Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Meshed Active Distribution Network Using Imperialistic Competition Algorithm

The optimal setting of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) ensures the fault detection and clearing in minimum possible operation time. Directional protective relaying is carried out to coordinate relay settings a meshed network presence distributed generation. main goal DOCR coordination find time dial (TDS) pickup multiplier (PMS) reach total all primary constraints. Due complexity mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem, imperialistic competition algorithm (ICA) as powerful evolutionary used solve problem DOCRs. proposed formulation implemented three different test cases. results are compared with standard branch-and-bound other meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, which demonstrates effectiveness algorithm.