WCSE

Impact of Fault Current Limiters (FCL) on the Optimization of Overcurrent Relay Settings on a Radial Distribution Network with Distributed Generation

Abstract—The goal of this paper is to analyze the impact caused by integrating Fault Current Limiters (FCLs) in the optimization of overcurrent relay settings. This is to extensively observe and examine the optimization functions or problems with regards to time discrimination between primary and backup relay pairs in a radial distribution system. These are with relevancy to the injection of distributed generation in a radial distribution network, which generates an increase in fault current level and miscoordination between the protection systems of the electrical power system involved. FCLs as known to be a great addition in limiting damaging currents were used and observed under different variables, particularly, the location and type. Genetic algorithm was implemented in MATLAB to optimize and solve the function problem on each test case the paper focused on. The improvement focused on determining which test case performed better and has values approaching to an electrical system without any uncertainties caused by distributed generation. The results showed that inductive FCLs when installed near the distributed generator location is more effective in fault current limitation and has values approaching to the values of the operation time of the base case. On the other hand, resistive FCLs is more effective in fault current limitation and coordinating the primary and backup relay when installed adjacent to the utility generator.

Index Terms—fault current limiters, overcurrent relay settings, time discrimination, distributed generation, inductive FCLs, resistive FCLs

John Robert C. Quiambao, Nicole Francine P. Ruedas, Michael C. Pacis
School of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Mapúa University, PHILIPPINES

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Cite: John Robert C. Quiambao, Nicole Francine P. Ruedas, Michael C. Pacis, "Impact of Fault Current Limiters (FCL) on the Optimization of Overcurrent Relay Settings on a Radial Distribution Network with Distributed Generation" Proceedings of 2023 the 13th International Workshop on Computer Science and Engineering (WCSE 2023), pp. 355-359, June 16-18, 2023.