IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CIRCUIT INTERRUPTION APPARATUSES

Abstract

A circuit interruption apparatus, for an electrical network, comprising a circuit interruption device that is operatively connectable at a source side to a source of the electrical network and at a back side to a load of an electrical network. The circuit interruption device when closed permits and when open inhibits the current flow between the source side the back side,. The current interruption device is configured to open when a current flowing therethrough meets or exceeds a fault current threshold. The circuit interruption apparatus also includes a fault current level determination unit that is configured to determine a predicted fault current level as a function of measured current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device before and after a variation in the current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device that result from a change of load at the back side of the circuit interruption device.

Claims

1. A circuit interruption apparatus, for an electrical network, comprising: a circuit interruption device operatively connectable at a source side to a source of the electrical network and at a back side to a load of an electrical network, the circuit interruption device when closed permitting current to flow between the source side and the back side, and the circuit interruption device when open inhibiting current from flowing between the source side and the back side, wherein the circuit interruption device is configured to open when a current flowing therethrough meets or exceeds a fault current threshold; and a fault current level determination unit configured to determine a predicted fault current level as a function of measured current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device before and after a variation in the current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device resulting from a change of load at the back side of the circuit interruption device.

2. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to determine each of an equivalent voltage source value of an electrical network on the back side of the circuit interruption device and an equivalent impedance value of the said electrical network on the back side of the circuit interruption device from the measured current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device, and to use the said equivalent voltage source value and the equivalent impedance value to determine the predicted fault current level.

3. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to calculate a current phasor from the measured current value at the circuit interruption device and a voltage phasor from the measured voltage value at the circuit interruption device, and to use the calculated current and voltage phasors to determine the equivalent voltage source value and the equivalent impedance value.

4. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to: measure first current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device at a first time and thereafter calculate first current and voltage phasors; measure second current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device at a second time after the first time and thereafter calculate second current and voltage phasors; determine the equivalent impedance value according to: $Z_{\mathrm{eq}}=\arg .Math.\frac{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_1-{\stackrel{.}{U}}_2}{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_1-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_2}$ wherein: Z.sub.eq is the determined equivalent impedance value; {dot over (U)}.sub.1 is the first voltage phasor; {dot over (U)}.sub.2 is the second voltage phasor; İ.sub.1 is the first current phasor; and İ.sub.2 is the second current phasor and determine the equivalent voltage source value according to:
E.sub.eq=√{square root over (U.sub.2.sup.2+(I.sub.2Z.sub.eq).sup.2−2U.sub.2I.sub.2Z.sub.eq cos(θ.sub.U1−θ.sub.I1+θ.sub.Z))} wherein: E.sub.eq is the determined equivalent voltage source value; U.sub.2 is the magnitude of the second voltage phasor; I.sub.2 is the magnitude of the second current phasor; θ.sub.U1 is the angle of the first voltage phasor; θ.sub.I1 is the angle of the first current phasor; and θ.sub.Z is the angle of the determined equivalent impedance value.

5. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 2 wherein prior to determining each of an equivalent voltage source value and an equivalent impedance value the fault current level determination unit is additionally configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value at the circuit interruption device.

6. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value of the circuit interruption device by detecting whether a predetermined degree of current variation takes place.

7. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value at the circuit interruption device by identifying whether the current variation takes place on the back side of the circuit interruption device.

8. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 2 wherein after determining each of an equivalent voltage source value and an equivalent impedance value the fault current level determination unit is additionally configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value and the determined equivalent impedance value.

9. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value and the determined equivalent impedance value by calculating an average of each of the determined equivalent voltage source value and the determined equivalent impedance value over a predetermined number of iterations.

10. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the fault current level determination unit is configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value and the determined equivalent impedance value by comparing the fluctuation in each of the determined equivalent voltage source value and the determined equivalent impedance value with a predetermined threshold and discarding the or each of the corresponding determined equivalent voltage source value and the corresponding determined equivalent impedance value when the fluctuation is greater than the predetermined threshold.

11. A circuit interruption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fault current level determination unit is further configured to compare the determined predicted fault current level with at least one setting threshold and to issue an alarm depending on the outcome of the comparison.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] There now follows a brief description of embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the following figures in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an electrical network including a circuit interruption apparatus;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an equivalent circuit for the electrical network shown in FIG. 1; and

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a phasor diagram including first and second current phasors and first and second voltage phasors calculated during operation of the circuit interruption apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] A circuit interruption apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, designated by reference numeral 10.

[0037] The circuit interruption apparatus 10 lies in a network branch 12 which forms a part of an active distribution network 14. The active distribution network 14 is connected to a sub-transmission network 16 of a wider electrical network 18 via first and second step-up transformers 20, 22. The transformers 20, 22 are able to operate either in parallel or separately to one another.

[0038] The active distribution network 14 includes a plurality of distributed voltage sources 24 in the form of distributed generators 26 (only some of which are shown in FIG. 1). Other forms of distributed voltage sources are also possible however. In an embodiment, each distributed generator 26 is controlled by a corresponding automatic voltage regulator 28.

[0039] The circuit interruption apparatus 10 includes a circuit interruption device (not shown) which is connected in use at a source side 30 to a source of the active distribution network 12, i.e. to a respective distributed voltage source 24 in the form of a distributed generator 26. The circuit interruption device is also connected in use at a back side 32 to one or more loads (not shown) in the remainder of the electrical network 18, e.g. within the remainder of the active distribution network 14, within the sub-transmission network 16, or elsewhere in the wider electrical network 18.

[0040] The circuit interruption device in an embodiment takes the form of a circuit breaker which, when closed, permits current Ito flow between the source side 30 and the back side 32 thereof and which, when open, inhibits current from flowing between the source side 30 and the back side 32 thereof. The circuit interruption device, i.e. the circuit breaker, is configured to open when the current I flowing therethrough meets or exceeds a fault current threshold, e.g. as may be provided by a protective relay in the form of a tripping signal.

[0041] The circuit interruption apparatus 10 also includes a current level determination unit (not shown) which is configured to determine a predicted fault current level, i.e. a fault current level which is expected to arise, given the instantaneous configuration and operating status of the remainder of the electrical network 18, if a fault 36 occurs close to the circuit interruption apparatus 10.

[0042] The current level determination unit is configured to determine such a predicted fault current level as a function of measured current I and voltage U values of the circuit interruption device which are taken before and after a variation in the current and voltage values at the circuit interruption device that result from a change of load at the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device, i.e. a change in one of more of the loads in the remaining electrical network 18.

[0043] More particularly the fault current level determination unit is configured to determine each of an equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq of the electrical network at the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device, i.e. of the entire remaining electrical network 18, and an equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq of the remaining electrical network 18 at the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device. The fault current level determination unit is so configured to determine each of the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq from the measured current I and voltage U values at the circuit interruption device.

[0044] In this regard the remaining electrical network 18 on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device, i.e. behind the circuit interruption device, and the network branch 12 on the source side 30 of the circuit interruption device can be represented by a Thevenin equivalent circuit 34, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0045] As well as the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq mentioned above, the equivalent circuit 34 also includes an equivalent voltage source value E.sub.DG of the network branch 12 (which would be zero if there was no distributed voltage source 24, i.e. distributed generator 26, in the network branch 12), and an equivalent impedance Z.sub.LD of the network branch 12.

[0046] The current I flowing through the circuit interruption device at any particular moment, as well as the voltage U that the circuit interruption device is exposed to, i.e. the voltage level of the network branch 12, are also indicated in phasor form in the equivalent circuit 34. These two current and voltage values I, U are the only electrical quantities available by measurement to the circuit interruption apparatus, i.e. to the fault current level determination unit therein.

[0047] The fault current level determination unit is configured to use the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq to determine the predicted fault current level according to:

I.sub.PFI=E.sub.eq/Z.sub.eq

where I.sub.PFI is the predicted fault current level.

[0048] In the embodiment shown the fault current level determination unit determines the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq by first calculating a current phasor İ from the measured current value I of the circuit interruption device and a voltage phasor {dot over (U)} from the measured voltage value U of the circuit interruption device.

[0049] More particularly, the fault current level determination unit is configured to measure first current and voltage values of the circuit interruption device at a first time and thereafter calculate first current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and to measure second current and voltage values of the circuit interruption device at a second time after the first time and thereafter calculate second current and voltage phasors İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2, as also shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] In each instance, when the circuit interruption apparatus 10 is located in a three phase electrical network, the first current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1 and the second current and voltage phasors İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2 are calculated from a sample of each phase current and each phase voltage, respectively. During normal operation of such a three phase electrical network the three phases are symmetrical to one another, and so the current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1, İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2 calculated therefrom in the foregoing manner are suitably representative of the instantaneous configuration and operating status of the remainder of the electrical network 18.

[0051] One way in which the magnitude and angle of each of the current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1, İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2 be calculated from the measured current and voltage values is by a Full-Cycle Fourier Transform.

[0052] The relationship between the first current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1 and the second current and voltage phasors İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2, as depicted in FIG. 3, allows the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq to be determined according to:

[00002]$Z_{\mathrm{eq}}=\arg .Math.\frac{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_1-{\stackrel{.}{U}}_2}{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_1-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_2}$

which, in turn, is derived from

[00003]$Z_{\mathrm{eq}}=\sqrt{\frac{U_1^2+U_2^2-2.Math..Math.U_1.Math.U_2.Math.\cos \left({\theta }_{U.Math..Math.1}-{\theta }_{U.Math..Math.2}\right)}{I_1^2+I_2^2-2.Math..Math.I_1.Math.I_2.Math.\cos \left({\theta }_{I.Math..Math.1}-{\theta }_{I.Math..Math.2}\right)}}$

where I.sub.1 is the magnitude of the first current phasor; I.sub.2 is the magnitude of the second current phasor; U.sub.1 is the magnitude of the first voltage phasor; U.sub.2 is the magnitude of the second voltage phasor; θ.sub.I1 is the angle of the first current phasor; θ.sub.I2 is the angle of the second current phasor; θ.sub.U1 is the angle of the first voltage phasor; and θ.sub.U2 is the angle of the second voltage phasor.

[0053] The aforementioned relationship between the first current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1 and the second current and voltage phasors İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2, also allows the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq to be determined according to:

E.sub.eq=√{square root over (U.sub.2.sup.2+(I.sub.2Z.sub.eq).sup.2−2U.sub.2I.sub.2Z.sub.eq cos(θ.sub.U1−θ.sub.I1+θ.sub.Z))}

where θ.sub.Z is the angle of the determined equivalent impedance value.

[0054] After calculating the current and voltage phasors İ.sub.1, {dot over (U)}.sub.1, İ.sub.2, {dot over (U)}.sub.2, but prior to determining each of the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq, the fault current level determination unit is additionally configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value I at the circuit interruption device.

[0055] Firstly the fault current level determination unit is configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value at the circuit interruption device by detecting whether a predetermined degree of current variation takes place.

[0056] In the embodiment shown the fault current level determination unit detects whether a predetermined degree of current variation has taken place by considering whether

Δi(k)>ε.sub.1

where Δi(k) is the change in the measured current value, which is given by:

Δi(k)=∥i(k)−i(k−N)|−|i(k−N)−i(k−2N)∥

where i(k) is the most recent measured current value; i(k−N) is the measured current value one cycle before; i(k−2N) is the measured current value two cycles before; and N is the number of samples per cycle; and where ε.sub.1 is a first predetermined threshold which by way of example may be 0.05 p.u. (per unit of current).

[0057] In an embodiment, the fault current level determination unit checks whether the change in the measured current value Δi(k) meets the required criterion, i.e. is greater than the first predetermined threshold ε.sub.1, three times. In embodiments of the invention, however, it may check fewer than or more than three times. In addition, in embodiments of the invention the fault current level determination unit may use different steps to detect whether a predetermined degree of current variation has taken place.

[0058] In any event when the required criterion is met, i.e. the fault current level determination unit determines that a desired degree of current variation has taken place (i.e. so as to reduce the likelihood of an erroneous predicted fault current value I.sub.PFI being determined), the fault current level determination unit is further configured to assess the nature of any variation in the measured current value at the circuit interruption device in a second manner.

[0059] The second manner requires the fault current level determination unit to identify whether the current variation takes place on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device.

[0060] The fault current level determination achieves this by checking whether

[00004]$\mathrm{real}\left(\frac{\Delta .Math.\stackrel{.}{U}.Math.\Delta .Math..Math.\hat{I}}{.Math.\Delta .Math.\stackrel{.}{U}.Math.\Delta .Math..Math.\stackrel{.}{I}.Math.}\right)<{\mathrm{.Math.}}_2$

where Δ{dot over (U)}={dot over (U)}(k)−{dot over (U)}(k′); Δİ=İ(k)−İ(k′); ΔÌ is the conjugate of Δİ k is the most recent sample; k′ is the sample stored before the most recent current variation; the difference between k and k′ is an integer multiple of N; ε.sub.2 is a second predetermined threshold; and ∥ ∥ is the operator of norm or RMS value.

[0061] The second predetermined threshold ε.sub.2 may be zero in some embodiments. It may also express, in the form of a ratio (i.e. a value between −1 and +1), the minimum value that the circuit interruption device can identify, i.e. measure, and so may take the value −0.05.

[0062] In an embodiment, the fault current level determination unit checks whether it identifies the current variation to have taken place on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device on three separate occasions, before confirming that the current variation did take place on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device. In embodiments of the invention, however, the current level determination unit may check fewer than or more than three times. In addition, in embodiments of the invention the fault current level determination unit may use different steps to identify that the current variation has taken place on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device.

[0063] In any event when the required criterion is met, i.e. the fault current level determination unit confirms that the current variation did take place on the back side 32 of the circuit interruption device, the fault current level determination unit proceeds to determine the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq in the manner set out hereinabove.

[0064] After determining each of the equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq, the fault current level determination unit is additionally configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq.

[0065] More particularly, the fault current level determination unit is configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq by calculating an average of each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq over a predetermined number of iterations.

[0066] The fault current level determination unit may calculate such an average according to:

[00005]$Z_{\mathrm{eq}}^{\prime }\left(k\right)=\frac{1}{k}.Math.\left(Z_{\mathrm{eq}}^{\prime }\left(k-1\right)*\left(k-1\right)+Z_{\mathrm{eq}}\left(k\right)\right);$$\mathrm{and}$$E_{\mathrm{eq}}^{\prime }\left(k\right)=\frac{1}{k}.Math.\left(E_{\mathrm{eq}}^{\prime }\left(k-1\right)*\left(k-1\right)+E_{\mathrm{eq}}\left(k\right)\right)$

[0067] Once the first determined equivalent voltage source and impedance values E.sub.eq, Z.sub.eq have been determined the fault current level determination starts the aforementioned average filter. For each new sample period, the new calculated equivalent voltage source and impedance values E′.sub.eq, Z′.sub.eq are added to the average calculation result.

[0068] The predetermined number of iterations over which average equivalent voltage source and impedance values E.sub.eq, Z.sub.eq are calculated is in an embodiment equivalent to two cycles of fundamental frequency, for example, 48 iterations or samples for a sampling rate of 24 samples per cycle .

[0069] In the embodiment shown, the fault current level determination unit is also configured to filter each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq by comparing the fluctuation in each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq with a corresponding third or fourth predetermined threshold ε.sub.3, ε.sub.4, i.e. according to:

|Z′.sub.eq(k)−Z′.sub.eq(k−1)|/|Z′.sub.eq(k)|<ε.sub.3;

and

|E′.sub.eq(k)−E′.sub.eq(k−1)|/|E′.sub.eq(k)|<ε.sub.4

[0070] In an embodiment, the third predetermined threshold ε.sub.3 lies between 0.001 and 0.01, while the fourth predetermined threshold ε.sub.4 also lies between 0.001 and 0.01.

[0071] When the fluctuation in either the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq or the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq is greater than or equal to the corresponding third or fourth predetermined threshold ε.sub.3, ε.sub.4 the fault current level determination unit discards the corresponding determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq or corresponding determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq.

[0072] More particularly, the fault current level determination unit checks whether the fluctuation in each of the determined equivalent voltage source value E.sub.eq and the determined equivalent impedance value Z.sub.eq is below the corresponding threshold ε.sub.3, ε.sub.4 on three separate occasions before confirming the stability of the said determined equivalent voltage source and impedance values E.sub.eq, Z.sub.eq.

[0073] In embodiments of the invention the current level determination unit may check fewer than or more than three times. In addition, in embodiments of the invention the fault current level determination unit may use different steps to compare the fluctuation in the determined equivalent voltage source and impedance values E.sub.eq, Z.sub.eq.

[0074] In any event, when the stability of the determined equivalent voltage source and impedance values E.sub.eq, Z.sub.eq is confirmed the fault current level determination unit proceeds to determine the predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI using

I.sub.PFI=E.sub.eq/Z.sub.eq

[0075] Following such determination of the predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI, the fault current level determination unit is configured to then compare the determined predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI with each of first and second setting thresholds and to issue an alarm depending on the outcome of each comparison.

[0076] More particularly, the fault current level determination unit compares the determined predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI with a first setting threshold which corresponds to the rated opening capacity of the circuit interruption device. The fault current level determination unit issues an alarm, e.g. an audible and/or visible alarm, if the determined predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI is greater than the first setting threshold, i.e. greater than the rated opening capacity of the circuit interruption device, such that the circuit interruption device would not be able to handle the actual fault current level should it arise.

[0077] The fault current level determination unit also compares the determined predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI with a second setting threshold that corresponds to a minimum fault current feeding capacity of the remainder of the electrical network 18 in which the circuit interruption device is located, and is thereby indicative of the back side of the circuit interruption device becoming disconnected from the said remainder of the electrical network 18.

[0078] The fault current level determination unit issues an alarm, e.g. an audible and/or visible alarm, if the determined predicted fault current level I.sub.PFI is less than the second setting threshold, i.e. if the predicted fault current level is indicative of the back side of the circuit interruption device having become disconnected from the remainder of the electrical network 18.

[0079] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.