Reliability Analysis Models for Differential Protection Considering Communication Delays and Errors

This paper proposes three probability models to assess the impact of communication delays and bit errors on differential protection. First, the mechanism of relay protection malfunction caused by communication delays and bit errors is introduced. In general, a channel’s consistent delay or bit error results in refuse-operations, while a channel’s inconsistent delay normally causes false trips. Based on the analysis of the probability distributions of communication delays and bit errors, probabilistic models of false trips and refuse-operations are proposed. Simulation results, using typical parameters, are implemented to investigate the effects of communications on the malfunction probability of differential protection.