Aging infrastructure remains a critical concern for the U.S. Bulk Electric System, with many conventional power plants still relying on outdated electromechanical and single-function protective relays. These legacy devices, while once reliable, no longer meet the performance, flexibility, or compliance demands of today’s grid.

At KLS, we specialize in comprehensive relay upgrade solutions to help Generator Owners and industrial clients modernize their protection systems for improved reliability, safety, and compliance. With a proven track record of more than 20 successful relay upgrade projects across North America, our team brings deep technical expertise and attention to detail to every project.

Protection Philosophy Development

We define clear, standards-based protection philosophies that guide design decisions and ensure system reliability, selectivity, and security.

Protection Drawings

Our engineers create complete protection and control drawings, including relay panel designs, AC/DC schematics, and protection one-lines, all compliant with applicable NERC and regional reliability requirements.

Relay Settings & NERC Compliance

KLS develops relay settings that meet the protection requirements of modern grid-tied resources. Settings are aligned with IEEE, NERC PRC, and project-specific requirements, including considerations for ride-through, fault detection, breaker failure, and remote trip schemes.

Engineering & Work Package Development

We develop complete Construction Work Packages (CWP), including detailed Bills of Material for new protective relays, test switches, and associated hardware. Our packages are tailored to meet client standards and streamline construction and commissioning activities.

Drawing Revisions & Documentation

KLS revises all necessary drawings, including Single-Line Diagrams, Three-Line Diagrams, Wiring Diagrams, and Panel Layouts, to reflect the upgraded protection scheme. We ensure your documentation is accurate, clear, and ready for regulatory or internal review.

Relay Settings Development

Our engineers develop new relay settings using utility-approved methodologies and tools. We ensure coordination with existing protection schemes, compliance with applicable standards, and thorough peer reviews prior to implementation.

Field Support & Commissioning

We support field testing and commissioning, working closely with installation crews and commissioning agents to ensure a smooth transition to the upgraded system.

In addition to the services mentioned above, KLS partners with EPC firms and project developers to deliver protection engineering services for both Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) and Conventional Power Plants.

Whether you are upgrading legacy systems or supporting new interconnections, KLS delivers high-quality, compliant protection solutions you can trust.

Partner with us to protect your system reliably and efficiently.