FIELD: nonferrous metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: constant and variable components of current in series and voltage drops are measured over different sections of current-carrying buses and of power series of aluminum electrolyzers for detection of points of insulation faults. Coupling coefficient between current in series and variable component of voltage drop across section of series is found. After this one of sections of series is connected through electric capacitor to ground and voltage drop of variable component is measured across each electrolyzer. Point of insulation fault is detected by value and deviation sign of measured voltage drops across each electrolyzer. Coupling coefficients between current in series and variable component are used to find leakage current and insulation resistance of series of electrolyzers. Resistance of insulation of power network with regard to bus arrangement of series of electrolyzers is determined by value of constant component of voltage drop in each phase of power network supplying actuating mechanisms of series. EFFECT: increased accuracy and adaptability of process for detection of points of insulation faults of current-carrying buses of series of electrolyzers and of power network. 2 cl, 1 dwg
