Unlike short circuit faults in power systems, arcing faults produce intense light during fault events. Light-sensing technology has been under development to detect arc faults since the 1980s. Currently, optical fiber and point sensors are two types of light sensors applied, along with the simultaneous overcurrent mechanism, for arc-flash relays. Due to the characteristics of light sensors, sensitivity and reliability of the relay may be affected by ambient light. This article proposes a new approach for arc-flash fault detection by using the spectrum of light. Electromagnetic radiation means different elements would emit spectra with unique wavelengths when their atoms are excited. Elements can then be identified if a specific emission spectrum is detected during the excitation period. In general, copper and aluminum are commonly used for conductors. By examining the light spectrum, arc flash can be accurately and quickly detected. In this study, copper and aluminum are applied as conductors. The light spectrum for both materials is measured and recorded by an optic spectrometer during the arcing incidents. The results show that accuracy and reliability of the lightbased arc-flash fault-detection operation can be improved by using the proposed method.

中文翻译：

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使用光谱进行高速电弧故障检测

与电力系统中的短路故障不同，电弧故障在故障事件期间会产生强光。自 1980 年代以来，一直在开发用于检测电弧故障的光感测技术。目前，光纤和点传感器是两种类型的光传感器，以及同步过流机制，用于弧光继电器。由于光传感器的特性，继电器的灵敏度和可靠性可能会受到环境光的影响。本文提出了一种利用光谱进行弧闪故障检测的新方法。电磁辐射意味着当它们的原子被激发时，不同的元素会发出具有独特波长的光谱。如果在激发期间检测到特定的发射光谱，则可以识别元素。一般来说，铜和铝通常用于导体。通过检查光谱，可以准确快速地检测到电弧闪光。在这项研究中，铜和铝被用作导体。在电弧事件期间，这两种材料的光谱都由光学光谱仪测量和记录。结果表明，采用该方法可以提高光基弧闪故障检测操作的准确性和可靠性。