Paper Mill Pioneers Power Protection Using Optical Fiber Skywire Supported by Digital Relay Protection
Competing in one of the industry's most asset-intensive sectors, paper 
manufacturers must not only achieve efficient productivity but also maintain consistent throughput from their mega-million dollar mills in order to meet market demand.
When a blackout hits a paper mill, the results can be disastrous: paper jams, fire, machinery damage, costly downtime, and sometimes miles of errant paper. One brief power failure can cost tens of thousands of dollars in production delays and repairs.
Abitibi-Consolidated's Iroquois Falls, Ontario mill needed to upgrade to more reliable protection for one of its power generation stations, which feeds power directly to the paper mill via two 12 kV transmission lines - without power transformation.
Abitibi-Consolidated is a global leader in newsprint and uncoated groundwood papers, with ownership interests in 27 paper mills in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Asia. The Iroquois Falls mill annually produces approximately 246,000 metric tons of newsprint and 46,000 metric tons of "specialty papers," including colored newsprint, construction paper, and non-printing grades.
Don Elliott (P.Eng.), Senior Power System Engineer, chose to install a new type of protective relay from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, the SEL-311L Line Current Differential System, using their installed fiber-optic cable from plant to generating station.
"We had a unique situation," explains Elliott, "We had power going from our two transmission lines (five generators) at one end . . . to the12 kV bus, and our process loads at the other end. Because there were no transformers involved, the mill process was exposed to whatever problems nature gave us, such as transients and faults that occurred on our transmission lines. So, transient survival is paramount."
"Our paper machine rolls along at 1,200 meters per minute through a long winding process," says Elliott. "The slightest little bump or change in some component along the way can cause the paper-making process to be disrupted. There are electrical control systems involving voltage- and frequency-sensitive components that will drop out, or stop working if the nominal 60 Hz signal isn't present."
"Also, there are a lot of motor contactors in our process system, and if they de-energize due to a transient, they'll stay dropped out until there is intervention to bring them back on line. So, we really need to clear faults quickly. If we don't, we may have a mild ground fault that may not seem like a big deal, but within 2 or 3 seconds it becomes a 12 kV phase-to-phase fault not far from our bus, which is likely to cause a lot of equipment damage," adds Elliott.
In the past, a transmission line fault would cause a trip, and the generation - and the paper machines would shut down. "This was a troublesome situation," Elliott says, "because transients endangered all mill processes, including dozens of pumps synchronized with massive rotating equipment."
The power system at the Iroquois Falls mill was vulnerable because its "resistance grounded" 12 kV transmission lines lacked sufficient protection.
"If we had a ground fault on a transmission line, the older protection was not sensitive enough to detect the fault. The fault would then remain, as an undetected ground fault, and ultimately propagate into a nasty phase-to-phase fault. Generally, then it would knock out the paper machines, which are synchronized with dozens of pumps operating with substantial inertia. If there was an insulation failure with any equipment, the resulting damage could be extensive, and it could include production losses as well as substantial repair costs."
A Fiber-Based Solution
Approximately two years ago, the Iroquois Falls mill replaced its 12 kV copper transmission lines with a new double-circuit ACSR (Aluminum Conductor, Steel Reinforced) cable.
"When the new line was constructed, we included optical ground wire (OPGW) containing 12, single-mode fibers into the circuit," Elliott explains. This enabled the use of fiber communications for protection. Protection of the new lines and cables was provided by Schweitzer's SEL-311L Current Differential System.
"The SEL-311L was a good choice for line protection and automation," says Elliott. "This relay allows us to use our fiber-optic capabilities to implement efficient line current differential protection. We have to sense ground faults and clear them instantly."
The negative-sequence sensing elements in the SEL-311L protection introduces a new level of fault sensing and high-speed tripping capability not available a few years ago.
With easy-to-apply SEL-311L Relays, users can protect lines and cables by applying three-pole subcycle current differential protection or optional single-pole differential elements for high-speed fault clearing and improved system stability.
This relay offers complete main and backup transmission line protection using line current differential, and a combination of four stepped-distance zones of phase and ground-distance elements in communications assisted schemes, with directional overcurrent element backup protection.
Users can reduce their protection system costs by using the built-in distance and/or overcurrent backup functions. "We're also using the SEL-311L as a backup," Elliott says.
SEL-311L standard features include programmable four-shot breaker autoreclose with synchronism and voltage check logic for optimal system restoration. Elliott says the relay's voltage check logic function is especially helpful in situations when the mill is separated from the grid.
"We have a complicated system with large loads tied to our internal generators. If we get separated from the supplier transmission grid and are completely blacked out, we have the ability to black start from our generating station. We will energize our transmission system and start building up our internal network from that point. The SEL-311L is the component that will basically supervise the closing of the line breaker and energize the line from the generating station," says Elliott.
The Iroquois Falls mill also has an SEL-2030 Communications Processor installed, using Ethernet to interrogate the system for records and data from the SEL relays' Sequential Events Recorder (SER), directly from Elliott's office, rather than having to visit the remote equipment. The relays connected to the SEL-2030, and the SEL-2030 communicates to the Ethernet system LAN.
"We also have an "Arbiter 1093B" satellite clock input to the SEL-2030, so that all relay records and all the relay time bases are time-stamped to one millisecond accuracy. When we have an event, we'll reconstruct it and analyze exact information from all sources, correctly time-stamped to the same standard GPS-synchronized time," Elliott says.
The current protection scheme at Abitibi-Consolidated's Iroquois Falls mill includes two SEL-2PG10 Phase Distance Ground Overcurrent Relays, five SEL-321 Phase and Ground Distance relays, one SEL-311C Distance Relay, four SEL-311L Relays, 12 SEL-300G Generator Protection Relays for added primary and backup generator protection, five SEL-351A Distribution Protection Systems, two SEL-501 Dual Universal Overcurrent Relays, and two SEL-547 Distributed Generation Interconnection Relays used for islanding detection. The SEL-2030 can accept IED information on any of its 16 ports, so the relays can be easily accessible to Abitibi's engineering staff for analysis of events and feature enhancement.
Standardized on SEL Protection
Elliott's team has standardized on SEL products for protecting their power system. One of the primary reasons for this is Schweitzer's high level of service. "I have a long and stable relationship with Schweitzer," Elliott says. "They have great product coverage and a very high level of service, including field technical support that has been very valuable to me. During our upgrade project, I was able to get very fast and reliable answers to some technical questions I had about configuration choices. Within half an hour I had an e-mail from an SEL field application engineer who explained precisely what choice made the best sense. And that's simply how good SEL support is. I know we can count on SEL for that level of support every time."
For more information, please visit www.selinc.com.
Accubid cadLive™ wins IEC Software Product of the Year 
Accubid's cadLive™ has been honored with the IEC Innovative Product of the Year 2005 award in the software category. Only one product in each category received this award which was determined by a vote of IEC National Conference attendees.
cadLive is a CAD-based takeoff tool that is fully integrated with Accubid’s estimating programs, allowing contractors to harness the power of CAD to produce faster and more accurate takeoffs that are automatically incorporated into their estimate. cadLive significantly reduces the time involved in estimating by allowing the estimator to visually
identify sample bid components in the CAD drawing and then automatically detect and quantify all matching objects. Since the estimator is working with the designer’s actual objects instead of traditional paper blueprints, human error is reduced and more accurate results are achieved.
Accubid President Wins IEC Achievement Award 
Accubid President & CEO Giovanni Marcelli has been honored with the IEC's 2005 National Industry Achievement Award. The award is presented each year to recognize significant and outstanding contributions to IEC and the electrical industry. Presenting the award, Larry Mullins, IEC National Executive Vice President, said, “We are proud to present Giovanni Marcelli with the IEC National Industry Achievement Award. He has made significant and outstanding contributions to IEC and the industry for many years.”
A former electrical contractor, Giovanni Marcelli started his own business 22 years ago. He discovered early estimating systems had many bells and whistles but lacked the core functionality needed to make the contractor’s business more efficient. Rather than compromise his practices by conforming to computerized tools, he decided to develop his own estimating software and from there, Accubid Systems evolved into North America’s leading solutions provider for electrical contractors. Giovanni has been dedicated to the IEC and to the industry as a whole through the development of estimating, project management, and billing software, as well as education programs. He has helped IEC chapters across the country hold education sessions, and led sessions at the IEC National Convention for many years.
For more information on this award, please visit http://www.ieci.org/index.mv?screen=05indachaward .
LENOX® Awards 2005 SkillsUSA Contest Winners with New Products
LENOX congratulated the winners of the 2005 SkillsUSA Championships by giving each winner in three categories new LENOX(r) product kits worth almost $800 each. All national medalists in the categories of Plumbing, Residential Wiring, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration received the recently introduced LENOX(r) ProHose Torch Kits.
Each ProHose Torch Kit includes an Air Acetylene and Air Propane/MAPP patented TANKTOTE storage sleeve, each accompanied by a variety of accessories such a regulator, gauge and handle, hoses, extra tips and tip rebuild kits. A proud sponsor of the Championships, LENOX(r) wanted to demonstrate its commitment to providing innovative products for the next wave of technical and skilled tradespeople.
"This talent pool showed such a keen understanding of each industry, I think the best is truly yet to come," said Bob Heisner, president of LENOX(r). "These students are already role models, and they'll be top-notch tradesmen and women someday. We want them to know they can always turn to LENOX(r) for quality products that maximize efficiency, reduce the risks of injury and help the user to constantly improve."
Formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The SkillsUSA Championships is the national-level competition for public high school and postsecondary, college and technical students enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service profession instructional programs including allied health occupations. Contests in 80 skill and leadership development areas were judged by representatives of business, industry, labor, and education. Each Championship contestant had already won a gold medal at the state level. The Championship took place June 22 and 23 in Kansas City, Mo. The medalists are:
Plumbing, High School:
Gold
Jason Tartaris
E T Grasso Technical High School
Groton , Conn.
Silver
Shawn Cox Lee
Les
County High School
Sanford , N.C.
Bronze
Stephen LaCourse
A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology Jacksonville, Fla.
Plumbing, College/Postsecondary:
Gold
Tim Anderson
Mississippi State SkillsUSA Office
Jackson , Miss.
Silver
Chad J Schoonover
Utah Valley State College
Orem, Utah
Bronze
Scott Ford
Burlington County Medford
Medford, N.J.
Residential Wiring, High School:
Gold
Shawn Mundo
H C Wilcox Technical High School
Meriden , Conn.
Silver
Jared Bartlett
Stafford Tech Center
Rutland, Vt.
Bronze
Daniel Ronan Pinkerton Academy
Derry, N.H.
Residential Wiring, College/Postsecondary:
Gold
Mike Walter
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, Minn.
Silver
David Bassett
IBEW99 School
Cranston , R.I.
Bronze
Gary Jones
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, Neb.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, High School:
Gold
Phillip M Torrence
Chesterfield Tech Center
Chesterfield , Va.
Silver
Joshua L Keller
Huntingdon County AVTS
Mill Creek , Pa.
Bronze
Matthew Floyd
Ozarks Tech Community College
Springfield , Mo.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, College/Postsecondary:
Gold
John Patterson
ND State College of Science
Wahpeton, N.D.
Silver
Lane St.John
Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden , Ala.
Bronze
William Jones
Vernon College
Wichita Falls , Texas
Pass & Seymour/Legrand® Promotes Osterbrock
Pass & Seymour/Legrand recently announced the promotion of Jim Osterbrock to Director of Marketing.
Osterbrock heads up a team of product managers who handle commercial, residential and industrial wiring devices, wall plates and covers, boxes, and weatherproof devices. The team will focus on developing new and innovative products, and how to effectively launch them to the market.
Osterbrock previously worked in engineering for P&S, and he recently completed his MBA with a focus in marketing from SUNY Empire State College. He also received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. With 16 years of experience at P&S, Osterbrock has developed skills in management, product design and team building and is experienced in guiding a product through the development cycle to its launch.
Prior to his employment at P&S, Osterbrock worked as an engineer for Texas Instruments, and was a Naval Officer for the United States Navy.
For more information, visit www.passandseymour.com.
Pass & Seymour/Legrand Employees, Parent Company Bolster Hurricane Relief
Employees of Legrand North America, including Pass & Seymour/Legrand in Syracuse, will contribute directly to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery. According to Mike Gambino, Pass & Seymour/Legrand CEO, Legrand North America will be matching employee contributions to the Red Cross up to $100,000.
“Pass & Seymour employees have always been ready to step up to the plate and do what they can when the need is there. This will give us an opportunity to make a real difference,” said Marianne Michalek, V.P. Human Resources.
Some P&S partners had close personal connections to the hurricane and floods. Kevin Kearney, president of Gulf States Electrical Sales in Baton Rouge, La., is an independent sales representative for P&S.
“It has been very difficult for me to see the city where I grew up under water. The beautiful old homes, church, school and neighborhood will likely be bulldozed,” Kearney said. “From a business standpoint, Gulf States was the first sales group to start distributing products after Katrina. Turnlok® plugs and connectors were needed immediately for temporary generator power, and P&S did a great job of supplying these items.”
For more information, visit www.passandseymour.com.
SLi Lighting Appoints New Manufacturers Reps
—United Electrical Sales to Represent SLi in the State of Florida; Burrus & Matthews to Cover the North Texas and Oklahoma Areas—
SLi Lighting recently announced the appointment of United Electrical Sales (UES) as its manufacturers’ representative for the state of Florida. Additionally, SLi has selected Burrus & Matthews as its manufacturers representative for the Oklahoma and North Texas areas. Based in Mullins, SC, SLi Lighting is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lamps, including a wide range of incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, specialty and high-intensity discharge products, as well as silicone and Teflon coating services.
“United Electrical Sales and Burrus & Matthews are great additions to the SLi team,” said Flemming Jensen, vice president of commercial and industrial sales, o f SLi Lighting. “They each possess a solid business ethic and are well-known in the industry for their knowledge and professionalism. We are very excited to be working with them.”
United Electrical Sales was formed in July 1997 through the merger of two prominent, Florida-based electrical manufacturers representatives: Clement-Kinzel and W. J. Milner Company. Listed with the Florida Department of State/Division of Corporations as a Limited Florida Partnership, UES is a dominant force in the Florida electrical sales arena.
Burrus & Matthews, Inc. was founded in 1952 by the late G.D. Burrus and the late Paul Matthews. A member of NEMRA, Burrus & Matthews operates on a networked NEMRA computer system and is electronically connected to their major manufacturers. Their four bay, 50,000-square-foot Irving, TX warehouse will be a SLi Lighting Regional Distribution Center for this territory.
“The partnerships between SLi Lighting and Burrus & Matthews are part of SLi Lighting’s effort to reposition, restructure and upgrade its existing rep and warehouse network in order to best support the expanded demand and growth opportunities that the company is currently experiencing,” explained Jensen. The partnershipsbegan on September 1, 2005 and July 1, 2005, respectively, with a full complement of incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, CFL, and HID products now available for shipment.
