What is the significance of the term DISCRIMINATION in electrical protection?

The term DISCRIMINATION in electrical protection refers to the principle of ensuring that, when a fault occurs, the protective device that is closest to the fault location is the one that operates first. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and continuous operation of the electrical system as it minimizes the disruption caused by a fault.

When discrimination is achieved, only the protective device nearest to the fault clears it, allowing the rest of the system to remain powered. This selective tripping is essential for maintaining service to unaffected areas and reducing downtime. It effectively protects equipment from damage while also ensuring safety by isolating only the faulted section of the network.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of discrimination in protective device coordination. Choosing the farthest device to interrupt current would lead to a more extensive shutdown affecting areas that are not faulted, and simultaneous operation of all devices would eliminate the benefits of selective tripping, resulting in unnecessary outages and potential system damage.