Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

David Keckalo

Tony J Lee

Kei Hao

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for safe electric power delivery protection within a high-risk area while maintaining electric power availability in non-faulted areas. Fault signals from wireless sensors are used at a recloser to block reclosing onto a faulted high-risk zone. Fault signals from wireless sensors are used at a recloser to permit reclosing when the reclosing operation will not close onto a fault location within the high-risk zone. Portions of the power system may be selectively openable by sectionalizers. When a fault is reported by a wireless sensor as being on a portion of the power system selectively openable, a recloser may be permitted to attempt a reclose operation affecting the high-risk zone and the selectively openable portion.

Electric power distribution sectionalizing in high-risk areas using wireless fault sensors

A plurality of preprogrammed switches is disposed in a looped distribution line downstream from a source of power to respond to a short circuit and to reconfigure the line to isolate the short circuit. Some of the preprogrammed switches are each provided with a unique open time interval, such as t1, t2 and t3. Others of the plurality of preprogrammed switches can then determine which switch is opening in response to the short circuit and can identify the portion of the line that is shorted. Certain of the preprogrammed switches can then reconfigure to protect the identified portion of the line.

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Spokane, WA, United States of America

David Keckalo