Current Derivative based schemes for Fault Location in DC Microgrid

A rapid and accurate fault location is necessary to minimize system downtime and aid in system restoration. Locating a fault in DC microgrid is a challenging and difficult task owing to the low cable impedance and occurrence of fast transients. In this paper, a current differentiation scheme and a hybrid current differentiation scheme are proposed to locate faults in DC microgrid. Based on current differentiation, unknown RLC parameters are estimated using the Moore Penrose pseudo-inverse technique. The estimated RLC parameters are used to find the fault location by a novel mathematical formulation. The proposed method is analyzed with varying sampling time, acceleration factor, fault locations, and fault resistances. Simulation results of the proposed schemes are compared with state of the art method to validate the efficacy to locate the fault. The simulation is carried out in Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) for an ungrounded and grounded Solar Photo-Voltaic (SPV) system connected to the DC microgrid.