ARCING FAULT-DETECTION FOR DISTRIBUTION FEEDERS - SECURITY ASSESSMENTIN LONG-TERM FIELD TRIALS

A downed conductor, arcing fault detection system has been designed us ing multiple protection algorithms. An intelligent analysis system pro cesses the outputs from several algorithms to determine the ''confiden ce'' that a fault exists. The design includes careful attention to dis criminating arcing faults from normal System activity to ensure system security. Key to the acceptance of this system is testing under actua l field conditions. The results of long term tests on five utilities a re presented. The behavior of the prototype systems to staged faults, naturally occurring faults, and normal system disturbances is describe d. Conclusions are drawn concerning the practical viability of this sy stem.