The traditional protection devices installed in photovoltaic (PV) arrays generally detect line–line (LL) and line–ground (LG) faults when the fault current magnitude exceeds its threshold value defined by various international standards. However, the magnitude of fault current is greatly reduced, due to low irradiance levels, active maximum power point tracker, location of fault, minimal fault mismatch, and presence of blocking diodes. Consequently, majority of such faults remain obscured even when the irradiance reaches to a higher level and thereby constitute to reliability issues and severe fire risks. Therefore, both timely fault detection and localization become highly obligatory for sustainable power generation and safety. Thus, this article proposes a new, robust, and efficient fault localization method based on the principle of differential voltage measurement between PV modules of adjacent strings. For accomplishing this task, a new optimized voltage sensor arrangement with minimal number of sensors is followed. Moreover, the proposed convention 1) is proficient to detect any LL/LG faults independent of its detection challenges, 2) suits both grounded and floating PV systems, and 3) is compatible for systems with/without blocking diodes. For a realistic validation, testing has been performed on a small-scale grid-connected PV system and the efficacy in detecting various array faults is demonstrated via extensive investigations.

中文翻译：

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通过优化光伏系统中电压传感器的位置来识别和定位阵列故障

当故障电流大小超过各种国际标准定义的阈值时，安装在光伏（PV）阵列中的传统保护设备通常会检测线-线（LL）和线-地（LG）故障。但是，由于较低的辐照度，有效的最大功率点跟踪器，故障位置，最小的故障失配以及阻塞二极管的存在，故障电流的幅度大大降低了。因此，即使当辐照度达到较高水平时，大多数此类故障仍然被遮挡，从而构成可靠性问题和严重的火灾隐患。因此，及时的故障检测和定位对于可持续的发电和安全都变得非常重要。因此，本文提出了一种新的，健壮的，相邻串光伏组件间差压测量原理的高效故障定位方法。为了完成该任务，采用了具有最少数量的传感器的新型优化电压传感器装置。此外，拟议的惯例1）能够独立于其检测挑战而熟练地检测任何LL / LG故障； 2）适用于接地和浮动PV系统，以及3）与带有/不带有阻塞二极管的系统兼容。为了进行实际验证，已经在小型并网光伏系统上进行了测试，并且通过广泛的研究证明了检测各种阵列故障的功效。此外，拟议的惯例1）能够独立于其检测挑战而熟练地检测任何LL / LG故障； 2）适用于接地和浮动PV系统，以及3）与带有/不带有阻塞二极管的系统兼容。为了进行实际验证，已经在小型并网光伏系统上进行了测试，并且通过广泛的研究证明了检测各种阵列故障的功效。此外，拟议的惯例1）能够独立于其检测挑战而熟练地检测任何LL / LG故障； 2）适用于接地和浮动PV系统，以及3）与带有/不带有阻塞二极管的系统兼容。为了进行实际验证，已经在小型并网光伏系统上进行了测试，并且通过广泛的研究证明了检测各种阵列故障的功效。