Ground Fault Location in Low-Voltage High-Resistance Grounded Systems via the Single-Processor Concept for Circuit Protection

Abstract

Low-voltage resistance-grounded systems may provide significant advantages to the facility in terms of system reliability and safety. However, maintenance of these systems is more complex than for solidly grounded wye systems and improper first-fault isolation and lack of timely repair may present a risk to the facility. Identifying the location of ground faults within the distribution system is the main problem. We describe a new way to detect which feeder has been faulted in a lineup of low-voltage switchgear protected via the "single-processor concept for protection and control of circuit breakers in low-voltage switchgear", M.E. Valdes (2004). We describe the detection methodology and how the potential sources of error are addressed