A Wide Area Differential Backup Protection Scheme For Shipboard Application

Abstract

A new wide area differential protection (WADP) system is proposed to suit the need of the shipboard application where short cables make conventional backup schemes impractical. The close proximity of all the components in a shipboard power system makes communication less of an issue than in a land-based system. With an overall view of the protected system and by use of a differential search algorithm, a minimum fault isolation area is decided. A built-in confirmation mechanism avoids unnecessary or false tripping due to protection component failure. The principle of the WADP system is described in detail in this paper. Simulation results are shown for a small Shipboard Power System (SPS).