Optimal Coordination of Overcurrent Relays inRadial Electrical Distribution Networks

Short-circuits can cause irreversible damage toelectrical system, pose a risk to the lives of humans and animals,and can set off fires on any surface in contact with the conductors.To reduce the time in which the electrical installation remainsunder the effects of a short-circuit, protection devices arenecessary. One of the most important functions of these devices isthe time overcurrent protection. The main objective of this workis to propose a solution for an automatic parameterization of thetime overcurrent protection in radial power distributionnetworks. The proposed method uses a genetic algorithm andexplores the different kinds of curves presented in each protectiondevice. The proposed method was tested in a real electricaldistribution network and obtained feasible and good solutions forthe coordination problem.