Arcing fault in aircraft distribution network

Abstract

With the rising demand for electrical energy in an aircraft and the increase in operating voltages of the electrical distribution networks, the probability of occurrence of an arc fault is also increased. New protection devices such as arc fault detectors are now integrated in the network to break the circuit in case of an arcing event. To determine the optimum location of these protection devices, a simplified electrical distribution network is modelled. This network distributes power to common aircraft loads. An electric arc model for circuits as presented in a previous work is then placed at various locations in the network. Simulations of normal arcing and arcing faults are given for each load. Finally, the modification of the spectral content of the network currents is studied to deduce the optimum locations of arc fault protection in the network.