Title :
The Escalating Arcing Ground-Fault Phenomenon
Author :
Dunki-Jacobs, J.R.
Author_Institution :
Industrial Power Systems, Inc., 14080 S. W. Maverick Court, Beaverton, OR 97005.
Abstract :
The cause and avoidance of arcing fault burndowns of electrical equipments, particularly those operating in low-voltage solidly grounded systems, were well identified and documented in publications appearing in the 1960´s [1]-[5]. The subsequent occasional appearance of similarly devastating arcing ground fault burndowns in equipments operating on medium-voltage low-resistance grounded systems seemed to be irreconcilable with the presence of the relative high value of the neutral grounding resistor. A failure analysis based on on-site observations produced a probable scenario of escalating arcing ground faults, which explains the mechanism that will render the usual and proper complement of time-overcurrent ground-fault relays inoperative. A detailed description of the escalating arcing ground fault phenomenon is presented. It further identifies preventive arcing escalation solutions that impact on the specification of switchgear, switchboards, and motor control equipments.
Keywords :
Chemical industry; Fault diagnosis; Grounding; Industry Applications Society; Medium voltage; Motor drives; Petroleum; Protection; Resistors; Switchgear;
Journal_Title :
Industry Applications, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TIA.1986.4504848