Generalized Symmetrical Components Analysis as a Parameter for High Impedance Fault Identification

Abstract

High impedance faults (HIF) are a recurring issue in electrical distribution systems, whether caused by vegetation contact with conductors or by the rupture and fall of these conductors onto the ground. Despite decades of dedicated research to identify HIF, a definitive solution to this challenge has not yet been achieved. Therefore, the search for metrics capable of detecting HIF without generating false positives during transient events in the distribution network continues. This study proposes the analysis of Generalized Symmetrical Components (GSC) as a metric for HIF detection. The behavior of each of the four components during an HIF will be evaluated, aiming to highlight which one is most effective in distinguishing between an HIF and transients resulting from events such as nonlinear load switching, transformer energization, and capacitor bank switching. The analyses were performed through simulations in the ATPDraw software, demonstrating the potential of Generalized Symmetrical Components as a valid parameter for HIF identification.