AutoLink - Resettable Electronic Auto Sectionalizer

Protection and Operation Equipment for Medium Voltage Distribution Lines

Product Bulletin 1VAG271001-DB

Design Features
Resettable as many times as needed between 6 and 215 A, and from 1 to 4 counts Detects and discriminates inrush currents Prevents unnecessary supply outages by operating only under permanent fault conditions Supports dead line times for up to 3.5 minutes without losing the memory counting Only one current cycle required to identify a fault current as inrush current Analysis method detects symmetric and asymmetric inrush currents Improves distribution reliability and increases uptime by allowing customers to limit outages to the problem section Only one style needed per voltage class (15, 27, 27/33, and 33 kV) Saves time, effort, and money Fits on a standard ICX cutout body Field configurable Under-the-cap dip switches make field selections easy, with minimal tooling required

Application The new ABB AutoLink manually resettable electronic auto sectionalizer coordinates perfectly with medium voltage distribution networks. Due to new technology introduced in the AutoLink sectionalizer, the actuating current and counts of any single equipment can be reset to the different configurations of the network as many times as necessary, allowing a proper coordination in current and future protection combinations.
The use of the AutoLink in branch and service connections, instead of the fused sectionalizer, allows better coordination in the event of faults, thus decreasing both operating costs and the number of power outages. Fused cutouts alone cannot be effectively coordinated with recloser switches or downstream reclosers in the event of faults. This is because when they are replaced, fused cutouts do not usually have the ideal capacity, and they are affected by aging, which impairs their ability to coordinate. The fused cutout actuates after the downstream equipment, unlike the AutoLink, which counts operations. Because it does not depend on a time-current curve, the AutoLink coordinates perfectly with the downstream equipment.

Description and Operation The device consists of a fuseholder base identical to the one used for simple fused cutouts. This base is fitted with a tube that houses an electronic circuit fed by two toroidal coils. One coil senses the current of the circuit while the other charges a capacitor that supplies the actuating energy. The electronic circuit analyzes the medium voltage network fault current, counting the opening operations run by the downstream recloser on the upstream circuit, and sets the mechanical opening of the sectionalizer if the fault current is determined to be permanent or continuous.
The electronic circuit is also capable of performing a spectral analysis of the current waveform to discriminate between a transformer inrush current and a fault current, preventing medium voltage line sectioning and the subsequent undesired power outages to customers. The devices resetting mode is found under the tubes upper contact cap. Through this module, the operator can configure and reconfigure the sectionalizers actuating current and number of cycles to obtain the desired combination for system protection. When placed in combination with an upstream recloser (or recloser switch), the AutoLink installed on a downstream service connection counts the operations and, once it reaches the preset count (1 to 4 opening operations of the recloser), it cuts the circuit while the circuit is being opened by the recloser. The circuit is restored by manually reassembling the mechanical device.

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Operating Under Temporary Fault Conditions In overhead electricity distribution, 80-90% of faults are temporary faults, which are cleared by a downstream recloser or recloser switch.

Cutout Recloser

AutoLink

AutoLink

AutoLink

Diagram A

If a temporary fault occurs, the downstream recloser equipment opens and the AutoLink sectionalizer counts one opening and then recloses. Because the fault is temporary, it is cleared so that both the downstream equipment and the AutoLink are connected and the circuit stays in operation. After thirty seconds, the AutoLink resets and the count is completed. When fused cutouts are applied, they normally operate concurrently with the downstream recloser, causing an unnecessary interruption in the circuit.
-T2Ia Ia Recloser AutoLink

TEMPORARY FAULT

-T2Line Current

In 0 t

FAULT

-T1-

Recloser contact status AutoLink count

1st RECLOSE

CLOSED

OPEN

CLOSED
Normalization 30 seg.

Diagram B

Operating Under Permanent Fault Conditions The remaining 10-20% of fault events in overhead lines are permanent faults. In these cases the continuous reclosing operations do not clear the fault. The AutoLink counts the opening operations and, upon reaching the set count, opens the line with the permanent fault. In order to obtain proper performance, the equipment capacitor in charge of supplying the operating power must be charged. The power used to charge the capacitor is provided by the current circulating through the line during and immediately prior to the fault event. When fused cutouts are applied there is often no coordination between the fuse curve and the slow recloser curve. This causes an unnecessary current supply interruption throughout the circuit, both upstream and downstream from the sectionalizer.
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-T2Ia Recloser Ia AutoLink

Line Current

-T2-T2-

PERMANENT FAULT

In
0 t

FAULT

-T1-

-T1-

1st RECLOSE

2nd RECLOSE

Recloser count status AutoLink counts

CLOSED

OPEN

CLOSED

OPEN

CLOSED

OPEN

Diagram C

The times shown in Diagrams B and C as T1 correspond to the time the recloser takes to reconnect the circuit. This dead time is usually adjustable up to 3 minutes. The AutoLink can operate while keeping the count performed with the current at zero for up to 3.5 minutes, above any possible dead line value configured in the recloser. Due to the latest technological improvements recently introduced to reclosers, the time indicated as T2 is the time the recloser takes to open immediately after the fault event. These times are usually reduced to one or two cycles. The AutoLink, by means of the spectral analysis in the second harmonic, only needs one cycle to identify a current as a fault current, isolating it from symmetric and asymmetric inrush currents. This feature adds an outstanding technical advantage to the AutoLink. A high percentage of unwanted openings in devices of this type are due to either failures in detecting the inrush currents or to the detection method used.

Operating Highlights
Immune to temperature variations between -25C & 65C. Immune to connection overload in a no-load transformer (inrush current) through the circuits own devices Reduced dead line detection value (below 200 mA) to increase operation safety and to operate only when the medium voltage line has been sectionalized by the upstream recloser Interchangeable with, and adjustable to, any type of fused cutout fuseholder base Immune to electromagnetic induction through a shielded design of electrical and electronic circuits (Faraday Cage) Adaptable to any line protection configuration through the resetting capability Simplified stock management! Only one device is needed to adjust to all types of configurations Does not require any power sources - the supply is obtained from the fault currents through current transformers Reliable opening Simple and quick installation Selectivity with a back recloser, thus avoiding unnecessary interruptions. An effective, simple, and economical solution for operating selectivity with both temporary and permanent faults
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Proper Selection and Setting

In order to ensure a perfect coordination between the AutoLink and the downstream reclosers or recloser switches, the following requirements must be met: 1) The actuating current of the AutoLink must be set below the actuating current of the recloser (both for phase fault and earth fault events) 2) The actuating current of the AutoLink must be set between the short circuit current and the circuit rated current 3) The 0.5 second total opening time of the AutoLink must be shorter than the reclosing interval of the recloser or recloser switch. 4) The set count of the AutoLink must be at least one count less than the set count of the corresponding recloser 5) The useful life and proper operation of the AutoLink greatly depends on the correct setting of the equipment and on the waterproof closure of the setting module. This operation must be performed only by trained staff with adequate tools who adhere to the recommendations included in the mounting and calibration instructions provided with the device.

Technical Specifications
Rated voltage Rated frequency Nominal current Actuating current range Number of opening counts Inrush current detection method Types of inrush currents detected Inrush detection time Dead line detection Dead line verification time Maximum memory time with dead line Total opening time Memory resetting time Insulation level Short-time current (1 sec) Current (peak value) 15, 27, 27/33, 33 kV 50 or 60 Hz <200 A Resettable between 6 and 215 A Resettable between 1 and 4 counts Harmonic analysis Symmetric and asymmetric <1 cycles <200 mA 80 msec >3.5 minutes 0.5 seconds 30 seconds 95, 125, 150, and 170 kV BIL 4 kA symmetric 10 kA

Ratings
MODEL AutoLink-15 AutoLink-27 AutoLink-27/33 AutoLink-33
* applicable to equipment with fuseholder base

DESCRIPTION

RATED VOLTAGE (kV) 15

INSULATION LEVEL (kV BIL)* 95 125 150 170

ACTUATING CURRENT

NUMBER OF COUNTS Resettable between 1 and 4 counts

Resettable Electronic Auto Sectionalizer

27 27/33 33

Resettable between 6 & 215A

Packaging Details
MODEL AutoLink-15 AutoLink-27 AutoLink-27/33 AutoLink-33 QTY PER BOX 1 1 1 1 WEIGHT (lb) 5 5 5 5 DIMENSIONS (in) 4.13 x 4.13 x 12.6 4.13 x 4.13 x 15.7 4.13 x 4.13 x 15.7 4.13 x 4.13 x 15.7

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Ordering Instructions
Choose one character from each description. There should be a total of 11 characters.
DESCRIPTION Type CODE AL1 1 2 System Voltage/ BIL 4 5 7 50 Frequency 60 A Insulator Type N J A B Mounting Options E N A Terminal Options C E N Option Z N Option Z Special Option (contact factory) Special Option (contact factory) No Option Extended Bracket No Bracket Electronic Module Only Parallel Groove Eyebolt
1VAG271001-DB Rev. D October 2008 (replaces 38-681) Copyright 2007 ABB. All rights reserved.

DEFINITION Type AutoLink 15 kV, 110 kV BIL (9.1 creep) 27 kV, 125 kV BIL (12.8 creep) 27 kV, 150 kV BIL (18 creep) 38 kV, 150 kV BIL (18 creep) 38 kV, 170 kV BIL (26 creep) 50 Hertz 60 Hertz Electronic Module Only Porcelain Insulator Silicone Insulator Electronic Module Only NEMA B Bracket

No Option

Example: To order a 15 kV AutoLink without insulator or mounting bracket, order AL1160AAANN.

ABB Inc. 406 Banner Ave. Greensboro, NC 27401 Tel: +1-336-275-7310 www.abb.com/mediumvoltage

ABB S.A. Jose I. Rucci 1051 (B1822CJU) - Valentin Alsina Buenos Aires - Argentina Tel: + 54 11 4229 5500