Low-Voltage Arcing Detection on Non-Linear Load with Total Harmonic Distortion and Power Factor Variations

Fires in residential areas are generally caused by low-voltage arcing. This phenomenon has unique characteristics, very high current magnitude and very fast period. Therefore, low-voltage arcing can’t be detected by circuit breaker. The study about low-voltage arcing detection on non-linear load with total harmonic distortion (THD) and power factor (cos phi) variations has been conducted. There were two observation conditions, arcing and normal condition. This study has been able to detect low-voltage arcing. Based on wavelet transformation, maximum value of high frequency (HF) current and the number of arc points that exceeds the HF current threshold (2 A) were used to differentiate between arcing and normal conditions. Based on the analysis results, maximum value of HF current and the number of arc points at arcing condition are not affected by THD and power factor variations.