Fault isolation and reconfiguration in a three-zone system

Abstract

This paper provides experimental verification of a fault isolation sequence in a DC Zonal Electrical System. Three electrical zones consisting of phase controlled rectifier interfaces to medium voltage AC distribution, two DC distribution buses and downstream converters, inverters feeding loads are energized and bolted faults are applied to various locations. The Fault Isolation and Reconfiguration approach utilizes no load switches for fault isolation aided by de-energization of the affected buses. Three electromechanical no load switches in a single assembly are utilized at the interface between electrical zones. The instantaneous peak fault currents were captured at each switch and sent to adjacent modules over a Ethernet-based Local Area Network in order to locate and isolate the fault to the nearest bus segment. Experimental results show that in most cases full output capacity was restored autonomously. Loss of communications scenarios are tested showing limited power restoration.

Review of Ship Microgrids: System Architectures, Storage Technologies and Power Quality Aspects

“…The zonal electrical distribution (ZED) is emerging as one of the most suitable candidate power system architecture to achieve these objectives [10,11]. Figure 3a,b show a simplified diagram of an ac ZED system proposed in [10] and a dc ZED system considered by the Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC) [2,12], respectively.…”

“…Figure 3a,b show a simplified diagram of an ac ZED system proposed in [10] and a dc ZED system considered by the Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC) [2,12], respectively. In contrast with radial power systems, zonal power systems achieve high survivability by separating the distribution system into zones and maintaining independent power sources in each zone [10][11][12]. In the event of a fault, it can be isolated by opening appropriate switches and thereby potential blackouts can be modifications such as separate high voltage and low voltage busses for port-side and starboard-side.…”

“…Under such conditions, power distribution to any of the other loads can be continued via redundant paths with minimal impact on the power disruption to the other loads. ZED systems require comprehensive understanding of load profiles and complex communication and coordination strategies [9][10][11][12]. Moreover, advanced fault detection, identification and isolation algorithms are essential for the successful implementation of ZED systems in ship microgrids.…”

“…Moreover, advanced fault detection, identification and isolation algorithms are essential for the successful implementation of ZED systems in ship microgrids. Communication technologies such as controller area network (CAN), local area network (LAN) based systems [11], protection algorithms and monitoring systems, e.g., multi-functional monitoring (MFM) systems and complex decision making algorithms, such as graph theory based techniques [11] are a few examples that show the direction of technology development in ZED based ship power systems. Recently, medium voltage ac (MVAC) distribution systems ranging from 3.3 to 13.8 kV have become popular, especially in large ships [13][14][15].…”

AC Ship Microgrids: Control and Power Management Optimization

“…Even in the radial distribution system, there could be possibilities for losing power to the essential loads, such as propulsion motors, in the event of a fault in a HV bus. Moreover, certain sections might not be able to isolate without affecting some of the essential loads attached to it [35]. As a solution, modern electric ships tend to use zonal electrical distribution system (ZEDS) architecture based IPSs over radial architecture [40,41].…”