Discrimination of Arcing Faults from Normal Distribution Disturbances by Wave form Distortion Analysis

Detection of arcing high impedance faults has been a perplexing in the power distribution protection. Transient analysis of distribution disturbances for fault discrimination from other normal events is important for a secure protection of the power system. A simple parameter of wave form distortion quantification is used to analyze the behaviors of arcing faults and normal distribution disturbances. Theoretical perspectives of the transients were studied and actual disturbances were examined. From this investigation, a discrimination guideline based on the revised crest factor is developed. The discrimination method has a high potential to enhance the reliability and security for the distribution system protection.