Expansion of Distribution Automation with Communicating Faulted Circuit Indicators

1. Expansion of Distribution Automation with Communicating Faulted Circuit Indicators IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference 2011 Cameron Smallwood, P.E., IEEE Senior Member Michael Lattner, E.I.T Ted Gardner

2. Introduction • United’s efforts to automate its distribution system • Long distribution feeders make fault identification and repair time consuming • Standard FCIs require visitation to get information • Cooper Power Systems’ Automated FCI offers instant feedback to dispatch

8. AFCI Overview • Yukon GridServersoftware • AFCI • Minimum 3A line current • “Signature pattern of a fault” • Cellular modem • Hotstick installation

9. Other Smart Grid Implications • As an electronic device deployed downline with link to SCADA, the opportunity to gather distribution system information is there. • Fault status • Battery voltage • Device temperature • Momentary outage counter • Nominal current • Peak current • More beneficial information could be gathered

10. Limitations of AFCI • Minimum load current of 3A • Minimum load + fault current of 360A • AT&T or Verizon data coverage areas • Cellular data rates limit amount of information gathered

11. Implementing the AFCI • Install YGS • Configure firewall • Install sensors • Set up data bridge • Set up SCADA presentment • AT&T data plan

12. Strategic Deployment of Sensors • AFCI sensors will be deployed only on three-phase feeder lines. • AFCI sensors will be deployed within 1 span on the source side of a normally closed switch. • AFCI sensors should be deployed approximately halfway between the upline distribution automation (DA) device and the next downline DA device or the end of the line. • AFCI sensors should be deployed at the takeoff point of large three-phase taps where a DA device is not already installed. • Planning personnel will evaluate locations based on load current availability an operational benefit.

13. Deployment

14. SCADA Presentment

15. SCADA Presentment

17. Initial Results • How has United put the AFCIs to use? • Not many chances to find out • Momentary fault notification • Loss of power in association with a trip-close • Challenges during implementation

18. Momentary Fault • Upline triple-single recloser operates once • AFCI reports momentary fault shortly after • Crew patrols downline of ACFI • Crew finds birds on the lines of another utility that crosses over United’s line • Clearance issue found and fixed

20. Loss of Power during Feeder Switching • Circuit was back-fed for line work • Sensors were on the section where line was de-energized • Simultaneous loss of power messages • Outage was planned, but proved the concept

21. Implementation Challenges • Minimum 10A load current requirement • Becomes less challenging with 3A minimum • Training line crews and dispatchers • Too much information/too many alarms • Loss of power vs. fault • 24 hour first-message delay

22. The Future • Deploy 50-60 sensors per year to a total of ~900 • Install DA reclosers at normal open points to quickly re-feed • Include AFCI sensors in scripting automated feeder reconfiguration • Have the AFCI communicate directly to OMS

23. Questions?