This document discusses busbar protection methods for electrical substations. It describes the drawbacks of not having busbar protection such as slow fault clearance times, and the benefits of busbar protection like fast fault clearance. Several methods of providing busbar protection are described, including frame leakage protection, blocking scheme protection, and high impedance differential protection. Requirements for reliable, stable, discriminating and fast operation of busbar protection systems are also outlined.
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Without Busbar Protection
F2
F1
z There are fewer faults on busbars than on other parts of the
power system.
z No risk of dislocation of system due to accidental operation of
busbar protection.
Argues
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Without Busbar Protection
F2
F1
z Slow fault clearance.
Busbar faults at F1 and F2 are cleared by remote time
delayed protection on circuits feeding the faults:
Time Delayed Overcurrent or
Time Delayed Distance Protection
Drawbacks
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With Busbar Protection
BUSBAR
ZONE
F2
F1
z Where busbars are sectionalised,
Protection can limit the amount of system
disruption for a busbar fault
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Busbar Faults Are Usually Permanent
Causes of Busbar Faults :
z Falling debris
z Insulation failures
z Circuit breaker failures
z Current transformer failures
z Isolators switchs operated on load or outside their ratings
z Safety earths left connected
Therefore :
Circuit breakers should be tripped and locked out by busbar
protection
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Busbar Protection must be :
z RELIABLE
Failure to trip could cause widespread damage to the substation
z STABLE
False tripping can cause widespread interruption of supplies to
customers / possible power system instability
z DISCRIMINATING
Should trip the minimum number of breakers to clear the fault
z FAST
To limit damage and possible power system instability
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Methods of Providing Busbar Protection
z Frame to Earth (Leakage) Protection
z Blocking Scheme Protection
z Differential Protection : High Impedance
Low Impedance
Insulation
>I
>I >I >I >I
>I
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Frame Leakage Busbar Protection
z Can detect only earth faults
z Switchgear must be insulated from earth (by standing on
concrete plinth)
z Only one single earth conductor allowed on switchgear
z All cable glands must be insulated
z Switchgear sections must be insulated
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Frame Leakage Busbar Protection
Neutral Check
>I
>I
False Operation
because induced
loop
No operation
prevents from
false trip
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Interposing CT are not acceptable
z Main CT must be identical
z Current switching via auxilliary relay is not acceptable.
Requirement of number of position contact (Disconnector
switch) is high