Southern States, Inc.

David Lester Moore

Joseph R Rostron

Jiyuan Fan

Brian J Berner

Raj Anand

Hua Fan

Buddy Reneau

Bradley John Schafer

Richard Charles Leonhardt

John H Brunke

Fault detection, isolation and restoration systems for electric power systems using 'smart switch' points that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. Each smart recloser can be individually programmed to operate as a tie-switch, a Type-A (normal or default type) sectionalizer, or a Type-B (special type) sectionalizer. The Type-A recloser automatically opens when it detects a fault, uses a direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault operating protocol, and stays 'as is' with no automatic opening when power (voltage) is lost on both sides of the switch. The Type-B sectionalizer does the same thing and is further configured to automatically open when it detects that it is deenergized on both sides for a pre-defined time period, and to operate like a tie-switch once open.

Autonomous electric power fault detection, isolation and restoration systems

Electric power Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) systems using 'smart switches' that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. The smart switches typically operate during the substation breaker reclose cycles while the substation breakers are open, which enables the substation breakers to reclose successfully to restore service within their normal reclosing cycles. Alternatively, the smart switch may be timed to operate before the substation breakers trip to effectively remove the substation breakers from the fault isolation process. Both approaches allow the FDIR system to be installed with minimal reconfiguration of the substation protection scheme.

Direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault electric power sectionalizer systems

A directional fault sectionalizing system that utilizes one phase voltage measurement and three phase current measurements to determine the directionality of high impedance faults on a three phase electric power circuit. This eliminates the need for two of the three voltage measuring devices at each monitoring station conventionally required to determine fault directionality, which makes it economical to install at a greater number of distribution tap points. The system is particularly useful for commonly used three-way tap points along distribution lines where three phase voltage measurement is not readily available. The system is capable of identifying faults under challenging circumstances, such faults occurring on unbalanced three phase power lines and faults occurring on tapped line segments where the currents are relatively small compared to the currents flowing in the main line segments.

Directional fault sectionalizing system

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

David Lester Moore