Title :
Earth Fault Distance Estimation Using Active Traveling Waves in Energized-Compensated MV Networks
Author :
Elkalashy, Nagy I. ; Sabiha, Nehmdoh A. ; Lehtonen, Matti
Author_Institution :
Electr. Eng. Dept., Minoufiya Univ., Shebin Elkom, Egypt
Abstract :
In Nordic countries, distribution networks are traditionally unearthed and increasingly compensated. For such networks, switching their neutral point to the earth is practically applied through a resistor for better selectivity functions of earth faults. In this paper, the neutral switching and, consequently, an arrival time of the aerial mode traveling wave reflected from the fault point are utilized to accurately determine the earth fault distance. A concept to create traveling waves is implemented by earthing the neutral via a controlled thyristor that provides a short period of high fault current and produces traveling waves to estimate the fault distance. Much higher transient signals are generated by earthing through an opposite charged capacitor. A capacitor-resistor divider is utilized to measure the reflected surge over a heterogeneous distribution feeder. An adaptive setting is proposed for stamping the arrival surge. The results provide evidence of the efficacy of the proposed fault distance estimation.
Keywords :
capacitor switching; distribution networks; earthing; estimation theory; fault currents; resistors; surges; thyristors; Nordic countries; adaptive setting; aerial mode active traveling wave; arrival surge protection; arrival time; capacitor-resistor divider; distribution networks; earth fault distance estimation; earthing; energized-compensated MV Networks; fault point; heterogeneous distribution feeder; high fault current; neutral switching point; selectivity functions; thyristor control; transient signals; Circuit faults; Earth; Estimation; Reflection; Surges; Switches; Thyristors; Earth faults; fault distance estimation; traveling waves; unearthed and compensated medium-voltage (MV) networks;
Journal_Title :
Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPWRD.2014.2365741