A Novel Ground Fault Identification Method for 2 × 5 kV Railway Power Supply Systems

Jesus Serrano, Carlos A. Platero, Maximo López-Toledo and Ricardo Granizo
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Jesus Serrano: Department of Electrical Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior Ingenieros Industriales, Technical University of Madrid, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
Carlos A. Platero: Department of Electrical Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior Ingenieros Industriales, Technical University of Madrid, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
Maximo López-Toledo: Department of Electrical Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior Ingenieros Industriales, Technical University of Madrid, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
Ricardo Granizo: Department of Electrical Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior Ingenieros Industriales, Technical University of Madrid, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28006, Spain

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: The location of ground faults in railway electric lines in 2 × 5 kV railway power supply systems is a difficult task. In both 1 × 25 kV and transmission power systems it is common practice to use distance protection relays to clear ground faults and localize their positions. However, in the particular case of this 2 × 25 kV system, due to the widespread use of autotransformers, the relation between the distance and the impedance seen by the distance protection relays is not linear and therefore the location is not accurate enough. This paper presents a simple and economical method to identify the subsection between autotransformers and the conductor (catenary or feeder) where the ground fault is happening. This method is based on the comparison of the angle between the current and the voltage of the positive terminal in each autotransformer. Consequently, after the identification of the subsection and the conductor with the ground defect, only the subsection where the ground fault is present will be quickly removed from service, with the minimum effect on rail traffic. This method has been validated through computer simulations and laboratory tests with positive results.

Keywords: ground faults; protection; 2 × 25 kV; fault location; railways (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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