What are protection and control panels?
Protection and control panels are integral components of electrical substations and power distribution systems. They are designed to monitor, control, and protect electrical equipment and circuits to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the power system. They serve the critical function of safeguarding the electrical network and ensuring its efficient and reliable operation. Protection and control panels are typically found in utility substations, industrial facilities, and other locations where electrical power needs to be managed and protected.
What are the key functions and components of protection and control panels?
- Protection relays: These panels contain protection relays that monitor various electrical parameters, such as voltage, current, and frequency. They are designed to detect abnormal conditions, faults, and overloads in the electrical system and initiate protective measures to isolate the fault and prevent damage when they occur.
- Control relays: Control relays in these panels execute control functions within the electrical system. They can start and stop motors, open and close circuit breakers, and perform other control operations as required to maintain system stability and respond to operational changes.
- Monitoring and metering: Protection and control panels often include meters and monitoring devices to continuously assess the health and performance of the electrical system. This includes monitoring voltage levels, current flows, power factor, and other parameters.
- HMI (Human-Machine Interface): Some protection and control panels incorporate HMIs, which are graphical interfaces that allow operators to interact with the system. HMIs provide real-time status information, alarms, and control options, enabling operators to make informed decisions and respond swiftly.
- Communication interfaces: Protection and control panels are often equipped with communication interfaces to connect with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and other remote monitoring and control systems. This enables remote monitoring, control, and data logging capabilities.
- Control logic: Logic controllers and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are used to implement control sequences and logic within the panel. They determine the sequence of operations, such as when to open or close circuit breakers and how to respond to different fault scenarios.
- Protection coordination: Protection and control panels are designed to coordinate the operation of protection relays and circuit breakers to isolate faults selectively while minimizing service interruptions.
- Alarm and annunciation: Audible and visual alarms are provided to alert operators to abnormal conditions or faults.
What are the most common types of protection and control panels?
Generator Protection
Transformer Protection
Line Protection
Bus Protection
Feeder Protection
Motor Protection
CCP Protection and Control Panels
CCP builds protection and control panels to industry standards and customer specifications. We have supplied protection and control panels for utilities all over Ontario, providing signal injection testing when requested.
CCP Offerings & Specifications (For Protection and Control Panels)
- Protection & Control Panel design (From a single line diagram)
- Protection & Control Panel builds
- FAT (Functional Acceptance Testing)
- Internal Wiring/ Continuity testing (Point- to -Point verification)
- Hi-Pot Testing
- Panel energization
- Secondary injection during testing.
- Digital Input/output testing
- Analog current/ Voltage check
- Downloading Setting files within the Relay
- Certifications available CSA, UL and ESA inspection and more
- CWDs and Panel Layouts.
- Panel Integrations with a Ehouse