Ground Fault Location and Severity Estimation Method for DC/DC Converters

The increasing use of power electronic converters in DC systems introduces significant challenges for reliable ground fault detection, particularly in configurations that incorporate energy dissipation devices. Existing approaches often face limitations when faults occur within converter‐interfaced sections. This paper proposes a new method for ground‐fault detection, location, and severity estimation in DC networks equipped with DC/DC converters. The method analyses the voltage waveform of the grounding resistor that links the system neutral point—either the AC star‐point of the transformer or an artificial DC midpoint—to ground. By examining the characteristic response of this signal, the approach enables accurate detection of the fault, identification of the affected section (positive pole, negative pole, or DC chopper), and estimation of the fault severity through the calculation of the corresponding fault resistance. The proposed technique is first assessed through comprehensive simulation studies covering multiple fault scenarios. In addition, the method is experimentally validated on a laboratory test bench, demonstrating its effectiveness and robustness under different fault conditions and severities. Significantly, the experimental validation is carried out under real, non‐ideal operating conditions—where phenomena such as measurement noise and hardware imperfections are inherently present—further confirming the practical applicability of the proposed method.