| Issue |
Int. J. Metrol. Qual. Eng.
Volume 17, 2026
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 10 | |
| Number of page(s) | 9 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/ijmqe/2026006 | |
| Published online | 23 June 2026 | |
Research Article
Improved multi-level protection scheme for ground faults in low resistance grounding systems
1
Electric Power Research Institute of Guizhou Power Grid Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550025, PR China
2
Southern Power Grid Research Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510700, PR China
3
Guiyang Power Supply Bureau of Guizhou Power Grid Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550001, PR China
4
Bijie Power Supply Bureau of Guizhou Power Grid Co., Ltd., Bijie 551700, PR China
5
Guiyang Baiyun Power Supply Bureau of Guizhou Power Grid Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, PR China
* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received:
26
June
2025
Accepted:
15
May
2026
Abstract
This study addresses the issues of poor selectivity, low sensitivity, and protection failure under high-resistance ground faults in existing low resistance grounding systems. We analyze the characteristics of zero-sequence current following single-phase ground faults in low resistance grounding systems and propose a high-sensitivity multi-level protection scheme based on zero-sequence current through coordinated longitudinal protection. This scheme resolves the issue of protection failure due to relatively low fault currents caused by high resistance by reducing the settings of the protection for outlet lines, branches, and boundary protections while extending their operating time. For high-resistance ground faults exceeding 1500 Ω, the scheme accurately identifies the faulted line and delays disconnection by comparing the magnitudes of zero-sequence currents at the exits of each line and the neutral line, thereby improving the accuracy of fault location. The feasibility and reliability of the proposed multi-level protection scheme for ground faults are validated through simulations conducted on a typical low resistance grounding distribution network structure.
Key words: Low resistance grounding systems / multi-level protection / ground protection / zero-sequence current / high-resistance grounding
These authors contributed equally to this work.
© X. Li et al., Published by EDP Sciences, 2026
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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