The widespread acceptance of the Ninth Edition promoted this revised and enlarged edition. The book presents in-depth knowledge about the principles and practices of modern power system engineering. It gives an integrated approach to the complex phenomena related with Switchgear, approach Protection, Fault-Calcualtions, Power System Analysis-Operation-Control- Automation, Digital relays, Micro-processor based Relays and Micropro- cessor based Integrated Control and Protection Systems.
The book will serve as a regular text book for electrical engineering courses to prepare the students for the careers in power sector. The book will also serve as a reference book to electrical engineers working in power sector, electrical manufacturing industry, academic and testing institutions, etc.
Since the publication of the first edition of the book Switchgear and Protection in 1973, many advances have occured in field of the Switchgear, Protection and Power System Automation. While the conventional protection and switching devices will continue to serve, entirely new type of devices and techniques are now available. The development of SF, and Vacuum circuit-breakers have made the other types nearly obsolete. The static relays have replaced the electro-mechanical relays. EHV-AC and HVDC trans- mission are now commercially successful. Large interconnected networks are being automatically controlled from load control centres by means of on-line SCADA, AGC and EMS Systems. The developments in power electronics have resulted in the successful use of static VAR Sources (SVS), HVDC Convertors etc. Digital computers and microprocessors are being increasingly used for protection and automation.
Due to the energy crisis and increasing capital costs of power projects, there is a world-wide trend towards interconnecting adjacent AC Networks by means of EHV-AC or HVDC links.
The techniques of testing and maintenance have advanced with an aim of increased reliability and availability of electrical power supply. Knowledge of specifications, testing, maintenance, commissioning has gained signifi- cance. The power system analysis techniques have also advanced signifi- cantly.
India and other developing countries have ambitions development plans in power sector. Some landmarks in the power sector of India include indigenous capability of design, manufacture and commissioning of EHV-AC Sub-stations and apparatus, establishment of 400 kV AC network, intro- duction of HVDC Systems, interconnections between Regional Grids, introduction of static relays and static protection systems, increasing use of digital computers and microprocessors, expansion of testing facilities, etc. The technology of protection and automation have been revolutionised by the introduction of microprocessor based combined protection, control, monitoring systems. Such systems have been introduced for substation protection, generator protection, HVDC protection. This book covers the principles and applications of this latest technology. Principles of Artifical Intelligence and Expert Systems are also covered.
Keeping these trends in mind the Engineering Colleges should revise the curricula on the subjects related with power system engineering with an aim to familarise the students with the new devices and techniques. The power sector should review the existing system and modernise the same with new, superior and reliable equipments. The human resources development in power sector needs careful attention.
With reference to these requirements of the Readers, several new chapters have been added in this edition. This edition, like the earlier ones presents the text on the above topics in a single volume.
The chapters on vacuum circuit-breaker, low voltage switchgear, medium voltage switchgear, HVDC circuit-breaker etc have been totally revised and enlarged.
A new chapter has been addded on Medium Voltage Switchgear with Vacuum and SF, circuit-breakers. The chapter on maintenance of switchgear has been totally revised.
The treatment on static distance protection has been revised.
A new Section has been added covering the important topics in Inter- connected Power Systems. The new chapters include EHV-AC Transmission, HVDC Transmission Systems, Interconnections, Power System Automation with SCADA Systems, Power System Planning, Power map of India, Microprocessor based Protection, and Energy & Power Plant:
Some chapters have been revised. New figures have been added.
The patronage of Academic Institutions and Power System Engineers to this book is hereby gratefully acknowledged.
Thanks are also expressed to M/s Khanna Publishers for bringing out this enlarged revised and perfected edition.