Performance evaluation of high impedance fault detection algorithms based on staged fault tests

Abstract In primary distribution systems, high impedance faults are still a difficult problem, even though many detection algorithms have been developed. In order to provide an evaluation of the relay performances, a staged high impedance fault test was conducted on a heavily loaded feeder and four of the algorithms (the ratio ground relay, the second-order harmonic current relay, the third-order harmonic current relay and the off-harmonic (210 Hz) current relay) were used to process the fault data. The results of the evaluation are compared with those obtained on a lightly loaded feeder. The conclusions of the comparison are discussed and reported.