Fault type selection system for identifying faults in an electric power system

Abstract

The fault identification system includes a first logic circuit which is responsive to conventional protective elements which recognize the presence of low resistance single line-to-ground faults for the A, B and C phases on a power transmission line. The first logic circuit includes a portion thereof for recognizing and providing an output indication of single line-to-ground faults, faults involving two phases and three-phase faults, in response to the occurrence of different combinations of outputs from the protective elements. A calculation circuit, when enabled, is used to determine the angular difference between the total zero sequence current and the total negative sequence current for high resistance faults when the protective elements themselves cannot identify fault conditions. The angular difference is in one of three pre-selected angular sectors. An angular difference in the first sector indicates an A phase-to-ground fault or a BC phase-to-phase to ground fault; an angular difference in the second sector indicates a B phase-to-ground fault or a C phase-to-phase to ground fault; and a signal in the third sector indicates a C phase-to-ground fault or an AB phase-to-phase to ground fault. A processor is used to determine which of the two possible for each angle determination is the actual fault type. An output indication of the actual fault type is then provided.