Fault Indicators

Electrical Apparatus

Faulted Circuit Indicator Application Guide 320-05

Contents
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Overview of
Cooper Fault Indicators . . . . . . . . .2
Fault Indicator Reliability . . . . . . .3
System Conditions That Affect
FCI Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 FUSED
Inrush Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 CUTOUT
Cable Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 (OPENED) TRIPPED
Proximity Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 FAULT INDICATOR
Backfeed Voltages and
Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Temperature Compensation . . .5
Cable Preparation: URD . . . . . .5
Simplify Fault Indicator
Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 FAULT
Fault Indicator Inrush Operation .6
Three-Phase System . . . . . . . . .6 NORMAL
Current Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 FAULT INDICATOR
Single-Phase System with (NOT TRIPPED)
Laterals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
FUSED
CUTOUT
GENERAL (CLOSED)
Fault indicators are devices which
indicate the passage of fault current.
When properly applied, they can reduce
operating costs and reduce service
interruptions by identifying the section
of cable that has failed. At the same
time, fault indicators can increase
safety and reduce equipment damage Figure 1.
Typical looped underground system application.
by reducing the need for hazardous
fault chasing procedures. To provide
the greatest benefit, the fault indicator
must indicate reliably when fault
current passes through the cable to
which the fault indicator is mounted.
Misapplication or improper selection
of the fault indicator can reduce
reliability.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical looped
underground distribution system. The
underground cable is looped into and
out of each transformer to the open
point. Typically one fault indicator is
placed on each incoming phase of the
transformer. Figure 1 shows the fault
indicator target position after a cable
fault caused the tap fuse to operate. If
the line is followed from the source,
the fault would be located between
the last tripped indicator and the first
non-tripped (normal) indicator. Visual
inspection of the fault indicator elimi-
nates the need for trial and error sec-
tionalizing of the system, thus reduc-
ing service restoration time.

October 1998 • Supersedes 07/94 1

Printed in U.S.A.
Faulted Circuit Indicator Application Guide

Figure 2 illustrates a typical overhead

application with a main sectionalizing TRIPPED
fuse and unfused laterals. With a fault FAULT
indicator on each lateral, the lateral on INDICATOR
which the fault is located can easily be
determined. This saves time in locating
the fault, especially on lines located
on terrain that makes visual inspection
of the line difficult (i.e. swamps,
wooded areas, mountain terrain). FUSED CUTOUT
Fault indicators can be installed on
transformers, switchgear, sectionalizing NORMAL
cabinets, bushing terminators, over- (NOT TRIPPED)
head lines and underground cable. FAULT INDICATOR
The quantity and location of the fault
indicators should be sufficient to elim-
inate the need for the sectionalizing Figure 2.
fault chasing method. Typical Overhead Application.
OVERVIEW OF COOPER
FAULT INDICATORS TABLE 1
Cooper Power Systems Faulted Circuit Indicator
Cooper Power Systems offers a wide
variety of fault indicators ranging from Type Typical Physical Voltage/Current
basic circuitry models in the Delayed Description System Application Mounting Location Requirements
Reset style to the more sophisticated Test Point Reset Underground On the test point Min 5kV L-G
circuitry of the Test Point Reset and of the connector
Electrostatic Reset types. The Cooper Low-Voltage Reset Underground On the URD shielded A secondary
Power Systems S.T.A.R. faulted cir- cable below the voltage source
connector (min. 105 volts)
cuit indicator product line offers five
basic types of FCI’s and each unit is Electrostatic Reset Overhead On bare or insulated Min. 6.9 kV L-G
tailored to be the most reliable for the non-shielded cable
intended application. Each type varies Current Reset Underground On the URD shielded Min. 2.4 A
by reset method and the type of sys- cable below the continuous
connector
tem it connects to.
and Overhead and on bare or insulated
All Cooper Power Systems S.T.A.R. non-shielded cable.
faulted circuit indicators reset auto- Delayed Reset Underground On the URD shielded None (Lithium Ion
matically upon restoration of system cable below the battery powered
power or after a predetermined time connector with timed reset)
period. Automatic resetting fault indi- and Overhead and on bare or insulated
cators sense either voltage or current non-shielded cable
to determine that power has been
restored to the system. The units then Low Voltage Reset faulted circuit Current Reset faulted circuit indicators
reset to the normal position to elimi- indicators are commonly used on can be applied on systems where a
nate the need for line personnel to underground systems where a voltage voltage source is not readily available.
manually reset the units. This saves test point is not available on the cable A minimum continuous load current of
time, money and makes the fault indi- terminator. It utilizes the secondary 2.4 A must be present to power the
cation more reliable. voltage provided by a distribution fault indicator. Current reset fault indi-
transformer to power the device. This cators can be applied to either under-
Table 1 shows an overview of the fault indicator is ideal for single-phase ground or overhead systems, provid-
Cooper Power Systems faulted circuit padmount transformers where a ed the cable shield does not allow a
indicator product line. It shows the fault secondary voltage source is readily return path for current to pass through
indicator types based on reset method available. the FCI sensor area.
and lists the typical system application,
physical mounting location and reset- Electrostatic Reset faulted circuit Delayed Reset Faulted Circuit
ting requirements for each type. indicators are powered and reset by Indicators automatically reset back to
the electrostatic field surrounding a the normal position when reset time
Test Point Reset faulted circuit bare or insulated, non-shielded has expired. They can also be reset
indicators are mounted to the test conductor. These fault indicators are with a manual testing/reset tool. This
point of cable terminators (loadbreak ideal for overhead distribution systems. economical unit is ideally suitable for
elbows, deadbreak elbows, etc.). They A minimum line-to-ground voltage of temporary use as a testing tool, since
are economical and simple to apply 6.9 kV is sufficient to produce the it does not contain all the standard
on underground distribution systems. potential gradient needed to power features of the rest of the S.T.A.R. line.
Test Point Reset fault indicators the device. The unit is powered by a long lasting,
require no special cable preparation lithium ion battery that provides the
in order to install and fit all major power to indicate the faulted condi-
manufacturers voltage test points. tions via a high intensity LED display.

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 320-05

FAULT INDICATOR SYSTEM CONDITIONS Cable Discharge

RELIABILITY THAT AFFECT FCI Cable discharge is a phenomenon
All Cooper Power Systems faulted OPERATION that occurs at the instant of fault
circuit indicators result in reliable occurrence and manifests itself by
operation when applied properly. To
Inrush Current tripping indicators beyond the fault.
select a reliable fault indicator, one Inrush currents can occur any time an The 1991 system study showed that if
must consider the various operating electrical distribution system is ener- a substantial length of cable exists
conditions that can affect operation. gized. Inrush currents can exceed beyond the fault, the charge on that
normal load currents by 12 to 60 times cable can discharge to the fault. This
Reliability can have many different the normal load current. These higher cable discharge is usually of short
meanings. For some, fault indicator than normal currents can falsely trip a duration, but can be of high enough
reliability means that the fault indicator faulted circuit indicator since fault magnitude to trip one or two indica-
operates every time a fault occurs on indicators are typically peak sensing tors beyond the location of the fault,
the distribution circuit. However, fault devices. Fortunately, system energiza- especially if the fault indicator has a
indicators may operate erroneously tion occurs in two distinct instances. relatively low trip rating.
when not applied properly. A better The first being when the system has
definition of fault indicator reliability is Since the frequency of the cable
been without power for an extended discharge is in the several kilohertz
that the faulted circuit indicators show period of time and the second being
proper indication each time they range, it becomes possible to
during a recloser operation. filter out the high frequency signals.
operate. This means that the units may
only operate 95% of the time, but that If an automatic resetting faulted circuit This effectively eliminates the cable
the fault indicators will operate indicator is being used, initial system discharge as a source of FCI operation.
correctly each time they operate. energization will not affect the FCI The application of a low pass filter in
Most operations personnel would indication, because the FCI will the fault indicator sensing circuit will
agree that FCI misoperation causes automatically reset to the normal efficiently perform this function. The
more problems than FCI non-operation. position if the system remains frequency of the low pass filter is set
energized. at a precise level that filters out the
Cooper Power Systems has been cable discharge, while allowing the
providing fault indicators to the utility The vast majority of FCI inrush opera- fault indicator to indicate if a current
market for over 20 years. Experience tions are due to recloser operations. limiting fuse is protecting the circuit.
shows that in order to achieve reliable On most distribution systems, a
indication, the proper fault indicator, reclosing device is almost always pre-
with the appropriate features must be sent somewhere on the system,
applied to the distribution system. In either at the substation or further out 1/0, 260 mil,
many cases, customers reporting on the feeder circuit. In the case of copper cable
inaccurate operation of fault indicators three-phase applications, recloser 1000' 3000'
are applying a fault indicator that does operation can cause tripping of fault
not have the proper features for the indicators on phases not involved in
25 kV
application. Furthermore, the primary the fault. The best method for dealing
reason for the wrong fault indicator with inrush due to recloser operations Distributed Capacitance
is to inhibit the trip circuit following a of High-Voltage Cable
being used was the fact that the utility
had such a large variety of units that momentary interruption of service.
line personnel became confused as Cooper Power Systems fault indicators Figure 3.
to the proper FCI to use for a given equipped with inrush restraint, will A simplified 25 kV distribution cable
application. sense the momentary service inter- system.
ruption and keep the fault indicators
In 1991, Cooper Power Systems in the normal position (see Fault
began a project to better understand Indicator Inrush Operation on page
what system variables can affect fault 6). If the reclose sequence is suc- Figure 3 shows a simplified 25 kV dis-
indicator operation. The goal of the cessful, the units will automatically tribution cable system with a fault
study was to determine why fault reset and arm for the next operation. having a variable amount of cable
indicators misoperate and how to For simplicity of application, it is rec- behind it. Assuming that the copper,
correct the problems. In conjunction ommended that inrush restraint be 1/0 cable has an L=196.3µH per foot
with a major customer of Cooper specified on all faulted circuit indica- and C=59nF per foot the discharge
Power Systems, several underground tors. frequency can be calculated:
distribution circuits, where known
problems existed, were modeled. f = 1/(2π√ LC)
What was found provided a better If there is 1000’ of cable behind the
understanding of what features fault then f = 46.77 kHz.
should be standard on all faulted
circuit indicators. Increasing the length of the cable
behind the fault will not significantly
change the peak outrush current that
discharges into the fault. The frequen-
cy of the transient inrush current
oscillation is however proportional to
the length of the cable behind the
fault. For example if 3000’ were
behind the fault the frequency would
be reduced to 15.59 kHz.

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Faulted Circuit Indicator Application Guide

Proximity Effect
Proximity effect is defined as the
current from an adjacent cable affect-
ing the operation of a fault ELBOW
indicator on the desired cable of oper- TIE-OFF
TAB
ation. Proximity effect has two differ-
ent modes in which it can affect fault ELBOW
indicator operation.
First, on multi-phase circuits, conduc-
tors of different phases can be in very TERMINATED
close proximity to one another. This is LOCATE
NEUTRAL
WIRES
especially true on underground appli- THE SENSOR
PORTION OF
cations. Due to the distance between THE FAULTED
the conductors, it becomes difficult for CIRCUIT
INDICATOR
the fault indicator to distinguish (in the outlined
area)
between the magnetic field of the
desired conductor and that of the
NEUTRAL
adjacent conductor. Therefore, a fault WIRES
on the adjacent conductor can cause a b c d
the fault indicator on another cable to
trip in error.
The second way proximity effect can Figure 5.
influence cause fault indicator opera- Recommended methods of concentric neutral primary cable preparation.
tion is when cables of the same
phase are in close proximity to one
another. For example, in a typical sin-
gle-phase transformer application, Proximity effect can be eliminated in Backfeed Voltages and
incoming and outgoing primary cables two ways. First, selecting a high trip Currents
are usually in close proximity to one rating can make the fault indicator less
sensitive to adjacent phases. The Automatic-resetting fault indicators
another. In this case, the fault current that use either voltage or current to
would be traveling in one direction second and most effective method for
eliminating proximity effect is by the reset the unit when system power is
through the incoming cable and going restored can be affected by the sys-
in nearly the opposite direction use of a current transformer (either
open or closed core) to concentrate tem connection. Typically on systems
through the outgoing cable. The cur- where delta connections exist, single-
rent in the outgoing cable can then the flux from the desired phase and
therefore reduce the sensitivity of the phase sectionalizing can cause volt-
generate a magnetic field that effec- age or current backfeed which may
tively cancels the magnetic field gen- sensor to adjacent phases.
cause tripped fault indicators to reset.
erated in the incoming cable. This is
especially true for low trip level fault It is difficult to quantify the exact mag-
indicators, because they are much nitude of the backfeed current without
more sensitive to the adjacent mag- doing an in-depth system study.
netic field. However, voltage backfeed can be
quantified. Due to typical transformer
connections, the maximum voltage
backfeed that a fault indicator may
see is 60% of the nominal system
voltage.
This fact provides a means by which
voltage backfeed can be eliminated
as a cause of FCI resetting. A reset
restraint circuit, with the threshold set
above the 60% level will prevent the
fault indicator from resetting in error.

Figure 4.
Proximity effect illustration.

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 320-05

Temperature Fault indicators can be used on tape This information suggests that since
Compensation shield conductor or drain wire cable. If the maximum line-to-ground fault cur-
the cable shielding does not provide rent will flow to the fault, selecting a
Temperature compensation is a fea- the return path for the indicator, the low trip rating on a fault indicator pro-
ture that allows the fault indicators to indicator can be installed directly to vides little added sensitivity over a
provide a more accurate and reliable the cable. If the cable shielding pro- fault indicator with a higher trip rating.
output between -40° C. and +85° C. vides the return path for the fault cur- As a matter of fact, due to phenome-
S.T.A.R. fault indicators use a current rent, the indicator will not reliably na like proximity effect, a lower trip
transformer design to implement the detect a fault, as described above, rating can make the fault indicator
low pass filter circuit and to minimize and will require the use of a tape less reliable than one with a higher
the affects of adjacent magnetic shield or a drain wire adapter. (An rating. Therefore it makes sense to
fields. These features provide a sig- adapter must be installed approxi- set the fault indicator trip rating based
nificant performance improvement mately four inches below the elbow to on the available fault current levels,
over the use of a reed switch sensing allow ample space to mount the fault not the load current level.
circuit. indicator on the cable.) A better method for selecting a trip rat-
The copper coil of the current trans- SIMPLIFY FAULT ing is to analyze the system parameters
former changes resistance as the INDICATOR APPLICATION and select a trip rating based on a
temperature varies, therefore, the out- generalized system. For example, a
put will also change due to variable Reliable fault indicator application can typical 200 A underground system
temperature ranges. Cooper Power be achieved by selecting the proper rarely carries more than 50 to 100 A,
Systems designed and integrated a faulted circuit indicator for the job, but but is designed to carry a maximum of
circuit that compensated for the tem- in addition, the fault indicator must be 200 A. While a trip rating just above
perature changes, therefore, provid- applied properly in the field. The best the 100 A level could be selected,
ing an accurate output. method to assure proper field applica- selecting a trip rating greater than the
tion is to make the application rules 200 A maximum continuous load cur-
Cable Preparation: URD simple for field personnel. rent will allow the load current to vary
Due to the characteristics of a typical anywhere in the acceptable current
Proper primary cable preparation is range. This trip setting can then be
necessary for fault indicators to work distribution system, it is possible to
achieve a high degree of fault used for any 200 A underground dis-
reliably. The unit cannot be installed tribution system. The only criteria that
directly over the concentric neutral, indicator reliability while using just
one or two trip ratings for the entire needs to be satisfied to make this phi-
because the unit monitors current. If losophy work is that the fault indicator
the current in the neutral (return path) system. The application of the fault
indicators then becomes a matter of must respond faster than any protec-
is high it could cancel the effects of tive device on the system.
the field from the fault current in the applying the right fault indicator for
conductor. The net result could be the given system type.
less than the trip rating; therefore, the In 1983, EPRI published a study
fault indicator would not trip. The line called “Distribution Fault Current
crew, upon investigation, would be Analysis.” This study showed typical
misled by the false indication. The fault current characteristics for a
unit can, however, be mounted over cross-section of distribution feeders
the neutral if the neutral is double throughout the United States. The
backed as shown in Figure 5 a and b. results of the study showed that faults
Doubling the neutral allows the FCI to typically have less than two ohms of
detect the field from the fault current impedance. Furthermore, it showed
in the conductor because it eliminates that system fault calculations were
a return path. Refer to Figure 5 for the relatively accurate when a zero fault
recommended methods of concentric impedance was used to calculate
neutral primary cable preparation. line-to-ground fault current magni-
tudes.

5
Faulted Circuit Indicator Application Guide

As seen in Figure 6, the fault indicator

200

400
will allow the load current to vary within
the acceptable range without tripping. 10
The FCI will trip when fault current
reaches approximately 400 A, which
is beyond any expected continuous
load current, and less than the typical
expected minimum fault current. And,
because response time of the fault
1
indicator is faster than protective
equipment, the unit will indicate a
faulted condition before any protective
devices operate.
This philosophy will work for overhead
distribution as well. A system that is
.1
protected by fused cutouts, can have
fuse ratings from 1 A through 200 A. TIME IN SECONDS
Typical Range Typical
Since 200 A tin links can carry 150% of Continuous
rated load, the possible load currents Range
Current under of Fault
could vary anywhere from a few Normal Load Current
amperes up to a maximum of 300 A.
If a faulted circuit indicator with a trip .01 Response
rating of greater than 300 A is used, Curve
that trip rating could be used anywhere
on the overhead system, provided the
fault indicator is fast enough to beat
out the fuse for any fault occurrence.
When using this application philosophy, .001
one can also ignore any variations in
the fault indicator trip rating due to
changing cable dimensions, because
as long as the trip rating is substan-
tially larger than the maximum load
current, the exact trip rating does not
matter. The maximum line-to-ground .0001
fault current will flow to the fault, 1 10 100 1,000 10,000
effectively tripping a fault indicator CURRENT IN AMPERES
that is slightly higher in rating. This
further allows the fault indicator to be Figure 6.
applied generally to any system. Low Voltage Reset faulted circuit indicator (Low trip rating) response curve as
In general, a fault indicator applied to applied to a typical 200 A underground system.
a 200 A URD loop should have a
LOW trip rating (around 400 A) and a
600 A system should utilize a HIGH Three-Phase System
trip rating (around 800 A). AØ BØ CØ
(Refer to Figure 7)
The last step to making the application #3 #6 #9
of the faulted circuit indicator simpler ■ Fault occurs on Phase A. Fault
is to make all the features that may current levels exceed trip rating of FAULT
be needed in any application standard indicators and, thus, all indicators
on the fault indicator specified. For (#1 and #2) between recloser and #2 #5 #8
example, it is recommended that all fault trip.
fault indicators have inrush restraint. ■ Recloser opens. Indicators, with #1 #4 #7
This means that this fault indicator can inrush restraint, on Phase B and C
be applied anywhere on the system, detect loss of power. Deadtime is AUTO RECLOSER
even where a recloser is not being sufficient to fully discharge the trip OR BREAKER
used. Therefore, the line personnel capacitors.
won’t have to decide between a unit THREE-PHASE
without inrush restraint and one with SYSTEM
inrush restraint.
Figure 7.
FAULT INDICATOR Typical Three-Phase Application of
Fault Indicators with the Inrush
INRUSH OPERATION Restraint Option.
The following is a description of how
a system operates during inrush
when fault indicators equipped with
inrush restraint are applied.

6
 320-05
■ Recloser closes back in. Phase A Time E - Recloser closes back-in. ■ The recloser cycles until recloser
sees fault current again. #1 and #2 A-phase (or A-leg) current lock-out occurs. The only tripped
indicators remain tripped while B rises to fault level. Previously indicators are #1 and #2, thus,
and C phases experience inrush. tripped indicators on A-phase locating the fault between #2 and
Trip circuits for indicators on B (or A-leg) remain tripped. B #3 on the A-leg.
and C phases have already been and C-phase (or B-leg and Current trace: Same as Figure 8.
inhibited and, thus, will not trip. C-leg) indicators experience
■ inrush, but do not respond
The recloser cycles until recloser due to disabled trip function A-LEG B-LEG
lock-out occurs. The only tripped at time D.
indicators are #1 and #2, thus, #3 #6
locating the fault between #2 and Time F - Recloser cycles until it locks FAULT
#3 on the A-phase. open or until the fault is
isolated by the operation of #2 #5
Current Trace a fuse link or sectionalizer.
#1
(Refer to Figure 8) The only tripped indicators #4
are on A-phase (or A-leg)
Time A - Normal Load Current All between the recloser and
indicators in normal state. the fault. AUTO RECLOSER
Time B - Fault occurs on Phase A (or OR BREAKER
A-leg of bifurcated feeder). Single-Phase System
All indicators on Phase A with Laterals SINGLE-PHASE SYSTEM
(or A-leg) between recloser WITH LATERALS
(Refer to Figure 9) (b)
and the fault trip.
■ Fault occurs on A-leg of bifurcated
Time C - Recloser opens. feeder. Fault current levels exceed Figure 9.
Indicators with inrush trip rating of indicators and, thus, Typical Single-Phase Application of
restraint on B and C-phases all indicators (#1 and #2) between Fault Indicators with the Inrush
(or B-leg and C-leg) detect recloser and fault trip. Restraint Option.
loss of power.
■ Recloser opens. Indicators, with
Time D - Deadtime exceeds time inrush restraint, on B-leg detect
necessary to trigger inrush loss of power. Deadtime is sufficient
restraint circuitry. (i.e. 300 to fully discharge the trip capacitors.
milliseconds, but in some
■ Recloser closes back in. A-leg
cases 100 milliseconds).
Indicators on B and sees fault current again. #1 and #2
C-phases (or B-leg and indicators remain tripped while B-
C-leg) inhibit their trip leg experiences inrush. Trip
function in anticipation of circuits for indicators in B-leg
inrush current. have already been inhibited and,
thus, will not trip.

CURRENT IN A-PHASE OR A-LEG

FAULT CURRENT
TRIP RATING

NORMAL LOAD
ZERO CURRENT TIME
A B C D E F

CURRENT IN B AND C-PHASE OR B-LEG Ø C-LEG

FAULT CURRENT
TRIP RATING

NORMAL LOAD
ZERO CURRENT A B C D E F TIME

Figure 8.
Current Trace for Three-Phase Application of Fault Indicators with the Inrush
Restraint.

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 P.O. Box 1640
Waukesha, WI 53187
© 1998 Cooper Power Systems, Inc. www.cooperpower.com

MI
Printed on Recycled Paper 10/98