Simulation of numerical distance protection through senior design project

This paper presents the laboratory simulation emulating application of a numerical distance relay. It yields a realistic scaled model for a two section radial feeder. Lumped models of transmission lines are constructed, which resemble the actual system. Protection of such realistic feeder enables the students and engineers to get a feel as to how a distance protection works. Provision is also made to change the relay connections from its actual location in the system to the test bench location which helps in testing a relay. The setup as a whole is useful for getting the actual exposure of the complex procedure of co-ordination of relay settings. Advanced technical facilities available in the modern numerical relays are exploited for demonstration purpose in the laboratory environment by hardware simulation. The development was done through senior design projects, thus imparting design exposure to students while reducing the development cost. The work has been done to enhance laboratory curriculum and provide hands-on training to students in laboratory environment.