Research on eigenparameters and detection methods for single-phase-to-ground faults in non-effectively grounded distribution systems

Abstract

Non-effectively grounded power distribution systems (NGDS) are widely used in China and other countries. However, over a long time, single-phase-to-ground faults (SGF) have been misjudged or omitted by the monitoring system, threatening the security of the power supply system and human safety. Based on the reason analysis for the omitted and misjudged SGFs in NGDS, the concept of NGDS fault eigenparameters to correctly reflect fault characteristics and a method of SGF detection based on fault eigenparameters are proposed. Then, the detection mechanism of phase voltage and fault current resistive elements for SGF is revealed. The variation characteristics of typical fault parameters changing with distribution system scale (parameter) and fault transition resistance, such as residual voltage and Zero-sequence current (iA-iO), are analysed. The eigenparameters of SGF in certain NGDS with specific scales/parameters are also proposed, which can correctly reflect the fault characteristics under different transition resistances.