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ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

Eng. S.A. Mwakapoma


Fault
• fault current is any abnormal electric current. For example, a short
circuit is a fault in which a live wire touches a neutral or ground wire.
An open-circuit fault occurs if a circuit is interrupted by a failure of a
current-carrying wire (phase or neutral) or a blown fuse or circuit
breaker.
Types of fault
 Asymmetric fault
• An asymmetric or unbalanced fault does not affect each of the
phases equally. Common types of asymmetric fault, and their causes:
• line-to-line fault - a short circuit between lines, caused
by ionization of air, or when lines come into physical contact, for
example due to a broken insulator. In transmission line faults, roughly
5% - 10% are asymmetric line-to-line faults.
• line-to-ground fault - a short circuit between one line and ground,
very often caused by physical contact, for example due to lightning or
other storm damage. In transmission line faults, roughly 65% - 70%
are asymmetric line-to-ground faults.
• double line-to-ground fault - two lines come into contact with the
ground (and each other), also commonly due to storm damage. In
transmission line faults, roughly 15% - 20% are asymmetric double
line-to-ground.
Types of fault
• Symmetric fault
• A symmetric or balanced fault affects each of the phases equally. In
transmission line faults, roughly 5% are symmetric.These faults are
rare compared to asymmetric faults. Two kinds of symmetric fault are
line to line to line (L-L-L) and line to line to line to ground (L-L-L-G).
Symmetric faults account for 2 to 5% of all system faults. However,
they can cause very severe damage to equipment even though the
system remains balanced.
Electrical safety

• Electrical safety is a system of organizational measures and technical


means to prevent harmful and dangerous effects on workers
from electric current, arcing, electromagnetic fields and static
electricity.
Electricity PPE Different PPE For Electrical Safety

• 1. Insulated Gloves
• 2. Safety Glasses or Goggles
• 3. Flame-Resistant Clothing
• 4. Insulated Tools
• 5. Electrical Safety Shoes
• 6. Hard Hats/ safety helmets
• 8. Face Shields
• 9. Voltage Detector
• 10. Respirator/Dust Mask
• 11. Hearing protection
Common Electrical Fault Detection Methods

• Circuit Breaker Tripping


Circuit breakers are designed to trip or shut off the electrical supply
when an abnormal current flow is detected, thereby preventing potential
electrical fires. This is a common fault detection method used in many
homes and businesses.
• Fuses
Fuses are another standard protection method. They contain a piece of
wire that melts and disconnects the circuit when overheated due to
excessive current. While this necessitates fuse replacement, it provides a
clear sign of a fault.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
GFCIs are specially designed to protect against electrical shock by
detecting ground faults. When a difference in the amount of current
flowing into a circuit and out of it is identified, the GFCI interrupts
power, protecting the user.
• Infrared Thermography
Infrared thermography uses infrared cameras to detect heat patterns and
airflow, which can highlight hot spots caused by electrical faults. This
non-contact method can detect issues in inaccessible areas.
• Electrical Test Instruments
Various electrical test instruments such as multimeters, voltage testers,
and insulation testers are used to diagnose and detect electrical faults.
These tools measure electrical parameters like voltage, resistance, and
current, aiding in fault identification.
Methods to Detect Faults

• Visual and Auditory Inspection


Unusual sounds such as humming or buzzing, or visible signs like
sparking or overheating, can indicate an electrical fault. Regular
inspection of electrical systems can help identify these signs early.

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