A dedicated tool for analysing protection selectivity and back-up in large MV networks

Due to integration of distributed generation the operation of medium-voltage distribution networks is becoming more difficult. This paper describes a dedicated simulation tool that can be used to study the protection coordination in the network. One of the main advantages of the program is that it systematically analyses a complete network in one simulation. It simulates faults in the whole network and gives the reaction of the relays for all these faults, checking selectivity, back-up, etc. The basic operation principles of the program are presented together with two case studies that show how the program can be used to study the protection coordination in networks with distributed generation.