Emerson Network Power has announced the availability of a white paper titled, “Configuring Microprocessor-Based Relay Systems for Maximum Value.”

The white paper highlights how neglecting custom relay programming when replacing aging electromechanical relays with microprocessor-based relays undermines the upgrade investments and jeopardizes system protection. This relay retrofit made by many utilities and industrial facilities brings a multitude of benefits which are also outlined in the white paper. The benefits of these new generation relays include improved system reliability, enhanced control, event recording and reporting capabilities, decreased maintenance, simplified regulatory compliance, enhanced communication, arc flash mitigation, and better overall protection.

“Unfortunately, many owners fail to maximize their system protection simply because they lack the time or skill to appropriately configure relay settings and logic to best meet their facility’s requirements,” said Tom Nation, vice president and general manager, Emerson Network Power’s Electrical Reliability Services business. “This white paper details the four programmable relay settings every facility should implement with real-world examples for each, and explains how working with qualified integration engineers when designing a microprocessor-based relay protection system allows owners to fully leverage the inherent benefits of the relay and see the greatest return on their upgrade investment.

More specifically, experienced integration engineers ensure that owners take advantage of the multi-function capabilities in each relay to proactively eliminate redundant components and minimize the potential for multiple points of failure. They also help owners capitalize on each relay’s self-testing features to improve reliability of all system components, simplify NERC compliance, and reduce maintenance time and costs. Finally, they can program communication processor functions to integrate information from a wide variety of microprocessor-based devices and make the data accessible via a web-based Human Machine Interface (HMI) display for both visualization and unparalleled control of system data.