Analysis of distribution disturbances and arcing faults using the crest factor

Transient analysis of distribution disturbances for fault discrimination and event identification can be an important tool for the secure protection of power systems. A simple parameter which quantifies wave distortion has been used to analyze many different behaviors. Theoretical perspectives of the transients were studied and their impacts on changes in the crest factor were thoroughly examined. After testing the scheme with real transient data, discrimination and identification guidelines based on the crest factor were developed. The identification method may not be complete, but it successfully discriminates arcing faults from other disturbances, providing security enhancement for distribution protection.