Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216

Automatic coordination of protection devices in distribution system

L. Comassetto a,b,∗ , D.P. Bernardon a,b , L.N. Canha b , A.R. Abaide b
aAES Sul, Distribuidora Gaúcha de Energia S/A, Rua Presidente Roosevelt, 68, São Leopoldo 93010-060, RS, Brazil
b UFSM, Federal University of Santa Maria, Centro de Tecnologia, Campus, Camobi, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Received 13 April 2007; received in revised form 24 October 2007; accepted 25 October 2007
Available online 11 December 2007

Abstract
Among the several components of distribution systems, protection devices present a fundamental importance, since they aim at keeping the
physical integrity not only of the system equipment, but also of the electricians’ team and the population in general.
The existing tools today in the market that carry out the making of protection studies basically draw curves, and need direct user’s interference
for the protection devices adjustment and coordination analyses of selectivity, being susceptible to the user’s mistakes and not always considering
the best technical and economical application.
In Brazil, the correct application of the protection devices demand a high amount of time, being extremely laborious due to the great number of
devices (around 200 devices), besides the very dynamic behaviour of distribution networks and the need for constant system expansion.
This article presents a computational tool developed with the objective of automatically determining the adjustments of all protection devices in
the distribution networks to obtain the best technical application, optimizing its performance and making easier protection studies.
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Optimization; Protection and switching equipments; Protection coordination and distribution networks

1. Introduction indicating possible problems of selectivity and safety, as well as

One of the main objectives of protection devices is isolat-
ing the faulty sites safely and interrupting the least possible
consumers. Hence the protection devices interfere directly with
technical indicators of continuity established by the Brazilian
government, which, when violated, are reflected in heavy penal-
ties to electrical power distributors.
It was developed of algorithms and of a computational
tool for the optimization of protection devices for distribution
networks, as much regarding coordination and selectivity, as
regarding allocation of devices. At the Universidade Federal de
Santa Maria (Santa Maria’s Federal University, Brazil), there
is presently a software being developed, which is denominated
ASP or Análise de Sistemas de Proteção (Protection Systems
Analysis) which aims at allowing the correct automatic dimen-
sioning for all the protection devices of the distribution network,
∗ Corresponding author at: AES Sul -Distribuidora Gaúcha de Energia S/A,
Rua Presidente Roosevelt, 68, São Leopoldo 93010-060, RS, Brazil.
Tel.: +55 5135907492; fax: +55 5135907587.
E-mail address: lorenzo.comassetto@aes.com (L. Comassetto).
determining its best application for the reliability of the system.
This software also allows analyzing the electrical behaviour at
any one point of the distribution system as it refers to active
and reactive potencies, load and short-circuit currents, volt-
age, power factor, charging of the conductors and transformers,
power losses, besides analyzing the possibility of installation
of switching and protection equipment, aiming at performance
optimization as allowed by available resources.
2. Topology algorithm
Traditionally the topological representation of electrical net-
works is done through matrix, where all element connections are
interpreted so that one is able to reproduce as faithfully as pos-
sible the actual configuration of the distribution network being
studied. Nevertheless, for actual distribution systems, the matrix
may has a dimension that is too elevated, with few elements dif-
ferent from zero causing unnecessary processing time. For this
reason a method was developed, which considers only the infor-
mation about the connections that really exist, without using
matrixes. This new method makes possible the processing of the

0378-7796/$ – see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2007.10.004
 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216 1211

Table 2
Selectivity between fuse elements

Fig. 1. Representation of parameters ϕr and βr .

optimization calculations, load flow, short-circuit and selectivity

in a faster and simpler way. 3. Selectivity algorithm
To achieve that, it was necessary to construct two sets, one
containing the information on nodes, and the other containing In Brazil the most used protection devices in distribution
the information on the branch. As each branch is represented networks are the fused cutout, fused cutout three stages, sec-
by an initial and a final node, it is essentially necessary that the tionalizers and reclosers. Each one of these pieces of equipment
initial node is the closest to the main source providing power, presents its own characteristics of application, operation and
that is, the substation. adjustments [1].
This methodology allows identifying the dependences among Traditionally the adjustments of the fused cutout and fused
the devices, the operation sequence of the protection devices cutout three stages are accomplished through selectivity tables,
and the local evaluation of the electrical variables, such as, load considering the load currents, short-circuit and the operation
currents and short circuits, making the verification possible if the sequence of the devices. Table 2 is an application example [2,3].
information of the topology of the feeder is correct and complete The developed software ASP accomplishes the protection
[4]. adjustments of the keys fuses in three parts.
Therefore it was necessary to attribute two characteristics to 1st Part: Through the load flow calculated by ASP the max-
the elements to represent the connections existing between them: imum values of load current are determined in each device.
The current sum algorithm was implemented to calculate the
ϕr : information about the branch within the “branch” set; load flow in radial distribution networks. Since the electrical
βr : information about the feeding branch of the branch being loads were defined with a constant behaviour in regard to the
considered. voltage applied, this results in an uncommon solution for the load
flow calculation, for the current absorbed by the loads depends
The parameter ϕr serves only to identify the order of the on the voltage and this value is unknown. As a result, the solution
network branch within the branch set. We opted for a numerical is found only in an iterative manner. At the end of this process,
increasing order. The parameter βr takes on the value of the the active and reactive powers in all feeder branches and, con-
parameter αr from the branch which is a back of the branch sequently, the technical losses in the primary conductors are
being considered. defined [5].
The representation of the variable ϕ and β is demonstrated The ASP use methodologies for power load modeling, which
through Fig. 1. usually employ typical load curves for their representation.
Through this methodology it is possible to tabulate the elec- According to the monthly power consumption data and eco-
tric way of any radial system. According to Table 1. nomic activity developed, each customer is associated to a
Through the tabulated representation of the feeder topology typical load curve, also allowing the definition one load fac-
and the sequence of the protection equipment, it was possible to tor. Based on the load factor and monthly power consumption
develop the selectivity algorithm described in Section 3. values, the maximum demand for a group of customers is
calculated.
Table 1 Based on these demand the ASP accomplishes a prelimi-
Network in Fig. 1 nary adjustment of the minimum fuse link to be applied in each
Initial node Final node Characteristic ϕr Characteristic βr cutout so that it does not burn the link fuse under maximum load
condition.
0 1 1 –
Application example through Table 3.
1 2 2 1
2 3 3 2 In Brazil the fuse links traditionally used are “K” type, burn-
3 4 4 3 ing the link fuse with the double of the rated value.
4 5 5 4 The preliminary adjustment can be observed through Fig. 2.
3 6 6 3 2nd Part: After the preliminary adjustment of the minimum
6 7 7 6
fuse link to be applied, ASP adjusts the sequence of operation of
1 8 8 1
8 9 9 8 the fused cutout according to the levels of short-circuit currents
and based on the specific selectivity tables (example Table 2).
1212 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216

Table 3
First adjustment
Initial node Final node Type ϕr βr Load [A] Fuse

0 1 Dj 1 – 16.94 –
1 2 FU 2 1 11.29 10K
2 3 L 3 2 9.41 –
3 4 FU 4 3 3.76 6K
4 5 L 5 4 1.88 –
3 6 FU 6 3 3.76 6K
6 7 FU 7 6 1.88 6K
1 8 FU 8 1 3.76 6K
8 9 FU 9 8 1.88 6K

Fig. 5. Correcting the selectivity.

the substation over-current protection. When varying the curves

Fig. 2. System.
Fig. 3. Corrected system.
For each fused cutout analyzed, other back cutouts are
checked. The front cutouts are checked, characterizing them as
“Protected Device” in agreement with the value of the maxi-
mum short-circuit current in the place of the Protected Device
and Table 2, the Protecting Device fuse link is adjusting (Fig. 3).
In Fig. 4 it is possible to verify the relation between the fuse
links and the accomplished corrections underlined in red:
NB: For three-stage fused cutouts, specific tables are used
according to its local installation.
3rd Part: Finally the selectivity is verified between the fused
cutout and the other devices of protection of the system, such as
reclosers and the over-current relays.
The reclosers present many operation curves time × currents
of phase and neutral that are selected so that combination of
these curves coordinate with the cutout and the over-current
protections of the feeder.
The ASP accomplishes the selectivity attempt between the
recloser and all its front fused cutout, always beginning from
the fastest curve of the recloser, to the slower curve seeking the
selectivity with the fused cutout in analysis, without violating
of operation of the recloser, it happens a vertical variation of the
time of opening of the recloser increasing the time of selectivity
in relation to fused cutout (Fig. 5).
If the operation curve change is not enough to create the selec-
tivity between the recloser and the fused cutout, an increment is
carried out in the start current of the recloser accomplishing this
way, a horizontal displacement of the curve of operation of the
recloser (Fig. 6).
These horizontal and vertical variations are accomplished
alternately until that it is obtained the selectivity between the
recloser and all the fused cutouts.
Table 1 shows the higher the short-circuit level and the more
fused cutouts in series, the higher will be the link fuse resultant.
High fuse links in most cases do not make possible the selectivity
with all the system protection devices, and it is necessary in some
cases to remove some cutouts.
In this case the ASP verifies through an optimization algo-
rithm (described in Section 4), which devices should be removed
or moved, making possible the coordination among all the pro-
tection devices of the system in analyses.
4. Optimization algorithm
Based on topology methodology presented in Section 2, an
algorithm was designed for the evaluation of insertion or removal

Fig. 4. Corrected system. Fig. 6. Correcting the selectivity.

 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216
of protection devices with the purpose of reducing the number of
devices in series in the critical area allowing the use of elements
with slower fusion times and making selectivity viable with the
protection of the substation and/or distribution reclosers. This
algorithm takes into account the minimization of the relation
between the expected value of interrupted power by protec-
tion device or interrupted consumers, according to the algorithm
requested by the user.
The software considers the historical database of the hap-
pened interruptions of the system in study. The considered data
is:
The Fault Rate [ωo ], is defined as being the number of defects
happened by the total number of network kilometers.
The average time of dispatch [τ des ] defined as the interval
between the records of the complaint of lack of power by the
client to the Call Center, until the start time to dispatch the
electricians’ crew.
The average time of traveling [τ loc ] defined as the interval
between the start of traveling until the time the electricians
crew locates the fault.
The average time of maintenance [τ man ] is defined as the
interval between the fault location and power supply reestab-
lishment.
The algorithm proposed presents three parts of calculation.
1st Part: Through the topology algorithm, one obtains the
accumulated power or the accumulated number of consumers in
each breach, defined as [SSE ], [SEP ] and [SEM ].
2nd Part: At this part the switching branches are definite
as switching and protection equipments. The interpretation
of the network path by the topology algorithm determines
the switching and protection equipments in series, the length
of the network accumulated from each equipment and the
branch of the network protected by protection devices, as
they are responsible for interrupting faults happening includ-
ing from the switching equipments, defined as [SE ], [EP ] and
[EM ].
3rd Part: At this third part a local optimization evaluation
is done for each device tested in three parts of calculation: the
first part corresponding to faults in the branch protected by the
feeder breaker, plus the second part corresponding to faults in
the branches protected by each protection device, plus the third
stage for faults in the switching device branches interrupted by
protection devices being isolated by that switching device after
that.
1st Stage: Eq. (1) refers to the annual estimate for branches
protected by the over-current relays (breaker feeders).
S1 = [(ωo · SE ) · SSE · (τdes + τloc + τman )] (1)
ωo is the rate of faults per network kilometer, SE the accumulate
branch of the substation breaker, SSE the power supplied by the
feeder, τ des the average time of dispatch, τ loc the average time
of traveling and τ man is the average time of maintenance.
1213
2nd Stage: Eq. (2) refers to the annual estimate for branches
protected by protection devices.
n
  
S2 = (ωo · EPf )SEPf · (τdes + τloc + τman ) (2)
f =1
ωo is the rate of faults per network kilometer, EP the accumulate
branch of the protection device, SEP the power interruption by
the protection device, τ des the average time of dispatch, τ loc
the average time of traveling and τ mar is the average time of
maintenance.
3rd Stage: Eq. (3) refers to the annual estimate for branches
after switching equipment protected by protection equipment
(cutouts and reclosers).
n

 
S3 = (ωo · EMf )SEPf (τdes + τloc )
f =1
n

 
+ (ωo · EMf )SEMf (τman ) (3)
f =1
ωo is the rate of faults per network kilometer, EM the accumulate
branch of the switching equipment, SEP the interrupted power
by the protection device the back of the switching equipment,
SEM the interrupted power by the switching equipment, τ des the
average time of dispatch, τ loc the average time of traveling and
τ man is the average time of maintenance.
With the sum of all three stages, it is possible to determine
the initial interrupted power estimate of the system [WT ].
WT = S1 + S2 + S3 (4)
The ASD determines the impact on the interrupted power
estimate, inserting and rearranging or removing the switching
and/or protection equipments in the system verify the variation
the initial interrupted power.
Through this algorithm it is possible to determine the impor-
tance of each protection and switching devices to the system.
The interaction among the methodologies described in Sec-
tions 2–4 can be visualized through the flowchart in Fig. 7.
The optimization algorithm is demonstrated in a constituted
system of seven branches and seven transformers with the power
defined in 150 kW for transformer, 1 km branch length, 13.8 kV
voltage of operation and Fault Rate equal to 1 fault a year.
Re-establishment time: τ des = 10 min; τ loc = 15 min and
τ man = 30 min.
If we observe Fig. 8 it is easy to verify which protection
devices should act in case of defects in each one of the branches.
It is simple to visualize the isolate areas as well (Table 4).
The representation of the load flow can be visualized in
Table 5.
After that, initial estimated interrupted energy calculations
are carried out on the original system:
1st Stage: Estimate of interrupted energy for defects in the
branches protected by the substation breaker (Eq. (1)).
[(1 · 1) · 1051.8 · (10 + 15 + 30)]
Wo = = 964.15 kVA/h
60
1214 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216

Table 5
Load flow
Initial node Final node Type ϕr βr S [kV A] Load [A] Voltage [kV]

0 1 Dj 1 – 1051.8 44.05 13.79

1 2 FU 2 1 600.58 25.18 13.77
2 3 L 3 2 450.23 18.89 13.76
3 4 FU 4 3 150.02 6.30 13.76
3 5 FU 5 3 150.02 6.30 13.76
1 6 FU 6 1 300.10 12.58 13.77
6 7 FU 7 6 150.02 6.29 13.77

Fig. 9. Example.

[(1 · 1) · 105.0 · (10 + 15 + 30)]

WFU(3−4) = = 96.25 V A/h
60

[(1 · 1) · 105.0 · (10 + 15 + 30)]

WFU(3−5) = = 96.25 V A/h
60
Fig. 7. Logical flowchart.
[(1 · 1) · 300.3 · (10 + 15 + 30)]
WFU(1−6) = = 275.27 V A/h
60

[(1 · 1) · 150.0 · (10 + 15 + 30)]

WFU(6−7) = = 137.5 V A/h
60

WT = 2672.9 V Ah
Based on the initial estimate of interrupted energy, it is possi-
Fig. 8. System example.
ble to test the effect of the site removal for protection equipment,
analyzing its impacts on the reliability of the system.
The removal test of the device is demonstrated in the branch
2nd Stage: Estimate of interrupted energy for defects in the 6–7 (Fig. 9).
branches protected by the protection devices (fused cutouts and With the removal of the cutout in the branch 6–7, there is an
reclosers) (Eq. (2)). increase of the area protected by the cutout of the branch 1–6
(Table 6).
[(1 · 2) · 601.9 · (10 + 15 + 30)]
WFU(1−2) = = 1103.48 V A/h The calculations impact of the cutout removal; of the branch
60 6–7 are shown here:

Table 4 Table 6
Accumulate branch for equipment Accumulate branch for equipment
Initial node Final node Type km ϕr βr Accumulated Initial node Final node Type km ϕr βr Accumulated
branches for device branches for device

0 1 Dj 1 1 – (0–1) = 1 0 1 Dj 1 1 - (0–1) = 1
1 2 FU 1 2 1 (1–2) + (2–3) = 2 1 2 FU 1 2 1 (1–2) + (2–3) = 2
2 3 L 1 3 2 – 2 3 L 1 3 2 (2–3) = 1
3 4 FU 1 4 3 (3–4) = 1 3 4 FU 1 4 3 (3–4) = 1
3 5 FU 1 5 3 (3–5) = 1 3 5 FU 1 5 3 (3–5) = 1
1 6 FU 1 6 1 (1–6) = 1 1 6 FU 1 6 1 (1–6) + (6–7) = 2
6 7 FU 1 7 6 (6–7) = 1 6 7 L 1 7 6 –
 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216 1215

Fig. 10. ASP software interface.

1st Stage: Estimate of energy interrupted for defects in the
branch protected by the over-current relays (Eq. (1)).
Wo = 964.15 kV A/h
2nd Stage: Estimate of energy interrupted for defects in the
branches protected by the protection devices (fused cutouts and
reclosers) (Eq. (2))
WFU(1−2) = 1103.48 V A/h
WFU(3−4) = 96.25 V A/h
WFU(3−5) = 96.25 V A/h
WFU(1−6) = 550.55 V A/h
WT = 2810.68 V Ah
Table 7 is obtained after accomplishing similar analysis in
other devices.
It is possible for the software ASP, based on every importance
of the fused cutout, to remove the switches of less importance,
making possible the coordination between the over-current pro-
tection of feeder and the distribution reclosers with the fused
cutout.
5. Practical results
The initial version of this software was used by two electrical
distribution companies, located in the southern of Brazil, for
optimization and revision of adjustments—approximately
22,183 protection devices in 462 feeders around
12 months.
It is important to point that before the ASP software, the
selectivity studies were carried out manually, taking on average
5 work days for conclusion. Nowadays with this tool, the average
time is only 30 min (Fig. 10).
Besides, it is stood out that ASD presents advantage in rela-
tion to the existent similar software in the market, because it was
prepared for the Companies reality.
The objective for the development of this software was to
create methodologies and algorithm for the optimization and
use of switching and protection devices in distribution systems
that will result in useful and reliable tools of easy application
for electrical energy company.
It is important to remark that the program developed was
prepared to meet the needs of the dealerships, according to
their predefined criteria of protection and reliability. It benefited
the areas of operation, planning and maintenance with special
emphasis on the reliability of electrical energy supply associated
to the operational safety of the system.

Table 7
Summary References
Initial node Final node Type W [kV A/h] Priority of removal [1] J.A. Cipoli, Engenharia de Distribuição, Qualitymark, Rio de Janeiro, 1993.
0 1 Dj – – [2] E.J. Robba, Introdução a sistemas elétricos de potência: componentes
1 2 FU 3497.72 4 simétricas, Forense, São Paulo, 1972, 344 pp.
2 3 L – – [3] N. Kagan, R.N. Adams, Computational decision support system for electrical
3 4 FU 3128.39 2 distribution system planning, in: Proceedings of Computer System and Soft
3 5 FU 3128.39 2 Engineering Conference, 1992, pp. 133–138.
1 6 FU 3361.78 3 [4] A.L. König, D.P. Bernardon, L.N. Canha, V.A. Popov, Modelagem das Cur-
6 7 FU 2810.67 1 vas de Carga dos Consumidores de um Sistema de Distribuição, in: CPFL
Evolução—1◦ Seminário Técnico, Campinas, SP, 2002.
1216 L. Comassetto et al. / Electric Power Systems Research 78 (2008) 1210–1216
[5] V.A. Popov, P. Ekel, S. Ansuj, Node load modelling and distribution system
state estimation using the heuristic approach, in: Proceedings of the Inter-
national Symposium on Electrical Power Engineering, Stockholm Power
Technology, June 1995, pp. 294–299.
Lorenzo Comassetto was born in Porto-Alegre, Brazil, on the 4th of October
1974, and currently is a doctorate student in electrical engineering of the Federal
University of Santa Maria, Brazil, after working for 9 years in Operation of
Electric Systems, and has been a member of IEEE since 2004.
Daniel Pinheiro Bernardon was born in Santa Maria, Brazil on the 15th of
September 1977, and currently is a doctorate student in electrical engineering
of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, after working for 6 years in
Operation of Electric Systems, and has been a member of IEEE since 2004.
Luciane Neves Canha was born in Santa Maria, Brazil on the 16th of March
1971. She received her Dr. Eng. degree from Federal University of Santa Maria,
in 2004, and has been a professor of electrical engineering at Federal University
of Santa Maria, since 1997. Her research interests include distribution system
analysis, planning and operation, distributed generation and renewable energy.
Alzenira da Rosa Abaide was born in Santa Maria, Brazil. She received Bach-
elor degree, M.S. and Dra . in electrical engineering from Federal University of
Santa Maria. She worked as engineer from 1986 to 1988 in State Company of
Electric Energy. Since 1989 she has been working in Technology Center, Cen-
ter of Studies in Energy and Environment, Power System Department of this
university. Her field and interested includes planning and operation in power
system distribution. She is registered professional engineer in the state of Rio
Grande do Sul.