Arc Fault Detection Using Rogowski Coils

Inhalt:
Arc fault failures in solar power inverters have become a recognized problem and arc fault detection will soon be required for all string inverters. Accurately detecting arc faults requires sensing the current for a specific signature waveform. Rogowski coils are ideal for the signal sensing because they are immune to DC current, have unlimited saturation characteristics, and are fully isolated. This paper will detail how a Rogowski coil can be used to detect arc faults and to provide a system with the information that a fault has occurred so it can be arrested.