IEC 62689-2-2016 PDF

Full title and description

Current and voltage sensors or detectors, to be used for fault passage indication purposes — Part 2: System aspects. This international standard defines system-level behaviour and functional requirements for fault passage indicators (FPI) and distribution substation units (DSU) including their current and/or voltage sensors, to support detection and localisation of fault events on distribution networks.

Abstract

IEC 62689-2:2016 describes electric phenomena and system behaviour during faults for common distribution architectures and fault types and uses that analysis to define the functional requirements of FPIs and DSUs. It focuses on how indicators and substation units should behave and report during faults (including localization upstream/downstream and directional information), and on how information from multiple devices may be used by central systems to support fault localization and network operations. The part complements the device-level requirements given in IEC 62689-1 by concentrating on system aspects and selection guidance for users.

General information

• Status: International Standard (published / current).
• Publication date: 13 May 2016.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20 (Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2016).
• Number of pages: 98 pages.

Scope

This part defines system aspects of fault passage indication: it analyses distribution network architectures and fault typologies to derive functional requirements for FPIs and DSUs (including their current/voltage sensing elements) used to detect and indicate faults and their position relative to the device (upstream or downstream) or to indicate fault current direction. It addresses how single devices or coordinated systems (multiple FPIs/DSUs with a central system) can provide localization information, and provides guidance to help users choose appropriate FPIs/DSUs for their network operation rules and constraints.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and roles of FPIs (Fault Passage Indicators) and DSUs (Distribution Substation Units).
• Analysis of fault types and expected electrical phenomena on distribution feeders relevant to fault detection.
• Functional requirements for sensors and detectors used for fault passage indication (current and voltage sensing characteristics and response behavior).
• Requirements for localisation information (upstream/downstream indication and fault current direction) and options to derive location from single devices or from aggregated device information in a central system.
• Classification of FPI/DSU capability classes (linked to device-level classes in IEC 62689-1) and guidance on selecting capability according to network architecture and operation rules.
• System-level considerations for interoperability, communications and integration into central fault-management or distribution-management systems.
• Guidance on expected performance and selection trade-offs (complexity, cost, and operational constraints).

Typical use and users

Used by distribution utilities, network planners, protection and control engineers, manufacturers of FPIs/DSUs and current/voltage sensors, system integrators, testing and certification laboratories, and standards committees. The standard helps utilities choose appropriate fault passage indicators and design systems or procedures that use FPI/DSU data for faster fault location and restoration.

Related standards

IEC 62689 series — notably IEC 62689-1:2016 (Part 1: General principles and requirements) which defines device‑level requirements, classification and tests. EN 62689-2:2017 is the European adoption of IEC 62689-2:2016; some national bodies have adopted or adapted the IEC text (for example as AS 62689.2:2022 with national modifications in Australia).

Keywords

Fault passage indicator (FPI), distribution substation unit (DSU), fault localization, current sensor, voltage sensor, distribution network, fault detection, upstream/downstream indication, directional indication, IEC 62689.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62689-2:2016 is Part 2 of the IEC 62689 series addressing system aspects for current and voltage sensors or detectors used for fault passage indication purposes; it defines system-level functional requirements and guidance for FPIs and DSUs.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers expected electrical phenomena during faults on typical distribution architectures, functional requirements for fault passage indicators and substation units (including sensing and reporting of upstream/downstream and directional information), and guidance on using multiple devices and central systems for fault localization.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Distribution utilities, protection and control engineers, manufacturers of FPIs/DSUs and sensors, integrators and test houses use it to select, specify and validate devices and system-level deployments for fault detection and localization.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62689-2 was published on 13 May 2016 (Edition 1.0) and remains the current edition; its stability date is shown as 2027 on the IEC publication record. National and regional adoptions (EN, national variants, and some modified adoptions) exist. Users should check national catalogues for any later amendments or national modifications.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IEC 62689 series. Part 1 (IEC 62689-1:2016) defines general principles, minimum device requirements, classification and tests; Part 2 focuses on system aspects and selection guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Fault passage indicator (FPI), distribution substation unit (DSU), current sensor, voltage sensor, fault localization, directional indication, distribution network, IEC 62689.