HIGH-VOLTAGE TRIGGERED PULSECLOSER WITH CRITICAL RECLOSING TIME ESTIMATION

A system and method for determining the optimal time to perform a pulse test to determine the presence of a fault after a switch opens to clear the fault to prevent generator instability. The method includes detecting the fault, opening a switch to clear the fault, determining an optimal time for performing the pulse test for determining the continued presence of the fault based on predetermined system data and parameters after the switch is opened so as to prevent the pulse test from occurring too early that could cause generator instability, and performing the pulse test at the optimal time to determine if the fault is still present. Determining the optimal time can use available system data and information, such as a priori knowledge or real-time behaviour. If the fault is not present, then the method determines a desired time to perform a reclose operation.