Course Syllabus

Course No. & Title: EEL 4935/6935 – Power System Protection

Term & Meeting Info: Fall 2016, MW 9:30am-10:45am, ENC 1002
Instructor Info: Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E., fehr@usf.edu
Office Hours: T 9:30am-10:45am, W 11:00am-12:15pm, or by appointment

Teaching Assistant: TBD

Catalog Description: This course provides a thorough treatment of power system protection.
Critical elements of protection philosophy are presented. Electromechanical and microprocessor-based
relay technologies are studied. Traditional (time-based overcurrent coordination) and innovative
(communication-based overcurrent detection) methods of radial system protection are explored.
Instrument transformer selection and application is covered, followed by application schemes of
protective relays for the protection of A-C generators and motors, transformers, buses, and lines.

Semesters Offered: TBD

Prerequisites: EGN 3375 (Electromechanical Systems) and [EEL 5250 (Power System Analysis 1) or
EEL 4935/6936 (Industrial Power Distribution 1) or instructor permission]

Corequisites: none

Courses that require this course as a direct prerequisite: none

Level: UG/Grad Credits: 3 Class Duration: 2 x 75 minutes per week

Text Info: Power System Protection. P.M. Anderson. Wiley/IEEE Press. Available for download in
Canvas.
The Art and Science of Protective Relaying. C. Russell Mason. General Electric. Available
for download in Canvas.
Coordinated Power Systems Protection. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Technical Manual,
TM 5-811-14, 25 February 1991. Available for download in Canvas.

Reference (supplemental reading): see references cited in required texts

Course Outcomes:
1. Students will become familiar with power system protection philosophies. Crit.
3(a)(e)(f)(k)(m)
2. Students will become familiar with electromechanical and microprocessor-based relay
technologies, including future trends in power system protection. Crit. 3(a)(k)(i)(m)
3. Students will learn how to coordinate protective devices using time-current curves. Crit.
3(a)(e)(k)(m)
4. Selection and application criteria for instrument transformers will be covered. Crit.
3(a)(c)(e)(k)(m)
5. Protection schemes will be learned for A-C generators and motors, transformers, buses, and
lines. Crit. 3(a)(c)(e)(k)(m)

Note: For a definition of the components of ABET Criterion 3, please refer to the “Relation of
Course to EE Dept. Program Outcomes” section later in this syllabus.
Power System Protection Page 1 of 3
Test & Grading Info: Grading -- plus/minus grading may be used
Homework 20%
Exam 1 20% (open book/notes)
Exam 2 20% (open book/notes)
Project 20%
Final 20% (open book/notes)

Curving will NOT be used!

Test conflicts due to illness, religious observances, or travel may be rescheduled by contacting the
instructor as soon as possible.

Course Topics:
M 08/22 Introduction
W 08/24 Philosophy of Protective Relaying
M 08/29 Protection Strategies
W 08/31 Zones of Protection
M 09/05 No Class – Labor Day
W 09/07 Electromechanical Relay Operating Principles
M 09/12 Electromechanical Relay Operating Principles
W 09/14 Microprocessor-based Relays
M 09/19 Microprocessor-based Relays
W 09/21 Radial System Protection – Time-Coordinated Overcurrent Protection
M 09/26 Time-Coordinated Overcurrent Protection
W 09/28 Time-Coordinated Overcurrent Protection
M 10/03 Project Assigned
W 10/05 Exam 1
M 10/10 Instrument Transformers
W 10/12 Instrument Transformers
M 10/17 Distance Relays
W 10/19 Distance Relays
M 10/24 Pilot Relaying
W 10/26 Pilot Relaying
M 10/31 Bus Protection
W 11/02 Bus Protection
M 11/07 Protection and Reliability
W 11/09 Protection and Reliability
M 11/14 Exam 2
W 11/16 Transformer Protection
M 11/21 A-C Generator and Motor Protection
W 11/23 Arc Flash Hazard
M 11/28 A Look to the Future, Project Due
W 11/30 Designated Reading Day
W 12/07 Final Exam (7:30am – 9:30am, per university’s final exam matrix)

Specialization: This course is useful for the engineer involved with the planning, design, engineering,
and/or operation of utility or industrial power systems.

Professional Component: Engineering Science - 50% Engineering Design - 50%

(Eng Science = math/science required for creative applications; Eng Design = decision making process
of devising a system, component or process to meet a desired need)

Power System Protection Page 2 of 3

Although attendance will not be taken (other than the first day of class, per university policy),
attendance and participation is strongly suggested to enhance the learning experience for all students.

Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. If caught cheating, the guilty parties will be
subject to AT LEAST failure of the course, up to and possibly including expulsion from the university.
DO NOT CHEAT!!

Relation of Course to EE Dept. Program Outcomes:

Program Outcome “a”: An ability to apply knowledge of basic math, science and engineering.
Program Outcome “c”: An ability to design systems, components, or processes to meet
desired needs.
Program Outcome “e”: An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
Program Outcome “f”: An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
Program Outcome “i”: A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong
learning.
Program Outcome “k”: An ability to use techniques, skills and modern engineering tools
necessary for engineering practice.
Program Outcome “m”: Knowledge of basic and engineering science necessary to analyze
and design complex electrical/electronic hardware/software devices
and systems.

Final Exam Info: W 12/07, 7:30am-9:30am, per the university’s published final exam matrix

Additional Course Info: When E-mailing Dr. Fehr about this course, please include “PSP:” (without
the quotes and with the colon) as the first characters in the subject line, or E-mail through Canvas.
Thank you!

Taping lectures requires the permission of the instructor. Distance Learning students are responsible
for designating a proctor for tests, and must inform the instructor of their designation. Notifying the
instructor of an inability to attend a class or class-related activity is appreciated.

Syllabus Prepared by: Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E.

Date of Approval of Syllabus by Area Subcommittee:

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