Det finns inom Vattenfall Eldistribution AB ett intresse att automatisera felsökning i elnätet. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utreda möjligheten att utplacera feldetektorer i Vänersborgs centrala elnät. Ett förslag på en optimal placering av feldetektorerna utifrån ett tekniskt och ekonomiskt perspektiv presenteras. Den föreslagna placeringen av feldetektorer bygger på det befintliga signalkabelsystems struktur. Signalkabelsystemet för Vänersborgs centralort finns dokumenterat i Vattenfalls dokumentationssystem. Samhällskostnader har beräknats och sammanställts för berörda ledningar. I beräkningsmodellen har olika alternativ med utplacerade feldetektorer simulerats. Alternativen utvärderas därefter i relation till felsökningstid, felfrekvens och samhällskostnad. Med framtagen beräkningsmodell erhålls samhällskostnaden för varje ledning, för ett genomsnittligt avbrott. Beräkningsmodellen visar även hur samhällskostnaden reduceras vid alternativa utplaceringar av feldetektorer. För det optimala alternativet med utplacerade feldetektorer i Vänersborgs centralort har den reducerade samhällskostnaden ställts i relation till investeringskostnaden. Därefter har den ekonomiska besparingen kunnat fastställas. Det har visat sig enligt detta examensarbete, att det med avseende på samhällskostnader och kundnytta är en bra investering att installera feldetektorer. Med den föreslagna optimala placeringen av feldetektorer, passeras återbetalningstiden för investeringen efter sex till sju år. Det genererar samtidigt en förhöjd kundnytta. Ett minskat antal provinkopplingar medför dessutom att kablar och elapparater inte på samma vis utsätts för höga kortslutningsströmmar, vilket resulterar i en längre livslängd för elnätet.

Dala Energi Elnät is a smaller grid company with network operations consisting of the distri-bution and measurement of electricity. The company is interested in acquiring greater know-ledge of the error detection equipment that can in a early stage detect errors in the medium-voltage network. Which hopefully results in faster fault location and cost savings for the company.The purpose of this study is to investigate the fault-detection equipment that would fit into the Dala Energys medium voltage grid and what experiences others electricity companies have with fault-detection equipment. Fault detection equipment used in the study has been limited to equipment from the companies Protrol AB and dLaboratory AB. Structure and function of the equipment are investigated and empirical experience obtained through a telephone interview and a visit on the electricity network companies Kraftringen respectively Falu Elnät AB.Protrols fault-detection equipment consists of error detectors that measure only the current for detecting ground faults and over currents and mainly used in substations. Communication to the control center can be made by fiber, Ethernet or signal cable. The simplest detectors have no communication link without signals with LED indicator on the substation if the fault current passed. Configuration, settings, and registered error events must be downloaded by USB connection on site.dLaboratorys concept is that the industrial PC installed in a distribution substation, where the current and voltage are measured in each output tray, to detect ground faults and overcurrents. Relay Protection functions are available on the PC, which means that both fault detection and protection equipment available. Information from the measurements sent to dLaboratorys serves for analysis and transmitted to power grid owner. On dLaboratorys website the information can then be reviewed with a convenient interface.Selection of fault-detection equipment is affected by electricity network design with radial or meshed networks, existing grid equipment, relay protection, geographical distance and communication facilities etc. Where a comprehensive solution from a longer term perspective should be taken into account. Recording options in error-detection equipment can be used to better understand the reasons why a protection relay trips, where the events before and after the fault can be analyzed. A financial investment in fault-detection equipment do not always pay for itself, but also provides greater customer benefits and opportunities to identify weak points in the grid. Benefiting from successful experience of other grid companies have had with fault-detection equipment.For the fault-detection equipment included in the study, recommended Protrols equipment to be used on radial parts of the network, where the error detectors are not placed in each substation but strategically where geographical distances are great to reduce troubleshooting time substantially.dLaboratorys fault detection equipment is best suited to distribution stations with many exhausting tray and where it is possible that if sectioning out the fault with remote-controlled switch or circuit breaker. dLaboratory relay protection has worked well in conducted tests on the other hand it remains to be seen how it manages in normal operation. / <p>Validerat; 20160617 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>