Microprocessor-based reclosing to coordinate fuse and recloser in a system with high penetration of distributed generation

Coordination between reclosing devices (recloser) and fuse has been traditionally done in radial power distribution systems. With increasing penetration of distributed generation, the system loses its radial nature and this coordination may not hold. This paper identifies this problem using illustrative coordination graphs. An actual system is then analyzed to find out new performance requirements from the recloser to be able to coordinate with the fuse in the new system configuration. It is shown that traditional reclosers are unable to meet these requirements. It is further shown that microprocessor-based reclosers are fully competent to meet all requirements. As an example, one such actual recloser is used to successfully coordinate with a fuse under worst possible fault conditions. A method to choose recloser curves to achieve coordination is also stated. Finally, the system is simulated on PSCAD/EMTDC^(R) software and it is proved that the recloser curves chosen in the analysis holds perfectly well in operation.