A new 11 kV protection maintenance procedure using an expert system software tool

An expert system software tool, ProMEX, to support field operators in the maintenance of 11 kV feeder protection schemes has been introduced into service by Yorkshire Electricity. The tool assesses the test results obtained on-site and suggests the appropriate courses of action combined with ´intelligent´ access to documentation to guide users in carrying out the tests. A major benefit provided by the introduction of such a tool is enabling protection maintenance (being a relatively complex area of engineering) to be carried out to consistent and high standards by staff with less expertise in protection, along with an audit trail for the maintenance programme. The role and the functionality of the ProMEX protection maintenance tool are described. The benefits that Yorkshire Electricity has gained from introduction of the tool are discussed along with the procedures put in place to enable the tool to be introduced in a way that enable these benefits to be realised