Abstract:
An apparatus and method for measuring the source-side line voltage from a source potential transformer (PT) of a regulator during reverse power flow. A reverse power regulation algorithm (“Source Side PT”) is employed during reverse power operation of the tapchanger to energize a contact relay which switches the analog voltage input from the load side to the source side of the regulator. Voltage regulation then operates based on the measured source side voltage instead of the traditional calculation of the source side voltage based upon the load-side voltage and regulator type.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/089,985, filed Aug. 19, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to tapchangers employed in electrical power distribution systems to maintain voltage levels of electrical power lines within predetermined ranges. More particularly, this invention provides an apparatus and method for transferring, upon detection of reverse power flow, the tapchanger control voltage input from the forward power load side to the reverse power load side of the tapchanger. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    In electrical power distribution systems, voltage levels on a power line tend to vary due to several factors such as the load on the power line and the power line&#39;s impedance. In order to maintain the voltage level on a power line within a predefined range or bandwidth of a fixed voltage level (e.g., 120 volts), regulators, such as load tapchanging (LTC) transformers or series regulating auto transformers using motor-driven tapchanger switches, are employed to incrementally increase or decrease the power line voltage. 
         [0006]    Typically, tapped auto transformers comprise a tapped series winding that is operatively connected to a shunt winding by means of a tapchanging motor that rotates in either an incrementing or decrementing direction depending upon whether the regulator is used to incrementally “boost” (increase) or “buck” (decrease) the load voltage. Controllers, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,173, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, are employed to monitor the line voltage during forward power flow and, as the line voltage decreases or increases outside the predefined bandwidth, to then energize the tapchanger motor to incrementally boost or buck the line voltage to maintain the power line voltage within the predefined bandwidth of a fixed voltage level. 
         [0007]    Due to power line topologies, forward power flow through a transformer may reverse direction. Consequently, the tapchanger must therefore operate during reverse power flow in order to properly boost or buck line voltage during such reverse power flow. Prior art tapchangers have typically calculated the source voltage according to the actual tap position and the type of regulator being used (e.g., Type A non-inverted configuration or Type B inverted configuration). Unfortunately, however, merely calculating the source voltage leads to inaccuracies in tapchanging during reverse power flow. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art tapchanger controllers and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the tapchanger controller art 
         [0009]    Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for increasing the accuracies of tapchanger controllers during reverse power flow. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for measuring the source side voltage during reverse power flow to assure more accurate tapchanging during reverse power flow. 
         [0011]    The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises an apparatus and method for measuring the source-side line voltage of a regulator during reverse power flow. The regulator is provided with a source potential transformer (PT). The tapchanger controller includes a source PT input from which the source-side line voltage may be measured (in lieu of prior art methods of simply calculating the source voltage based upon the measurement of the load PT and summing it with the voltage drop calculated across the tapchanger winding). By using the measured source line voltage, more accurate control of the tapchanger may be achieved. 
         [0013]    More particularly, a reverse power regulation algorithm (“Source Side PT”) is employed during reverse power operation of the tapchanger to energize a contact relay which switches the analog voltage input from the load side to the source side of the regulator. Voltage regulation then operates based on the measured source side voltage instead of the traditional calculation of the source side voltage based upon the load-side voltage and regulator type. 
         [0014]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a regulator having a source PT installed therein from which the controller of the invention measures the source-side voltage to control the voltage during reverse power flow. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a software flow diagram of the Voltage Regulation Task that is executed under software control; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a software flow diagram of the Mode of Operation Task that is executed under software control. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The commercial implementation of the present invention is known in the industry as the “Beckwith M-6200 Digital Regulator Control” and is described in its Instruction Book and its Specifications and Application Guide (originally appended to the provisional application 61/089,985, filed Aug. 19, 2008, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein). Further, this detailed discussion of the preferred embodiment focuses on the present invention&#39;s software that is intended to be implemented on a microcomputer similar to those disclosed in the aforementioned publications and in corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,173, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the controller  10  of the present invention employs a load-side PT  12  providing a load-side line voltage and a source-side PT  14  providing a source-side line voltage to the regulator  16 . The controller  10  includes a reverse-power detector  18  that measures the real component of the load current in the power line to detect reverse power flow in the power line. 
         [0022]    Detector  18  detects reverse power whenever the real component of the line current changes direction from forward and remains until another reversal to forward power flow occurs. The detector  18  preferably determines power direction with as little as 2% of the real component of the nominal 200 mA line current (4.0 mA). An LED may be provided on the front panel of controller  10  to indicate whenever the controller  10  senses a reverse power condition. 
         [0023]    An input screen may be provided allowing a user to select power direction bias setpoints. Preferably, the screen provides three settings allowing the user to determine how the controller  10  will switch between forward and reverse power operation. For example, the three settings may comprise “None”, “Forward Bias”, and “Reverse Bias”. 
         [0024]    In this preferred embodiment, when the power direction bias function is set to “None”, the controller  10  applies an 8 mA hysteresis band with a bandcenter of 0 load current (+4 mA to −4 mA) to switch between forward and reverse power. The controller  10  will switch from forward power to reverse power when the load current exceeds −4 mA (reverse direction). The controller  10  will switch from reverse power to forward power when the load current exceeds +4 mA (forward direction). 
         [0025]    When the power direction bias function is set to “Forward Bias”, the controller  10  applies a 0 mA to −4 mA hysteresis band to switch between forward and reverse power. The controller  10  will switch from reverse power to forward power when load current is &gt;0 mA (forward direction). The controller  10  will switch from forward power to reverse power when the load current exceeds −4 mA (reverse direction). 
         [0026]    When the power direction bias function is set to “Reverse Bias”, the controller  10  applies a 0 mA to +4 mA hysteresis band to switch between forward and reverse power. The controller  10  will switch from forward power to reverse power when load current is &lt;0 mA (reverse direction). The control will switch from reverse power to forward power when the load current exceeds +4 mA (forward direction). 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , under software control, a Voltage Regulation Task  20  is cyclically executed (e.g., every 4 cycles.). After checking the tap information  22 , over-current is checked  24 . Then, program control transfers to the Mode of Operation Task  26  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the program control executes the Mode of Operation Task  26 , user-controlled modes are queried, preferably “Block”  28 , “Ignore”  30 , “Regulate in Reverse Operation”  32 , “Return to Neutral”  34  and “Regulate in Reverse Direction”  36 . 
         [0029]    Specifically, Block  28  inhibits automatic tapchange operation. This locks the tapchanger on the tap position in use at the time reverse power flow is detected. It is the recommended setting for independent power producers or in situations when reverse power flow is not expected. The controller  10  will revert to normal operation when forward power flow resumes. 
         [0030]    Ignore  30  will not take any different action than in the forward direction. It essentially does not use the power direction in the control decisions. This is the same as a control which does not have power direction knowledge. This mode is intended for use on distribution systems which have the possibility of power reversal because of distributed generation (DG) on the feeders. In these applications, the DG usually does not have the capacity to control the voltage with the more powerful system intact. The condition required for DG to control the voltage is the generation and transmission of large amounts of VArs through the line impedance back towards the system source. Usually two items prohibit this action: 1) the ability of the DG to generate those amounts of VArs and 2) the contractual obligations enforced by many utilities that the DG only affect KWs on the system. 
         [0031]    Regulate in Reverse Operation (Regulate REV)  32  is intended for single-phase regulators only. The controller  10  will detect reverse power flow and regulate according to reverse power settings as selected in the Setpoint Menu described above. With tap position knowledge, the controller  10  calculates the source-side potential without the use of a source side PT. This feature is designed for use with feeder voltage regulators which continue to operate in a radial mode after system switching causes the power flow reversal. The source voltage is calculated by knowing the local voltage, the load current, and the tap position using a presumed regulator impedance. That impedance is a function of the tap position. The calculated source voltage is only valid with a ⅝% step-voltage regulator. In this mode, when the controller  10  recognizes reverse power flow, the following occurs:
       A REV PWR LED is illuminated.   Reverse power setpoints are used.   Source voltage is calculated and motor output commands are reversed.       
 
         [0035]    For example, when the voltage is high, the control raises the tap thereby lowering the voltage and a lower is indicated on the front panel LEDs. 
         [0036]    In Return to Neutral  34  mode, a counter input or motor hold input must be provided, and keep track tap information modes must be enabled. The Return to Neutral mode will cause the tap position to be driven to neutral when reverse power is detected. Tap position will be driven to neutral regardless of the voltage or currents present at the controller  10 . Once neutral is reached, the tap position will remain unchanged as long as reverse power is present. Normal operation will resume when forward power is detected. This mode is intended as a safe response to a power reversal on a system which can have conflicting situations. As described earlier, a radially operating system with reverse power should be set to “Regulate Measured Rev.” However, if a DG causes a power reversal, the preferred mode is usually “Ignore”. In an application where both conditions are possible and it is not possible for the controller  10  to determine the cause of power reversal, the preferred mode is “Return to Neutral”. 
         [0037]    It should be appreciated from the foregoing that if the user either chose to block reverse mode operation or chose to ignore reverse operation, only the forward regulation data is used. Conversely, if the user either chose to regulate in reverse operation or to return-to-neutral during reverse operation, the reverse regulation data in reverse power is used. Further, if upon being queried, the user chose any one of the four modes, the Mode of Operation Task exits and program control returns to the Voltage Regulation Task ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0038]    If the user did not choose any of the above four modes and instead chose to regulate in reverse operation with source side PT  36 , program control does not exit. Rather, program control, using the reverse regulation data in reverse power  38 , then determines if reverse power exists  40 . If no, the Source Relay is turned off  42 B (resulting in use of load voltage) whereas if yes, the Source Relay is turned on  42 A (resulting in use of source voltage). Program control then returns to the Voltage Regulation Task ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0039]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , once program control returns from the Mode of Operation Task of  FIG. 3  to the Voltage Regulation Task of  FIG. 2 , the tap limit  44 , voltage limit  46  and voltage reduction operation  48  are checked. Then,  50 , the system is checked and any indicated error(s) are generated to bypass automatic operation. Then, if necessary, manual operation mode is executed. 
         [0040]    As noted above, the measured source side voltage is measured from the source-side PT. The magnitude of the source side voltage is then calculated, preferably by using a Recursive Discrete Fourier Transform, following the equation below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0000]    The first harmonic Magnitude will then be when k=1; Vs 2 =Ar(1) 2 +Ai(1) 2    
         [0041]    Note that the voltage signal is preferably continuously being sampled at a rate of 3840 samples per sec. With the Voltage Regulation Task being executed every 4 cycles, the sampling is 4*16.666-66.666 milliseconds. Note also that the Reverse Power detection preferably has a latency of 5 seconds to avoid flickering between forward and reverse operation. 
         [0042]    The following are preferred setpoints according to the best mode of operation of the invention: 
         [0043]    Source CT/VT phasing.
       Range: 0 to 330 degrees in increments of 30 degrees.       
 
         [0045]    Source VT Multiplier.
       Range: 0.1 to 3260 in increment of 0.1       
 
         [0047]    Source VT Correction.
       Range: −15 to 15 volts in increment of 0.1 volt.       
 
         [0049]    The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.