A recloser is a self-controlled device for automatically interrupting and reclosing an AC circuit, with a predetermined sequence of opening and reclosing. Like a circuit breaker, a recloser can be used for

interrupting currents. The interrupting medium of a recloser is most commonly vacuum or oil. The recloser control can be electronic, electromechanical or hydraulic. A hydraulic recloser uses springs and hydraulic

systems for timing and actuation. In short, a recloser is a circuit breaker which is integrated with a relay and a reclosing control element.


Automatic reclosing is motivated by the fact that about 60-80% of all overhead distribution faults are temporary and last only a few cycles or a few seconds. For example, a branch may blow against a circuit and then fall to the ground. As a result, it becomes very attractive to reclose following an initial opening of the protection device.


Reclosers have many distribution applications:


• It can be used in the substation as feeder interrupters instead of circuit breakers. Reclosers are used more in smaller stations and circuit breakers more in larger stations.


• Three-phase reclosers can be used on the main feeder to provide necessary protection coverage on longer circuits, along with improved reliability.


• Reclosers are available as single-phase units, so they can be used on single-phase taps (laterals) instead of fuses.


• Another common application is in auto-loop automation schemes to automatically sectionalize customers after a fault.


• Three-phase reclosers are available that can operate each phase independently (so a single-phase fault will only open one phase)


The properties of the recloser object included in OpenDSS are as follows:



Property

Description

(1) MonitoredObj

Full object name of the circuit element, typically a line, transformer, load, or generator, to which the Recloser's PT and/or CT are connected. This is the "monitored" element. There is no default; must be specified.

(2) MonitoredTerm

Number of the terminal of the circuit element to which the Recloser is connected. 1 or 2, typically. Default is 1.

(3) SwitchedObj

Name of circuit element switch that the Recloser controls. Specify the full

object name.Defaults to the same as the Monitored element. This is the

"controlled" element.

(4) SwitchedTerm

Number of the terminal of the controlled element in which the switch is

controlled by the Recloser. 1 or 2, typically. Default is 1.

(5) NumFast

Number of Fast (fuse saving) operations. Default is 1. (See "Shots")

(6) PhaseFast

Name of the TCC Curve object that determines the Phase Fast trip. Must

have been previously defined as a TCC_Curve object. Default is "A".

Multiplying the current values in the curve by the "phasetrip" value gives

the actual current.

(7) PhaseDelayed

Name of the TCC Curve object that determines the Phase Delayed trip.

Must have been previously defined as a TCC_Curve object. Default is

"D".Multiplying the current values in the curve by the "phasetrip" value

gives the actual current.

(8) GroundFast

Name of the TCC Curve object that determines the Ground Fast trip.

Must have been previously defined as a TCC_Curve object. Default is

none (ignored). Multiplying the current values in the curve by the

"groundtrip" value gives the actual current.

(9) GroundDelayed

Name of the TCC Curve object that determines the Ground Delayed trip.

Must have been previously defined as a TCC_Curve object. Default is

none (ignored).Multiplying the current values in the curve by the

"groundtrip" value gives the actual current.

(10) PhaseTrip

Multiplier or actual phase amps for the phase TCC curve. Defaults to 1.0.

(11) GroundTrip

Multiplier or actual ground amps (3I0) for the ground TCC curve. Defaults

to 1.0.

(12) PhaseInst

Actual amps for instantaneous phase trip which is assumed to happen in

0.01 sec + Delay Time. Default is 0.0, which signifies no inst trip.

(13) GroundInst

Actual amps for instantaneous ground trip which is assumed to happen in

0.01 sec + Delay Time.Default is 0.0, which signifies no inst trip.

(14) Reset

Reset time in sec for Recloser. Default is 15.

(15) Shots

Total Number of fast and delayed shots to lockout. Default is 4. This is

one more than the number of reclose intervals.

(16) RecloseIntervals

Array of reclose intervals. Default for Recloser is (0.5, 2.0, 2.0) seconds. A locked out Recloser must be closed manually (action=close).

(17) Delay

Fixed delay time (sec) added to Recloser trip time. Default is 0.0. Used to

represent breaker time or any other delay.

(18) Action

{Trip/Open | Close} Action that overrides the Recloser control. Simulates

manual control on recloser "Trip" or "Open" causes the controlled element to open and lock out. "Close" causes the controlled element to

close and the Recloser to reset to its first operation.

(19) TDPhFast

Time dial for Phase Fast trip curve. Multiplier on time axis of specified

curve. Default=1.0.

(20) TDGrFast

Time dial for Ground Fast trip curve. Multiplier on time axis of specified

curve. Default=1.0.

(21) TDPhDelayed

Time dial for Phase Delayed trip curve. Multiplier on time axis of specified

curve. Default=1.0.

(22) TDGrDelayed

Time dial for Ground Delayed trip curve. Multiplier on time axis of

specified curve. Default=1.0.

(23) basefreq

Base Frequency for ratings.

(24) enabled

{Yes|No or True|False} Indicates whether this element is enabled.

(25) like