Stucke Elektronik SYMAP®DC DC protection
SYMAP® DC is a specialized digital protection and control relay from Stucke Elektronik, specifically engineered for Direct Current (DC) power systems.
1 As industries shift toward battery storage, DC microgrids, and electric propulsion, SYMAP® DC provides the critical safety layer needed for non-alternating current environments.
1. Product Description
SYMAP® DC is a microprocessor-based relay designed to monitor, protect, and control DC switchgear and distribution networks.
2 Unlike standard AC relays that rely on zero-crossing points to extinguish arcs, DC systems require different sensing logic.
The SYMAP® DC is optimized to detect ultra-fast current rises ($\frac{di}{dt}$), ground faults in ungrounded DC systems, and reverse currents in battery or fuel cell applications.
It serves as both a protection device and a control unit for DC high-speed circuit breakers.
2. Technical Parameter Table
| Category | Specification |
| Power Supply | 24V DC (Standard range 18V – 36V) |
| DC Voltage Input | Up to 1500V DC (via specialized transducers/voltage dividers) |
| DC Current Input | Via Shunts (e.g., 60mV/150mV) or Hall Effect sensors |
| Protection Functions | DC Overcurrent (76), Rate of Rise ($\frac{di}{dt}$), Reverse Current (32), Under/Over Voltage (27/59) |
| Insulation Monitoring | Integrated ground fault detection for IT (ungrounded) DC systems |
| Logic Control | Built-in PLC for DC breaker management and pre-charging logic |
| Communication | Modbus TCP/RTU, CANopen, Profibus, or IEC 61850 |
| Sampling Rate | High-speed sampling optimized for DC fault transients |
| HMI | Graphic LCD showing DC bus voltage, load current, and power |
3. Related Models
The SYMAP® DC series is categorized by voltage levels and specific source types:
SYMAP® DC-L: Low voltage DC protection (e.g., 24V, 48V, 110V systems).
SYMAP® DC-H: High voltage DC protection for traction or propulsion (up to 1000V/1500V DC).
SYMAP® DC-BAT: Optimized specifically for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including State of Charge (SoC) monitoring integration.
SYMAP® DC-Solar: Tailored for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) string and combiner box monitoring.
SYMAP®DC
4. Application Cases
Electric & Hybrid Ships: Protecting the DC Bus in diesel-electric or battery-powered vessels.
Battery Storage (BESS): Monitoring and protecting large lithium-ion battery banks and their connection to inverters.3
DC Microgrids: Providing selective protection for industrial facilities operating on DC power to reduce conversion losses.
Data Centers: Protecting 380V DC distribution architectures used in modern high-efficiency server farms.
Rail & Traction: Secondary protection and monitoring for DC railway substations.
5. Product Advantages and Features
$\frac{di}{dt}$ Protection: Capable of detecting the “Rate of Rise” of a fault current, allowing the relay to trip before the current reaches its peak, which is vital in DC systems with low impedance.
Pre-charge Management: Built-in logic to manage the pre-charging of DC bus capacitors, preventing massive inrush currents that could damage components.
Bidirectional Monitoring: Effectively manages systems where power flows in both directions (e.g., charging and discharging a battery).
High EMC Shielding: Encased in a rugged metal housing to withstand the electromagnetic interference typical of high-power DC/AC inverters.
3-CPU Safety Architecture: Maintains the Stucke Elektronik standard of hardware redundancy, ensuring the “Watchdog” always monitors the primary protection processor.
6. Other Models in the Same Series
SYMAP® is a comprehensive platform for total system integration:4
SYMAP® BC: Bus-tie Control (for AC or DC segments).
SYMAP® G / ECG: Generator and Engine management for the AC side.
SYMAP® LD: Line Differential protection for interconnecting cables.5
SYMAP® T: Transformer protection.
SYMAP® M / Y: Motor and Pump protection.6