On the Problematic of Serial Arc Fault Detection in Aircraft Under the Presence of Switching Devices

HVDC serial arc fault detection is currently one of the main concerns in aeronautics due to the increase in power levels expected for more-electric aircraft and hybrid propulsion; hence, the demand for a reliable and robust system for arc faults detection. However, the switching of different equipment during normal operation, may lead to falsely identifying these electric signatures as faults. This false tripping is a problem since its consequence is to switch-off the current that may affect critical loads. To address this problem, two solutions are possible: (i) inhibit the detection device during the opening/closing time of contactors or (ii) consider the opening/closing signatures as a normal behaviour of the circuit. This work evaluates the consequences of these two approaches by understanding how an arc fault can affect the electrical system: (i) in case there is no protection device during inhibition time or (ii) if the detection device takes into account all behaviours coming from different contactors. The destructive energy capacity of a potential arc fault was also estimated by measuring the contactor's opening/closing time in a laboratory experimental setup in order to assess the impact of its inhibition.