A Method for Maintaining the Operability of 6–10 kV Insulated Neutral Networks after an Overhead Line Phase Conductor Break

Abstract

The article presents the results of the four-year work the team of authors conducted with the aim to develop a method to maintain the operability of a 6–10 kV insulated neutral network under the conditions of phase conductor breaks and galloping-induced phase-to-phase contacts. The study includes the formulation of a hypothesis, its verification on an experimental laboratory setup, the development of a mathematical model, and field and pilot-scale experimental investigations. The processes occurring in insulated neutral networks under the conditions of a phase conductor break and a single-phase ground fault of the damaged conductor are considered. The study results have shown that in the case of a two-ended single-phase-to-ground fault of the broken conductor, the studied networks can continue to operate. The findings obtained from simulating various network operating modes, as well as laboratory field and pilot experiments have confirmed the efficacy of the proposed method for maintaining network operability until the fault is removed.