Paper Describes Use of Bitronics® M87x in Monitoring Transmission Capacitor Bank Controlled Switching Systems

Bitronics Senior Application Engineer Bryan Gehringer co-authored a paper with Tommy Salmon of Dominion Virginia Power that was presented at the recent Georgia Tech Fault and Disturbance Analysis Conference. The paper and presentation detailed Dominion’s use of the M87x in monitoring transmission capacitor bank controlled switching systems.

 

Abstract -- The use of Controlled Switching Systems (CSS) to operate transmission shunt capacitor banks has proven to be a cost effective and reliable means of mitigating capacitor switching transients. As the number of these units has increased over recent years, however, so too have the challenges in determining the root cause of occasional switching device misoperations.

Correct operations depend on the proper interaction between different systems but it is often difficult even to determine whether the root cause lies with one system or another. Thus a need was seen to develop a monitoring tool capable of gathering forensic evidence of capacitor switching misoperations that integrates indications available from the controller, the breaker, protective relays, and the capacitor bank itself.

Based on promising results from a hand-built prototype, the author was able to refine the monitoring requirements and commission the development of a suitable commercial Cap Bank Monitor. Small-scale deployment of the Cap Bank Monitor confirmed the value of the data collected and suggested some areas for improvement. Programs are now underway to both address the new refinements and to expand the monitoring program across the company’s operating area. This paper describes some problems that motivated taking action, misoperations that were diagnosed, equipment failures that may have been averted, and new challenges posed by wide deployment of the Cap Bank Monitor.

 

To read the complete paper, visit the Utility Customer Application Presentations and Papers folder in the premium section of our Documentation Library.  Registration Required.