This module will cover the main features of power system protection schemes and equip the students with the ability to apply these schemes to the protection of transmission and distribution networks and plant.  They will also develop the ability to understand basic concepts of digital substations and their building blocks. 

1. Explain the main components and features of the various power system protection schemes. 
2. Understand how to implement these schemes using intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). 
3. Apply electromechanical and numerical IEDs to the protection of power system components. 
4. Discuss the main features and capabilities of modern multi-functional protection equipment. 
5. Understanding of application of IEC61850 communication protocol in the power system protection. 
6. Select the appropriate protection schemes for various applications. 

The module will be delivered in the Autumn Semester through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes (tutorials, feedback sessions). A number of industrial Case Studies are structured within the module to illustrate some of the key themes. These case studies reflect on both documented evidence and experience of the lecturers associated with the module. In this way students gain a better understanding of some of the many issues associated with this broad-based subject. 

Structured problems are also integrated within the module notes and students are encouraged to discuss their solutions within the class tutorial environment. Students are expected to undertake all the tutorial questions and to relate them to the examples used during classes. This strengthening of knowledge in each module theme will help students towards meeting the learning outcomes. 

These skills link with the graduate attributes of ‘independent and critical thinkers’ and ‘effective communicators’. 

• Develop comprehensive schemes for the protection of power system equipment. 

• Demonstrate ability to make a critical review of various protection systems used on power systems. 

• Carry out experimental work on a power system simulator and relay test sets. 

• Communicate and participate in group activity and discussions in a variety of tasks. 

• Demonstrate appropriate level of autonomy in reporting and analysing results. 

• Analyse and solve problems in power system protection. 

• Use computer software to coordinate relaying schemes.

There are three assessments on the module:  

One summative assessment will be an individual Exam (70%) which covers MLO 1, 2, 4, and 5. 

The exam consists of four equally weighted compulsory questions, and the questions are reflecting the main themes of the module including open-ended questions on the theoretical content of the module and numerical questions. 

Feedback on the summative exam will be provided in the form of generic cohort feedback and individual grade. 

Feedback on formative work will be verbal in class. 

The second summative assessment will be Coursework (20%) and experimental tasks (10%) which covers MLO 3 and 6.  

Students will have the opportunity to understand how their assessment will be marked and how the feedback corresponds directly to the marking criteria. The detailed marking scheme is provided along with the coursework on the front sheet.  

Feedback on the coursework is provided on the Front Sheet marking scheme highlighting the positive and negative points and suggesting ways of improving the performance. See Appendix 1 for Assessment criteria. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:  

The resit opportunity for this module will be at the component level where each component would be capped at 40%.   

The 70 % exam component will be reassessed in the Resit Examination period, before the start of the following academic session and will follow the same format as the original assessment. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

Major topics will include: 
• Instrument transformers. 
• Protective relays: electromechanical relays, static relays and numerical IEDs. 
• Over-current, distance and differential protection; Unit protection of generators, transformer and busbars, distribution and transmission line protection. 
• Numerical relays and digital substations: Components of a digital substation, IEC61850 protocol for designing modern substations, communication technologies for substations . 

Overview of wide-area protection concept. 
• Protection laboratory and simulations. 

IPSA+ power system analysis software tutorials.