An Adaptive Protection Scheme for Radial Distribution Networks under Topology Changes

In this paper, an Adaptive Protection (AP) scheme for networks with topological changes is proposed. In the methodology, a hybrid optimization based on Differential Evolution - Particle Swarm Optimization (DEPSO) was used to determine two Overcurrent Relay (OCR) settings: the Pickup Current (PC) and the Time Multiple Setting (TMS). This feature allows the relays to be better coordinated according to the current conditions of the Distribution System (DS), compared to other methodologies that only adjust the TMS. Tests with five different topologies were performed on a DS using Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) software.