Ground fault location system and ground fault detector therefor

Abstract

A ground fault location system is used in a multi-phase ungrounded or high-impedance grounded power network. A signal generator is coupled to the network at a first location and generates for each network phase an individual non-DC voltage signal between such phase and ground. A ground fault detector is coupled to the network at a second location and has a summing device and an annunciator. The summing device is coupled to all of the phases of the network at such second location, sums any current passing therethrough, and produces a sum signal. The annunciator receives the sum signal and provides an indication when such signal is non-zero. Each phase of the network at the second location has a distribution current passing therethrough, the sum thereof normally being substantially zero and resulting in a substantially zero sum signal and the lack of an indication from the annunciator based on such distribution currents. When the second location is on a path between the first location and a ground fault, the individual voltage signal on at least one of the phases generates a fault current thereon through such path and results in a non-zero sum signal and an indication from the annunciator. When the second location is not on such path, none of the individual voltage signals generates a fault current on any phase through such path, resulting in a substantially zero sum signal and the lack of an indication from the annunciator.