Merging Unit Testing System for Power Protection Relays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing of electric power protection systems is cumbersome due to the physical distance between devices, requiring multiple test sets and time synchronization, which increases testing time and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that injects test signals into a single merging unit, which communicates digital secondary signals to multiple merging units, reducing the need for multiple test sets and simplifying the testing process by using existing communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple test sets are used to test multiple merging units, then testing coverage is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single test set is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially testing different merging units. The test set can be configured to inject test signals into any selected merging unit and receive responses, making it a universal testing device that replaces the need for multiple dedicated test sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a communication network as an intermediary to connect the single test set with multiple merging units. This network enables the test set to communicate with and control multiple distant merging units without requiring physical proximity or multiple separate test equipment locations.
2Reliability
If multiple test sets are deployed at different locations, then testing of distributed merging units is improved, but loss of time for setup and synchronization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network acts as a mediator that enables a single test set to remotely access and test multiple merging units located at different physical positions. This eliminates the time required to physically relocate test equipment and allows sequential testing without setup delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The test set uses digital signal copying and transmission through the communication network to replicate test signals to multiple merging units. This allows the same test sequence to be efficiently applied to different units without physical duplication of test equipment.
3Measurement precision
If time synchronization is implemented across multiple test sets, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The time synchronization function is extracted from multiple separate test sets and consolidated into a single test set. This eliminates the complexity of coordinating synchronization between multiple independent devices, as only one test set requires internal time management and no inter-device synchronization is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The single test set performs the time-synchronization function universally for all merging unit tests it conducts. All measurements and test sequences are managed by one centralized time reference, simplifying the system while maintaining measurement precision across all tested units.
4Reliability
If traditional testing methods are used with multiple test sets, then testing thoroughness is improved, but resource usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
One test set is designed with universal capabilities to thoroughly test multiple merging units through sequential operation. The test set maintains comprehensive testing functionality while replacing multiple physical test sets, thereby reducing resource requirements while preserving testing thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of multiple separate test sets is merged into a single integrated test set. By combining the testing capabilities of what would have been multiple devices into one unified system, the invention reduces the quantity of equipment needed while maintaining complete testing coverage through systematic sequential operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods testing a power protection relay include a merging unit to receive signals from an electric power delivery system. The merging unit includes a test signal input to receive test signals from a testing device, a relay output to output at least one of the test signals to a power protection relay, a distribution output to output at least another of the test signals to one or more additional merging units, and a switch subsystem to route the test signal to the relay output or the distribution output.