Intermittent Arc Fault Detection Based on Machine Learning in Resonant Grounding Distribution Systems

In resonant grounding systems,most single-phaseto-ground faults evolve from IAFs(Intermittent Arc Faults).Earlier detection of IAFs can facilitate fault avoidance.This work proposes a novel method based on machine learning for detecting IAFs in three steps.First,the feature of zero-sequence current is automatically extracted and selected by a newlydesigned FINET(“For IAFs,Neuron Elaboration Net”),instead of traditional feature selection based on time-frequency decomposition.Moreover,data of the zero-sequence current divided by different time windows are successively input into the trained FINET.A proposed PSF(principal-subordinate factor)analyses the results obtained from FINET to improve anti-interference in the mentioned IAF detection algorithm.Experiments using PSCAD/EMTDC software simulation data show the proposed method is feasible and highly adaptable.In addition,the detection result of on-site recorded data demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method in practical resonant grounding systems.