Arc flash assessment on photovoltaic grid connected system

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of two different output capacities for a photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected system employing arc flash assessment. Implementation of renewable energy (RE) sources into the grid generally requires load flow and short circuit analysis to study the contribution of RE system into the grid. However, the study involving arc flash assessment is not well known and therefore not mandatory in some countries for new installation of RE system. Arc flash assessment covers the safety aspect in terms of arcing current due to a fault at any location in a network. Therefore, a comparative study for both 17kW and 255kW PV system is conducted using arc flash assessment to evaluate the hazard level between the two and analyzing the correlation of arcing current intensity and personal protective equipment (PPE) used to minimize the hazard. Both of the PV networks are designed and simulated using electrical power system or ETAP.