Frequency analysis to arcing detection and prototyping FPGA approach

Several authors propose different methods to arc fault detection based on time or frequency characteristics. Among those, some papers present the arcing fault detection using a specific frequency band on the current or voltage. This paper presents an overview of the different frequencies bands proposed by the authors that allow the detection of an arcing fault. To compare these proposed methods, we make a frequency analysis to obtain the frequencies characteristics of arcing fault for different loads signatures (resistive, inductive and nonlinear load). The method we have developed for arcing detection are based on five criterions: Analysis of the current low frequency, the voltage high frequency, the 5th harmonic current and current and voltage magnitude variations. Hardware in the loop approach allows us to test the methods of detection. Finally, our architecture of arcing detection is implemented on Field Program Gate Array (FPGA) prototyping board.