Using Auto-Reclosers And Sectionalizers In Distribution Systems - Research Paper Example

Using Auto-Reclosers And Sectionalizers In Distribution Systems In order to facilitate a reliable and long term power supply the electrical power distribution has evolved in many countries to sustain the power needs of the demanding population through intelligent devices incorporation in the distribution infrastructure that integrate the technology of earlier circuit breakers which has been designed from careful analysis which has led to development of reclosers and sectionalizers (Bayliss & Hardy, 2011). These are generally defined as circuit breakers with the distinction being in how much sophisticated the working mechanism is (Billings & Morey, 2011). They are incorporated in power grids to serve special purposes during outages and power faults which have been a major problem in electricity that adversely affect the end user whether an individual or large organization that taps its power from the grid. It is therefore plausible to analyze the two automated circuit breakers and discuss their specifications and benefits when applied to the power distribution lines and stations. Overview of Reclosers Figure 1: picture of an automatic recloser This recloser automatically restores power when fault in power is eradicated Autoreclosers which are simply termed as reclosers are intelligent types of circuit breakers which respond automatically by closing a circuit which has been opened due to an electrical fault (Billings & Morey, 2011). The devices are installed on overhead power lines in the distribution grid where they detect and even interrupt power momentarily. They were designed following the discovery that most faults are especially brief short circuiting which clear in a short while and it would be therefore uneconomical to deploy electrical engineers to attend and reconnect such opened lines during a fault. This provides a means of continual supply of whereby power restoration is in a brief moment after an outage. For instance, there is little sense in completely cutting out power in the event of a tree branch that incidentally culminated into short circuiting of overhead lines. Same applies to the situation of power outage from a power station brief fault. The branch would fall to the ground long before the engineers get to it so why delay the supply during transport to the fault spot? Reclosers therefore work in single phase and three phase distribution lines to restore power after a brief fault. By doing so, they address several faults by acting at partition units. Power interruptions are likely to occur in single lines from the distribution station. They therefore handle a relatively small power load than those of a feeder supply. Reclosers therefore serve each of the lines and as such each respond independently of the others. This implies that faults cut the supply in a single line or section will be dealt with by a single recloser much more instantly than it would take for rectifying it from the feeder station. This is to say that reclosers handle a much less power load than the feeders in a power grid. They do so by attempting a number severally say two to three times to close the open circuit. If this fails then an engineer would be required to access and diagnose the fault before closing the circuit. This is because after unsuccessful trials to reclose, the device depletes the preprogrammed trials to thus it trips of until it is manually set to attempt again. It goes without saying then that the faults handled by reclosers have to be transient to be remedied. There are many benefits for using reclosers in the distribution system as can be inferred above. Given that they can operate in both single and three phase the power distribution system can install it in the respective power plans in either case of which the can be oil, vacuum interpreters or even the versatile SF6 (Budka, Deshpande, & Thottan, 2014). Furthermore the operation can be variable from mechatronic to more sophisticated and versatile digital electronic system which can meter the power. They have a wide rating ranging from 2400V to 38000V for currents that range from as low as 10A to as high as 1200A and overloading fault current detected is from 1000A to 16000A (Budka, Deshpande, & Thottan, 2014). These are wide enough for selection by a distributer network of electricity and can be adopted anywhere in the supply chain. The end users also enjoy myriads of benefit from the recloser controlled supply. With only a small back up plan for the momentary outages the continuity of power is guaranteed. As a result the, intermittent power losses are controlled to augment the circuit breakers of customer appliances and allows a brief time for any faults to be dealt with. However the ender user need to have a way of handling instant restores which may be abrupt enough to explode a fault connection. This is by installing fuses and other circuit breakers. About sectionalizers Figure 2: picture of a sample sectionalizer On the other hand, sectionalizer is more of an end user level circuit breaker. It is downstream and augments the recloser in maintaining continuity while at the same time protecting connected gadgets from sudden power loss or restoration (Budka, Deshpande, & Thottan, 2014). It may be a simple disconnector with a timer or cutout that has a counter installed in it to trip down if an overload or short circuit occurs in its connection. Sectionalizers are never designed to interfere with fault currents and are therefore available at a much cheaper cost. They are designed to count the interruptions occurring at a given circuit from a recloser to a predetermined value (Don Brown, 1991). If these exceed a certain number of counts the sectionalizer automatically opens the circuit that is linked to the given circuit section so as to allow the recloser to supply the non-faulty units. Sectionalizers therefore ensure the continuity of power supply that is aimed at by the recloser at the power consumer level or substation. They are isolator switches to break circuit of units that require repair although they do not have a suppression mechanism that occurs in event of an electric arc hence will only open when power has been interrupted in an off load fashion (Don Brown, 1991). As a result, regulation is required for any opening of these gadgets when power supply is continuous. If possible they should be under lock and key for safety at all times. Sectionalizers can also be designed as cutouts which may be a fuse element with a switch that is incorporated to overhead power supply. They detect surges in current and respond to overload to in these supply lines where the current excess melts out the fuse element to cut the distributing transformers from the end user. They are installed in an appropriate and sophisticated layout to autoreclose or section and open a faulty circuit. This makes them suitable for both electrical distribution boards and even application in industries. There are various benefits of using sectionalizers in a power distribution system. The aim of protecting gadgets powered by a power supply is paramount. Nobody wants their electronics to be destroyed every time a fault in current arises. It can be costly both financially and in terms of time. The coast to renovate a firm or company electrical installation can be devastating. The power regulatory systems are therefore essential and should never be underestimated. Sectionalizes prevent explosions from short circuiting of devices (Gers & Holmes, 2004). They also prevent extremes of damage to appliances fed by a faulty line. They are light enough to be incorporated to overhead current supply cables of the distribution system. They have been integrated as disconnecting switches in the mains supply of households and any other mains supply as may be desirable. Like the reclosers, they operate to ensure continuity of power while protecting appliances at the same time (Don Brown, 1991). Given their automation, they are user friendly and more reliable than the traditional isolated fuses. Although power regulation has not been an easy task for distribution organizations worldwide, the continuity of power supply has been enhanced by intellectual integration of current edge technology to circuit breaking mechanisms that were unimaginable before (Billings & Morey, 2011). Renovations and modifications are what lead to the innovation of reclosers and sectionalizers which augment each other in ensuring safe electricity supply to the end user of the power grid. While reclosers are automated to self-attempt a restore in current for a line that has been interrupted and disconnected due to electrical faults, sectionalizers cut out the fault circuit leaving the proper working power lines operational(Gers & Holmes, 2004). These two technologies are installed in the overhead supply to automate the power restoration processes after brief and momentary outages that can be caused by transient tree fall on a cable and short circuiting that is as a result of fault user connection or a malfunctioning appliance or electrical gadget (Bayliss & Hardy, 2011). Furthermore, the adoption of the technology by power distributors has immensely enhanced power reliability and reduced accidents that initially occurred due to such electrical fault. They are therefore recommended for use by distribution boards for reliability of supply. They are also a great investment for end users of electricity to prevent incidences of damage to their gadgets as well as dangers to the users. References Bayliss, C. R., & Hardy, B. J. (2011). Transmission and distribution electrical engineering. Oxford: Newnes. Billings, K. H., & Morey, T. (2011). Switchmode power supply handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill. Budka, K. C., Deshpande, J. G., & Thottan, M. (2014). Communication networks for smart grids: Making smart grid real. Don Brown Productions. (1991). Ground fault circut [i.e. circuit] interruptors. Orange, CA: Author. Gers, J., & Holmes, E. (2004). Protection of Electricity Distribution Networks. Stevenage: Institution of Engineering and Technology. Read More