According to GE Digital Energy, a feeder protection relay can provide primary circuit protection on distribution networks and backup/auxiliary protection for transformers, generators and motors. With a total estimated market of about $60 million in direct sales to the nation’s electric utilities, this total is expected to grow to $72 million by the end of 2014. Modern (digital/numeric) feeder relays are a key segment of the overall substation modernization and distribution automation equipment market. Feeder relays are just one of 84 types of electric T&D equipment and services discussed in the Newton-Evans report series, Overview of the U.S. Transmission and Distribution Equipment Market, which is presently being updated to reflect year-end 2013 U.S. market values and provide market forecasts and outlook through year-end 2016. This summary of feeder relay activity is typical of the information contained in each of the 84 reports. Market segment shares for suppliers are also provided in each report. Here are a few of Newton-Evans’ observations on this important market segment taken from the 2011 market overview series as well as the Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace In Electric Utilities: 2012-2014.
Average Unit Price Range:
Distribution feeder relays have been recently priced between $900 and $1,800 depending on whether or not other features like over-current protection are included.
Major Manufacturers:
ABB: REF615R Feeder Protection and Control, REF series
Basler: BE1-11f system
Beckwith: M7651
Cooper (now owned by Eaton): iDP210
Eaton: CH-Series, E-Series
GE: M Family, SR 3 350, F650
SEL: 751, 751a, 351S
ZIV: IRV, DRV
ERLPhase: F-Pro
Findings from the Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace In Electric Utilities: 2012-2014 Volume 1 – North American Market:
The 2012 survey findings suggested a likely increase in purchase plans for transmission line relays and distribution feeder relays. In 2012, as in previous studies, distribution feeder relays made up the largest portion of planned relay purchases over the 2012-2014 time frame. A significant share of all utility relay purchases (units) planned for this period were distribution feeder relays.
The earlier 2009 study findings had indicated that distribution feeder relays were the “best-selling” and most widely used type of protective relay within the utility segment, even though redundancy in the distribution grid was not nearly as common as found in transmission applications. About 40% of the total number of units planned for purchase during the forecast period was to be distribution feeder relays.
Digital vs. Electromechanical
In 2012 the survey respondents indicated that 60% of distribution feeder relays in their installed base were digital/microprocessor relays. This percentage continues to grow as more digital relays are added to the current system every year. The earlier 2009 study observed that 53% of the installed base was digital, with 97% of planned unit purchases likely to be digital as well. As recently as 1999, the split was 50-50 (electro-mechanical versus digital/numeric).
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