2019 International Conference on Innovative Trends in Computer Engineering (ITCE’2019), Aswan, Egypt, 2-4 February 2019

Recloser-fuse Coordination of Radial Distribution

Systems with Different Technologies of Distributed
Generation

Mohamed M. Aly, Hammad Mahrous and Mahmoud M.A. Mahmoud

Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering, Aswan University
Aswan, Egypt
mohamed.aly@eng.aswu.edu.eg, hammad.mahroos@aswu.edu.eg, m.mohamedali1287@gmail.com

Abstract— This paper discusses the effects of distribution energy sources (RESs) such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves,
generation (DG) on the recloser-fuse coordination of radial and geothermal heat are becoming more convenient as
distribution systems. These effects are considered one of the alternative generators. This type of energy generations is starting
disadvantages of connecting DGs with distribution systems and to enter the distribution systems in the form of distributed
depend on the technology, location and size of DGs. Three generation (DG). RESs by the year 2020 will be 20% of total
different locations of DGs are studied: firstly, when the DG is power generation. The connection of DGs to an existing radial
located between the recloser and fuse, secondly, when the DG is distribution network provides various advantages for utilities,
located upstream of recloser and fuse, and thirdly, when the DG is
consumers and the owner because of: (i) decreasing the costs of
located downstream of recloser and fuse. In every location the
technology and size of the DG is varied and the penetration level
transmission and distribution by delaying the construction of
at which the coordination is lost is recorded. The different studied new power plants and their associated transmission and
technologies of the DGs are photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine of distribution systems, (ii) decreasing power losses by feeding the
squirrel cage induction generator (Type 1) and wind turbine of loads directly without long transmission lines or cables, (iii)
synchronous generator (Type 4). The studied system is a radial improving the voltage profiles by injecting power directly at the
distribution system consisting of 14 buses with main feeder and loads buses, (iv) and lowering greenhouse gas emissions [3].
two laterals. All simulations are performed using ETAP 12.6.0
Nevertheless, some issues when the DG is interconnected to
package. The results show that the recloser-fuse coordination may
power distribution systems, especially the radial distribution
be lost as the size of DG increases, the worst location is when the
DG is connected downstream to the recloser and fuse, and the
networks. This is because the radial systems will no longer be
worst DG technology is the Type 4 wind turbine. fed from one source and the current will flow in both directions.
This will break the radial structure. The protection system,
Keywords— Distributed Generation (DG), Radial distribution which depends on the radial nature of the system, will no longer
systems, fuse-recloser coordination be appropriate [4].

I. INTRODUCTION Fuse and recloser are common used in protection of

distribution networks. They should be coordinated together to
A great majority of conventional power distribution systems differentiate between the temporary and permanent faults. For
is of radial feeder structure, which is about a single source correct coordination between fuse and recloser, the fuse should
feeding a group of feeders down-stream this source. This only operate when the fault is permanent. However, when the
structure is preferred due to the simplicity and low cost of its fault is temporary, recloser should disconnect the network with
protection system. In the radial distribution system, the fault its fast operation curve to give the fault a chance to clear. The
current has its maximum value when is at the feeder source, and recloser will wait for few seconds to connect the network to see
the value of fault current decreases when moving away down- if the fault is self-cleared. This scenario will repeat two or three
stream the feeder source or substation source as a result of time, and if the fault is still existing, then the fault is permanent
increasing the feeder line impedance [1]. Overcurrent protection and the recloser will move to it slow curve leaving the fuse to
is the most common type of protection devices that used for such open [5].
systems which consists of reclosers and fuses. Because most
faults in distribution systems are of temporary types, recloser Temporary faults represented 70% to 80% of faults
near the fault section must operate fast to isolate the faulted part occurring in distribution system. The above discussed
from the remaining distribution system. However, when the fault coordination between fuse and recloser protect the feeder from
is permanent, the fuse will blow to isolate the faulted section [2]. being permanently disconnected for every temporary fault and
this arrangement is suitable for improving the reliability,
Due to the increase of electrical energy demand, both energy stability and decreasing the maintenance cost. Moreover,
facilities and governments are seeking for increasing the recloser plays as back up in case of failure in opening fuse
capacity of power generations. Thus, nowadays the through slow mode [1].
renewable

978-1-5386-5261-9/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE

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 The present paper discusses the effects of connecting responding to the fault and may not operate properly. This
different types of DGs on the fuse-recloser coordination of a means that the protection will lose its sensitivity or the fault lasts
radial distribution system consisting of 14 buses. These types of without clearing [6].
DGs are: photovoltaic (PV) system, wind turbine of squirrel case
induction generator (Type 1) and wind turbine of synchronous
generator (Type 4). Three different locations of DGs are
considered: when the DG is connected between the fuse and
recloser, when the DG is connected upstream of the fuse and
recloser and when the DG is connected downstream of the fuse
and recloser. In every location, the penetration level is increased
up to the level at which the coordination between fuse and Fig. 2. Blinding of protection
recloser is lost.
The rest of the paper is summarized as follows: Section II 3)Mis-coordination of protection devices
discusses the different effects of DGs on the protection of radial In the radial distribution system, the protection devices are
distribution systems, Section discusses the modelling of the designed such that fuses work as backup protection devices to
different DG types, Section IV presents the studied system, the recloser, if the type of fault is permanent. Recloser should
Section V presents the simulation results and discussion, and operate firstly to clear the temporary faults and then fuses
Section VI presents the conclusion. operate when the fault is permanent. This means that fuses must
be coordinated with reclosers. However, the existence of DGs
II. EFFECTS OF DGS ON THE PROTECTION OF RADIAL with radial distribution networks may break this coordination
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS because the contribution of DG to the fault current will alter the
Connection DGs radial distribution networks has negative fault current causing fuse-recloser or fuse-fuse mis-coordinated
effects on the networks in terms of reliability, stability, power [4].
quality, dynamic operation and safety for both consumers and Consider the system shown in Fig. 3, due to the contribution
electricity purveyor. But the main negative effect of DGs is of the DG to fault current, DG increases the current seen by fuse
when a fault occurs, because the contribution of current from F 1 (IF) and decreases the current from grid (IS). This may lead
DGs causes unwanted issues in the protection equipment. The to over trip fuses and the resulting of mis-coordination between
following points highlight some of these issues [4]. recloser (R 1) and fuse (F 1) [4][6].
1)False tripping of unfaulted feeder
When the fault occurs on the neighboring feeder and due to
the presence of DG, the flow of current from the DG to the fault
may result in a false tripping of protection devices of the
unfaulted feeder. For example, consider the system shown in
Fig. 1 where the fault occurs on a position on feeder 1. Relay 1
(R 1) must operate to remove the fault from feeder, but also
Relay 2 (R 2) on feeder 2 may be tripped due to overcurrent from
the DG unit [6].
Fig. 3. Mis-coordination of Protection Devices

III. MODELING OF DGS, RECLOSERS AND FUSES IN

ETAP
A. Solar photovoltaic (PV)
PV is one of the important elements of renewable energy,
micro-grid, smart grid, etc. It converts solar radiation energy into
direct current using semiconductors material such as silicon,
boron and phosphorus, and then to electric power through
inverters. Several PV cells make a module and several modules
Fig. 1. False Tripping can have connected in series and parallel groups for represents
blocks of PV power, these modules make up a PV panel that can
2) Blinding of protection be connected in a string arrangement to achieve a desired voltage
When the fault occurs at the end of the feeder and a DG is and current at the inverter input [7].
connected with the feeder, as shown in Fig. 2, the grid and DG ETAP PV Array is used to represent individual panels
contribute to the fault current (IF = IS+ IDG), where IS is the connected in series and parallel combinations with a grid tied
current coming from the grid, IDG is the current coming from the inverter and represents blocks of PV power. A number of
DG and IF is the total fault current. But the presence of DG modules make up a typical PV panel that can be connected in a
decreases the current coming from the grid to a value below the string configuration in order to achieve a desired current and
threshold of the recloser 1 (R 1) which may result in R 1 not voltage at the inverter input. The user can enter the properties

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associated with PV array including solar irradiance and inverter 1) Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (Type 1)
of the electrical distribution system using PV Array Editor. User This type of WTG is pitch-regulated and drives a squirrel
also, defines the PV panel information and specify the number cage induction generator which is directly coupled to the grid
of panels connected in series and parallel that make up the final and can only operate within a tight range of the rotational speed
PV array [8]. Different I-V curves used in ETAP are shown in slightly over the synchronous speed. Due to these small
Fig. 4. rotational speed variations, Type 1 WTG is considered to
operate at fixed speed. Type 1 WTG consumes reactive power
and thus is equipped with compensating capacitors for reactive
power compensation and improving the power factor as shown
in Fig. 5. The block diagram of Type 1 WTG in ETAP is shown
in Fig. 6 [10].

Fig. 4. Different I-V curves adopted in ETAP

B. Wind Turbine Fig. 5. Configuration of Type 1 WTG

Wind turbine generator (WTG) or wind energy is another
renewable energy that generates electricity by converting kinetic
energy in wind into electrical energy. WTGs can be classified to
fixed speed and variable speed. The objective of modeling of
WTG is to simulate its electrical properties and dynamical
behavior. WTGs are also classified to four types: squirrel cage
induction generator (Type 1), wound rotor induction generator
(Type 2), doubly fed induction generator (Type 3), and
synchronous generator (Type 4). In this paper, we will discuss
Type 1 and Type 2 as they constitute the best and worst types,
respectively from the view point of contribution to fault current
[9].
In ETAP wind turbine is modeled by (1) [8].
= , (1) Fig. 6. Block diagram of Type 1 WTG in ETAP

Where: P is the mechanical shaft power, ρ is the air density, 2) Synchronous Generator (Type 4)
Ar is the swept area of blade, υ is the wind speed, Cp is the Unlike Type 1 WTG, Type 4 WTG produces both real and
coefficient of performance, λ is the tip speed ratio, and θ is the reactive powers. Type 1 WTG can operate with or without gear
blade pitch angle. The tip speed ratio is given by (2). box and can operate with electric poles or permanent magnet,
where the permanent magnet is the one preferred for WTG. The
= (2) constant speed is provided by the compensation from the flux of
permanent magnet. As a result, the mechanism produces smooth
Where: R is the radius of blabe and ω is the rotor speed. torque and output power generation even under variable wind
ETAP provides a Cp generic model to represent the Cp curve, speed conditions. To get AC power at constant frequency from
which is given by (3). Type 4 WTG, the AC output power is converted to DC power
by converter and then to AC power by inverter, as shown in Fig.
= − − − (3) 7. The block diagram of Type 4 WTG in ETAP is shown in Fig.
8 [11].
Where:
C. Reclosers and fuses
= Reclosers and fuses are the most protection devices used in
1 radial distribution networks. Appropriate coordination between
−
+ +1 reclosers and fused is required for the system to differentiate
C1 to C9 are constants. between the temporary and permanent faults which increases the

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reliability of distribution system. The operation of recloser is
given in (4) which is adopted in ETAP [5].

Fig. 7. Configuration of Type 4 WTG

Fig. 9. Time-current characteristic of the reclosers and fuses in ETAP

IV. STUDIED SYSTEM

The studied system is a radial distribution network consisting
of 14 buses with main feeder and two lateral feeders, as shown
in Fig. 10 [12]. The value of the grid voltage is 27.6 kV where
Fig. 8. Block diagram of Type 4 WTG in ETAP the branches and loads details are shown in Table II. The loads
are modified to be three-phase balanced. The protection devices
= + (4) used with the system are three reclosers (REC 1, REC 2 and REC
3) connected beside the grid and in the beginning of each lateral
Where: T is the operation time of the recloser, I is the fault feeder in addition to fourteen fuses connected between each load
current seen by the recloser, TD is the selected time dial, M is and the corresponding bus.
multiples of pickup (M > 1), and A, B, ρ are constants to be
determined by trial and error. Table I shows values of A, B, ρ
for different relay characteristics.
Table I Values of A, B, ρ for different relay characteristics

A B ρ
Standard inverse 0.0515 0.1140 0.02
Very inverse 19.61 0.491 2
Extremely inverse 28.2 0.1217 2

Minimum melting (MM) and total clearing (TC) curves are

used to describe the operation of fuse and are expressed by
logarithmic scale. The general characteristics which describe
the time–current relation of fuse is shown in (6). This relation is
adopted in ETAP [5]. Fig. 10. The 14-bus studied system
= + (6)
Where: T is the fuse operation time, I is the fault current seen V. SIMULATION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
by the fuse, and a, b are constants to be determined so that the Three case studies are considered in this paper:
fuse operation should be coordinated with the recloser. The time
1. Case 1: DG is connected upstream of recloser and fuse,
current characteristic for the reclosers and fuses which are used
in the studied system is shown in Fig. 9. The ETAP has an 2. Case 2: DG is connected between recloser and fuse, and
advantage of varying the slopes of reclosers and fuses by
clicking and dragging in the figure. 3. Case 3: DG is connected downstream of recloser and fuse.
In each case the type and penetration level of the DG are
varied until the coordination between recloser and fuse is lost.

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 Table II Data for the 14-bus studied system 150% of rated current is allowed to pass during the fault, Type
1 WTG has no excitation circuit so its contribution to the fault
Branches data Loads data current decays during fault period, and the contribution of Type
R (Ω) X(mΩ) P (MW) Q (MVAR) 4 WTG to the fault current is constant during the fault period due
to its excitation circuit.
TL1 1.034560 7.40 L1 6.420 2.0600
2) Case 2: DG is connected between recloser and fuse
TL2 0.064400 4.61 L2 0.903 0.5130
Fig. 12 shows the results when the DG is connected at bus 9
TL3 0.028800 2.06 L3 3.190 1.0500
and the fault occurs on Load 10 and Load 11. In this case the DG
TL4 0.044096 3.15 L4 0.576 0.5070 is connected between REC 2 and F10 and F11. When fault
TL5 0.159424 1.14 L5 0.018 0.0000 occurs on Load 10, the coordination was kept up to penetration
levels of 50% for PV, 14 % for Type 4 WTG and 20% for Type
TL6 0.564000 4.04 L6 0.347 0.0119 1 WTG. Similarly, when fault occurs on Load 11, the
TL7 0.437480 3.13 L7 0.617 0.0000 coordination was kept up to penetration levels of 55% for PV,
18 % for Type 4 WTG and 21% for Type 1 WTG.
TL8 0.066000 2.83 L8 0.027 0.0090
Fig. 13 shows the results when the DG is connected at bus
TL9 0.215760 9.24 L9 0.582 0.1910
10 and the fault occurs on Load 11. In this case the DG is
TL10 0.267900 1.15 L10 0.230 0.0756 connected between REC 2 and F11. When fault occurs on Load
TL11 1.569480 6.72 L11 0.163 0.0534 11, the coordination was kept up to penetration levels of 50% for
PV, 16 % for Type 4 WTG and 22% for Type 1 WTG.
TL12 0.675120 2.89 L12 0.135 0.0444
TL13 0.567240 2.43 L13 0.433 0.1430
TL14 0.737760 3.16 L14 0.275 0.1360

1) Case 1: DG is connected upstream of recloser and fuse

Fig. 11 shows the results when the DG is connected at bus 8
and the fault occurs on Load 9, Load 10 and Load 11. In this
case the DG is upstream REC 2 and F9, F10 and F11. When fault
occurs on Load 9, the coordination was kept up to penetration
levels of 60% for PV, 20 % for Type 4 WTG and 25% for Type
1 WTG. Similarly, when fault occurs on Load 10, the
coordination was kept up to penetration levels of 65% for PV,
25 % for Type 4 WTG and 30% for Type 1 WTG. Finally, when
fault occurs on Load 11, the coordination was kept up to
penetration levels of 70% for PV, 25 % for Type 4 WTG and Fig. 12. DG is connected at bus 9
35% for Type 1 WTG.

Fig. 13. DG is connected at bus 10

Fig. 11. DG is connected at bus 8
Similar to case 1, the penetration level at which the
Fig. 11 shows that as the fault becomes further from the DG, coordination between recloser and fuse is lost increases as the
the penetration value at which the coordination between recloser fault location becomes further from the DG. However, a
and fuse is lost increases due to the increasing of the impedance comparison between this case and case 1 shows that when the
between the DG and fault. Also, Type 4 WTG displays the worst DG is connected between the recloser and fuse, the penetration
type of DG and PV displays the best type of DG. The reasons
for that are: the PV inverter is controlled so that maximum of

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level must be smaller than when the DG is connected upstream recloser-fuse coordination is when the DG is connected
of the recloser and fuse. downstream to the recloser and fuse.
3) Case 3: DG is connected downstream of recloser and fuse VI. CONCLUSIONS
Fig. 14 shows the results when the DG is connected at bus The paper discussed the effect of integration different
11 and the fault occurs at Load 9 and Load 10. This means that technologies, locations and penetration levels of distributed
DG is downstream to REC 2 and F 9 and F 10. When fault occurs generation with radial distribution system to keep recloser-fuse
on Load 9, the coordination was kept up to penetration levels of coordination. Three different case studies were analyzed. The
40% for PV, 11 % for Type 4 WTG and 13% for Type 1 WTG. results showed that the penetration level at which the
Similarly, when fault occurs on Load 10, the coordination was coordination between recloser and fuse is lost increases as the
kept up to penetration levels of 45% for PV, 13 % for Type 4 fault location becomes further from the DG. Connecting DG
WTG and 18% for Type 1 WTG. downstream of recloser and fuse was the worst case for recloser-
fuse coordination where connecting DG upstream to recloser
Fig. 15 shows the results when the DG is connected at bus
and fuse was the worst case for recloser-fuse coordination.
10 and the fault occurs on Load 9. In this case the DG is
Finally, PV was the best DG type for recloser-fuse coordination
connected downstream to REC 2 and F9. When fault occurs on
where Type 4 WTG was the worst DG type for recloser-fuse
Load 9, the coordination was kept up to penetration levels of
coordination.
40% for PV, 13 % for Type 4 WTG and 16% for Type 1 WTG.
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