Countermeasure on Preventing Line Zero-Sequence Overcurrent Protection From Mal-Operation Due to Magnetizing Inrush

Simple and reliable zero sequence overcurrent protection in distribution 6–10 kV cable networks with an insulated neutral is most widely used for protection against single phase earth faults. However, protection of this type in many cases does not provide the required sensitivity to internal (inside the protected zone) faults as it must be tuned to the response current from surge transients during external faults through an intermittent arc. It is possible to increase the sensitivity if adaptive current protection is applied. However, the known methods for its implementation are only effective for stable faults through transient resistance but do not provide high dynamic stability of operation in transient conditions in case of arc intermittent earth faults that are the most dangerous for the network. Therefore, an urgent problem to be solved now is improving the principles of adaptive current protection against earth faults. To compare the efficiency of the known and proposed principles of adaptive current protection implementation taking into account the complexity of transients during earth faults through an intermittent arc in 6–10 kV cable networks, we used Matlab simulation with the SimPowerSystem and Simulink extension packages. The research into the operation algorithms of adaptive current protection against earth faults was carried out on simulation models of 6–10 kV cable networks with an insulated neutral and with neutral grounding through a high-value resistor. The studies on the simulation models have shown that the known methods of implementation of adaptive current protection against earth faults based on the use of full zero sequence currents and voltage are ineffective during intermittent arc earth faults. The authors propose a method of adaptive current protection against earth faults in 6–10 kV cable networks with an insulated neutral and with neutral grounding through a high-value resistor that provides a significant increase in dynamic stability of transient operation with arc ground faults and allows using only zero sequence current and voltage components of the operating frequency of 50 Hz as the actuating quantities. The proposed method of implementing adaptive current protection against earth faults in 6–10 kV cable networks with an insulated neutral and with neutral grounding through a high-value resistor does not only increase the sensitivity of this protection type to earth faults through transient resistence and dynamic stability of operation in transient condiitons in case of arc intermittent earth faults but also broadens the range of its possible applications

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The Impact of Zero-Mode Inrush Current of T-Hin on Zero-Sequence Overcurrent Protection and an Improved Protection with the Second Harmonic Restraint

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12152911 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (15) ◽

pp. 2911 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wenbin Cao ◽

Xianggen Yin ◽

Yongxin Chen ◽

Yuanlin Pan ◽

Xiangyuan Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zero Mode ◽

Second Harmonic ◽

Mathematical Expression ◽

Inrush Current ◽

Overcurrent Protection ◽

Practical Engineering ◽

Zero Sequence ◽

Harmonic Restraint ◽

The Impact ◽

Harmonic Ratio

In recent years, the zero-mode inrush current of high-impedance transformer with built-in high-voltage winding (T-Hin), which has large amplitude and decays slowly, causes the misoperation of zero-sequence overcurrent protection. Compared with magnetizing inrush current, the waveform of zero-mode inrush current is inconsistent and irregular, and few researches have proposed the mathematical analysis as well as the improved protection using waveform characteristics. In this paper, the mathematical expression of transformer zero-mode inrush current is derived. Further considering the parameter differences, the zero-mode inrush current of T-Hin is larger, which tends to cause the misoperation. The mathematical waveforms fit well with the recorded waveforms. Both recorded waveforms and mathematical waveforms in various conditions prove that the second harmonic ratio (the ratio between the second harmonic and first harmonic) of zero-mode inrush current is significant. Based on the above analysis, a criterion based on the second harmonic ratio restraint of zero-mode inrush current is proposed. If the second harmonic ratio exceeds the setting value, it is considered that the inrush current is generated and sends a signal to restrain the protection. The theoretical setting value of the proposed criterion and the practical engineering method for determining the setting value are obtained.

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