Low current and flashing HIF detection method

High Impedance Faults (HIFs) can differ one from another enormously starting from single flashes through arcing faults to permanent ones. New approach to HIF detection is presented in this paper allowing for identification of two latter ones. The novel protection methodology - 3D power protection scheme (3DPPS) was developed to do the job. The proposed solution is fully adaptive and does not require the knowledge of system parameters. The identification of a fault is based on monitoring voltage or current signals and their three phase symmetry deviations which carry all necessary information on the actual state of the protected system.