| Abstract: | Hidden failures as potential faults in relay protection are lethal for power systems. Multi‐grounding fault in the secondary circuit of a potential transformer (PT) is a typical hidden failure. When this hidden fault happens, zero‐sequence voltage of computer relaying will shift. Then it will result in the mis‐operation of zero‐sequence directional protection, which may cause a cascading failure. In this paper, we analyze the impact on zero‐sequence directional protection caused by multi‐grounding fault first. Then in order to solve the problem, we analyze the characteristic of the affected voltage and current. We find that the zero‐sequence voltage of the special phase is in phase with its negative sequence voltage under normal circumstance, but this is not true in this hidden failure. As a consequence, we propose an identification method of multi‐grounding fault in a PT and a new zero‐sequence direction algorithm that can avoid the mis‐operation of the zero‐sequence directional protection. Finally, the results of simulation prove the correctness of the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the identification method and the new zero‐sequence direction algorithm. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
