Orlando, Fla.: Siemens Energy released information September 6 about a new ultra high-speed distribution feeder automation (DFA) system expected to improve service reliability for a hospital in Virginia.
The combined smart grid DFA solution allows for optimized fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR), minimizing the extent of power outages by quickly isolating affected areas. The Siemens distribution feeder automation-decentralized (SDFA-DC) system achieves high-speed operation by detecting faults using Siemens SIPROTEC(™) protective relays located at each feeder section point -- continuously comparing upstream and downstream line current conditions. When a comparison reveals a differential exceeding predefined parameters, the affected relay issues a fault notification to all other relays in the system. The relays then direct switching devices to reconfigure the feeder, isolating the fault and transferring viable line sections to another substation power source when necessary.
Mike Canales, director of facilities at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital said, “We expect most service disruptions to be so short that they won’t be visible to our patients.”