Prototype implementation of an islanding detection relay based on pattern classification of current and voltage transients

Abstract

A prototype islanding detection relay, which uses decision tree classifier to categorize the transient generating events as ‘islanding’ or ‘non-islanding’ was implemented and tested. It consisted of two basic stages of signal processing to extract the required feature vectors for the classification. The first stage involved signal filtering and in the second stage signals were processed by rectifying, summing, and lowpass filtering to get the energy content in the three phases during a selected time-frame. A simple radial medium voltage distribution system having a single distributed generator was simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC to obtain the transient waveforms, and the performance of the relay was tested with signals generated using an RTP real-time waveform playback instrument. The experimental results showed high accuracy in detecting islanding events within a response time of less than two cycles. The proposed relay can be implemented with a very low cost and is simple in construction. Therefore, this could be an acceptable low cost substitute for the expensive and complex transfer trip schemes, which are commonly in use with the distributed generation.