High-Impedance Fault Detection with the F60 Universal Relay

Bruce Buxkemper Optima Systems, Inc. College Station, Texas Consultant to GE Power Management

Agenda
Definition of a high-impedance (HiZ) fault Theory of operation Security and sensitivity analyses Settings Field tests to date

Optima Systems, Inc.

Specialize in software and embedded systems Designed research prototypes for Texas A&M Designed first GE HiZ product Consultant to GE for integrating HiZ in UR Located in College Station, Texas (www.Optima-Systems.com)

Definition
A high-impedance (HiZ) fault is one that draws too little current to operate conventional overcurrent protection (fuses, relays, etc.).

Feeder Currents
10,000
1,000

A M P S

100
10

HiZ Fault

Load

Bolted Fault

Typical Fault Current Behavior

200 R M 150 S 100 A M P 50 S 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 TIME (SECONDS) 90 100 110 120 Bolted Fault Current: 2,200 A Fuse: 30K (no operation) Test Duration: 12-1/2 minutes Ia Ib Ic In

Causes
Contact with tree limb or other object Broken hardware allowing primary to sag Contaminated or failing equipment (insulators, etc.) Broken line on ground

Misconception #1
Misconception: Properly set, overcurrent protection will clear all faults.

Reality: HiZ faults often draw less current than loads, making overcurrent protection impossible.

Misconception #2
Misconception: Sensitive ground protection will clear HiZ faults.

Reality: Unbalanced loads limit sensitivity of ground protection.

Misconception #3
Misconception: Over time, fault current will increase and operate protection.

Reality: In most cases, fault current decreases as conductor burns, moisture evaporates, sand fuses, etc. O/C protection seldom operates after first minute or so.

Misconception #4
Misconception: Faults always clear on my system.

Reality: Engineering staffs believe HiZ fault rate is low, but line crews report many downed conductors are still hot when they arrive on scene.

Misconception #5
Misconception: TAMU/GE technology will solve all my HiZ problems.

Reality: This technology will detect many faults that overcurrent technology cannot, but no known technology can detect all HiZ faults reliably and securely.

Primary Protection Philosophies

Overcurrent protection Protect power system HiZ protection Protect people and property

Research History
EPRI targeted problem in late 1970s Constraint: Passive, substation monitoring Texas A&M University looked at nonfundamental frequency current Seven patents GE licensed technology in early 1990s

Detection Requirements
Driven by utility workshops High speed operation not desired Allow conventional protection to operate Distinguish arcing on pole from downed conductor Don't false operate!

Characteristics of Arcing Faults

Little effect on voltage Small fault current Current not steady state Significant harmonic and non-harmonic current No single parameter uniformly responsive

Detection Concepts
Monitor multiple parameters simultaneously Use multiple detection techniques Use time to distinguish arcing from transients

Detection Parameters
Odd harmonics (3rd, 5th, )
Largest increase Smallest relative increase

Even harmonics (2nd, 4th, )

Small ambient level Affected by inrush

Non harmonics (1/2, 1-1/2, 2-1/2, )

Small ambient level

Normal System Behavior

Normal System Behavior

Fault Behavior

Fault Behavior

Basic Arc Algorithms

Energy algorithm
Monitor parameter continuously Look for sudden sustained increase

Randomness algorithm
Monitor parameter continuously Look for sudden increase in variability

Expert Arc Detector Algorithm

Monitor outputs of basic arc algorithms Increase confidence level
Based upon multiple algorithms' indications Based upon persistent indications

Operate on per-phase basis

Load Pattern Analyzer Algorithm

Monitor output of Expert Arc Detector Monitor load flags
Overcurrent High rate of change Three-phase events

Perform coordination Require continued arcing Distinguish downed conductor from arcing

Simplified Block Diagram

Ia Ib Ic Parameter 12 Processing (DSP) 1/0 Energy Algorithm 12 % % Expert Arc Detector % % Load Pattern Analyzer

Arcing

In

Randomness 12 Algorithm

12

Overcurrent High Rate of Change Loss of Load Three-phase Event Coordination Timeout Even Harmonic Level Voltage

Downed Conductor

High-Level Logic Behavior

High-Level Logic Behavior

Sensitivity Tests
Texas A&M University's facility
12.47/7.2 kV multi-grounded wye, overhead 2000+ amps available fault current 30K fuse to coordinate with upstream protection

Substation monitoring point

1-3 MVA nominal load UR connected to existing CTs, PTs UR installed long-term

Sensitivity Tests (cont'd)

Three sets of tests to date
September 27, 2000 October 5, 2000 October 26, 2000

Tests remaining (tentative dates)

November 1, 2000 November 8, 2000

Sensitivity Test Summary (Three-Day Totals)

Total Tests Blew 30K Fuse Quickly 34 (17)

No Fault Current
Total Detectable Total Detected

(2)
15 11 (73%)

Test Surfaces Used

Grassy ground Bared ground Reinforced concrete Non-reinforced concrete

Response Procedure
Factors suggesting tripping
Heavily populated areas (especially schools, etc.) Highly flammable conditions

Reasons to delay tripping Need written procedure

Response Procedure
Factors suggesting tripping Reasons to delay tripping
Loss of traffic signals, etc. Personal injuries (darkened stairways, etc.) Hospitals Location difficulty when circuit not energized

Need written procedure

Response Procedure
Factors suggesting tripping Reasons to delay tripping Need written procedure
IEEE Power System Relay Committee WG D15
(http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/td/dist/documents/highz.pdf)

Levels of Alarms
Downed Conductor
Arcing following O/C or loss of load Most serious

Arcing Alarm Arcing Suspected Alarm

Levels of Alarms
Downed Conductor Arcing Alarm
May indicate tree contact, failing equipment, etc. May indicate downed conductor on lightly loaded lateral

Arcing Suspected Alarm

Levels of Alarms
Downed Conductor Arcing Alarm Arcing Suspected Alarm
Possible intermittent tree contact, etc. Least serious

HiZ User Settings

Arcing Sensitivity OC Protection Coordination Timeout Phase/Ground OC Min Pickup Phase/Ground Rate of Change Loss of Load Threshold 3-Phase Event Threshold

HiZ User Settings (contd)

Phase/Ground Event Count Event Count Time Voltage Supervision Threshold Even Harmonic Restraint

Arcing Sensitivity Setting

Range 1-10 (10 = most sensitive) Determines arc confidence threshold Determine how many times to confirm Indirectly affects speed of operation

OC Coordination Timeout Setting

Determines minimum operating time Arcing must continue after timeout Need to balance speed with reliability
Long enough to allow conventional protection to sectionalize Fault current often decreases over time, so timeout must be short enough that significant arcing still exists

O/C Min Pickup Setting

Used to recognize downed conductor Determines current at which to inhibit arc detection (temporarily)