- January 24, 2018
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Engineering
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IV, Issue XII, December 2017 | ISSN 2321–2705
Resilience of Digital Protection Relays to Electromagnetic Pulse HEMP
Vladimir Gurevich
Central Electric Laboratory, Israel Electric Corp., POB 10, Haifa 31000, Israel
Abstract – This article addresses the issues of resilience of digital protection relays (DPR) to High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse of nuclear explosion (HEMP). The article performs the critical analysis of some articles presented by a well-known American company SEL and shows that the publications contain many inaccuracies and lapses. Thus, this proves that SEL relays have not advantages over those offered by other manufacturers. The article shows that reliable information pertaining to DPR’s resistance to HEMP can be obtained on a basis of correctly setup tests; key principles of these tests and stages of preparation are also offered.
Keywords – Digital protection relays, DPR, High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse, of nuclear explosion, HEMP, Resilience, Tests, SEL.
I. INTRODUCTION
Explosion of nuclear ammunition at high altitude (30 – 400 km) results in occurrence of electromagnetic pulse near the earth surface with the field strength up to 50 kV/m. This pulse can impact electric and electronic devices and equipment over a vast territory. This type of non-lethal (due to high altitude of blasting) weapon is perceived as a rather perspective trend in various countries, and thus it is rapidly developing. Consequently, development of protection measures against it has recently become very relevant [1]. As for the electric power industry (representing the No. 1 target for this weapon), microelectronic and microprocessorbased systems, particularly, digital protection relays (DPR) are the most susceptible to High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse of nuclear explosion (HEMP). That is why producers of DPR are concerned about the problem and their efforts to research the DPR’s resistance to HEMP are more than welcome. One of the largest DPR producers that performs a deep research of this problem is an American company, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). Thus, the experience gained by the SEL could have been extremely important for protection engineers.
