High Impedance Fault Detection Using Discrete Wavelet Transform

A High Impedance Fault (HIF) is generated when overhead power lines physically breaks and falls to the ground without a solid grounding. Such faults are the most difficult to detect in Electrical Distribution Systems and often draw small currents which cannot be detected by conventional protection. In addition, arcing accompanies many high impedance fault, resulting in a fire hazard, damage to physical infrastructure or danger to human life and animals. This paper presents a Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) based technique for high impedance fault detection in power distribution system. The algorithm is based on DWT multiresolution analysis and results are presented in a windowing approach. This study is implemented in an electric distribution system with field data.