The influence of the network asymmetry on the settings and sensitivity of an earth fault protection using higher harmonics

Detection of high resistance earth faults in medium voltage networks is an important problem due to ineffectiveness of traditional earth fault protections. Such short circuits can be detected by the criterion of a reactive power of higher harmonics for zero sequence current and voltage. The main problem is determination of the power setting value in the protection, which depends on the asymmetry of phase-to-earth capacitances and higher harmonics in supply voltages, which are generated by non-linear loads. The intensive tests of the asymmetry of the zero sequence currents and voltages for harmonics and their reactive power have been carried out in 15 kV compensated network as a function of all relevant parameters, i.e.: maximum capacitance deviation of the network and protected line, percentage content of harmonics in supply voltages, capacitive current of the network and the line. It has been shown that third harmonics of the zero sequence voltage and current are the best suited for practical use, since the asymmetry reactive power of these components is the smallest among the considered harmonics and the protection sensitivity will be the highest