Single-phase-to-ground fault protection based on zero-sequence current ratio coefficient for low-resistance grounding distribution network

Definite-time zero-sequence over-current protection is presently used in systems whose neutral point is grounded by a low resistance(low-resistance grounding systems).These systems frequently malfunction owing to their high settings of the action value when a high-impedance grounding fault occurs.In this study,the relationship between the zero-sequence currents of each feeder and the neutral branch was analyzed.Then,a grounding protection method was proposed on the basis of the zero-sequence current ratio coefficient.It is defined as the ratio of the zero-sequence current of the feeder to that of the neutral branch.Nonetheless,both zero-sequence voltage and zero-sequence current are affected by the transition resistance,The influence of transition resistance can be eliminated by calculating this coefficient.Therefore,a method based on the zero-sequence current ratio coefficient was proposed considering the significant difference between the faulty feeder and healthy feeder.Furthermore,unbalanced current can be prevented by setting the starting current.PSCAD simulation results reveal that the proposed method shows high reliability and sensitivity when a high-resistance grounding fault occurs.

Fault Detection Based on Hierarchical Cluster Analysis in Wide Area Backup Protection System

In wide area backup protection of electric power systems, the prerequisite of protection device's accurate, fast and reliable performance is its corresponding fault type and fault location can be discriminated quickly and defined exactly. In our study, global information will be introduced into the backup protection system. By analyzing and computing real-time PMU measurements, basing on cluster analysis theory, we are using mainly hierarchical cluster analysis to search after the statistical laws of electrical quantities' marked changes. Then we carry out fast and exact detection of fault components and fault sections, and finally accomplish fault isolation. The facts show that the fault detection of fault component (fault section) can be performed successfully by hierarchical cluster analysis and calculation. The results of hierarchical cluster analysis are accurate and reliable, and the dendrograms of hierarchical cluster analysis are in intuition.

Fault Detection and Protection System of Electric Railway Substation

The industrial power systems are moving to digital networks,and unmanned systems are increasing recently with the technological development of information and communication technology.In particular,reliability of system operation is very important for stable power supply.Most industrial power distribution facilities use a 154 kV or 22.9 kV extra HV(high voltage)power system,and a special monitoring system is required because a large loss occurs when an error occurs in the power facility in the field.Although digital protection relay(IED;intelligent electronic device)and FR(fault recorder)are applied to the field to protect the power system,various improvement activities are still ongoing.In this paper,a 22.9 kV high-voltage panel and its test bed,which are widely used in railway stations,tunnels,substations and large plants,were tested as test subjects.The developed fault detection system automatically starts the AL(auto-lock)circuit or outputs an alarm signal to user by monitoring in real time problems such as CT(current transformer)-open and poor-contact that the existing digital protection relay cannot cover.In addition,it is intended to increase the safety and reliability of the power system by blocking various accidents in the system in advance and accurately analyzing the causes of faults with the developed fault detection system.

Fault Current Limiters and Impacts on the System Protection Behavior

A deregulated power market is making short-circuit currents likely to exceed the thermal or mechanical permissible limits of switchgear. Consequently fault current limiters （FCL） become more necessary in power systems. The use of FCLs has an impact on the protection schemes and functions in power systems. Thus, before FCLs can be applied in the network, the impacts on existing protection system must be understood. Depending on the current limiting technique used, today＇s protection concepts may have to be adapted or revised to ensure proper network protection selectivity. A relationship between fault current limiters and protection schemes should be established by taking into account both protection and network specific issues, such as the impact of different FCL technologies, existing and new protection concepts, selectivity and innovative network. This paper is presenting a frame work for accomplishing this task.

A NEW APPROACH TO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROTECTION WITH FRULT GENERATED NOISE

The use of non-power frequency components for protection measurements in an area that has received relatively little attention. Although work on the use of switched stack tuners has been reported for fault detection, the sensitivity of switched arrangements is limited by scnsitivity of directional detectors for switching purposes. This paper presents an alternative non-switching scheme which is relatively simple.A simplified typical 400kV system with the line trap, stack tuner, coupling capacitor and bus capacitance to earth is considered. Fault studies by using the EMTP have been carried out, frequency-dependent pararnctcrs are used for the line representation. Arcing faults have also bccn investigated and the results show a great promise of the scheme.

The Research on Grounding Protection for 110kV Resistance Grounding Distribution System

Using the neutral grounding method by the resistance in 110?kV system, it can limit the voltage sag and short circuit current when one-phase grounding fault occurred, but it will change the sequence of the network structure and parameters. This paper analyzes the size and distribution of zero sequence voltage and current when one-phase grounding fault occurred in the 110 kV resistance grounding system, and puts forward the grounding protection configuration setting principle of this system combining the power supplying characteristics of 110?kV distribution network. In a reforming substation as an example, the grounding protection of 110 kV lines and transformer have been set and calculated.

Design and Testing of Three Earthing Systems for Micro-Grid Protection during the Islanding Mode

This paper presents and tests three earthing systems (TT, TN and IT) for Micro-Grid (MG) protection against various fault types when the MG transferred to the islanding mode. The main contribution of this work is including the models of all micro sources which interfaced to the MG by power electronic inverters. Inverters in turns are provided with current limiters and this also included with the inverter models to exactly simulate the real situation in the MG during fault times. Results proved that the most suitable earthing system for MG protection during the islanding mode is the TN earthing system. That system leads to a suitable amount of fault current sufficient to activate over current pro-tection relays. With using TN earthing system, touch voltages at the faulted bus and all other consumer’s buses are less than the safety limited values during islanding mode. For the two others earthing systems (TT and IT), fault currents are small and nearly equal to the over load currents which make over current protection relay can not differentiate between fault currents and overload currents. All models of micro sources, earthing systems, inverters and control schemes are built using Matlab?/Simulink? environment.

Comparison the Performances of Three Earthing Systems for Micro-Grid Protection during the Grid Connected Mode

This paper presents, tests and compares three earthing systems (TT, TN and IT) for Micro-Grid (MG) protection against various fault types during the connected mode. The main contribution of this work is including the models of all the micro sources which interfaced to the MG by power electronic inverters. Inverters in turns are provided with current limiters and this also included in the inverter models to exactly simulate the real situation in the MG during fault times. Results proved that the most suitable earthing system for MG protection during the connecting mode is the TN earthing system. That system leads to a suitable amount of fault current sufficient to activate over current protection relays. With using TN system, Touch voltages at the faulted bus and all other consumer’s buses are less than the safety limited value if current limiter is included with the transformer of the main grid which connects MG. For the two others earthing systems (TT and IT), fault current is small and nearly equal to the over load current which make over current protection relay can not differentiate between fault current and overload current. All models of micro sources, earthing systems, inverters, main grid and control schemes are built using Matlab?/Simulink? environment.

Serial Failure Diagnosis of a Transmission Line Protection Relaying System by Petri Nets

With the development of large-scale complicated modern power systems, the requirement for the associated protection scheme tends to be more stringent and its combination more complex. However, it is very difficult to figure out the factors of failure of such systems. This paper proposes a Petri net model of a transmission line protection relaying system, including three types of relays as well as an automatic reclosing device, and shows how to diagnose serial failure of the system by analyzing invariant sets of the model. Furthermore, it gives four basic types of failure sequences and its execution is much more intuitive and effective than the traditional method.

Mitigation of Distributed Generation Impact on Protective Devices in a Distribution Network by Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Protection of radial distribution networks is widely based on coordinated inverse time overcurrent relays (OCRs) ensuring both effectiveness and selectivity. However, the integration of distributed generation (DG) into an existing distribution network not only inevitably increases fault current levels to levels that may exceed the OCR ratings, but it may also disturb the original overcurrent relay coordination adversely effecting protection selectivity. To analyze the potentially adverse impact of DG on distribution system protective devices with respect to circuit breaker ratings and OCR coordination fault current studies are carried out for common reference test system under the influence of additional DG. The possible advantages of Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) as a means to limit the adverse effect of DG on distribution system protection and their effectiveness will be demonstrated. Furthermore, minimum SFCL impedances required to avoid miss-operation of the primary and back-up OCRs are determined. The theoretical analysis will be validated using the IEEE 13-bus distribution test system is used. Both theoretical and simulation results indicate that the proposed application of SFCL is a viable option to effectively mitigate the DG impact on protective devices, thus enhancing the reliability of distribution network interfaced with DG.

Reliability Enhancement of the Diverse Protection System Regarding Common Cause Failures

The issue of CCF （common cause failure） in digital I ＆ C （instrumentation and control） systems is of great interest because an increasing number of such systems are implemented in nuclear power plants. For the mitigation of ATWS （anticipated transients without scram） as well as CCF within the PPS （plant protection system） and the ESF-CCS （engineered safety feature-component control system）, the ADPS （advanced diverse protection system） has been developed by KEPCO E ＆ C （KEPCO Engineering and Construction） Company for new nuclear units in Korea. As compared to the DPS （diverse protection system） design of APR1400, the ADPS has a diverse safety injection function considering a LBLOCA （large break loss of coolant accident） concurrent with the CCF of the PPS and ESF-CCS. Besides the function of SIAS （safety injection actuation signal） initiation, several CCF avoidance features, such as the changes of software design classification, communication methods, equipment platform, and man-machine interfaces, are introduced to enhance the reliability of the ADPS. In addition, the ADPS has recently incorporated four redundant channels with 2-out-of-4 voting logics to enhance its fault tolerant capability. Therefore, it is expected that the ADPS can provide an enhanced reliability regarding possible CCFs in the safety-grade digital I ＆ C systems as well as the ADPS itself.

Special Problems in Pilot Protections of Transmission Lines Connecting Wind Farms

As the penetration of wind power into power grids increases,higher demands are made on the stability and protection of power systems.Unlike traditional synchronous generators,wind turbines are different on the short-circuit and impedance characteristics,thus some problems exist in pilot protections of transmission lines connecting wind farms.When a single-phase fault occurs on a transmission line,the phase selector based on current-difference sudden-change may mistake the single-phase fault for a phase-to-phase fault.This paper studies the impedance characteristics of an asynchronous wind generator,and analyzes the behavior of a fault phase selector under different conditions.Then,the paper explains that inequality between positive and negative branch coefficients is the cause for the mal-operation of the fault phase selector.Finally,some simulations are done in MATLAB to validate analysis results.

Accident of Large-scale Wind Turbines Disconnecting from Power Grid and Its Protection

There were many accidents of large-scale wind turbines disconnecting from power grid in 2011.As singlephase-to-ground fault cannot be correctly detected,single-phase-to-ground fault evolved to phase-to-phase fault.Phase-to-phase fault was isolated slowly,thus leading to low voltage.And wind turbines without enough low voltage ride-through capacity had to be disconnected from the grid.After some wind turbines being disconnected from the grid,overvoltage caused by reactive power surplus made more wind turbines disconnect from the grid.Based on the accident analysis,this paper presents solutions to above problems,including travelling waves based single-phase-to-ground protection,adaptive low voltage protection,integrated protection and control,and high impedance fault detection.The solutions lay foundations in theory and technology to prevent large-scale wind turbines disconnecting from the operating power grid.

New Principle for Grounding Fault Feeder Detection in MV Distributions with Neutral Ineffectively Earthed

A new principle for grounding fault feeder detection based on negative sequence current variation and energy dissipated in the fault point is presented. It has high precision in both isolated systems and resonance earthed systems, even in full compensated systems. And it can be installed at the local control unit of feeder in distribution automation systems, such as field terminal unit (FTU). This principle is verified by EMTP simulator and experimentation.

Application of fractal theory in detecting low current faults of power distribution system in coal mines

Single-phase low current grounding faults areoften seen in power distribution system of coal mines.These faults are difficult to reliably identify.We propose a new method of single-phase ground fault protection based upon a discernible matrix of the fractal dimension associated with line currents.The method builds on existing selective protection methods.Faulted feeders are distinguished using differences in the zero-sequence transient current fractal dimension.The current signals were first processed through a fast Fourier transform and then the characteristics of a faulted line were identified using a discernible matrix.The method of calculation is illustrated.The results show that the method involves simple calculations, is easy to do and is highly accurate.It is, therefore, suitable for distribution networks having different neutral grounding modes.

Operation of offshore wind farms connected with DRU-HVDC transmission systems with special consideration of faults

The diode rectifier unit(DRU)-based high-voltage DC(DRU-HVDC) system is a promising solution for offshore wind energy transmission thanks to its compact design, high efficiency, and strong reliability. Herein we investigate the feasibility of the DRU-HVDC system considering onshore and offshore AC grid faults, DC cable faults, and internal DRU faults. To ensure safe operation during the faults, the wind turbine(WT) converters are designed to operate in either current-limiting or voltage-limiting mode to limit potential excessive overcurrent or overvoltage. Strategies for providing fault currents using WT converters during offshore AC faults to enable offshore overcurrent and differential fault protection are investigated. The DRU-HVDC system is robust against various faults, and it can automatically restore power transmission after fault isolation. Simulation results confirm the system performance under various fault conditions.

Comparison between open phase fault of arc suppression coil and single phase to earth fault in coal mine distribution network

When, in a coal mine distribution network whose neutral point is grounded by an arc suppression coil (ASC), a fault occurs in the ASC, compensation cannot be properly realized. Furthermore, it can damage the safe and reliable run of the network. We first introduce a three-phase five-column arc suppression coil (TPFCASC) and discuss its autotracking compensation theory. Then we compare the single phase to ground fault of the coal mine distribution network with an open phase fault at the TPFCASC using the Thévenin theory, the symmetrical-component method and the complex sequence network respectively. The results show that, in both types of faults, zero-sequence voltage of the network will appear and the maximum magnitude of this zero-sequence voltage is different in both faults. Based on this situation, a protection for the open phase fault at the TPFCASC should be estab-lished.

A Complete Analytic Model for Fault Diagnosis of Power Systems

现代大规模互联电网提高了电力系统运行的稳定性和经济性,同时也给电网的故障诊断增加了难度。对电网保护配置和断路器动作规则进行深入分析,提出一种新的电网故障诊断模型——完全解析模型,并为基于此模型的故障诊断提出一种实用有效的求解方法。在完全解析模型中,故障假说（即可疑故障设备的故障情况）与保护、断路器的动作情况及拒动和误动情况一同表示成逻辑变量,而保护配置和断路器动作规则以逻辑方程组形式进行充分表达,逻辑方程组的每个解析解对应一个故障模式（设备故障状态和保护动作、断路器跳闸状态及拒动/误动情况）,是对故障情形的完整解释。本模型对故障诊断规则和保护、断路器的动作逻辑进行完全解析,并完整保留了故障设备、保护动作和断路器跳闸之间的耦合关系,克服了已有解析模型的缺陷。算例表明,保留完整耦合关系的完全解析模型可有效提高故障诊断的准确性和容错能力。

Fault Location Method for STATCOM Connected Transmission Lines Using CCM

Determining the fault location using conventional impedance based distance relay in the presence of FACTS controllers is a challenging task in a transmission line. A new distance protection method is developed to locate the fault in a transmission line compensated with STATCOM with simple calculations. The proposed protection method considers the STATCOM injected/absorbed current to correct the fault loop apparent impedance and accordingly calculates the actual distance to the fault location. The comprehensive equations needed for apparent impedance calculation are also outlined and the performance is evaluated and tested with a typical 400 KV transmission system for different fault types and locations using MATLAB/SIMULINK software. The evaluation results indicate that the new protection method effectively estimates the exact fault location by mitigating the impact of STATCOM on distance relay performance with error less than 0.3%.

Fault Classification and Localization in Power Systems Using Fault Signatures and Principal Components Analysis

A vital attribute of electrical power network is the continuity of service with a high level of reliability. This motivated many researchers to investigate power systems in an effort to improve reliability by focusing on fault detection, classification and localization. In this paper, a new protective relaying framework to detect, classify and localize faults in an electrical power transmission system is presented. This work will extract phase current values during ( )th of a cycle to generate unique signatures. By utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) methods, this system will identify and classify any fault instantaneously. Also, by using the curve fitting polynomial technique with our index pattern obtained from the unique fault signature, the location of the fault can be determined with a significant accuracy.