Transient Overvoltages Caused by Monopolar Ground Fault on Bipolar DC Line: Theory and Simulation

A short circuit from one pole to ground on a bipolar overhead dc line can produce an overvoltage factor as high as 2.2 per unit on the unfaulted pole, which may cause flashover of line insulation, thus converting a monopolar fault into a bipolar one. This is undesirable because a bipolar fault causes a greater disturbance to the power system than does a monopolar fault.