Comparison between SEL and GE relay protections 4

[lz5pl]

I have no experience with these companies. Could you share your opinions in terms of convenience of setting, software, maintenance, customer service, etc.


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It may be like this in theory and practice, but in real life it is completely different.
The favourite sentence of my army sergeant

 

[lz5pl]

slavag, you are right about European manufacturers. The reason I look for alternatives is not technical ;-)

From most of the posts here I understand that I could rely more on SEL support and SEL guarantee is really impressive. Thank you for your advices, friends!

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It may be like this in theory and practice, but in real life it is completely different.
The favourite sentence of my army sergeant

 

[PhilKu]

Iz5pl (6/19/08) - I was told we can order a SEL 751A with the reclose function after 7/25.

 

[tlrols]

SEL gets my vote. If you want SEL representation in Eastern Europe tell them so.

You can actually e-mail Ed Schweitzer and get a response...try that with GE.

Also, the man has his name on his product--I assume that (partly) accounts for the outstanding customer service they provide.

I don't think setting up SEL's relays is easier, or harder than any other vendor--they are all just different.

Besides, just how many relays are you installing at a time? Seems to me there will always be a bit of a learning curve every time you talk to a digital relay....

 

[lz5pl]

PhilKu, thank you for the information. I will discuss it will SEL representative - up to now I looked only on catalogues.

tlrols, I am also impressed when I see a product linked with the name of company owner. And customer support is also very strong point on my decisions - that's why I prefer automatic voltage regulators from Eberle instead of MR, for example.

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It may be like this in theory and practice, but in real life it is completely different.
The favourite sentence of my army sergeant

 

[DTR2011]

I have worked with both types of relays for many years. I agree with all of the statements made above.

I've come across exactily 1 SEL relay that failed (out of >1000 I've tested). SEL had a replacement relay on site the very next day and shipping boxes, etc for EZ return.

I did a 1000MW GE Turbine project years ago and 75% of GE relays were defective. It took a call from the plant owner to the Sr. VP of GE Power to get replacement relays in 10 days. In all fairness, these were GE USA (Malvern, PA) relays, being supported by the GE Multilin people.

If you can find the right GE Application engineers, they are responsive and do get things done. Calling the GE Multilin number, they are more interested in issuing a issue # rather than answering the question.

One aspect of the GE UR relays that has not been addressed (which I believe is a strong point) is the modular approach to the platform design. The UR box is basically a backplane, which allows for simple repairs, upgrades. The powersupply for one UR relay is universal for all UR relays UR=Universal Relay).

GE SW is very nice, however as in most, when complex logic schemes are implemented, the free SW is difficult. GE does make the "Engineer" SW, but it is USD 3k.

I'll give Multilin credit for coming up with some very innovative applications with the UR series relays. One word of caution. We had an instance where the FW on a 87T application was changed. The relay failed testing after the FW upgrade. It was a painful process getting a straight answer on what changed and why.

The obvious benefits of SEL (great support, warranty, app notes, etc) are clear. One other SEL benefit is that they can all communicate via simple hyperterminal connection. Anything can be accomplished via this method. In the past it has been a nightmare for a field person to have the correct comm SW matched with relay FW versions, etc.

Nearly all newer SEL relays utilize AcSElerator SW, which is not bad. If I recally, GE you have to build phasors, SEL does it automatic. GE has a nice (plug and play-quick and dirty) SCADA/HMI solution. SEL requires a 3rd party application.

Both companies are active in IEC 61850. SEL has mirrored bits, which can do quite a lot, with much less complexity.

If I remember correctly, GE manufacturing costs are very low, so if pushed they can drop the price significantly from list price. SEL has very competitive list prices to begin with.

I've always liked the abilty to test SEL relays with mapping out the individual relay bits. It is an invaluable troubleshooting tool. When the issue of who was testing who (me or the relay), the relay generally won the battle..

 

[dpc]

smallgreek,

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

I agree that the ability to communicate with SEL using telnet protocol can be a lifesaver, since basically any computer will have Hyperterminal, or something similar. Not exactly "user-friendly", but it definitely works.

Cheers,

Dave