Method for testing multiple spatially distributed protective devices of an energy supply network, and corresponding testing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9632147-B2
Application number	US-201414768809-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2014
Priority date	Feb 20, 2013
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

A method for testing multiple spatially distributed protective devices of an energy supply network. Each of the protective devices is configured to, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, isolate the fault in the energy supply network. The method comprises: producing an initial test sequence; outputting of the test sequence to the protective devices; detecting outputs of the protective devices that the protective devices output on the basis of the test sequence; analyzing the outputs and generation of inputs for the protective devices depending on the outputs. If the inputs are not part of the test sequence, these inputs are incorporated into the test sequence and the outputting step proceeds. Otherwise, all outputs of the protective devices are evaluated. Each test sequence comprises inputs in the form of process variables of the energy supply network for at least one of the protective devices.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. Method for testing multiple spatially distributed protective devices of an energy supply network, wherein each of the protective devices is configured in order so as to, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, isolate the fault in the energy supply network, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
a: production of an initial test sequence,
b: outputting of the test sequence to the protective devices,
c: detection of outputs of the protective devices that the protective devices output on the basis of the test sequence,
d: analysis of the outputs and generation of inputs for the protective devices depending on the outputs, wherein, if the inputs are not part of the test sequence, these inputs are incorporated into the test sequence and step b is proceeded with, while otherwise step e is proceeded with, and
e: evaluation of all outputs of the protective devices,
wherein each test sequence comprises inputs in the form of process variables of the energy supply network for at least one of the protective devices.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the outputs of the at least one of the protective devices comprise a switch opening command, with which a circuit breaker is opened to isolate the fault, and/or a reclose command, with which an isolation of a fault is cancelled again by closing a circuit breaker.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the generation of inputs takes place depending on the outputs, in that starting out from the outputs, changes in the process variables of the energy supply network are determined with reference to a model of the energy supply network.

4. Method according to claim 3 , wherein the model is a static, a dynamic or a transient model.

5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein upon the occurrence of a fault in the energy supply network, a command to open a circuit breaker is outputted by each protective device in order to isolate the fault.

6. Method according to claim 1 , wherein for each of the protective devices the process variables of the energy supply network are detected via a transformer connected to the energy supply network, and it is determined depending on the process variables whether a fault is present in the energy supply network.

7. Method according to claim 1 , wherein one of the protective devices is connected via a communications channel to another of the protective devices, that the protective device acquires information from the other protective device via the communications channel, and wherein it is decided depending on the information whether, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, the fault is isolated by the protective devices.

8. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is executed automatically by a central control device.

9. Method according to claim 1 , wherein output steps are specified, with each of the output steps comprising at least one input, and the output steps being outputted as the test sequence to the protective devices in an order dependent on trigger events, wherein each trigger event is dependent on at least one event from an event group, wherein the event group comprises:
expiry of a predetermined timespan,
arrival of a certain item of data from one of the protective devices via a communications channel at another of the protective devices, and
a switch setting of a circuit breaker is changed.

10. Testing system for testing multiple protective devices of an energy supply network arranged at spatially distributed locations, wherein the testing system comprises a control device and multiple testing devices, wherein at least one of the testing devices is present at each location of the protective devices, wherein the control device has a communications connection to each of the testing devices, wherein each of the testing devices is configured to test at least one of the protective devices, which is present at the same location as the respective testing device, and wherein the testing system is configured to, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, isolate the fault in the energy supply network by:
producing an initial test sequence;
outputting the test sequence to the protective devices;
detecting outputs of the protective devices that the protective devices output on the basis of the test sequence;
analyzing the outputs and generating inputs for the protective devices depending on the outputs wherein, if the inputs are not part of the test sequence, the inputs are incorporated into the test sequence prior to the outputting of the test sequence to the protective devices; and
evaluating all outputs of the protective devices,
wherein each test sequence comprises inputs in the form of process variables of the energy supply network for at least one of the protective devices.

11. Testing system according to claim 10 , wherein the control device is integrated into one of the testing devices.

12. Control device for a testing system for testing multiple spatially distributed protective devices of an energy supply network, wherein the control device is configured to communicate with multiple testing devices assigned respectively to the protective devices, wherein each testing device is configured to test at least one of the protective devices, wherein each of the protective devices is configured in order so as to, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, isolate the fault in the energy supply network, the control device configured to;
produce an initial test sequence;
output the test sequence to the protective devices;
detect outputs of the protective devices that the protective devices output on the basis of the test sequence;
analyze the outputs and generate inputs for the protective devices depending on the outputs wherein, if the inputs are not part of the test sequence, the inputs are incorporated into the test sequence prior to the outputting of the test sequence to the protective devices; and
evaluate all outputs of the protective devices,
wherein each test sequence comprises inputs in the form of process variables of the energy supply network for at least one of the protective devices.

13. Computer program product with computer-readable instructions stored on it, which are configured in such a way that upon execution of these instructions by a computer, a method for testing multiple spatially distributed protective devices of an energy supply network is executed, wherein each of the protective devices is configured in order so as to, in the event of a fault occurring in the energy supply network, isolate the fault in the energy supply network, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
a: production of an initial test sequence,
b: outputting of the test sequence to the protective devices,
c: detection of outputs of the protective devices that the protective devices output on the basis of the test sequence,
d: analysis of the outputs and generation of inputs for the protective devices depending on the outputs, wherein, if the inputs are not part of the test sequence, these inputs are incorporated into the test sequence and step b is proceeded with, while otherwise step e is proceeded with, and
e: evaluation of all outputs of the protective devices,
wherein each test sequence comprises inputs in the form of process variables of the energy supply network for at least one of the protective devices.

Assignees

• Omicron Electronics Gmbh

Inventors

• Hensler Thomas
• Schwabe Stefan

Classifications

• H02H1/0092

  concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks · CPC title

• H02H7/261

  involving signal transmission between at least two stations (transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061) · CPC title

• H02H3/044

  Checking correct functioning of protective arrangements, e.g. by simulating a fault (for differential current circuit breakers H02H3/335) · CPC title

• G01R31/3275

  Fault detection or status indication · CPC title

• H02H3/006

  Calibration or setting of parameters · CPC title