A novel fault location algorithm for multi-terminal lines using phasor measurement units

Abstract

This paper presents a new PMU-based fault location algorithm for EHV multi-terminal transmission lines. The development of the algorithm is based on distributed transmission line model and synchronized positive sequence voltage and current phasors. The method does not require fault type identification and its computational cost is very low since it does not require iterative operations. The EMTP/ATP simulator was adopted to verify the accuracy of the method. The simulation studies show that the algorithm provides a high degree of accuracy in fault location. The algorithm is independent of various fault and system conditions such as fault types, fault positions, fault path resistance, pre-fault load flows, and line shunt capacitance, etc.