Fault Location in Neutral Non-effectively Grounded Distribution Systems Using Phase Current and Line-to-line Voltage

Abstract

Abstract—A scheme of single-line-to-ground fault location in neutral non-effectively grounded distribution systems is proposed in this article. The characteristics of phase current traveling waves and line-to-line voltage traveling waves are analyzed. The wavelet transform technique is used to extract the information of the arrival times, polarities, and amplitudes of the recorded traveling waves. The fault location scheme can simultaneously realize faulty feeder identification, fault section location, and fault position location even if only two-phase current transformers are installed in the Phases A and C and feeder terminal units only to provide line-to-line voltage information. The effectiveness and practicability of the proposed scheme have been verified by PSCAD/EMTDC simulation results.

Keywords:

• distribution systems
• fault location
• non-effectively grounding
• traveling wave

APPENDIX: PARAMETERS OF THE DISTRIBUTION LINES

FIGURE A1. Conductor data and overhead line structure of the test system shown in Figure 5.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51177058).

Notes on contributors

Jinrui Tang

Jinrui Tang is currently working towards his Ph.D. degree at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. His research interest is in traveling-wave-based fault location and condition monitoring in the electric power systems.

Xianggen Yin

Xianggen Yin received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, in 1989. Currently, he is a professor of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His major area of interest includes protective relaying and control of security and stability.

Minghao Wen

Minghao Wen received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, in 2000. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His research interests include protective relaying and power system control and analysis.

Zhe Zhang

Zhe Zhang received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, in 1992. Currently, he is a professor of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His interest is in protective relaying.