Setup Generic Reconfiguration

Generic Reconfiguration allows the user to reconfigure sectionalizing devices to restore service to system loads in accordance with established load priorities and system interdependencies.  Reconfiguration setup is tab-divided into General, Staged, Electric, and Water subsets.  

General:

The General setup tab (shown below) is used to define optional settings that apply to all Generic Reconfiguration analyses:

Solution Extent:

• Full System Solution - directs application to reconfigure the entire system

• Area Solution - directs application to reconfigure only those areas of system with lost service.

Reconfiguration Algorithm:

• From Loads - directs application to begin with switches open and then close from loads back to sources.

• From Sources - directs application to begin with switches open and then close from sources out to loads.

• Hybrid - directs application to limit switch operability for each pass to those being used to restore higher priority loads.  As high priority loads are restored, more switches are made operable to restore lower priority loads.  The "From Sources" progression is followed, i.e. beginning with operable switches open and then closing from sources out to loads.  

• Cotree Switch - directs application to begin with switches closed, then open switches to isolate failures and break loops.  If breaking a loop would cause a constraint violation, that switch is not opened.
   

Passes [___] - application runs the algorithm through the input number of passes without re-initializing.  At times, multiple passes may restore additional loads.  
 

• Better Load Balance (only applicable with the From Loads algorithm) - when selected, application attempts to force better load balancing between sources.

• Repropagate Priorities (not applicable with the From Loads algorithm) - when selected, load priorities are reestablished in the restored system after completion of reconfiguration switching operations.

Loads:

• Just Load Buses - application considers only load bus components for loads to be restored.  

• All Load Points - application considers all components with attached loads for restoration.  

Sectionalizing Devices:

• Only use if Faster Than _____ (hr?) - allows user to specify a maximum time limit for operation of sectionalizing devices during reconfiguration.

• Tag Device Order - when selected, application attaches messages to all operated devices that track sequence of operations.

•  Return Devices to Original State - when selected, application attempts to minimize reconfiguration switching operations for a run by returning an operated switch to its original state if determined that operation:

1. Was not required for failed component isolation;

2. Was not needed to increase restored loads;

3. Was not necessitated by a constraint setting.

Staged:

The Staged setup tab (shown below) is used to define optional settings that apply only when running Generic Reconfiguration in a staged operational mode.

Staged Tab Details:

• Perform Staged Analysis - selecting option directs application to run in two stages, with the user selecting the sectionalizing devices available for operation in each stage.   

Stage 1 Devices - select device types available for operation in the first stage of analysis.
 

Stage 2 Devices - select device types that the application will be allowed to operate in the second stage.  

(Single-Left click in the Device Types field highlights the device and displays it in the Selected Device Types column)

Electric:

The Electric setup tab (shown below) is used to define optional settings that apply only to Generic Reconfiguration of Electric Distribution systems.  

Electric Tab Details:

• Use Electrical Systems - controls whether the reconfiguration run includes electrical systems in its analysis.

• Looped System -   for systems where loops are allowed during normal operation, setting will cause application to run additional iteration after radial reconfiguration to determine if additional loads can be added by operating switches to create loops.

Constraint Checking:

• Full Power Flow - directs application to utilize the full non-linear power flow algorithm for checking constraints.  

• Load Estimation - directs application to utilize a quicker load estimation approximation for checking constraints.
  
  Tolerance(%) [___] - allows user to specify the overload tolerance allowed during reconfiguration.

• Ignore Dist. Xfrm Violations - directs application to ignore overloads on distribution transformers.

• Ignore Voltage Constraints - directs application to ignore voltage level constraints (applicable only when using power flow algorithm).

Operable Phases:

Voltage Levels:

• Use Specific Voltage Levels - allows user to select only certain sections of electrical system (by applied voltage) for reconfiguration.

Switch Types:

• Use Specific Switch Types - allows user to specify only selected switch types to be operable for reconfiguration.  (Note: Option is unavailable when running Staged Analysis.

Water:

The Water setup tab (shown below) is used to define optional settings that apply only to Generic Reconfiguration of Water Distribution systems.  

Fluid System Details:

• Use Fluid Systems - controls whether the reconfiguration run includes fluid systems in its analysis.

• Use Min Valve Width - allows user to specify a minimum valve size (diameter) that may be operated during reconfiguration.

Min Valve Width [__] (in) - when applicable, defines the minimum valve size being used during reconfiguration.

Valve Types:

• Use Specific Valve Types - allows user to specify only selected valve types to be operable for reconfiguration.  

• Treat Contamination as Failure - set to have application consider water quality issues as failing criteria for triggering component isolation and reconfiguration.

General Menu Items: