PSP 2006, New algorithms, technologies and solutions in power system protection 4

245

A new approach for earth fault localization in compensated networks

Georg Achleitner, Clemens Obkircher, Lothar Fickert, Manfred Sakulin
Graz University of Technology Inffeldgasse 18/1, A-8010 Graz, Austria georg.achleitner@tugraz.at, clemens.obkircher@tugraz.at, lothar.fickert@tugraz.at, manfred.sakulin@tugraz.at AbstractEarth fault compensated networks improve power reliability, due to the reason that most of the earth faults extinguish without interferences of the grid operation, thus allowing uninterrupted power supply during the fault situation. However, this type of neutral treatment implicates problems in localization of earth faults. In this paper a new method for fault localization based on the use of distance protection relays is presented. In these relays a part of the developed algorithm is already implemented, but some additional settings and parameters have to be supplemented. The feasibility of the method is verified through field tests in medium voltage and high voltage networks. Index TermsEarth fault, distance protection, earth fault compensated networks, fault location, localization of earth faults.

II. NETWORKS MODELL The algorithm for selective earth fault distance protection is demonstrated by using a simple model of a network. (fig.1). This model was implemented in various simulation environments (Simulink, Neplan and Matlab) and also calculated by hand as well as used for the laboratory test.

Fig. 1 Simulation model

I. INTRODUCTION

ost of the medium and high voltage networks in central Europe are operated with a compensated neutral point (arc suppressing coil, Petersen coil). This improves the power quality of these networks due to the reason, that most of the earth faults extinguish without interference of the grid operation and this allows uninterrupted power supply during the single phase-to-ground fault. For safety reasons earth faults have to be localized as fast as possible. Earth faults in compensated networks, which do not disappear automatically, have to be switched off manually or automatically. Therefore, a selective earth fault distance protection is necessary. Nowadays it is common to know the faulted line; however the location of the faulty sector is unknown. In this paper the well known general mathematical solution is presented and the usability of this method for detection of earth faults in compensated networks is shown. Additional simulations were done with different simulation programs. Laboratory tests were also carried out with a realistic network model. Furthermore, experimental testing was done with a common distance protection relay. Results from field tests in medium and high voltage networks prove the possibility of using common distance protection relays for earth fault distance protection in compensated grids.

A. Theory of Distance protection Starting from the model in fig.1 the following simplified description in symmetrical components was developed. This model is valid for the fundamental harmonic in steady state conditions. Transient measurement or analysis is not needed for this method of fault localization.

Fig. 2: Simplified model in symmetrical components

246

PSP 2006, New algorithms, technologies and solutions in power system protection 4

The location of a distance protection relay is symbolized with Umeas. At the fault point (UF) the following basic equations have to be fulfilled:
1 2 0 UF +U F +U F =0
1 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 U meas I Z1 Line + U meas I ZLine + U meas I ZLine = 0

A symmetrical network (no phase preferences) is assumed:

2 Z1 Line = Z Line 1 2 0 0 0 U meas +U meas +U meas = (I1 + I2 ) Z1 Line + I ZLine
1 2 U meas + U meas +U 0 meas

The last formula is acceptable for low resistance faults, which have been investigated in the first phase of the research. As shown in the formula, the load currents have no negative influence on the distance computation; however they raise the current levels, so that in face of the deviation of the current transformers a more accurate distance determination is possible. Possible problems can be caused by the following influences: inaccuracy of the voltage- and current transformers, capacity influence of the faulty line, the point of time of the measurement (has to be after the decay of the transients), high transition fault resistance. B. Laboratory tests In a laboratory the network model (fig 1) has been realized with the following parameters: Power supply Transformer Line (100%) Load
Tab. 1: Laboratory-test

= U L1E

0 U L1E 1 2 0 Z Line = (I + I ) + I with I 1 + I 2 + I 0 = I L1 1 Z1 Z Line Line 0 U L1E 0 0 Z Line = I I + I L1 Z1 Z1 Line Line

0 U L1E 0 Z Line = + I I 1 1 L1 1 ZLine ZLine 0 1 Z 0 with k 0 = 1 1 and 3 I = I 3 Z U L1E = I L1 + I k 0 Z1 Line

110 V 1350 VA, uk~12% 3+j31 Ohm, equivalent to 100km @ 0,3 /km 120 Ohm

Z1 Line =
Z1Line Z0Line Z1Line Umeas UL1E IL1 I UF l

U L1E = Z1 Line l I L1 + I k 0

Tests have been done with a realistic network model. For these tests a distance protection device SIEMENS 7SA522 was used. In these relays the starter is normally blocked during single phase-toearth faults in the operation mode resonant grounded earth grid. To bypass this situation the parameters for the starter had to be chosen near to the load currents. The result of the fault distance calculation was 99 km. The kE-factor was chosen with 1, which is equivalent to a k0-factor of 1.

measured positive sequence impedance of the fault distance measured zero sequence impedance of the fault distance positive sequence line-impedance related to one length unit measured Voltage at the location of the relay measured phase-ground voltage at the location of the relay measured phase current at the location of the relay residual current at the location of the relay voltage at the fault location distance to the fault location

C. Simulations (Matlab/Simulink and NEPLAN) To verify the algorithm and the laboratory test, a line model was developed in Simulink, which is equivalent to the network model in the laboratory and is based on a -equivalent (fig. 3).

PSP 2006, New algorithms, technologies and solutions in power system protection 4
a 1 A b 2 B c 3 C 6 5 4

247

Parallel RLC Branch8

Fig. 3 Line-Model in Simulink to simulate and verify the laboratory tests.

Based on this simulation the fault distance can be varied very easily. The results of the simulations have been converted into the COMTRADE format. With the use of a signal generator (OMICRON CMC 256-6) the recorded and stored signals were replayed to a distance protection device (SIEMENS 7SA610) and the results verified the underlying theory (see fig.4).

NEPLAN and with the use of Principle of superposition with a pre-load-flow calculation all the simulations were calculated again. The results matched very well with the MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation. D. Field Test In January 2006 earth fault field tests were done in a 110-kV-network in Austria. The measurement system was placed in a substation, which was 4.4 km apart from the fault point, connected through a double system line. (see fig.6). The distance between the measurement point and the earth fault location was 4,4 km corresponding 0,57+j1,69 Ohm. The zero impedance was 1,738+j5,258. The k0-factor was 0,67 with an angle of 1.

Fig. 4: Simulation system.

The results of the fault distance variation are presented in fig. 5.

Fig. 5 Simulation of the variation of the fault distance

It has to be mentioned, that the -equivalent can only be used up to a maximum length, depending on the simulated frequency: A more detailed division in smaller pi-equivalents was not implemented due to the increasing calculation time and too small enhancement in accuracy because the frequencies of interest were not higher than 350 Hz. To further verify these simulations, the network was implemented in the simulation environment

Fig. 6: Excerpt from the network, where the earth fault tests have been done

248

PSP 2006, New algorithms, technologies and solutions in power system protection 4 IV. REFERENCES

Various tests with different network situations (additional cables) have been performed: 1 2 3 4 Entire Network, over-compensated 60 A One cable disconnected (-53 A); overcompensated 60 A Entire Network, over-compensated 140 A Entire Network, over-compensated 50 A

Dissertation:
[1] Schegner Peter, Digitaler Erdschluuniversalschutz, Universitt Saarland, Saarbrcken 1989

Books:
[2] [3] [4] ALSTOM, Network Protection & Automation Guide, First edition, Juli 2002, ISBN: 2-9518589-0-6 Hubensteiner, Schutztechnik in elektrischen Netzen 1, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-8007-1753-0 Lehtonen, Hakola, Neutral Earthing and Power System Protection, Vaasa, Finland, 1996, ISBN 952-90-7913-3

Tab. 2: Various Field-test

The measurements were done using a two step procedure (for replay at any time): The first step was to record the data. This was done with an OMICRON CMC 256-6 with a sampling rate of 9 kHz. The second step was to verify the algorithm. With the recorded data and the test system, described in fig. 4, the distance protection device was tested again. Although the earth factor k0 is 0.67, the value of k0 is varied to find effects due to k0. The results from 5 experiments are shown in tab. 3. The values are the fault impedances in Ohm calculated by the distance protection device. k0=0.5, =0 R X 0,4 1,5 0,2 1,5 0,8 1,8 0,2 1,8 k0=0.68, =1 R X 0,3 1,8 0,3 1,6 0,1 1,9 0,2 1,9 k0=1, =0 R X 0,5 1,3 0,4 1,4 0,2 2,2 0,2 2,2

Research Notes::
[5] Hnninen, Lehtonen, Earth fault distance computation with fundamental frequency signals based on measurements in substation supply bay, Espoo 2002, VTT Tiedotteita

Handbooks:
[6] [7] SIEMENS, SIPROTEC Distanzschutz 7SA6, v4.6, C53000G1100-C156-4S. NEPLAN, Version 5.3, BCP Busarello + Cott + Partner Inc.

Standards:
[8] IEEE Standard Common Format for Transient Data Exchange (COMTRADE) for Power Systems, IEEE Standard C37.111-1999

Patent Application:
[9] Achleitner Georg, Fickert Lothar: Verfahren Entfernungsortung von Erdschlssen, A 619/2006 zur

1 2 3 4

V. BIOGRAPHIES
Georg Achleitner was born in 1977 in Linz, Austria. He received the Diploma Engineer degree from the University of Graz, Austria in 2003. Since 2004 he is a science assistant at the Department of Electrical Power Systems, Graz university of technology. His research activities are resonant grounded nets, protection, grounding, measurement of earthand line impedances and faults. Clemens Obkircher was born 1974 in Austria. He received the Diploma Engineer degree from the University of Graz, Austria in 2004. Since 2004 he is a science staff member of the Department of Electrical Power Systems, Graz university of technology. His research activities are resonant grounded nets, power losses, protection, grounding and faults. Lothar Fickert was born in 1949. After graduation as Diploma Engineer and receiving the PhD in 1975 he worked for 25 years in power industry. In 1998 he became professor and head of the Institute of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology. His main research activities are protection, power quality and grid design and operation. Manfred Sakulin is senior researcher at the Department of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology. His main research activities are all fields of electric power supply, power quality, distributed generation and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and market liberalization.

Tab. 3: Results of the analysis of the field test

The results of the tests with k0=0,67 gave fault distances between 4,2 and 4,9 km, compared to the real distance of 4,4 km. The relative error is -5% and +11% respectively.

III. SUMMARY It could be shown, that the algorithm of distance protection, which is used usually for short circuits, is also valid for low impedance earth faults in compensated networks. An analysis of the fundamental harmonic in steady state conditions leads to satisfying results. Simulations and field tests verify the usability of the presented method. Further investigations are necessary to define the limitations of this method concerning the fault impedance, the influence of the earth factor k0, the influence of capacitances etc. Investigations to increase the accuracy of the distance computation are in progress.