Transformer Load Tap Changer control using IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 has many benefits including great flexibility and improved interoperability, and promises to be more widely implemented in the United States with time as is already the case in many other parts of the world. This study implements Load Tap Changer (LTC) control using the IEC 61850 standard in a laboratory environment. A load tap changing power transformer with 500 kV on the high voltage side and 169 kV on the low voltage side is assumed. The LTC is located on the high voltage side and allows for 17 tap positions. A programmable controller and a control unit are used to measure and process the voltage signal, and to initiate the LTC motor operation. Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messages are used to facilitate all required communication. This study shows that LTC operation using IEC 61850 is reliable and brings with it all the benefits that the implementation of IEC 61850 has to offer. Above all, due to elimination of the majority of copper wiring, the proposed method is very flexible and can be implemented using a variety of different devices.