Protection of Electrical Power Distribution Systems

Comprehensive reference on safeguarding electrical power systems from faults and failures, exploring emerging technologies such as AI and ML

Supported by case studies of real-world power system faults, Protection of Electrical Power Distribution Systems offers an in-depth examination of the methods and technologies used to safeguard electrical grids from faults and failures. The book begins with a comprehensive introduction to power system fundamentals, emphasizing the critical role of protection mechanisms in maintaining system stability and ensuring operational safety. It thoroughly explores various types of faults, including short circuits, ground faults, and overloads, detailing their potential impacts on system performance, reliability, and safety.

The book introduces foundational concepts such as protection overlay, unit protection, and non-unit protection, before diving into the core principles of power system protection. These include the key attributes of selectivity, sensitivity, speed, and reliability, essential for designing effective protection systems. A detailed discussion follows on the wide range of protective devices used in modern power systems, such as fuses, circuit breakers, and relays, along with strategies for their coordination to ensure optimal performance.

To enhance reader engagement and understanding, the book includes practical exercises and self-assessment questions that focus on protection system design and implementation. These tools encourage deeper learning and provide valuable insights into the real-world application of power system protection technologies.

Protection of Electrical Power Distribution Systems includes information on:

• Differences between restricted and unrestricted protection and criteria to determine ideal boundaries of protection zones
• Modern technologies applied to protection such as digital relays and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)
• Different kinds of busbar protection and the main types of faults affecting the busbar
• Types of transformer protection and their constraints and the operation of current and voltage transformers
• Future trends in the field such as the application of AI and ML in predictive maintenance and fault diagnosis.

Protection of Electrical Power Distribution Systems serves as an essential reference for engineers, researchers, and students, offering a deep understanding of power system protection principles and practices to enhance the reliability and safety of electrical power systems.

Tariq Masood, M.Phil., PhD, P.E. Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, member of the governing bodies at Frostburg State University in the USA. He earned his M.Phil/PhD in Electrical Power Systems, focusing on Smart/Micro Grids/Renewable Energies from the University of Bath in the UK. With 25 years of experience in the energy industry, he serves as an Associate Editor for multiple topic in the IEEE Access Journal. Previously, he has served as the Executive Secretary of the Production & Maintenance Committee for GCC Oil/Gas Companies from 2008 to 2014 and was the Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the IEEE Qatar Section from 2004 to 2013.

Jamil Abdo, PhD, is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Engineering at Frostburg State University, USA. He obtained his PhD in Mechanical Design from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA.

Atif Iqbal, DSc, PhD, is a Full Professor of the Deptartment of Electrical Engineering at Qatar University, Qatar. He serves as the Vice-Chair of the IEEE Qatar Section, and is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transaction on Industrial Electronics and Senior Editor of IEEE Access.