Detecting serial arc in low-voltage electrical installations using modern protective components

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the problem of detecting faults in low voltage electrical installations which are not normally detectable by the regulated electrical periodic verification inspections nor can be recognized by any classical protection components. Therefore, the conditions for the occurrence of fire are created at the source of these 'invisible' failures. This paper is concerned with the representation of modern methods and techniques for early detection of serial electrical arc. In the first part of the paper, a serial electrical arc is described, the conditions required for its formation as well as the physical processes that occur within it. An illustration of the modern protective components for detection of serial electrical arc is given in the second part of the paper.

Keywords

• low-voltage electrical installations
• serial arc
• fire