Testing Ground Fault Protection of Generating Units With Frequency-Selective Grounding

Abstract

This paper experimentally evaluates responses of ground fault protection for synchronous generators, which are grounded using frequency-selective grounding. Frequency-selective grounding is designed to provide a low ground impedance path (similar to solid grounding) for high frequency zero-sequence current components. This grounding system also provides an impedance similar to a low-resistance grounding for low frequency zero-sequence current components. The frequency-dependent equivalent impedance of frequency-selective grounding can affect ground potential and current, which are typically used as inputs for ground fault protective relays. Effects of frequency-selective grounding on ground fault protection are experimentally evaluated using a 7.5 kVA synchronous generator. Experimental tests are conducted for different implementations of ground fault protection, when responding to fault and non-fault events. Evaluation results detailed in this paper demonstrate the negligible effects of frequency-selective grounding on responses of different ground fault protective relays.