Spectral Analysis of Serial Arc Fault Triggering AFDD

The evolution of single-phase protection devices has led to the integration of several functionalities in an Are Fault Detection Device type, which currently represents the best performing electrical protection equipment. These devices are based on digital signal processing and the implementation of specific algorithms for the detection of special faults in electrical circuits, such as the electric arc produced in series or in parallel with the load of the second one is based on translation slow movement between two cylindrical contacts the circuit. The simulation of these types of faults was performed in laboratory conditions, on two different test kits type electric equipment. The first test kit is based on the electric arc produced between the double contact of a relay and. The analysis of the electric are waveform by applying the Fast Fourier Transformation, which represents the response of the circuit in both cases, highlights only components in the low frequency spectrum. By introducing a high-frequency ferrite sensor on the current path, the noise in the MHz frequency range is highlighted, which is associated with the production of the electric are and which determines the triggering of the arc fault detection devices. The analysis between the two types of arcs produced in the laboratory is a comparative one, and both types correspond to a series electric arc fault in relation to the circuit load. (abstract)