Integration of wavelet packet transform, residual convolution neural network, and support vector machine for series arc fault detection

Series arc fault (SAF) poses a great challenge to the safe and stable operation of civil low-voltage distribution systems. For the accurate and rapid detection of SAF, this article proposes an SAF detection method using wavelet packet transform (WPT), residual convolution neural network (RCNN), and support vector machine (SVM). First, the raw current signal is decomposed into four wavelet components based on WPT. Then, the 1-D wavelet components are converted into 2-D matrices. Afterward, the matrices are input into RCNN through different channels. Finally, the detection results can be yielded by SVM. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified based on offline experiments. The average detection accuracy of the proposed method is 99.72%, which is higher than that of the eight comparison methods. Moreover, the results of online experiments indicate that the detection time of the proposed method is less than 100 ms and can satisfy the requirement of standard 1699.