Methods for locating ground faults and insulation degradation condition in energy conversion systems

A method of detecting insulation degradation within an energy conversion system, said energy conversion system including a plurality of DC current carrying conductors, said method performed using one or more processors, said method comprising:

• obtaining a baseline frequency spectra of differential current at startup for the plurality of the DC current carrying conductors for a healthy DC network within said energy conversion system;
• measuring differential current transient at start-up from the plurality of the DC current carrying conductors;
• analyzing frequency spectra of the measured differential current transient at start-up from the plurality of the DC current carrying conductors;
• comparing, by a processor, the baseline frequency spectra of current to the frequency spectra of the measured differential current transient at start-up;
• and
• determining whether insulation degradation exists within said energy conversion system, the determining being based, in part, on the comparing of the baseline frequency spectra to the frequency spectra of the measured differential current transient at start-up.