Analysis of the Relationship Between Digital Network Load and Response Time for the Protection System in Industrial Power Stations

Łukasz Sołtysek (), Bartosz Rozegnał (), Krzysztof Nowacki and Mateusz Gajos
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Łukasz Sołtysek: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 Str., 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Bartosz Rozegnał: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 Str., 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Krzysztof Nowacki: BitStream S.A., Mełgiewska 7/9 Str., 20-209 Lublin, Poland
Mateusz Gajos: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 Str., 31-155 Cracow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-32

Abstract: This paper analyses the parameterisation of protective relays in industrial power distribution stations, focusing on the quantitative relationship between network load and protection system response time. Laboratory simulations using a dedicated automation cabinet and varying network configurations (six streams at 80 samples/cycle and two to four streams at 256 samples/cycle) revealed a clear correlation: higher network loads lead to longer trip times. Under maximum load (four streams, 256 samples/cycle), response times reached up to 63.75 ms. These delays stemmed from network congestion rather than relay instability. The extended clearing times increased the short-circuit energy (I 2 t) by approximately 35% on average and over 55% in critical scenarios, requiring upsizing of PVC-insulated conductors from 16 mm 2 to 25 mm 2 to maintain short-circuit withstand capacity. The findings demonstrate the practical impact of network-induced delays on protection performance, thermal stress, and cable sizing, providing a basis for optimising relay settings and system configuration in modern digital power distribution networks.

Keywords: protective relays; IEC 61850; GOOSE; sampled values; power system protection; network load (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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