Comprehensive testing of generator protection systems

This paper focuses on considerations and field experiences while testing a typical multifunctional generator protection IED. The comprehensive generator testing is classified in four major stages: 1) certification/functional/type testing; 2) commissioning; 3) periodic maintenance; and 4) troubleshooting. First of all, the paper presents different aspects of the certification/ functional testing, and demonstrates example of transient simulation based protection element testing using Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Further, the important attributes of commissioning testing, in order to verify the deployed generator protection scheme is working as designed after field installation, are discussed with field examples. The regulatory, technical and economic considerations for periodic-maintenance testing are further described in this paper. Finally, the troubleshooting is discussed with field examples by utilizing state-of-the-art diagnosis tools available from today's modern multifunctional generator protection IEDs.