Hardware implementation of series DC arc fault protection using fast Fourier transform

Abstract

This paper proposes method of series DC arc fault protection using low cost microcontroller. Series DC arc fault occurs when gap between conductor or wire flows a current. Series DC arc fault can cause fire hazard if do not detected and protected. However, Series DC arc fault is difficult to detected using conventional protection. To detect series DC arc fault accurately using fast Fourier transform (FFT). FFT is used to transform signal in time domain to frequency domain. Series DC arc fault has different characteristic compared by normal current in frequency domain. Therefore, the proposed algorithm for protection of series DC arc fault based on magnitudes of the current in frequency domain. Hardware system is implemented by 100 V DC power supply and DC arc fault generator. Test result is conducted experimentally under varying of load current such as 2 A, 2.5 A, 3 A, 3.5 A, 4 A and 5 A. Experimental testing results show that Series DC arc fault protection has time for trip of 0.48 s, 0.26 s, 1.04 s, 0.68 s, 0.44 s and 0.48, respectively. The fastest time for trip is 0.26 s with current of 2.5 A. Therefore, the proposed algorithm for series DC arc fault protection can operate to trip accurately and have the good performance.