New Left-Right Characterization Method used for Contactor Sensitivity Curves

Fernando Luis Leal Jung¹; Frederico Oliveira Passos¹; José Maria de Carvalho Filho¹; Edison Massao Motoki¹; Natanael Pereira²

¹ UNIFEI; ² EDP São Paulo

Resumo

Electro-magnetic AC contactors are widely used equipment for energizing machinery, automatizing industrial processes. They are sensitive to voltage sags, a recurring problem in electrical systems, leading to interrupted production in industries. Using a new left-right characterization method, six different contactor models are tested to verify sensitivity curves using a hardware-in-the-loop automatic simulation. A fuzzy zone is identified within the curves, displaying uncertainty of the trip of the contactor. The new method proposed allows a better pondering of the curves and a better analysis of the financial impact of voltage sags.

Palavras-chave: voltage sags; contactor; power quality; sensitivity