Experiences in Managing Settings Bryan J Gwyn National Grid USA

2 Instances that Trigger Setting Changes  Asset Replacement  the relay is replaced as part of an asset replacement program  Failure  The relay fails in service and is replaced  Transmission Line Re-conductoring  A transmission line is re-conductored and the line impedance changes thus effecting the reach of distance relays

3 Instances that Trigger Setting Changes  Neighboring Utility Changes  A neighboring utility changes the configuration of an interconnection, such as adding a new station on an interconnecting transmission line, or upgrading facilities  Externally Mandated Changes  An example is the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) recommendation 21a following the August 14 th Blackout of It requires that relay settings be reviewed to determine if they will trip on load under extreme emergency conditions. Relays that do not meet this requirement shall be reset, upgraded or replaced to mitigate the overreach

4 Instances that Trigger Setting Changes  Miss-operations  A relay fails to operate or operates when it should not have at the time of a power system fault. This could be attributed to setting errors or relay malfunctions  Temporary System Arrangements  A transmission line may be reconfigured temporarily during a construction project, such as a temporary line tap

5 Instances that Trigger Setting Changes  Setting Reviews  Protection settings are reviewed after a long period of time of no activity on a particular line and it is found that the settings are no longer adequate due to system configuration and load changes  New Connections  Settings need to be changed due to a new load or generation connection

6 Instances that Trigger Setting Changes  Manufacture recommendation or Alert  Settings may need to be changed due to firmware upgrades to solve a particular problem that has manifested itself.

7 Process for Managing Protection Settings  A Process currently being used at National Grid USA

8 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Objectives -  Consistency with Standards 1 & 3-Lines and Schematics Calculation worksheets Microprocessor relay shell files Protection Material Documented NGrid Application

9 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Objectives - Peer Reviews  Part of ensuring that there is consistency with standards and policies & training less experienced engineers  Assurance that correct setting is in relay  How the setting is issued to the field and loaded into the relay

10 Process for Managing Protection Settings Review Standards Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commission Download Settings & Return to File

11 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Review Standards - Engineer reviews Setting policy & Standards with Manager Quality check Particular methods noted on Setting Review Record Sheet for each job National Grid Standards Review Standard s Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commiss ion Downloa d Settings & Return to File

12 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Calculate Settings and Peer Review - Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downloa d Settings & Return to File Engineer uses calculation and setting templates from guideline To create setting - not the last job setting National Grid Application Guide National Grid Application Guide Quality check Peer review of calculations (informal meeting of peers for critique) - Errors noted on Setting Review Record Sheet Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downloa d Settings & Return to File

13 Process for Managing Protection Settings  No settings are entered into a database  The setting file itself is treated as an object  Setting file follows a naming convention and can be tracked through the work flow cycle  Use of templates reduces risk of incorrect settings in unwanted functions

14 Process for Managing Protection Settings  A summary of the file is made at the end of the cycle for quick reference  If full setting details are needed the object setting file is accessed eliminating the need for a setting database  Setting review record sheet is kept for quality assurance and process improvement

15 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Issue Settings to Field - Engineer issues electronic setting file to the Field with electronic cover sheet and test data file to a Structured, controlled server shared drive Quality check Standard naming convention used 1. Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb 2. (same as above)_test.xls 3. (same as above)_memo page.xls Field Supervisor A Field Supervisor B Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downlo ad Settings & Return to File

16 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Issue Settings to Field - Controlled access by Field Supervisor Read only to everyone else

17 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Loading Settings and Commissioning - Field Supervisor assigns setting to Technician and moves the electronic setting and test files to the ‘assigned’ file on the Server Approved-pending file 1. Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb 2. (same as above)_test.xls 3. (same as above)_memo page.xls Assigned file 1. Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb 2. (same as above)_test.xls 3. (same as above)_memo page.xls Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downloa d Settings & Return to File

18 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Loading Settings and Commissioning - Assigned file 1. Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb 2. (same as above)_test.xls 3. (same as above)_memo page.xls Supervisor issues electronic setting files to Technician – specifically named files for specific protection scheme Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downloa d Settings & Return to File

19 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Download Commissioned Settings & Return to Supervisor - Downloaded file after commissioning 1. Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb 3. (same as above)_memo page.xls Review Standar ds Create Setting & Test Data Review Issue to Field Load Settings Commis sion Downloa d Settings & Return to File Supervisor saves returned file to ‘current setting file’ on server by substation name and makes summary file for quick reference Technician downloads setting after commissioning and returns file to Supervisor by locally agreed method

20 Process for Managing Protection Settings - Controlled Read Only Access to Settings - Field Supervisor Operations Protection Engineer Protection Engineer

21 Process for Managing Protection Settings  Setting file object can now be stored in recently installed Asset Information Management & System (AIMMS) along with protection relay data  AIMMS can replace the shared server files for storage and access Relay Associated With Primary Asset (eg transformer) Relay data (e.g. make, serial no., firmware version) Relay setting file – Object (Substation_Line or devise_Sys_yyy_mm_dd_setting file.mdb) Maintenance history (Scheduling, compliance reporting, auditing)