A laboratory setup for relay and GPS-synchronized equipment transient testing

This paper presents a laboratory setup for transient testing of relays and GPS-synchronized devices. The setup relies on a unique, realistic scaled model of a small three substation system, along with its metering equipment. Lumped models of transmission lines are included that realistically represent the mutual couplings between the phases and asymmetries. Two phase shifters provide loading controllability of the scaled model as well as controlling system imbalances. The inherent accuracy of all the modeled power system elements, including generators, transmission lines, and instrumentation channels allows the transient testing of PMUs and relays with a level of accuracy equal to commercially available GPS clocks (1 mus). The system is designed to be a research tool for a variety of activities and studies including (a) development and validation of distributed state estimators (based on the SuperCalibrator concept), (b) protective relaying and PMU testing, and (c) validation of interoperability among IEDs. The overall laboratory setup provides a multivendor environment.