ON SITE TESTING

OF AUTO RECLOSER RELAYS

Riam A. Wibowo

Riam A. Wibowo 1
 Introduction
• Autorecloser relays are widely implemented in the
electric utilities Over Head Lines networks to improve
power availability and to maintain system stability.

• Site testing need to be performed before operation to

ensure proper function of Autoreclosers.

• There is not much manufacturer guidance in functional

site testing of Autoreclosers. Therefore, testing
engineers have to carry out the functional site tests
according to specific requirements of the installations.

• Application of multifunction and numerical relays has

reduced the number of elements and wirings to be
tested on site, but it would not eliminate the requirement
to perform site testing.
Riam A. Wibowo 2
 An Over head line with Auto recloser relays

1. A temporary fault occur

2. Protective relays operate
– breaker tripped
Utility Substation – Power off Customers
3. Fault extinguished
4. Autorecloser relays order the breaker to reclose
– Breaker reclose
– Power is restored automatically

Riam A. Wibowo 3
 An Over head line without Auto recloser relays

1. A temporary fault occur

2. Protective relays operate
Utility Substation – breaker tripped Customers
– Power off
3. Fault extinguished
4. Breaker need to be closed manually to restore power

Riam A. Wibowo 4
 TYPICAL CONFIGURATION & SETTING
of AUTORECLOSER RELAY in INDONESIA
500kV 275kV 150kV 20kV

Dead Time Setting 0.7 or 0.9 second 1 second 60 second

Reclaim Time
Setting 40 second 40 second 180 second

Number of shots single shot single shot single shot

single and three

Single or Multi Pole single pole poles three poles
• One
• two (for “One
Number of & Half
Breakers two Breaker” S/S) one

Protective relay Distance Relay Distance Relay Over Current

Riam A. Wibowo 5
 Basic Requirement of Autorecloser Relay
Performance
 The Autorecloser Relay should reclose the Breaker(s) whenever it is
initiated by Protective Relay

 The Autorecloser Relay should not reclose the Breaker(s) if the

initiation occurs during the Reclaim Time

 For single pole mode, the Autorecloser Relay should only reclose
the Breaker(s) for single phase to earth fault.

 The Autorecloser Relay should never reclose the Breaker(s) if :

 no initiation from Protective Relay (e.g. when the Breaker(s) are


intentionally opened by people)


Any of the Breaker(s) is not ready
it is not switched to active

Riam A. Wibowo 6
 Basic Requirement of Autorecloser Relay
Performance (2)
For single and three poles mode :
The Autorecloser Relay should reclose the Breaker(s) for line-


line fault under control of synchrocheck relay
The Autorecloser Relay should reclose the Breaker(s) for single
phase to earth fault

Three poles reclosing should be under Synchro Check

control (except for 20kV radial networks)

followed by tripping of all poles

Failure of reclosing after single pole tripping should be

Riam A. Wibowo 7
 Specific requirement for 500 kV Autorecloser
Relay

The Autorecloser Relay should reclose the

Breaker(s) when initiated by any Distance Relay
(due to duplex configuration of 500 kV protection
scheme)

Since 500kV Substations are one & half

breaker type, the Autorecloser Relay should be
able to recognize and control each of the
Breaker as “leader Breaker ” and “follower
Breaker”

Riam A. Wibowo 8
 TYPICAL SITE TESTS ITEMS OF
AUTORECLOSER RELAY
Visual Check

INSTALLATION Check of the

Power Supply

Test of the
Autorecloser settings

Functional Testing OPERATION

(involving operation of
Protective Relays
& Circuit Breaker(s)

Riam A. Wibowo 9
 Protective Relay technology development

Electro mechanical Electronic Digital/numerical

Multi elements Single Module Multifunction

Relays Relays Relays

Riam A. Wibowo 10
 Effect of relay technology development to Autorecloser
site testing
Type of
Advantage Disadvantage
Autorecloser

• Many problems can be detected

early by visual inspection
• In most cases, defective in
• Multi elements Autorecloser element can be
• Many elements
(Several electro repaired on site and replacements
need to to be
mechanic can be obtained in local market.
tested on site
/electronic • The function of other elements are
elements hard not effected by failure of an
• Many site
wired to perform element.
wiring need to
Autorecloser • The site test engineers are less
be tested
function) dependent on the manufacturer.
Often, experienced engineers
could perform the site test without
reading the Manufacturer Manuals
• Site test can be performed using
simple relay test set
Riam A. Wibowo 11
 Effect of relay technology development to Autorecloser
site testing
Type of
Advantage Disadvantage
Autorecloser

• Only few problems can be

detected early by visual
• Elements to be tested
inspection
on site are less than
• Single modulo • Defective Autorecloser
the multi elements
(Single elements might effecting
type of Autorecloser
electronic the whole functions of
• Site wiring to be
module perform Autorecloser. and usually
tested are less than
Autorecloser can not be repaired on site
the multi elements
function) • The site test is depend on
type of Autorecloser
the manufacturer. The test
• Often, relay power
engineers need to study
consumption is lower,
Manufacturer Manuals to
perform the site test

Riam A. Wibowo 12
 Effect of relay technology development to
Autorecloser site testing
Type of
Advantage Disadvantage
Autorecloser
• Elements to be
tested on site are • It is difficult to detect problems by
less then the visual inspection
single modulo • The site test is highly depend on the
• multifunction type of manufacturer. Even an experienced
relay Autorecloser test engineers need to carefully study
(Autorecloser Manufacturer Manuals. Moreover a
function • Only few site special software and hardware is
integrated in a wiring need to be needed to perform the site test.
multifunction tested • Defective in Autorecloser element
relay) can not be repaired on site. In some
• Often, relay
cases, the whole relay need to be
power
replaced
consumption is • Modern and computerized relay test
lower, set is needed to perform the site test

Riam A. Wibowo 13
 SUMMARY
• Application of multifunction and numerical relays has
reduced the number of elements and wirings to be tested
on site. But it would not eliminate the requirement to
perform site testing

• By implementing multifunction and numerical relays,

utilities have became more dependent to the relays
manufacturers.

• Trend of relay development toward multifunction and

numerical relaying affect the site testing practice, but the
basic configuration/setting and the expected results of
Autorecloser function test are practically the same
Riam A. Wibowo 14
Appendix

Riam A. Wibowo 15
 Multi elements Autorecloser
(Previous Generation of Autorecloser)

• An Autorecloser consist of
Autorecloser
several electro mechanic/
Timer(s)
electronic elements that
& Counters
hard wired to form
Autorecloser function
Synchro
Check Logic Power
relay Circuit Supply

Aux. Relays
& contacts
CIRCUIT
Protective
BREAKER(S)
relay

Riam A. Wibowo 16
 Single Module Autorecloser
(Previous Generation of Autorecloser)
• A single electronic
Synchro module perform
Check Autorecloser
relay
function

Autorecloser
CIRCUIT
Protective
BREAKER(S)
relay

Riam A. Wibowo 17
 Current Generation of Autorecloser

• Autorecloser function is integrated

in a multifunction relay

Autorecloser

Synch CIRCUIT
Check BREAKER(S)

Protective .relay

Riam A. Wibowo 18