Develop a series arc fault detector to minimize the risk of domestic electrical fires

Abstract

This study is about the development of a series arc fault detector, which can be used to minimize the risk of domestic electrical fires. Electricity is a common cause of fire in residential buildings. If a parallel electrical arc fault is developed it can be detected from the residual current circuit breaker. If the arc current is higher than the rated current of the circuit, it can be detected from the miniature circuit breaker. But, if a series arc fault is developed which is lower than the rated current of the circuit, it cannot be detected by those conventional devices. In this study, an arc generator which could be connected to any electrical equipment was developed for generating a series arc fault. A set of different methods such as Fast Fourier Transform, Derivative Analysis, Discrete Wavelet Transform and Continuous Wavelet Transform were used to analyze the current and voltage waveforms in the presence and absence of series arc fault. However, only some of those methods yielded promising results. Moreover, an analysis about the parameters which will affect the risk of fire was conducted. Further research regarding the development of the series arc fault detector is in progress.