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Course profile

Power System Protection (ELEC4302)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Elec Engineering & Comp Science School

This course will focus on design of transmission and distribution protection schemes. This will include fundamentals on protection, relay design and protection schemes for transmission lines, transformers and bus. Additionally the course will focus on settings of feeder and transformer protection schemes, and selection of current and voltage instrument transformers for those protection schemes. The issues surrounding power quality and how these affect power systems will be also addressed. This will include measurement and modelling techniques to identify power quality problems and mitigating techniques. Impact of electrical overstress on the design and operation of power systems and electronic equipment will be discussed and protection systems will be built to "eliminate" equipment malfunction and damage due to electrical overstress.

A single fault in a power system can cause outages for thousands of civilians. In this course, we will explore how to protect power systems against such events, through the design of power system transmission, as well as distribution level protection schemes. This will include fundamentals on protection, relay design and protection schemes for transmission lines, bus,ᅠtransformers, reactors and generator, as well as the impact of distributed generation, e.g. reverse power flow, on existing protection schemes. Additionally the course will focus on selecting current and voltage instrument transformers for specific settings of feeder and transformer protection schemes. To apply this learning to the real world, students will also have the opportunity to participate in practical simulations and hardware labs, as well as a series of lectures on industry practice conducted by experienced professionals. In previous years students highly appreciated the content covered in this course. To further improve practical knowledge a field visit for interested students may also be available this year.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Basic electrical engineering concepts covered in ELEC3310 and fundamental understanding of the operation of power systems.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ELEC3300 or ELEC3310

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ELEC4300 or ELEC4310

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ELEC4301 or ELEC7304 or ELEC7311

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Dr Chandima Ekanayake

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

More information on scheduling lab classes will be available through blackboard.

Aims and outcomes

- To be able to interpret existing power system protection schemes.

- To acquire the skills to solve power system protection settings and coordination problems for a given power system.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Explain the requirement of different protection schemes for the proper operation of power system.

LO2.

Recognise factors to be considered when designing a power system protection scheme.

LO3.

Demonstrate the operation of various components used in power system protection.

LO4.

Calculate protection settings when designing a protection scheme for a simple power system network and components.

LO5.

Identify challenges and current developments in power system protection.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Tutorial/ Problem Set Tutorial submission 20%

Tutorial submission 1 16/08/2024 3:00 pm

Tutorial submission 2 4/10/2024 3:00 pm

Examination In Semester Exam - In class invigilated
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
15%

11/09/2024 1:45 pm

This is an invigilated exam conducted during the tutorial time. More information will be provided through Blackboard.

Practical/ Demonstration A report on software and hardware Laboratory exercise
25%

18/10/2024 3:00 pm

Examination Final exam
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Tutorial submission

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
20%
Due date

Tutorial submission 1 16/08/2024 3:00 pm

Tutorial submission 2 4/10/2024 3:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Two tutorial assignments need to be completed through Blackboard on Week 4 and Week 10. More information on Tutorial assignment will be available in Blackboard. All submissions are collected through blackboard. Overall worth of these submissions will be 20 marks. The assignments are equally weighted. 

Submission guidelines

Through Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Marked tutorial submissions with feedback and/or detailed solutions with feedback will be released to students within 14-21 days where the earlier time frame applies if no extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

In Semester Exam - In class invigilated

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
15%
Due date

11/09/2024 1:45 pm

This is an invigilated exam conducted during the tutorial time. More information will be provided through Blackboard.

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

In semester exam is based on the contents covered up to week 8. The exam will be scheduled during the tutorial time of week 8. This is a 90 minutes invigilated in class exam. 

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted
Materials

One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

In class submission at the end of exam time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

A report on software and hardware Laboratory exercise

Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
25%
Due date

18/10/2024 3:00 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

This is mainly based on PSCAD simulation exercise. PSCAD training will be provided for 5 weeks starting week 3. More information about the simulation exercise will be available through Blackboard. Student will also engage in two laboratory exercises between weeks 8 -11 where they will be able to test a numerical relay with a relay tester. A completed report based on the simulation exercise and laboratory experience has to be submitted. More information related to structure of the report will be provided through Blackboard. 

Submission guidelines

Submission through Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Marked tutorial submissions with feedback and/or detailed solutions with feedback will be released to students within 14-21 days where the earlier time frame applies if no extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final exam

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The final exam will assess all materials presented during the course. This is an invigilated on campus exam.

Hurdle requirements

To pass this course students must achieve at least 40% for the final exam and 50% of the overall course marks. The course grade is calculated based on the overall course marks only when final exam hurdle is passed.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted
Materials

One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To successfully pass the course (GP 4), the student should have knowledge of the fundamentals of understanding the principles of operation of protection system components i.e. fuses, relays, circuit breakers, instrument transformers and their applications for the design of protection systems for transmission lines, reactors, transformers, bus, and generators. Students should also have knowledge of power quality problems and their mitigating techniques

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a credit (GP 5), in addition to criteria for a GP of 4, the student should show the ability to solve problems of relays settings, circuit breakers and instrument transformers settings for the design of protection systems for transmission lines, reactors, transformers, bus, and generators.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a distinction (GP 6), in addition to criteria for a GP of 5, deeper understanding of the course has to be demonstrated.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a high distinction (GP 7), in addition to criteria for a GP of 6, the student should demonstrate the ability of original thinking and/or cross migration of ideas from other areas of knowledge by solving advanced level application oriented problems.

Additional course grading information

To pass this course students must achieve at least 40% for the final exam and 50% of the overall course marks. If final exam mark is less than 40% the grade is capped at 3. ᅠ

Your overall mark will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.ᅠFor example, 84.9 will be rounded to 85 and will receive a grade of 7 and 74.4 will be rounded to 74 and will receive a grade of 5. The course coordinator reserves the right to moderate marks.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Having Troubles?

If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material you should seek help. Speak to the course teaching staff.

If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help, for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).

Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.

Use of AI

Tutorial submissions :This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

In semester exam: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct

A report on software and hardware Laboratory exercise: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

PSCAD Software

PSCAD software is installed in EAIT lab computers.ᅠ

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Not scheduled
Excursion

Field visit

In this course it is planned that an excursion to a relevant factory or substation will be organised. More information is available through Blackboard. Exact dates will be informed to the students well in advance once the industry confirms the dates. This may be scheduled outside of class hours.

Learning outcomes: L02, L03

Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

Lecture

Lectures on various topics

Series of lectures covering fault analysis and various protection schemes used in the power systems. Some of the lectures will be covered by the industry experts. Following topics will be covered in this course : Fault analysis, symmetrical components, Relay operation, Different types of relays, Relay coordination, Unit protection, Instrument Transformers, IEC 61850 requirements, effect of renewables

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

General contact hours

Contact sessions

Questions on fault calculations and various protection setting calculations will be discussed during these general contact hours.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Multiple weeks

From Week 3 To Week 7

Information technology session

PSCAD Simulation

Students will learn to use PSCAD software based simulations for checking relay settings for distance and over current protection schemes. More information will be available through Blackboard.

Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05

Multiple weeks

From Week 8 To Week 13

Practical

Hands on experience on relay characteristic

Students will test relay characteristics on a Siemens distance protection relay Siprotec 7SA87. More information will be available through Blackboard.

Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: