Title: An interval computation approach for power components overload protection in the presence of data uncertainty

Authors: Alfredo Vaccaro, Domenico Villacci

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Power Systems Research Group, Universita degli Studi del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, Benevento I82100, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Power Systems Research Group, Universita degli Studi del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, Benevento I82100, Italy

Abstract: The embedding of microprocessor-based relays in power components enables improved overload protection because of higher computational resources, adaptiveness and flexibility. The increased computing power that is now embedded in power component devices makes possible the real-time simulation of built-in thermal models. However, the use of model-based protective systems is exposed to the uncertainty affecting some model components. The effect of these uncertainties could compromise the overall protective function reliability. To address this problem, we use Affine Arithmetic (AA). In particular, AA can be used to calculate the component|s hot spot temperature by solving a thermal dynamic model where parameters are imprecise, and the uncertainty is represented by affine forms. The proposed solution method is implemented on a microcontroller-based unit to develop a prototype thermal relay equipped with robust tools for uncertainty data management. Various experimental results are presented and discussed.

Keywords: overload protection; interval computing; uncertainty representation; affine arithmetic; microprocessor-based relays; power components; data uncertainty; thermal modelling; dynamic modelling; data management; safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRS.2007.016262

International Journal of Reliability and Safety, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.513 - 531

Published online: 13 Dec 2007 *

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