Recloser placement on medium voltage distribution networks

Abstract

Re-evaluating methods in any business is essential, as it reinforces knowledge, improves methodologies and proves concepts can possibly be used in other applications. Eskom’s standard for placing reclosers does not focus on the financial costs and benefits thereof it only focusses to reach their performance targets. The purpose of this paper is to present a method to optimise the placement of reclosers on the distribution networks. Eskom could by focusing at the financial benefits of recloser placement improve their performance targets as well as save more money in fault conditions. The recloser placements will be done using a design to cost methodology. Formulas and matrix tables will be used to determine the maximum number of reclosers to be installed and used for placements on networks. The findings prove that placing reclosers on the network using this method will payback itself within one year. The work to be done in this paper will give another dynamic when focusing on recloser placements that include finances and technical parameters combined to place reclosers. Future studies can be done by combining recloser placements with other protection sensing equipment Fault Path Indicators or Current Voltage Monitors to isolate and find faults on the network. using abbreviations in the abstract.