Transient fault

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In power engineering, a transient fault is a fault that is no longer present if power is disconnected for a short time.

Many faults in overhead powerlines are transient in nature. At the occurrence of a fault power system protection shall operate isolating the area of the fault. A transient fault will then clear and the powerline can be returned to service. Typical examples of transient faults include:

  • momentary tree contact
  • bird or other animal contact
  • lightning strike
  • conductor clash*

In electricity transmission and distribution systems an automatic reclose function is commonly used on overhead lines to attempt to restore power in the event of a transient fault. This functionality is not as common on underground systems as faults there are typically of a persistent nature. Transient faults may still cause damage both at the site of the original fault or elsewhere in the network as fault current is generated.