Ground Fault Path Clearance System analysis on oil company’s power distribution system

Good quality of electricity has become the most important need that consumers ask for, especially for industrial necessities. One of the important factor that influences the quality of electricity is the continuity of supply (security of supply) with a good and reliable protection system. An additional system that is capable to support the existing protection system which is called the Ground Fault Path Clearance System (GFPC) have been applied. The function of this system is to clear ground fault current from phase to ground fault (which always happens in the distribution line), even though the kind of fault is just temporary but it may cause the protection system to work and the supplying power will be stopped. With GFPC system, if temporary ground faults occur in the distribution line, the electrical power flow is unstoppable because the faults have been solved by GFPC system with its setting before the existing protection works. The method used in this research is fieldwork with procedures like observations and data recording. The result of the studies are : First, the GFPC system can reduce a number of blackouts which are caused by phase to ground fault. Second, this system contributes to reduce loss production (economic aspect). Third, during GFPC works, all equipment insulators of phases which are not affected will suffer phase to phase voltage.