Improvement in Recloser–Fuse Coordination Technique Based on Modification Factor

This paper presents a new adaptive technique to restore coordination between recloser and fuse of a distribution network in presence of distributed generations (DGs). The proposed technique is based on the derivation of modification factor (MF) which is defined as the ratio of the preset value of positive sequence impedance seen by a recloser (Z
_1preset
) to its calculated value (Z
_1cal
). Based on the value of MF, the recloser fast time- current characteristic is altered. The value of Z
_1cal
is obtained by acquiring samples of currents and voltages at the location of the recloser. Performance of the proposed scheme has been evaluated by modeling IEEE 34-bus network in real time digital simulator (RTDS)/RSCAD environment. At the same time, appropriateness of the proposed scheme has been verified on a practical setup developed in the laboratory. The results obtained from simulations as well as from the laboratory prototype indicate that the proposed scheme is able to restore coordination between recloser and fuse with a high as well as a low penetration of DG. At the end, a comparative analysis of the proposed scheme with the previously published schemes proves its superiority in restoring the recloser-fuse coordination.