Studying grounding arrangements of the LVDC system through simulation

摘要

Low-voltage DC (LVDC) systems may soon become an integral part of our electric grid. Faults on DC lines are usually pole-to-ground faults that depend on the grounding arrangement of the DC system. The grounding of the LVDC system is not adequately covered in the literature and there is no comprehensive standard for it. This paper studies the effect of various grounding arrangements of the LVDC system on pole-to-ground fault protection. An overall scheme of the LVDC system is modeled and a pole-to-ground fault is placed on the DC lines. Possible grounding arrangements are analyzed employing MATLAB/Simulink software and detailed discussion is given for each arrangement. Finally, simulation results are compared and a preferred grounding arrangement is selected with the objective of having selective and effective protection without device damage.