Distribution

Our Approach

We simplify the protection, restoration, and optimization of distribution systems.

Our Solutions

Systems and products that protect, control, automate, and optimize electric power distribution.

Our Services

Achieve your operating goals with custom-engineered solutions and services supported by a global network of application engineers.

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Our Support

We strive to be not just a vendor, but a partner you can rely on.

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Our Approach

Our mission is not merely to sell products and systems, but to ensure that everyone has access to safe, reliable electric power. Our customers all share this goal—yet there are many different ways to achieve it. Distribution systems need to be responsive to future demands, and above all, reliable. This is why we innovate toward simplicity.

Reliability Is What Matters Most

Our approach to distribution solutions focuses on developing and delivering technologies that support and simplify the continuous cycle of protecting, restoring, and optimizing the power grid.

SEL High-Density Coordination (HDC) makes it easier to deploy more recloser controls to improve reliability—without introducing additional complexity.

We believe automation should make systems simpler, not more complex, so we created a fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR) solution that can be deployed by simply defining your feeder topology and doesn't require complex modeling. Secure communications and intelligent controls and sensors make it easier to optimize power system efficiency.

These technologies and innovations are geared to help you minimize outages, restore power faster, and make better use of time and money when upgrading power systems—all to improve reliability.

From our knowledge base

Reducing Complexity With Automation

At its core, automation should be simple and intuitive. There must be a foundation of trust between the human and the machine—we need to be confident that the machine will do what we intended.

To achieve that, automation should mirror our human experience. If we can’t talk to a machine the way we communicate with another human, we should at least be able to interact with it the way we interact with other tools, like a whiteboard.

Automation should enable us to answer “what if” questions for every situation—before it occurs. Since these systems are doing jobs that humans used to do, we need to know that we can trust them at least as much as we routinely trust our human colleagues.

This is the philosophy we use to create scalable, reliable automated systems—such as High-Density Coordination (HDC), volt/VAR optimization (VVO), and fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR)—for all parts of the distribution grid.

From our knowledge base

The Simplicity of Pre-Engineered Solutions

The diverse array of equipment, feeder topologies, applications, and more that all must reliably work together in distribution systems is not only a challenge in itself, but also a complicating factor in the process of adopting and deploying new technologies.

This is why the search for simplicity is a foundational tenet of our research and development approach.

We took a hard look at the functionality expectations and complexity of today’s protective devices. Everyone operates their system a little differently, and we want to make it easier to incorporate new technologies that can scale within a distribution system.

That’s why we’re creating design templates for what we call pre-engineered solutions.

These pre-engineered design templates can easily be adapted to match the operational expectations and philosophy of a particular system and are designed to be scaled up. The system works the same way on a single feeder and at scale. This makes it easier to initially deploy the technology in a limited capacity and quickly drive adoption at scale to improve reliability.

And when the system scales up and new functionality is added, personnel don’t have to be retrained—they have the confidence that they can quickly understand the state of the system and get the data needed to diagnose an event and restore service.

A Focus on Support

Our mission is not merely to sell products and systems, but to ensure that everyone has access to safe, reliable electric power.

That’s why we invest heavily in technical people—not just a handful of customer-facing product engineers, but a large corps of application engineers who are intimately familiar with the way our devices are deployed and the systems they support in the field.

An SEL solution doesn’t end with the sale, nor does it end with commissioning the system or training the operators. We will be there with you when the system goes live—and beyond. As long as your SEL products and solution remain in service—no matter how long that is—you have free access to direct technical support from SEL application engineers.

Our customer service reps and application engineers are stationed in regional offices around the world, so you can always count on reaching a friendly, knowledgeable human who can connect you with the resources you need.

From our knowledge base

Podcast: Application Engineers: When You Really Need to Phone a Friend

Our Solutions

From protection fundamentals to advanced automation, SEL solutions improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of every part of the distribution grid.

Our innovative solutions are simple to deploy and flexible enough to encompass all feeder topologies. They integrate with existing equipment and work seamlessly together. And they can be scaled up after deployment, allowing you to add devices and functionality all at once, or piece by piece as needs evolve and budgets allow.

Improving Feeder Protection

Segmenting feeders by adding recloser controls is a highly effective way to reduce the number of customers exposed to permanent electrical outages.

However, in traditional time-overcurrent protection, there is a limit to how many reclosers can be deployed on a feeder before coordination margins become too tight.

SEL’s High-Density Coordination (HDC) solution solves that problem with an innovative, simplified protection scheme enabled by the SEL-651R Advanced Recloser Control.

How HDC Simplifies Protection

An HDC logic template in the SEL-651R coordinates the actions of any number of SEL-651R controls, allowing all of them to operate safely within the standard time-overcurrent protection curve. This lets you enable the full functionality of all your recloser controls and deploy as many as you need on any given feeder.

Flexible deployment options:

Apply HDC schemes in any feeder topology.
Implement with your existing communications infrastructure—or even without communications.
Deploy at scale or build out over time—simplified device deployment lets you add reclosers as needed.

Coordination groups keep time-overcurrent coordination simple and can be applied in any feeder topology.

The HDC scheme’s group switching and stepped reclosing allow you to deploy high-density coordination without an extended protection communications network. The scheme can easily be converted to take advantage of peer-to-peer communications if infrastructure is upgraded in the future. HDC schemes also work in tandem with FLISR to provide a complete, simplified feeder protection and system restoration solution.

Advanced HDC With High-Speed Communications

Deploy an advanced HDC scheme with protection-speed communications (IEC 61850 GOOSE protocol over Ethernet fiber) to reduce fault-clearing time, reduce flicker, improve power quality, and extend equipment life.

Faults are cleared in ten cycles or less, regardless of fault current magnitude or location. HDC group switching and stepped reclosing provide a fallback, resolving any potential miscoordinations if communications are lost. And the HDC scheme remains flexible and can easily accommodate additional reclosers and changes in feeder topology.

From our knowledge base

Scalable Automation Solutions

With innovations born from decades of advancing the science of protection and control, the new SEL automation solutions simplify deployment and are scalable to meet future demands.

A Simpler, More Scalable FLISR Solution

The Distribution Management System (DMS) software suite on the SEL Blueframe automation application platform lets you deploy and scale up fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR) schemes with ease. Automate and simplify wide-area control with intelligent system restoration that reduces outage times for customers downstream of a fault from hours to minutes or seconds.

The FLISR application is pre-engineered for simplified implementation and can scale to fit any distribution system:

Set up and run FLISR without complicated modeling—draw your feeder topology easily on a digital canvas in the included DMS Designer application.
Deploy in either centralized or distributed architectures.
Implement in stages if desired and scale up without adding complexity.

The SEL Blueframe Automation Platform

SEL Blueframe is a secure, scalable platform for running operational technology (OT) software applications—such as the SEL DMS suite.

The Blueframe platform allows a seamless exchange of data between applications, minimizes the frequency of patches and upgrades, and includes integrated security to prevent unauthorized access and potential attacks.

It can be embedded in the SEL-3350, SEL-3355, and SEL-3360 rugged computing platforms or virtualized on any server-grade hardware.

From our knowledge base

System Optimization

Improving the efficiency of the distribution system is one of the most cost-effective ways to meet the ever-changing demands on the grid. Solutions powered by SEL intelligent controls, sensors, and communications systems allow utilities to monitor systems in real time and take actions automatically to maintain stability and improve operational efficiency.

Volt/VAR Control

Volt/VAR control is one of the most cost-effective means to improve distribution efficiency and reduce system losses. It can be implemented via independent power quality control points or integrated into centrally coordinated volt/VAR optimization (VVO) systems.

SEL Engineering Services designs and implements adaptive VVO solutions that flatten the voltage profile along feeders and reduce system losses using coordinated control of transformer load tap changers (LTCs), voltage regulators, and capacitor banks. VVO systems from SEL also support conservation voltage reduction and power factor correction—thus reducing system losses, improving the customer experience, and reducing energy costs.

Power Quality Monitoring

Extending power quality monitoring devices to the edges of the grid increases system visibility and provides data that enable load planning, event reporting and analysis, and automation applications such as volt/VAR optimization.

Using precise and reliable power quality measurements from SEL metering devices and software tools, such as Synchrowave Reports, system operators can identify, visualize, and analyze power system anomalies and mitigate their impact, including at points of common coupling, interchanges, and load centers.

When deployed as pole-top power quality nodes, devices such as the SEL-734B Advanced Monitoring and Control System and the SEL-735 Power Quality and Revenue Meter generate data at the grid edge and aid in planning the integration of new loads into the system.

From our knowledge base

Recloser Control Applications

Recloser controls are playing an increasingly central role in distribution system protection—and SEL recloser controls lead the way with innovative solutions that make protecting and controlling your distribution system both simpler and more reliable.

Point of Common Coupling for DERS

The SEL-651R Advanced Recloser Control, with IEEE 1547-2018 compliant protection and synchronization, is an ideal way to protect and control the points of common coupling that interconnect distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids with the distribution grid.

Sectionalizing Feeders and Coordinating Protection

Sectionalizing feeders by adding recloser controls is one of the best ways to improve reliability metrics.

The High-Density Coordination (HDC) logic template in the SEL-651R Advanced Recloser Controls allows you to deploy virtually any number of reclosers on a feeder—and use the advanced functions of every control—without adding complexity to the protection scheme.

High-Impedance Fault (HIF) Detection

With optional SEL Arc Sense technology (AST), the SEL-651R and SEL-651RA recloser controls can help you keep your customers safe by securely detecting and clearing more high-impedance faults.

Patented AST logic makes HIF detection easy to set and test.

High-Speed Load Transfer

Use SEL recloser controls to apply automatic source transfer schemes for critical loads that require dual feeder service.

With communications in place, the recloser controls communicate securely to share status and protection logic, allowing transfer to occur only on non-faulted loads and ensuring safe return-to-normal action.

Intelligent Tripping and Reclosing with Fault Transmitters

Combine SEL Wireless Protection System components with recloser controls for more intelligent protection.

The fault transmitters and repeaters—located as needed on branches, laterals, and the main line—wirelessly communicate to the receiver and the SEL-651R within 6 ms. This allows both fast tripping for main-line faults and fuse-saving and fuse-blowing schemes to be applied on the same feeder.

From our knowledge base

Communications and Cybersecurity

There are many benefits to incorporating communications into your distribution systems—not only substation LAN, but also wide-area communications. With secure communications throughout the distribution system, you can:

Locate faults and start fixing outages immediately.
Meter and manage power quality.
Balance loads better.
Improve protection speed and coordination with high-speed communications.
Implement advanced data collection and improve your system’s efficiency.

MACSEC: Secure Encryption for Recloser Controls

To answer the need for comprehensive security not only in recloser controls, but also in existing cabinets, SEL incorporates the IEEE MACsec encryption standard in the SEL-651R and SEL-651RA recloser controls. It is also available as a firmware upgrade for existing SEL-651R controls.

To secure communications, a security gateway and recloser control are deployed together in the recloser cabinet. This provides secure communications both inside the cabinet and at every hop outside it, regardless of distance.

MACsec security requires minimal configuration and reduces complexity within the recloser control. And because the MACsec standard requires fewer updates than protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) or IPsec, the recloser control needs fewer firmware updates—which reduces operation expenditures throughout the life cycle of the device.

SDN for OT Communications

SEL’s operational technology (OT) software-defined networking (SDN) solution is the only networking solution on the market that is purpose-engineered for critical infrastructure.

A true deny-by-default solution, OT SDN allows the operator to define all communication flows and specify exactly what type of traffic and devices are allowed on the network. This offers significant advantages:

Stronger cybersecurity than traditional Ethernet architectures.
Transparent situational awareness of all authorized devices and conversations.
Simplified configuration and lower maintenance costs.
Assurance that critical OT devices such as protective relays will remain available and responsive.

Perimeter Security and Access Control

Every “smart” device added to the system has the potential to increase vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Security gateways help reduce vulnerabilities by establishing an electronic security perimeter, providing secure remote access, and centrally managing passwords.

SEL security gateways and other secure access products are specifically designed to create cybersecure OT networks that function seamlessly with the IEDs that protect your systems. The robust cybersecurity features integrated into these products have been proven in substations around the world.

From our knowledge base

Establishing MACsec Automatic Commissioning Mode

Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration

Minimize customer outages by automatically isolating permanent faults and rerouting power around the affected sections.

Feeder Protection

Lay the foundation for reliable feeder protection with intelligent SEL relays in the substation.

Recloser Control

Ensure maximum reliability for your customers by clearing temporary faults and isolating outages.

Secure OT Networking

OT SDN is a true deny-by-default solution with better cybersecurity and situational awareness than traditional networking technologies.

Substation Automation

Harness the data captured by substation IEDs to increase the security and reliability of the distribution grid.

Communications

Enable secure remote access to IEDs, improved fault location, and better protection speed.

Power Quality

Improve your system’s power factor and respond to demand in real time.

Our Services

SEL provides turnkey solutions and services that help you improve reliability, modernize protection systems, and meet complex challenges such as integrating distributed generation.

No matter how difficult the problem may be, we can engineer and implement a system that helps you simplify and solve it. And SEL solutions don’t end at commissioning; our worldwide network of application engineers provides technical support for the entire life of your SEL products and systems.

Distribution Automation

SEL Engineering Services provides turnkey distribution automation control solutions.

Our engineers will install and configure the SEL DMS Suite, including scalable FLISR systems and data management and automation (DMA) solutions.

In addition to DMS solutions, SEL Engineering Services teams also:

Install reclosers and set up High Density Coordination schemes that improve feeder protection.
Design and implement complete substation automation solutions.
Mitigate public safety hazards with solutions for high-impedance fault (HIF) and falling-conductor detection.

Networking and Cybersecurity

SEL provides services and solutions that incorporate cybersecurity best practices and keep your critical electric power infrastructure secure.

Our communications and cybersecurity solutions and services include:

Remote access configuration and IED password management
Centralized enterprise management integration
System-specific training in security awareness, security operations, and configuration of select SEL devices
Firmware and software patch management
Supply chain risk management

We can also test, design, and implement complete OT networking solutions that comply with any cybersecurity standards that may apply to you.

Our experienced engineering teams work closely with you throughout the design, testing, and commissioning process. We work to understand your operational goals—and deliver solutions that let you achieve them.

System Modeling and Design

We use advanced modeling and simulation, informed by decades of power engineering experience, to analyze system requirements, validate power system designs, and optimize the performance of the system through the devices that protect and control it.

Factory Acceptance Testing

Our factory acceptance tests use advanced hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) control system testing to verify that protection and control functions will perform exactly as designed.

With the actual protection and control hardware that will be installed in your system wired into our Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) test bed, we use our extensive library of validated software models to test the system’s response to thousands of faults and adverse scenarios.

This provides data equivalent to years of operational history in only a few days and helps us ensure that commissioning of the system goes smoothly.

Commissioning and Training

SEL-engineered solutions include commissioning, training, and technical support.

We train your engineers and operators, ensuring that they’re comfortable and confident with your new system. And afterward, whenever you need technical support, our worldwide network of application engineers is ready to assist, free of charge.

SEL Engineering Services

We deliver turnkey solutions, engineered specifically for your operational goals and your system.

Cybersecurity Services

SEL cybersecurity and networking experts strengthen your system’s defenses and provide turnkey networking solutions.

System Modeling and Factory Acceptance Testing

We use the industry’s most extensive library of validated models to design, test, and validate solutions.

Distribution Automation Control

Custom-engineered, turnkey distribution automation and control solutions.

Our Support

We believe you should never have to worry about whether your protection and control systems will be working when you need them most. SEL products are designed and manufactured for the world’s most challenging environments, exceeding all industry standards for temperature, shock, and electric stress, which has led to one of the highest MTBF ratings in the industry.

However, sometimes the unexpected happens. That’s why you always have access to SEL engineers—and every device we manufacture comes with a ten-year warranty and no-cost technical support.

After your systems are commissioned, our application engineers provide technical support for SEL products at no cost.

As long as your SEL products remain in service, you have access to direct technical support from SEL engineers—not just a handful of customer-facing product engineers, but a large corps of application engineers who are intimately familiar with the way our devices are deployed and the functions they typically perform in the field.

No matter how often you need to call or how long your SEL products have been in service, our customer service and technical support professionals are ready to help.

Customer support staff and application engineers are stationed in regional offices across North America and around the world.

Find your local office

SEL offers complete cybersecurity support for every solution, system, and product we provide.

We also practice secure supply chain management and help our customers comply with applicable supply chain and cybersecurity standards.

Security Bulletins and Updates

We thoroughly review and test the code in our products, which allows us greater control over their quality, security, and functionality. Security-related software and firmware updates are provided for the entire service life of every SEL device and are distributed directly to our customers via secure file transfer.

End users of SEL products can sign up to receive email notifications of security vulnerabilities, including information on how to mitigate their risks.

Cybersecurity Services and Support

From system assessment and baselining to cyber-defense solution development and ongoing system management, our full suite of cybersecurity services can help strengthen your defenses and streamline the demands of maintenance and compliance.

Cyber services support contracts can include incident response, audits, system hardening, patch/update management, and more.

Contact SEL Cyber Services

SEL meets your workforce training and continuing-education needs through seminars, conference and tradeshow presentations, and SEL University courses.

SEL University courses and many of our seminars provide professional development hours (PDHs) for maintaining Professional Engineering (P.E.) licenses. Courses and seminars can be delivered in various formats, including in-person seminars, self-paced online learning, virtual classrooms, and live and recorded webinars.

We can also work with you to develop training that is customized to the specific needs of your workforce.

Training and education offerings:

Warranty and Technical Support

Read SEL product warranty information, see how to return a product, or contact technical support.

Security Notifications and Updates

Stay informed on cyber vulnerabilities and keep your SEL products up to date.

System and Product Certifications

SEL systems, processes, and products are certified to internationally recognized standards.

Cybersecurity Solutions

From assessment to cyber-defense solutions, our full suite of security services can help strengthen defenses and streamline maintenance and compliance.

SEL University

Training and education for power system engineers, technicians, and managers.