Smart Inverter Arc Fault Protection for Photovoltaic Power Systems

In this work is presented a study of the influence that basic components present in photovoltaic installations, have in conventional Arc Fault (AF) protection systems, one of this components is the DC/AC Converter and MPPT tracking system which both work under the command of a PWM switching control strategy. With a deeper analysis of this type of components is possible to develop an approach that improve the actual efficiency of arc fault prevention systems. The possibility of preventing arc faults by detecting a voltage drop and modifying converters control is study and disputed its in this work. This is possible due to the fact that the DC/AC converters has a direct impact in the harmonic content of current and voltage signals conventionally employed in Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDD), a comparative analysis of simulation results between both real and ideal schematic validate the statement above.