Simulation study of 6–10 kV cable lines for transient processes calculation during earth faults

As a rule, researchers do not consider the dependence of the inductance of cable lines on frequency in their scientific papers devoted to the calculation of transient processes during single phase-to-ground fault in 6–10 cable networks. In some cases, it can lead to significant errors in evaluation of current and voltage transient components parameters. Therefore, it is an urgent task to estimate defined errors and the scope of application of frequency-independent equivalent circuits and models of 6–10 kV cable lines during calculation and simulation of transient processes in case of single phase-to-ground fault. The authors applied PSCAD / EMTDC software to study the effect of the frequency dependence of the inductances of 6–10 kV cable lines on the calculation accuracy of transient processes during single phase-to-ground fault. It allows to simulate electric power systems models with the usage of both frequency-dependent and frequency-independent cable line models with round conductors only. To check the adequacy of the frequency-dependent three phase cable model developed in PSCAD software, the authors have used a frequency-dependent model of 6–10 kV three-phase cable with sector-shaped conductors designed in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The authors have developed an approach to develop of 610 kV cable lines models with frequency-dependent and frequency-independent parameters. The authors have obtained error estimation in transient current and voltage parameters during single phase-to-ground fault in cable networks models that do not consider the frequency dependence on inductance (for discharge components the error is 1520 %, for charging components the error is equal to 510 %). It is shown that models with cable line parameters defined according to spreading speed of electromagnetic wave, can be used for approximate calculation of transient current and voltage to solve most of tasks of investigation of transient processes during single phase-to-ground faults. Application of the developed recommendations to determine three phase medium voltage cable lines parameters will increase the calculation accuracy of transient processes during single phase-to-ground faults in 6–10 kV cable networks. Only application of frequency-dependent models of cable lines allows us to provide required accuracy to develop methods of distant earth fault localization in 6–10 kV networks.