A hybrid impedance and transient based analysis technique for fault location in distribution networks

Abstract

This paper presents a hybrid method for fault location in distribution networks. An impedance-based fault location formulation, taking into account unbalanced operation, presence of intermediate loads, laterals, and time-varying load profile was developed in order to estimate the fault distance. The faulty section is then identified through the transient evaluation with focus on high frequency analysis using different signal processing techniques. The proposed method was evaluated using a real distribution feeder with 241 buses, simulated through the ATP/EMTP software considering different fault types, resistances and locations.