High Impedance Fault Detection in a Practical Platform Using a Real-Time-Digital Simulator

This paper evaluates the accuracy of a commercialized high impedance fault (HIF) detection relay module for distinguishing HIFs in a real distribution network. Actual HIFs which are modeled based on real-world measurement are used to investigate the detection rate. It is almost impossible to verify the effectiveness of any HIF method under comprehensive scenarios in the field. Therefore, an actual distribution feeder is modeled using a real-time digital simulator (RTDS) and RSCAD software and a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform. Several HIFs with different ground surface types are studied for different positions along the lines with different arc detection sensitivity levels. Extensive tests have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the HIF detection method.