Behavior of system voltage during arcing faults and switching events

Several arcing fault detection algorithms have been developed for distribution systems by using the modified behavior of some frequencies of the system current. Although the system current shows fault like behavior during the switching events, the duration is less than arcing fault conditions. However, in low voltage distribution systems, considering the variety of the possible switching events and their durations, it becomes more difficult to distinguish them by using only the system current. The experimental data presented in this work shows that the system voltage can be used as an other detection parameter, since it only shows a modified behavior under switching conditions. Therefore, it becomes more possible to distinguish switching events as a normal system operation