Electric transmission line ground fault prevention methods using multi-parameter high sensitivity monitoring

Abstract

A method for preventing ground fault in a three-phase electric transmission line system caused by a line break, includes: providing a programmable relay protection system, including a plurality of relay devices on each line, programmed to include: monitoring of acceptable preset parameter ranges of at least three pairs electric operating conditions, that include at least one high sensitivity instantaneous undercurrent and at least one high sensitivity condition selected from line differential overcurrent and negative sequence instantaneous overcurrent, zero sequence instantaneous overcurrent, and change in instantaneous undercurrent (and combinations thereof); permitting closed circuit operation when all of the lines show that the operating conditions are within the preset acceptable ranges; tripping a circuit breaker on a broken line when that line shows two operating conditions outside the preset parameter ranges; and shutting down power to the broken line before it otherwise causes a ground fault or other short circuit.