Transient recovery voltage (TRV) is a crucial aspect of the protection scheme in high-voltage power systems, especially in three-phase systems. It is related to the interruption of a fault, such as a short circuit, within the power system. When a fault occurs, protective devices like circuit breakers are used to isolate the faulty section of the power system to prevent damage and ensure the system's stability.
In a three-phase power system, the fault interruption process involves the interruption of the fault current by the circuit breaker. When the circuit breaker opens to isolate the faulty section, a transient condition arises. During the fault, the voltage across the faulted section drops to nearly zero due to the high fault current. However, after the circuit breaker opens, the voltage across the faulted section starts to recover from zero to its pre-fault value.
The transient recovery voltage is the voltage that appears across the terminals of the circuit breaker after the interruption of the fault current. It occurs during the post-fault period as the power system attempts to restore normal conditions. The amplitude, rate of rise, and frequency of the transient recovery voltage are essential factors to consider for the design and rating of the circuit breaker and its associated protective devices.
The circuit breaker must be capable of withstanding and interrupting this transient recovery voltage without re-igniting the fault or causing damage to the equipment. If the circuit breaker fails to clear the fault and interrupt the fault current effectively, it can lead to severe consequences, including equipment damage and power system instability.
Engineers and power system operators must carefully consider the transient recovery voltage when selecting and designing circuit breakers to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the power system during fault conditions. They often perform extensive simulations and testing to verify the performance of protective devices under various fault scenarios and transient conditions. Additionally, international standards, such as the IEC 62271 series, provide guidelines and specifications for circuit breaker design and testing related to transient recovery voltage.