Faults in HVDC System

High Voltage transmission system has more capacity and certain characteristics. Hence it is used for long distance
transmission systems. Various types of faults occur on HVDC system such as DC faults. AC faults and converter stations
faults. In the HVDC transmission system, DC line is the one of component which has high failure probability. The study
of faults in HVDC system is necessary because the DC line faults will induce a significant effect on operation of HVDC
transmission system. There are two types of faults occurs on the DC link of HVDC such as DC line to Ground fault and
DC line to line faults. These DC faults on HVDC system are most dominant and frequent faults i.e., Line to line, Line to
ground fault and Three phase short circuit across the inverter station, flashover and three phase short circuit in the AC
system are considered in converter station faults.

DC Line Faults
Faults on DC transmission line are generally caused by external mechanical stress, lightening strikes and pollution. In
HVDC transmission system, Line to Ground fault and Line to Line fault are common types of faults. These faults are
permanent and for which a lengthy repair is needed. After detecting the cable faults in DC transmission line, the
converter should be stopped immediately. These faults are likely to be temporary which required fault restoration after
the fault clearance.

DC Line to Line Fault

The DC Line to Line faults are usually caused by insulation failure between the two DC conductors. The DC line to line
faults is a rare accident. When line to line fault occurs in DC transmission line, the capacitor will be discharged rapidly.
Simultaneously the AC system will be the tree phase short circuit through fault point. When fault occurs in DC side, the
IGBTs can be blocked for the self protection during faults, leaving reverse diodes exposed to over current. The fault
demands that both converters should be blocked. The equivalent circuit of DC Line to Line Faults as shown in figure
below. The short circuit can be divided to three stages are as follows.