Fault Location for Distribution Feeders Based on Traveling Waves

Abstract

A new method of fault location for distribution feeders based on the aerial mode component of fault generating current and voltage traveling waves is discussed. Considering different distribution feeders, the current-voltage mode, the voltage-voltage mode and the current-current mode for fault location are proposed. Characteristics of traveling waves for small current earth fault and inter-phase short circuit fault are analyzed. Some key techniques are expatiated, such as the measurement of fault generating traveling wave signals, the fault transition resistance, the mixed lines and the lines with multi branches, the precise detection of traveling wave pulse, and so on. Moreover, distribution transformer is used to transform transient voltage traveling waves for overcoming the difficulty to catch the traveling waves at feeders' terminals. Field tests have verified the feasibility of the method proposed.