Program 10

Project 1 - DSTAR Software Custom Parameter Maintenance Simplification

Most of the Excel-based DSTAR software tools include custom parameters that are maintained by an administrator. Since these parameters are included on sheets within the Excel program, a new version of the program must be distributed to users with each revision to the custom data. It is desired to have a single file for storage of the custom parameters and have each DSTAR Excel-based software link to this single file. The file could be located on a shared network drive and changes would be automatically reflected in the linked software. This feature will greatly improve the maintainability of the software and simplify software deployment for DSTAR members.

Tagged: P1-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 2 - DSTAR Expansion of Distribution Data e-Handbook

The DSTAR e-Handbook is a very promising electronic publication that enables distribution engineers to reduce the time it takes to find important information. Phase A and B of the e-Handbook have established a foundation for future enhancements to the publication. It is proposed to add information to the e-Handbook based upon the DSTAR member survey.

Tagged: P2-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 3 - Wildlife Control and Protection Guide

The purpose of this manual is to provide electric utilities with a single source of practical information on recommended practices and polices to reduce animal-caused outages on transmission lines, in substations, on overhead distribution lines, and in underground distribution systems. The DSTAR work updates the 1996 NRECA Animal-Caused Outage manual and includes relevant topics such as evaluation of recent mitigation products and techniques, material/device performance over time, and testing standards

Tagged: P3-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 4 - DSTAR TOCS Data Import Enhancement

This project is a proposed enhancement to TOCS to allow the user to import 8760 hour load and weather data from a library of typical commercial load types and regional locations, desired transformer life, and let the program calculate the required kVA size and transformer design needed. The underlying TOCS algorithm will remain the same, but the user interface will be modified to support importation of the data and running of the optimization routine.

Tagged: P4-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 5 - DSTAR CPA Enhancement

It is proposed that the CPA be enhanced to include a 3-D map of the conduit system that could be rotated and viewed from different perspectives. This will enable designers to verify their layout and supplement the drawing information provided to the field. The CPA program will remain functionally the same except that the user will be able to produce the 3-D layout from the cable layout screen. The user will input the layout and click a button to produce the 3-D image that can be rotated and viewed. The image will be viewable from within a browser or a viewing tool.

Tagged: P5-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 6 - DSTAR CEPS Enhancement

The Cable Electrical Parameter Software (CEPS) has proven to be a useful tool for utility cable engineers. There is a need for certain enhancements that would make it even more versatile.

Tagged: P6-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 7 - Completely Self-Protected (CSP) Transformer Evaluation

Distribution transformers are one of the most important purchases utility makes. Investment in transformers constitutes a large percentage of the distribution plant investment each year. The types of transformers used and protection systems they employ also have a significant impact on continuity of and safety. Types of distribution transformers range from conventional transformers to Completely Self-Protected (CSP) units that incorporate overvoltage protection, internal primary fusing and secondary breakers. Selection of appropriate transformer types can have significant long term economic and reliability benefits for distribution systems. The purpose of this paper is to present the purchase options for overhead transformers, and to provide information on the relative merits of each option.

Tagged: P7-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 10 - CFO Calculator and Arrester Application Guidelines

The DSTAR CFO Calculator Software (CFO) is a convenient tool for estimating the critical flashover voltage (CFO) for an overhead pole system and providing arrester application guidelines. The application allows the user to quickly input the layout of an overhead system using a convenient graphic interface and uses the CFO-added methodology (IEEE 1410-2004), to estimate the overall overhead system CFO. In addition to calculating CFO, the software provides arrester guidance for shielded and unshielded conditions.

This project was initially scoped as "Surge Arrester Application Guidelines", but was subsequently combined with Project 10-16 CFO Calculator Software.

Tagged: P10-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 11 - Technology Whitepapers - BPL, Electronic Switching, Transformer Impedance

The impact of technology on the secure, reliable, economic operation of modern-day power distribution systems is certainly undeniable. Utility engineers and managers are continually faced with new technology choices and must objectively examine claims about their effectiveness on distribution systems and their long-term prospects. This DSTAR project will produce three white-papers that critically assess current technologies, equipment and designs that are applicable to power distribution systems. The three areas that will be examined are: the use of powerline carrier technology for power equipment communication, the availability and application of sub-cycle electronic switching equipment, and the impedance considerations for three-phase pad-mount transformers design.

Tagged: P11-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 14 - Electronic Data Handbook (ehandbook) Expansion

The e-Handbook concept has proven to be quite popular with DSTAR members. Following the development and release of the first version in program 9, the DSTAR members agreed to significantly expand the scope of the e-Handbook and enhance the look and feel. These goals were accomplished in project 10-2. Following that expansion, subsequent additons were requested, and these are being implemented in this project. The ideas selected for inclusion in this phase are: Meter Connections, NEMA Motor Data, Secondary Voltage Drop Calculator, Basic Engineering Economics, Critical Flash Over Calculator, Protective Margins (BIL Margins), Standard Equipment Sizes, Pole Sizes and Classes, Ferroresonance Tutorial, Arc Energy Calculations.

Tagged: P14-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 15 - SEDS Enhancements

Expand SEDS program to include optimization feature

Tagged: P15-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software

Project 17 - Elbow and Overhead Arrester Design Evaluation

Overhead and elbow arresters are widely deployed on the distribution system to protect equipment and overhead lines from the damaging effects of lightning and switching surges. Modern distribution arresters are placed in polymer housings that have less field experience than the porcelain housed arresters. A very high percentage of porcelain housed arrester failures have been attributed to moisture ingression-related internal flashovers. Although many polymer-housed arresters have improved moisture-ingression performance due to the lack of free internal air space and improved sealing, many utilities continue to experience arrester failures. There are four major manufacturers of overhead and elbow arresters in the US: Elastimold, Joslyn, Cooper, and Hubbell. All four manufacturers have unique designs for assembling the metal oxide disks and sealing the insulation housing. The purpose of this DSTAR project is to evaluate and test the elecrical and mechanical design of a variety of overhead and elbow distribution arresters.

Tagged: P17-10, P10, Equipment Testing/Evaluation, System Reliability, Industry Perspectives / White Papers, Engineering Guidelines, Engineering Analysis Software