Ground Fault Overvoltage With Inverter-Interfaced Distributed Energy Resources

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2016.2577884· OSTI ID:1349017

Ropp, Michael; Hoke, Anderson; Chakraborty, Sudipta; Schutz, Dustin; Mouw, Chris; Nelson, Austin; McCarty, Michael; Wang, Trudie; Sorenson, Adam

Ground Fault Overvoltage can occur in situations in which a four-wire distribution circuit is energized by an ungrounded voltage source during a single phase to ground fault. The phenomenon is well-documented with ungrounded synchronous machines, but there is considerable discussion about whether inverters cause this phenomenon, and consequently whether inverters require effective grounding. This paper examines the overvoltages that can be supported by inverters during single phase to ground faults via theory, simulation and experiment, identifies the relevant physical mechanisms, quantifies expected levels of overvoltage, and makes recommendations for optimal mitigation.

• Research Organization: NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States))
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1349017
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA-5D00-64308
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 32; ISSN 0885-8977
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
distributed energy resources
distribution protection
effective grounding
ground fault overvoltage
inverters
transient overvoltage