High-Impedance Fault Identification on Distribution Networks

This paper presents a transient-based algorithm for high-impedance fault identification on distribution networks. It uses the discrete wavelet transform to monitor high-and low-frequency voltage components at several points of the power system, being able to indicate the most likely area within which the disturbance has occurred, without requiring data synchronization nor the knowledge of feeder or load parameters. The proposed algorithm is evaluated through electromagnetic transients program simulations of high-impedance faults in a 13.8 kV system modeled from actual Brazilian distribution grid data. Solid faults, capacitor bank switching, and feeder energization are also simulated, considering the system with and without distributed generation. Obtained results show that the algorithm significantly reduces the search field of the high-impedance fault, reliably distinguishing it from other disturbances.