Flexible arc suppression method for single-phase to ground fault in distribution network based on Z-type grounding transformer

Abstract

The coal mine power supply and distribution system usually adopts the neutral point non-effectively grounded method. Most of the power supply lines in this method use cable lines. The underground power supply system is complex and uses many voltage levels. When a single-phase to ground fault occurs, it is easy to form intermittent arcs at the grounding point. Moreover, the existing single-phase to ground fault arc suppression technology of the neutral point non-effectively grounded distribution network has the problem of poor arc suppression effect and difficulty in accurately measuring the parameters of the distribution network to the ground. The most common connection method of transformer winding in 10 kV substation of coal mine in China is delta connection. This mode needs to lead out neutral point and connect arc suppression coil artificially through special grounding transformer (mostly Z-type grounding transformer). In order to solve the above problems, a flexible arc suppression system for single-phase to ground fault of distribution network based on Z-type grounding transformer is designed. When the initial time of grounding fault occurs in the distribution network, the three-phase power supply electromotive force and the neutral point voltage of the power distribution network are firstly measured in real time. When the amplitude of the neutral point voltage is greater than 15% of the three-phase power supply electromotive force, it can be judged as a grounding fault. Compared with the three-phase power supply electromotive force, the phase with the smallest power supply electromotive force is the fault phase. After a single-phase to ground fault occurs, the fast switching switch corresponding to the fault phase is quickly closed. And the active inverter and the Z-type grounding transformer power conversion module are simultaneously put into operation. The Z-type grounding transformer power conversion module clamps the voltage of a neutral point in an opposite phase to be close to the electromotive force of the fault phase power supply. And the amplitude and the phase of the difference between the neutral voltage and the fault phase supply voltage are precisely compensated by the active inverter. Therefore, the control target of suppressing the voltage and the current at the fault point to zero is achieved. After a certain time delay, the fast switching switch is cut off. If the voltage of the neutral point is effectively reduced, it can be judged that the fault is a transient ground fault. And the normal operation of the power distribution network system can be restored. Otherwise, it is judged as a permanent fault. The measures to isolate the fault feeder are taken to restore the normal operation of the distribution network. The simulation results show that when the single-phase to ground fault transition resistance is 500 Ω and 3 000 Ω, the power conversion is only through the Z-type grounding transformer. The voltage and current suppression rate at the fault point reaches 79%-83%, which cannot fully achieve the effect of arc suppression. The flexible arc suppression system can effectively suppress the voltage and current at the fault point, with a suppression rate of more than 98%, realizing reliable arc suppression of single-phase to ground faults in the distribution network.

Keywords

• z-type grounding transformer
• single-phase to ground fault
• flexible arc suppression
• fault point voltage
• fault point current
• active inverter