HIF & LIF ARC FAULT DETECTOR POINT SENSOR MODULE : Combined High Impedance and Low Impedance Arc Fault Detection System

Abstract

Low and medium voltage switch-gears are usually protected from low impedance (high current) arc fault incidents using varies standard detection technologies.Currently, over-current plus light detection method is widely implemented system due to its performance in speed and security. However, because it’s not always possible to implement this method especially in existing installations, a demand exists for other standalone technologies with similar or better performance. On the other hand, any of these standard protection devices are not capable of detecting high impedance (low current) arc faults and also available technologies to recognize such low current faults entirely rely on determination of current signal signature and hence are subjected to risk of false positives due to load conditions which creates similar current signal characteristics. In an attempt to produce possible alternative, a new approach was taken to develop an arc fault detection point sensor module capable of detecting both low and high impedance arc faults with an adequate performance in speed and security. This was done, by implementing a low field (high sensitive) on board magnetic field sensor to recognize strong magnetic field presented during high current fault condition in the vicinity of the fault point. In addition, a software algorithm was developed to identify arc signature through the measured light signal by adapting previously developed high impedance arc fault current signal pattern recognition approaches. The paper focuses on the development of the prototype module. Accordingly, necessary backgrounds to support understandings about basic ideas and objectives used for implementation are provided, also the system design details and validation test results are discussed.