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An electrical power fault is regarded as a flaw in the electrical circuit that deflects current from its actual path.
This defect is an unusual state in the electrical system that ends up damaging the electrical apparatus and blocking the electrical power supply.
In any electrical system, a shunt fault or short circuit is the commonest and most harmful fault. When it occurs, a short or heavy circuit current can damage the conductor insulation.
An electrical power fault can lead to some serious problems, and the circuits can catch fire as well. In this case, you need to call a professional electrician to solve the issues.
There are different types of faults in electrical power systems:
Single Phase to Ground Fault:
This is also referred to as a line-to-ground fault and primarily occurs when there is a breakdown of insulation between the earth and any of the phases. This is the most common fault in any power system.
There are 70% risks of these flaws appearing in a power system, and they can also generate uneven electricity for your domestic electronic appliances.
You can feel the electrical current flowing on your switchboards, fridges, and other electrical attachments. So beware of this power fault, and always fix it at the initial stage.
Line-to-Line Fault:
It takes place when any live conductor touches another one.
This type of electrical power fault mainly occurs due to heavy winds, which swing the overhead conductors, and these conductors can be connected automatically.
These flaws are less risky, and the range of occurrence can be 15 to 20%.
Single-line-to-ground fault:
It is also known as the LG fault and happens to be one of the most common faults.
Experience with electrical systems shows that LG faults account for 70–80% of all the faults affecting this kind of power system. It leads to a short circuit between the ground and the line.
Phase-to-Phase Faults:
These occur in power systems only in rare cases and are also referred to as line-to-line faults. The problem arises when two conductors get connected.
In all power system faults, these account for hardly 15%, and they can happen during the working or renovating of the electrical wires.
So when you install such wires or cables, you need to procure the best safety measurements.
2 Phases to the Ground Fault:
The electrical power fault arises due to an insulation breakdown between the earth and the two phases. This is the most dangerous fault, although it arises in power systems only rarely.
These occur only in 10% of all faults and are also referred to as L-L-G faults or line-to-line-to-ground faults.
All 3 Phases Short Circuited:
This electrical power fault occurs primarily due to the insulation degenerating between all three phases. However, like phase-to-phase to ground faults or phase-to-phase faults, these occur only in 2–3% of cases in electrical power systems.
3rd Phase to Ground and Phase to Phase Fault
It combines:
- Phase-to-phase to ground fault
- Phase-to-phase fault
It arises when there is a degeneration of the insulation between two electrical phases, and there is also insulation degeneration between the earth and the third phase. These occur only in 2–3% of all cases of electrical faults.
Phase-to-Phase, 3rd Phase to Ground, and Phase to Phase Fault, 2 Phases to Ground Fault, and All 3 Phases to Ground Fault can produce unsymmetrical current.
On the other hand, all three phases of short-circuit faults are symmetrical and produce symmetrical current. However, it is suggested to avoid any DIY techniques to fix the electrical power fault and hire a trained and licensed electrician to fix these issues.
David Fenton is an expert writer and blogger who shared his experience by providing innovative and useful information about “electrical power faults,” which helped readers get a better idea.
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