be copied or reproduced in any form without written permission from NOJA Power Switchgear.
NOJA Power® is a registered trademark of NOJA Power Switchgear and should not be reproduced or
used in any way without written authorisation.
NOJA Power Switchgear applies a policy of ongoing development and reserves the right to change product
without notice. NOJA Power Switchgear does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage incurred as a
result of acting or refraining from action based on information in this User Manual.

© NOJA Power Switchgear Pty Ltd 2002 - 2014

www.nojapower.com.au

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CONTENTS

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4
2 Configuration of OSM recloser for DSA ..................................................................................... 4
2.1 Typical Network Configuration ........................................................................................... 5
2.2 Typical applications of the recloser in DSA. ....................................................................... 5
2.3 Features available in the OSM recloser ............................................................................... 6
2.3.1 Loss of Supply Detection. .............................................................................................. 6
2.3.2 Automatic Backfeed Restoration (ABR) ....................................................................... 7
2.3.3 ABR Auto Open ............................................................................................................. 8
2.3.4 Directional Protection .................................................................................................... 9
3 Examples of DSA Operation...................................................................................................... 10
3.1 Loss Of Supply from Substation SS #2. ............................................................................ 10
3.2 Fault between R1 and R2 reclosers. ................................................................................... 11
3.3 Fault between R2 and R3 reclosers. ................................................................................... 12
4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 13

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1 Introduction
Power Utilities are looking for ways to increase reliability. These include

- Providing backup supply to the user from an alternative feeder

- Introduction of SCADA systems for monitoring and remote control of equipment
- Introduction of automation schemes to reduce outage time in the event of a fault

This document describes the available functionality and recommended configuration of reclosers for
application in Distribution System Automation (DSA) schemes.

2 Configuration of OSM recloser for DSA

Changes to network configuration used to be carried out manually by operators. It can be time consuming
due to potentially large distances between devices.

With the introduction of SCADA systems many Power Utilities obtained remote control of their equipment
using radio, telephone or other links. Due to the high cost of SCADA systems and the associated
infrastructure, they are not implemented by all Power Utilities.

The introduction of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) such us Pole Mounted Automatic Circuit Reclosers
with microprocessor based controllers allowed the introduction of “distributed intelligence” along the feeder.
A Pole Mounted Recloser with IED capabilities is able to monitor power line parameters and make decisions
on actions required as the parameters of the feeder change. The most benefit can be obtained from a
recloser incorporating current and voltage sensors. The combination of appropriate sensors with intelligent
algorithms allows the controller to minimise the effects of a line fault without relying on a centralised
communication system.

A very good example of this type of equipment is the NOJA Power OSM Pole Mounted Recloser. This
recloser is used world-wide due to its excellent specification and very high field reliability.

The key unique points of the OSM recloser are:

- OSM recloser is equipped AS STANDARD with 3 in-built current transfomers

- OSM recloser is equipped AS STANDARD with 6 in-built voltage sensors
- OSM recloser is equipped AS STANDARD with Full Directional Protection
- OSM recloser is equipped AS STANDARD with the Automatic Backfeed Restoration algorithm (Loop
Automation)
- Excellent timing parameters allows protection coordination time between devices to be minimised
- Capability of recording Load Profile in both Forward and Reverse directions in separate logs
- Extended SCADA capability
- Easy, user-friendly configuration and setup of the equipment.
- No communication is required between series reclosers for DSA operation

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2.1 Typical Network Configuration

A typical Network configuration is shown in Fig 1.

Figure 1: Typical Network configuration

Where: SS#1 and SS#2 – Substations

CB#1 and CB#2 – Substation circuit breakers
R1, R2, R4, R5 – normally closed reclosers
R3 – normally open recloser

In this case, if supply from Substation #1 is not available, the Open Point Recloser (R3) can be closed and
supply to the customers connected to the feeder from SS#1 will be restored. Substation #1 must be isolated
by opening CB#1 to prevent backfeed.

2.2 Typical applications of the recloser in DSA.

Based on the schematic shown in Figure 1, an OSM recloser is used as R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 reclosers.
There is also no reason why OSM reclosers cannot be used as the Substation Circuit Breakers, CB#1 and
CB#2. Currently a large number of customers use this product in Substation applications and having a
recloser in the substation allows the automation capability to be expanded.

Let’s consider that OSM reclosers are installed in positions R1 – R5 on the network. From an operational
point of view the functionality of reclosers R1/R5 and R2/R4 are similar so we will consider the operation of
R1, R2 and R3 reclosers as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Simplified schematic.

The role of the reclosers in DSA schemes is as follows:

R1 – this recloser shall be capable of detecting a loss of supply from the Zone Substation 1 (SS#1) and be
able to trip after a pre-programmed time to isolate the substation.

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R2 – this recloser can be fed from one direction or another and it shall be capable of detecting the
direction of a fault and tripping to clear the fault while maintaining co-ordination with upstream and
downstream devices.

R3 – this device shall be capable of detecting a loss of supply from either side of the recloser and closing
after a pre-programmed time to restore supply to the affected side. It must also have directional
protection since it can be fed from either direction.

2.3 Features available in the OSM recloser

2.3.1 Loss of Supply Detection.

The R1 recloser shall be able to detect loss of supply from substation SS#1. To facilitate this, the R1 recloser
has a protection element (UV3) responsible for Loss of Supply Detection.

Configuration of UV3 is extremely simple:

Figure 3: CMS Configuration screen for Loss Of Supply detection (UV3).

The following parameters require configuration

UV3 Tripping Time – This parameter specifies how long will it take for the recloser to open after Loss Of
Supply is detected.
AR UV Map – This is the parameter which defines the operation of the reclosers in the event of a
Loss Of Supply.
L – Lockout
R – Reclosing operation
A – Alarm
D – Disable

AR UV Map Can be Disabled (D) or Enabled (E).

It is recommended that UV3 is set to “L” to ensure that the recloser goes to Lockout on Loss of Supply from
the substation SS#1. UV3 tripping time shall be configured in accordance with system requirements and
needs to take into consideration any possible auto reclosing operations by the substation CB.

Undervoltage Protection (UV) needs to be turned ON in order to activate the UV3 element.

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2.3.2 Automatic Backfeed Restoration (ABR)

Recloser R3 is able to detect Loss of Supply on either side and close automatically to restore the supply.
The OSM detects Loss of Supply (voltage) on either set of bushings or both; depending on VRC
configuration (see below). To configure Automatic Backfeed Restoration (ABR) the following parameters
need to be set:

Figure 4: ABR configuration screen in TELUS

Where:

“E” – “Enable” ABR. ABR is disabled if set to “D”.

Restoration Time – Time after Loss of Supply before the recloser will close.

Please note, ABR can only be turned ON if the following conditions are met:

• OSM is Open
• Protection and Autoreclosing turned ON
• Live Line Disabled
• ABR is set to “E” (Enabled)

It is necessary to nominate the set of bushing to trigger the closing of the OSM when supply is lost. This is
done using the Voltage Reclosing Element (VRC).

VRC can be set to:

ABC – Loss of supply on ABC set of bushing will trigger closing of the recloser
RST – Loss of supply on RST set of bushings will trigger closing of the recloser
Ring – Loss of supply on either side of the recloser (but not both) will trigger closing of the recloser

Multiplier (UM) defines the level of voltage that defines a Loss of Supply and is set as a multiplier of System
Voltage.

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The status of ABR can be monitored. When ABR is ON, the appropriate notification is shown on the TELUS
System Status screen and on the Operator Panel. When ABR is active, there is no LOCKOUT state since
the recloser may close without Operator intervention.

When Loss of Supply is detected and ABR is triggered, a “Protection Initiated” message is shown.

NOTE: When the recloser closes due to ABR operation, ABR will be turned OFF and must be
turned back ON via SCADA or from the Operator Panel. If automatic opening and re-
arming of ABR is required then use the Auto Open feature described below.

2.3.3 ABR Auto Open

The recloser can be set to automatically open again and turn on ABR based on a timer. This can be used to
automatically configure the Tie Point recloser (R3) back to its initial state. To use this feature, it is necessary
that the sources of supply can be tied together.

After the timer expires, the OSM opens, and checks to see whether voltage is present on both sides of the
recloser and turns on ABR. The amount of times the Auto Open ABR Close cycle occurs can be limited to
prevent unnecessary interruptions to supply. If the Auto Open operation count reaches the set limit, then the
recloser remains closed.

Auto Open mode – Set to “Enable”

Auto Open Time - Set the amount of time in minutes after an

ABR operation before the Auto Open will
occur.

Operations - If set to zero, ABR Open – Auto Open cycles

are unlimited. Set to 1 – 10 to limit the
amount of Auto Open operations.

Figure 5: ABR Auto Open by Timer

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2.3.4 Directional Protection

The supply through the reclosers R2, R3 and R4 flows in one direction or another. As a result, these
reclosers must be able to detect and clear a fault for power flow in either direction. Accordingly, appropriate
protection coordination is required in each direction. In order to meet this requirement a recloser must
provide full directional protection.

The OSM pole mounted recloser has built-in current and voltage sensors as standard (no additional
hardware required). The measurements from these sensors allow us to monitor the direction of the fault. An
example of Directional Protection Configuration is shown below:

Figure 6: Protection configuration screen in TELUS.

The appropriate protection elements need to be configured and set. Elements with (+) sign are used for
operation in the Forward direction. Elements with (-) sign are used for operation in the reverse direction.
Forward (+) direction is defined as ABC -> RST. Reverse (-) direction is defined as RST -> ABC.

Pickup current, operating characteristic (IDMT, Definitie time) and other parameters can be configured for
each element individually.

The DE Map tick box must be ticked to enable an elements directional characteristic. If this box is not ticked
then the element will operate as non-directional (ie, it will detect a fault on either side). The correct torque
angle must be set to define fault direction; this setting is dependent on the upstream impedance
characteristics.

Similar settings apply to EF, NPS and SEF protection.

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3 Examples of DSA Operation

Maintenance requirements, emergency switching or other factors can generate a situation where the network
topology needs to be changed. Some common scenarios are considered below.

3.1 Loss Of Supply from Substation SS #2.

In normal configuration the power supply flow in the network is as below.

Figure 7: Typical configuration of the network

If supply from substation SS#2 is not available, loss off supply will trigger the timers (UV3 for R5 recloser and
ABR for R3).

The operation of UV3 and ABR timers together with status of both reclosers is shown in the diagram below.

On expiration of the UV3 timer in the R5 recloser, it opens to prevent backfeed.

The R3 recloser detects the Loss of Supply on one side and closes to restore the supply using ABR.

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When the algorithm completes, the new system configuration is shown in the diagram below.

Figure 8: Reconfigured network when supply lost from SS #2

R2 and R3 will use Forward (+) protection and R4 will use Reverse (-) set of protection elements in the event
that a fault occurs.

Operation of DSA in the event of a Loss of Supply to substation SS#1 will be identical, only instead of R5,
recloser R1 will operate. R3 will detect the Loss of Supply on its other set of bushings.

Figure 9: Reconfigured network when supply lost from SS #1

As can be seen from the example above, supply can easily be restored regardless of which substation
generates the Loss of Supply. Correct protection coordination is required between all reclosers in both
directions.

3.2 Fault between R1 and R2 reclosers.

Let’s consider the operation of DSA when a fault occurs between R1 and R2 reclosers.

Figure 10: Fault in the network

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In this case the fault must be cleared by the R1 recloser (Forward (+) set of Directional Protection) which is
nearest to the fault. Isolation of the fault will trigger the ABR timer on the R3 recloser. When its timer expires,
the R3 recloser closes. With a permanent fault still on the feeder, the recloser R2 needs to clear the fault.

If the LSRM mode is enabled in the R2 recloser then it will only trip once to lockout.

The network configuration after clearing the fault and operation of ABR is shown below:

Figure 11: Reconfigured network with faulty section isolated.

3.3 Fault between R2 and R3 reclosers.

Another example involves a fault in the section of feeder between the R2 and R3 reclosers.

Figure 12: Fault in the network

In this case the fault must be cleared by the R2 recloser (Forward (+) set of Directional Protection) which is
nearest the fault. Isolation of the fault will trigger the ABR timer on the R3 recloser. When its timer expires,
the R3 recloser closes. With a permanent fault still on the feeder, R3 recloser closes onto the fault and trips
to lockout using its Reverse (-) set of the settings.

The network configuration after clearing the fault and operation of ABR is shown below:

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Figure 13: Reconfigured network with faulty section isolated.

4 Conclusion

OSM Pole Mounted Reclosers from NOJA Power Switchgear can provide a simple, reliable and very
effective tool for Distribution System Automation. Extensive protection functionality, including directional
protection, SCADA ready and Automation algorithms, in conjunction with other unique features makes the
OSM the perfect choice for application in Distribution System Application projects.

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