What is meant by protective coordination?

Protective coordination refers to the strategic arrangement of protective devices within an electrical power system to ensure that they work together effectively to isolate faults and minimize the impact on the overall system. This involves selecting appropriate settings for relays and circuit breakers so that, in the event of a fault, only the affected section of the system is disconnected. This enables continued operation of the rest of the system, preventing widespread outages and maintaining service reliability.

By optimizing protective coordination, faults can be cleared quickly without disrupting the entire electrical distribution system. This is essential for maintaining system integrity and operational efficiency, as well as ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.

The other options do not relate directly to the concept of protective coordination; they focus on maintenance, economic analysis, or infrastructure upgrades rather than the tailored arrangement of protective devices to enhance system safety and performance.