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Transformer Protection


Cybersecurity Threats and Transformer Protection

The increasing reliance on digital technologies for power system operation has introduced new vulnerabilities. Transformer protection systems, historically reliant on dedicated hardware and closed communication protocols, are becoming more interconnected and susceptible to cyberattacks. This...

Cybersecurity for Protective Devices


Securing Communication and Data Integrity

The ever-growing complexity of electrical grids, with their increasing reliance on interconnected communication and data exchange, necessitates robust cybersecurity measures. Traditional security solutions struggle to keep pace with the evolving sophistication of cyberattacks targeting critical...

Overcurrent and Short Circuit Protection


Smart Relays and Intelligent Control

In the realm of electrical protection, the advent of smart relays and intelligent control systems has revolutionized overcurrent and short circuit protection. These advanced technologies enhance the precision, responsiveness, and adaptability of protective systems, significantly improving the...

Motor Protection


Motor Thermal Overload Protection

Motor Protection Relays (MPRs) are crucial in safeguarding motors from thermal overload, which can cause significant damage if not properly managed. These relays protect motors by monitoring the motor current and calculating the thermal load, but achieving accurate thermal overload protection...

Generator Protection


Smart Technologies in Generator Protection

The protection of electrical generators is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of digital and smart technologies. These advancements, encompassing digital relays, smart sensors, and Internet of Things devices, are revolutionizing the way generators are monitored,...

Lightning Protection Systems


Electrical Protection

Protecting Industrial Control Circuits

Addressing relay challenges with the modern technology

BY MARK STEPHENS & ALDEN WRIGHT, Electric Power Research Institute

In 2009, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) began an effort to create improved alternating current (AC) “ice cube” relays that could withstand voltage sags without dropping out.

Their white paper entitled “AC Ice Cube Relays Applied for Improved Power Quality” outlined the basic design and vulnerability of these common devices that often appear in modern industrial control...

Electrical Protection Articles