High-Impedance Fault Detection in Electric Power Distribution Networks: A Review

High-impedance faults (HIFs) in electric power distribution networks are characterized by low fault current levels, making them undetectable by the overcurrent relays commonly used in these networks. Consequently, distinguishing HIFs from other network phenomena, such as switching events of linear and nonlinear loads, capacitor bank switching, distributed generation switching, induction motor loads, and inrush currents from transformer energization, is highly challenging. This paper provides a comprehensive review of published studies on HIF detection from 2020 to 2024. The review includes methods used for fault detection, types of disturbances considered in the network, network types analyzed, as well as the accuracy and detection time of faults. Tables illustrate the software tools most frequently employed in this field and identify the predominant disturbances studied in recent years.