Critical Need for Critical Need for Communications Communications Protection in a Protection in a Deregulated Power Deregulated Power MarketMarket

1999 IEEE/PESErnest M. Duckworth Jr., P.E.,

Senior Member IEEE&

John S. Duckworth, P.E.

IntroductionIntroduction

A very effective power system operation alone will not be enough as we move into the 21st Century

In a deregulated power market, the successful power company will have a very reliable wire-line communication network when fiber is not cost effective.

The single most important key to success in this new age will be our ability to communicate error free and without interruption over wire-line, which still represents a large majority of the present entrance facilities.

Reliable Wire-Line Reliable Wire-Line CommunicationCommunication

Into High Voltage LocationsInto High Voltage Locations

• Follow ANSI/IEEE Std. 487-1992 Follow ANSI/IEEE Std. 487-1992

• Know the fault characteristics, grid Know the fault characteristics, grid resistance, X/R ratio, etc.resistance, X/R ratio, etc.

• Cooperate and coordinate the protection of Cooperate and coordinate the protection of leased linesleased lines

• Practice Personnel SafetyPractice Personnel Safety

• Go to TrainingGo to Training

DefinitionsDefinitions& acronyms used in Electrical & acronyms used in Electrical

ProtectionProtection• High Voltage Interface (HVI) > High Voltage Interface (HVI) > The The

separation of wire-line communications conducting paths separation of wire-line communications conducting paths with the use of magnetic or optical isolationwith the use of magnetic or optical isolation

• Ground Potential Rise (GPR) > Ground Potential Rise (GPR) > A voltage A voltage that develops on a grounding system from current flowing that develops on a grounding system from current flowing through the impedance of that groundthrough the impedance of that ground

• Ground Grid or Ground Mat > Ground Grid or Ground Mat > The The grounding system built under a substation or power plant in grounding system built under a substation or power plant in which all metallic equipment and plant are bonded which all metallic equipment and plant are bonded

• Remote Ground > Remote Ground > The distant end of a The distant end of a communications circuit that is at a different ground communications circuit that is at a different ground reference point with respect to the near endreference point with respect to the near end

Why do High Voltage Why do High Voltage Locations Require Locations Require

Isolation?Isolation?• Ground Potential Rise (GPR)-Average of one Ground Potential Rise (GPR)-Average of one

per 100 miles of power cable plantper 100 miles of power cable plant

• Standard Gas Tube, MOV, SAD, Carbon Standard Gas Tube, MOV, SAD, Carbon Block, or any other shunting device does Block, or any other shunting device does not worknot work

• High Voltage Interface (HVI) must be a part High Voltage Interface (HVI) must be a part of the Facility Entranceof the Facility Entrance

• Personnel Safety & Equipment Protection Personnel Safety & Equipment Protection cannot be obtained without an HVIcannot be obtained without an HVI

When is an HVI Required?When is an HVI Required?

• GPR exceeds 1000V-Peak-AsymmetricalGPR exceeds 1000V-Peak-Asymmetrical

• Regardless of the GPR if circuit reliability Regardless of the GPR if circuit reliability (Class A Service) is a requirement(Class A Service) is a requirement

• Ultimately when the responsible design Ultimately when the responsible design Engineer perceives its placement as Engineer perceives its placement as necessary for the protection of necessary for the protection of personnel and equipmentpersonnel and equipment

Where is an HVI Physically Where is an HVI Physically Located?Located?

• Within the boundary of the ground Within the boundary of the ground grid or ground matgrid or ground mat

• Where the station cables will have Where the station cables will have the shortest lengthsthe shortest lengths

• Where it can be maintained properly Where it can be maintained properly and sheltered from the elementsand sheltered from the elements

How is an HVI Placed?How is an HVI Placed?• Follow IEEE Std. 487-1992, Guide for the Protection of Wire-Line Follow IEEE Std. 487-1992, Guide for the Protection of Wire-Line

Communication Facilities Serving Electric Power StationsCommunication Facilities Serving Electric Power Stations

• Conceptually visualize the HVI as having two sidesConceptually visualize the HVI as having two sides

• High Voltage Side is the hot side or front side and it connects to wire-line High Voltage Side is the hot side or front side and it connects to wire-line pairs that leave the high voltage location (HVL). Must be in nonmetallic pairs that leave the high voltage location (HVL). Must be in nonmetallic (PVC) conduit with floating shield (PVC) conduit with floating shield

• Low Voltage Side is the cold side or back side and it connects to wire-line Low Voltage Side is the cold side or back side and it connects to wire-line pairs that must stay within the HVL. Must be in metallic (steel) conduit pairs that must stay within the HVL. Must be in metallic (steel) conduit with shield groundedwith shield grounded

• Never place hot side pairs closer than 5 inches from any groundNever place hot side pairs closer than 5 inches from any ground

• Never place cold side pairs closer than 5 inches from hot side pairsNever place cold side pairs closer than 5 inches from hot side pairs

• Never work on an HVI without standing on an 18kV rubber blanket and Never work on an HVI without standing on an 18kV rubber blanket and wearing rubber gloves wearing rubber gloves

ConclusionsConclusions• The three examples listed in the paper were actual cases of lost The three examples listed in the paper were actual cases of lost

revenue from not isolating wire-line communications servicesrevenue from not isolating wire-line communications services

• In a deregulated power market, costs will be the control like never In a deregulated power market, costs will be the control like never before and the loss of communications will mean disaster before and the loss of communications will mean disaster

• Don’t gamble with the possible loss of real time information by not Don’t gamble with the possible loss of real time information by not properly isolating your wire-line communications. It is just not worth properly isolating your wire-line communications. It is just not worth itit

• Electric Companies properly utilizing isolation equipment on their Electric Companies properly utilizing isolation equipment on their wire-line communication facilities will be prepared to compete head-wire-line communication facilities will be prepared to compete head-on in the new age of a deregulated power marketon in the new age of a deregulated power market

• Are you ready now? Are you trained? Do you have the right tools? Are you ready now? Are you trained? Do you have the right tools?

• A good number are and do!A good number are and do!

• A good number aren’t and don’t! Which one are you? A good number aren’t and don’t! Which one are you?

References, Training & References, Training & ToolsTools

ininMastering Electrical Mastering Electrical

ProtectionProtection• IEEE Std. 487, IEEE Std. 367, U S WEST Reference Publication IEEE Std. 487, IEEE Std. 367, U S WEST Reference Publication “Special High Voltage Protection” #77321,June 1998, and Bell “Special High Voltage Protection” #77321,June 1998, and Bell Practice 876-310-100Practice 876-310-100

• Protection Technologies Inc training in Electrical Protection by Protection Technologies Inc training in Electrical Protection by William (Bill) Petersen. Two day engineering and installation William (Bill) Petersen. Two day engineering and installation seminars. Call 801-561-5464seminars. Call 801-561-5464

• Web Site: http://gpr-expert.comWeb Site: http://gpr-expert.com

• Expert system software: GPR-Expert by Expert Systems Inc., Expert system software: GPR-Expert by Expert Systems Inc., 703-440-1455703-440-1455

• Richard Knight-Engineering Manager Positron Industries, 505-Richard Knight-Engineering Manager Positron Industries, 505-298-5400, Lewis (Lew) Stone-Technical Specialist, 303-871-8656298-5400, Lewis (Lew) Stone-Technical Specialist, 303-871-8656

THANKS FOR BEING HERETHANKS FOR BEING HERETODAYTODAY

Ernest M. Duckworth Jr., P.E.Ernest M. Duckworth Jr., P.E.VP-Power Products DivisionVP-Power Products DivisionPositron Industries Inc.Positron Industries Inc.

962 Coronado Drive962 Coronado DriveSedalia, CO 80135Sedalia, CO 80135

PH: 303-688-5800PH: 303-688-5800Fax: 303-688-5551Fax: 303-688-5551duckyern@email.msn.comduckyern@email.msn.com

John S. Duckworth, P.E., CEOJohn S. Duckworth, P.E., CEO

Expert Systems Programs and Expert Systems Programs and ConsultingConsulting

(703) 440-1455(703) 440-1455jack@gpr-expert.comjack@gpr-expert.com