ERDA’s expertise for performing mandatory Third-Party Protection Audit for 220kV & above substations as per Indian Electricity Grid Code 2023
In a major policy development, the Indian Electricity Grid Code 2023 mandates that all users must conduct a third-party protection audit of each sub-station at 220 kV and above (132 kV and above in the North Eastern Region) once every five years or earlier, as advised by the respective Regional Protection Committee (RPC).
A protection audit systematically identifies inadequacies, system issues, and inappropriate protection schemes and settings for equipment and transmission line protection. It involves identifying and eliminating obsolete protection-related equipment and ensuring the adequacy and appropriateness of protection settings and schemes.
ERDA, a premier Electrical & Power sector Research & Development Organisation, is actively involved in conducting these third-party protection audits in accordance with regulatory requirements, including the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) Publication No.328, Regional Protection Committee (RPC) guidelines, and Ramakrishna Committee Guidelines. Scope of activity involves review of protection scheme, relay coordination study, recommendation of primary and backup protection schemes, DC system health check and review the communication link & equipment review.
Based on above scope, ERDA has conducted numerous protection audits for both government and private power plants and transmission companies. These audits have significantly reduced the occurrence of unwanted tripping of generators and transmission lines, ensuring more reliable and efficient operations.
