Accelerated Testing of Power Protection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing protection devices in power transmission systems are time-consuming, especially when considering the increased complexity of modern protective relays and the need to simulate various operational scenarios, leading to prolonged test times.
Innovation Solution
The method involves operating the protection device's time-measuring device in an accelerated manner, bypassing low-pass filters, and utilizing digital interfaces with handshaking protocols to enable faster data transmission and processing, allowing for quicker evaluation of test steps without waiting for predetermined periods, thereby reducing the overall test time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective device is tested using real-time operating sequences with predetermined periods, then the test accurately reflects normal operational conditions, but the test time increases sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the time-measuring device adjustable between different operating modes. The device can switch between normal operating mode (reflecting real operational conditions) and accelerated test mode (reducing test time). This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize between test accuracy and test time based on the specific testing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter of the time-measuring device during testing. By adjusting the clock frequency or time base of the time-measuring device, the system can compress the perceived time duration during tests while maintaining the functional correctness of the protective device's timing logic. This parameter change enables faster testing without compromising the validity of timing-related protection functions.
2Productivity
If the clock frequency of the time-measuring device is increased to accelerate testing, then the test time is reduced, but the normal timing accuracy during actual operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The time-measuring device dynamically adjusts its operating frequency based on the mode. During normal operation, it runs at the standard clock frequency to ensure accurate timing for protection functions. During testing, it switches to an accelerated frequency mode to complete test sequences faster. This dynamic frequency adjustment allows the system to achieve both high test productivity and maintain timing precision during actual operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified test model that copies the essential timing behavior of the protective device without requiring real-time operation. By using the accelerated time-measuring device during tests, the system creates a compressed-time version of operational scenarios that still validates the timing logic correctness, thereby achieving fast testing while preserving timing accuracy validation.
3Reliability
If more test cases are included to cover modern protective relay complexity, then the reliability of the protective device is improved, but the test time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerated time-measuring device enables continuous testing of multiple test cases without the time penalties of real-time operation. By compressing the time scale during testing, the system can continuously execute pre-fault, fault, and post-fault scenarios along with multiple boundary condition tests, thereby comprehensively validating protective relay reliability within a practical time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by preparing and executing test sequences in an accelerated manner before actual deployment. The accelerated time-measuring device allows extensive test case coverage to be completed in advance during manufacturing or commissioning, ensuring the protective relay is thoroughly validated for reliability before it needs to operate in real-time conditions where speed is critical.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves testing an operating procedure of a protection device (1), where functions of the procedure requires a preset operation time period during utilization of the device for protecting a power transmission network (2). A time measuring device (7) of the protection device is operated for testing the protection device such that the operating procedure is tested in a short time period than the operation time period of the operating procedure. The protection device is connected with the network by an interface e.g. digital interface (12) that conforms to IEC 61850-9-2. An independent claim is also included for a test device for testing a protection device for a power transmission network.