The new NERC protection system maintenance standard

The NERC Protection System Maintenance and Testing Standard Drafting Team has, in recent months, issued its draft of Reliability Standard PRC-005-2, Protection System Maintenance, along with supporting explanatory documents. The new Standard implements FERC-ordered changes by adding specific requirements for maximum maintenance time intervals and activities. However, the new draft Standard also opens doors to optional, future-oriented maintenance approaches based on condition or performance monitoring that can extend intervals and reduce or eliminate hands-on testing of some components. In any case, PRC-005-2 will, after industry comment and adjustment, become mandatory and enforceable with fines for noncompliance.