Fault location in an unbalanced distribution system using support vector classification and regression analysis

Abstract

Support vector machine (SVM) is a novel machine for data analysis and has advantageous characteristic of good generalization. Because of this characteristic, SVM is used in this work for fault classification and diagnosis in distribution systems. This work proposes an effective fault location method using SVM to identify the fault type, faulty section, and fault distance. The classification and regression analysis of the SVM are performed to locate a fault. The proposed method utilizes the voltage sag magnitude and angle measured at the primary substation of a distribution system. First, the fault type is identified using one‐ versus‐one concept of support vector classification. The next step identifies the faulty section by calculating fault resistance, finding possible faulty sections and ranking the possible sections. Finally, the fault distance is identified using support vector regression analysis. The performance of the proposed method is tested using SaskPower distribution system from Canada having 20 line sections. Test cases are carried out under various fault scenarios considering the fault type and fault resistance. The results of fault distance are compared for different kernel functions, and the most accurate kernel is chosen. Test results show that the proposed method obtains reliable fault location. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.