Feeder automation in advanced distribution systems

Today, aging power protection infrastructure is being upgraded from conventional electro-mechanical relays to Intelligent Electronic Devices combined with modern communication networks. Such protection and control schemes minimize outage times by expediting fault isolation and system restoration. Due to North American radial grid topologies, and extended distances between sources and loads, feeder automation represents a vital component within advanced distribution systems. This paper demonstrates a Feeder Automation Test Bed within a laboratory setting. Designed and constructed to emulate various fault conditions, the test bed simulates a spectrum of feeder protection systems, intelligent electronic devices, compliance with the IEC-61850 Standard, and various protection/control schemes for distribution grid faults.