Protection technology

Protection technology prevents faults in electrical systems from leading to widespread failures. It protects valuable components and ensures that unaffected parts of the system can continue to be operated safely.

TRIPS tests all common protection devices worldwide, regardless of manufacturer. Our protection tests ensure that your systems react correctly and selectively to faults at all times.

SIPROTEC offers modern protection, control and automation functions in a single device. The systems are scalable, network-compatible and can be seamlessly integrated into digital substations – ideal for reliable fault detection, system control and grid stability.

Depending on the requirements, we use SIPROTEC devices for distance protection, differential protection, overcurrent protection or earth fault detection. Parameterization is carried out via DIGSI – individually tailored to your network structure and system requirements.

A protective relay continuously monitors electrical variables such as current and voltage and compares them with defined limit values. In the event of deviations – for example due to overcurrent, short circuit or underfrequency – it sends a trigger signal to the circuit breaker, which disconnects the affected section of the grid from the system. This prevents damage and increases operational and supply reliability. The relay can also detect the type and location of the fault and transmit this information to a control system.

Distance protection is an essential protective function for the safe operation of electrical power supply networks. In medium and high-voltage grids in particular, it ensures reliable and fast detection of faults – such as short circuits – and thus protects lines and grid elements from damage. It therefore makes a decisive contribution to grid stability and system availability.

UMZ protection (independent maximum current time protection) is used to protect cables, transformers and other equipment. It detects overcurrents via current transformers and compares them with a fixed response value. If the value is exceeded, a fixed time delay starts – regardless of the current level. Once this time has elapsed, the relay triggers and disconnects the affected section.

By staggering the tripping times of several relays, selective switch-off can be guaranteed – the nearest relay reacts first, while others respond with a delay.

Line differential protection offers particularly fast and precise fault detection for cable and overhead lines. It is based on the principle that in normal operation, the sum of the incoming and outgoing currents of a line is equal (Kirchhoff’s current law). A difference indicates a fault in the protected line section.

Grid and system protection (NA protection) is an automatic protective device for decentralized generation systems such as photovoltaic, wind power or combined heat and power plants. It ensures that the system and the public grid are reliably disconnected from each other in the event of faults or grid failures in order to prevent damage and guarantee operational safety.