— Safe and secure power distribution Arc fault protection solutions

— The Noble Art of Switchgear Arc Fault Protection — Power system operation fault statistics reveal that a vast majority of the switchgear arc faults are caused by incorrect human actions or by aging network equipment. One way of reducing human-related or equipment-associated fault risks is to focus investments on technological solutions that enhance the operating environment. The basic necessity of a switchgear arc fault protection system can be investigated from the probability aspect of arcing faults or from the aspect of their adverse effects. The perspective of investigation usually focuses...

Impacts of power system arc faults Electric arcs may cause instant and severe burns to persons happening to stay close to the fault, when it arises. Typically, this is the case if the arc incident is caused by an incorrect switchgear operation. The arc flash easily causes a fire, which, in addition to the immediate damage, also creates fire gases and consequential damage due to smoke and stain. The fire gases of burning electrical devices are particularly dangerous for people residing in the same area. The effective life-time of distribution network equipment is typically in the range of decades....

Changing working manners pose risks In power systems the maintenance need of the primary system equipment is generally small. Therefore the equipment maintenance intervals tend to be fairly long. There is also just a limited need to perform local control of such components as breakers and switches. Under these circumstances the personnel will not obtain the necessary experience to work with power system components. The personnel's lack of experience will pose an increased risk of making mistakes during maintenance work and fault clearance activities. The probability of accidental arc faults is...

— Milliseconds that count Time is a critical parameter in reducing the effects of arc faults, as the arc incident energy rapidly increases by time. An arc fault lasting for 500 ms may cause severe damage to the installation. If the arc flashes for less than 100 ms the damage is often limited, and if the arc is extinguished in less than, say 4 ms the damage will be insignificant. Operating time The operating time of the protection is the prime factor with regard to the elimination of the adverse effects of arc faults, seen not only from the point of view of staff safety and security, but also...

Selectivity In conventional arc fault protection solutions electrical faults in the cable terminations of outgoing feeders are typically handled by the busbar protection system, although these faults could be eliminated using the circuit breaker of the faulted outgoing feeder. Modern arc fault protection systems are not restricted by lack of selectivity. When an arc fault protection system is used the interruption caused by a cable termination fault affects only the consumer loads supplied by the faulted cable feeder. In cable termination faults the whole substation will normally be blacked out...

— An ABB solution for any application ABB’s arc fault protection systems provide appropriate solutions for both green field projects and retrofit installations. Switchgear renewal High Arc fault probability — The arc fault protection introduction tool presents a product portfolio diagram mapping alternative strategies and solutions. with integrated arc fault protection Maintenence work Minor From the comprehensive and compatible arc fault protection system assortment the customers can choose their solutions according to their own preferences. An already existing main protection scheme can be...

The 615 and 620 series protection relays with integrated arc fault protection are adapted to switchgear systems, which are important for the distribution network and its customers. In these systems the consequences of arc faults can be considerable to the personnel and the surrounding, although the probability of an arc fault is low. Due to the integration of arc fault protection into the basic protection set-up the 615 series relays present a universal solution. The operating time including detection and submission of a trip signal from the 615 series protection relays is typically 7–10 ms....

— Our references speak for themselves — Over the past decade thousands of ABB arc fault protection systems have been delivered to over 40 countries worldwide. Systems have been installed in distribution systems of power utilities and heavy industry production facilities, such as paper, steel, petrochemical and chemical industry plants. Arc fault protection systems have also been integrated in the power distribution systems of airports and harbours and in power distribution systems of commercial and society service facilities like shopping centres, water works and sewage treatment plants, also...

— Helsinki International Airport, Finland Aviaenergia Oy supplies secured power to the critical functions of the Helsinki Airport, including air traffic control and surveillance functions. In line with the company’s strategic decision also the recently erected new 20 kV substation supplying power to the top ranking Helsinki airport was equipped with ABB arc fault protection of the REA product line. Due to the location of the substation at the Helsinki airport, safety and security measures and possible outages caused by faults must be seen as part of the stringent airport safety program

— Detmarovice Power Plant, Czech Republic The Detmarovice Power Plant was built 1972 through 1976, and with its capacity of 800 MW it is the largest coal-fired power plant in Moravia. In a modernization project the power plant had been equipped with ABB’s modern REA arc fault protection. At an accident in 2002 the REA system obviously saved the lives of two workers and minimized damage to mere smoke and dust detriment. The estimated repair costs would have mounted to approx. $1.6 million USD, had the plant not been provided with arc fault protection