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IEEE issues high-impedance fault detection report

Journal Article · · Electric Light and Power
OSTI ID:415017

High-impedance faults (HIF) on distribution circuits create unique challenges for the protection engineer. In response to this problem, Working Group D15 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power System Relaying Committee had issued a report on HIF detection technology. A ground HIF occurs when a primary conductor makes unwanted electrical contact with a road surface, sidewalk, sod, tree limb, or with some other surface or object which restricts the flow of fault current to a level below that which can be reliably detected by conventional overcurrent devices. Often this situation leaves a conductor energized on the ground and poses a danger to the public. No all unsafe conditions involve an HIF. For example, a conductor may sag to a point near the ground or may break but still not touch a grounded element or another conductor. An HIF does not have to involve a path to ground. In fact, whether a ground is involved does not matter to an HIF detector. For example, a tree limb may bridge two-phase conductors.

OSTI ID:
415017
Journal Information:
Electric Light and Power, Journal Name: Electric Light and Power Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 74; ISSN ELLPAJ; ISSN 0013-4120
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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