Detection and Classification of Faults in a Photovoltaic System—A New Hybrid Algorithm

Four main types of faults can occur at the DC side of any Photovoltaic System (PVS). These faults are quite dangerous and can cause permanent damage to the photovoltaic modules if not addressed promptly. The faults include open circuit, short circuit, degradation, and partial shading. Short circuit faults are classified into line-to-line (L-L) and line-to-ground (L-G). Detecting these faults requires specialized algorithms. This paper tackles this complex issue through (1) fault-finding equations and the placement of current sensors, and (2) a new hybrid algorithm based on data from the fault-finding equations and current sensors. Numerous simulations using PSIM 2021 were conducted to verify this proposed solution. The hybrid algorithm presented here is original compared to previous studies. It is easy to understand, responds quickly, and can be implemented in systems with photovoltaic arrays of any size.