Reverse blocking over current busbar protection scheme based on IEC 61850 architecture

Substation Automation System (SAS) is currently in a matured state of technology that shall facilitate transformational changes from conventional protection scheme. IEC 61850 protocol is considered as the crux of digital SAS due to its multifunction features that include seamless communication, ability to integrate various intelligent electronic devices, potential for improved real-time condition monitoring, reliable protection, and control of critical electrical assets. Because the application of IEC 61850 in SAS is relatively new and has not fully implemented in many substations yet, further feasibility studies using multivendor equipment to assess its performance under different operating conditions is imperative. In this article, a practical reliable and efficient reverse blocking over current bus bar protection scheme based on IEC 61850 is implemented and tested. Also, a comparison of digital SAS and conventional protection scheme is presented to highlight the superiority of the former one. Experimental results attest the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed digital protection scheme along with the accuracy and security of transmitting data packets using sampled values and generic objective-oriented substation event communication protocols adopted by IEC 61850.