Performance Analysis of Segregated Phase Comparison Line Differential Protection in Networks with Inverter-Based Resources
B. Agudelo-Cruz, M. Alzate-Posso and J. Mora-Flórez ICE3 Research Group, Electrical Engineering Program, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Campus La Julita, Pereira, Colombia. 2026-06-27

Abstract

Electric power systems with high penetration of inverterbased distributed generation face significant technical and
operational challenges, among which protection systems constitute a critical concern. This paper presents a comparative assessment of a conventional segregated phase comparison–based line differential protection scheme and a proposed approach that incorporates compensation for line capacitance effects in networks with inverter-based resources (IBRs). For this purpose, a detailed electromagnetic transient model of the test system was developed in PSCAD/EMTDC. Various fault scenarios, including single-phase-to-ground, phase-to-phase, and three-phaseto-ground faults, were simulated under different fault resistance conditions. In addition, the influence of variations in sampling frequency on the performance of both protection schemes was investigated. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed secure segregated phase comparison–based differential protection scheme effectively mitigates angular difference oscillations and maintains a nearly constant response under pre-fault steady-state conditions. These characteristics significantly enhance the reliability, selectivity, and operating speed of line protection, particularly in converter-dominated power feeders.

Key words: Inverter-based resources, line protection, distributed energy resources, and phase comparison.

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