Electrical Protection Standard Harmonization Challenges

Information is presented that was learned during efforts to produce a harmonized electrical protection standard for global usage. Presented information details how a minor change, like where a differential relay is located, can impact not only the front layout of switchgear, but also; transformer specifications, Current Transformer (CT) requirements, internal switchgear layout and engineering design practices. Configuration choices and commonly selected auxiliary devices, such as mechanical lockouts, proved to have ties to location specific procedures or locally mandated codes. Differences, often realized only when cross-ocean standards were laid side by side, are presented along with the trail of consequences encountered when attempting to modify established alternate practices.