User-Friendly Formal Verification of Protection Systems in Electrical Networks

Automatic verification processes are increasingly essential in power systems to enhance productivity and reliability, particularly in the configuration of protection schemes. These systems disconnect parts of the electrical network when faults occur, while ensuring selectivity so that only the minimal portion of load is left unfed. This work presents a novel, user-friendly tool that supports the formal verification of circuit breaker configurations in low-voltage distribution grids. Unlike previous approaches based on the Uppaal model checker with JSON-based network descriptions, the proposed tool offers a more intuitive interface and greater control of the verification process. A custom notation is introduced to graphically represent the target grids, complemented by the design and implementation of an application that enables seamless modeling and verification. MATLAB was chosen as the development environment, allowing the creation of a custom Simulink library for the modeling phase and an App Designer interface for the application. The resulting prototype incorporates various support features and integrates with DOCweb, a software platform used in industrial practice. Comprehensive testing, including summative usability evaluation, confirmed the tool’s effectiveness and demonstrated its potential to significantly streamline verification workflows in power system protection.