Optimal stochastic fault tracking for rural electrical distribution networks via emergency brigades

Abstract

This article presents the results obtained when applying a new strategy for finding faults in rural distribution systems. This paper proposes a working protocol for the minimization of the average restoration time via the emergency brigades. The methodology involves two stages: (i) discrimination and (ii) tracking of electric faults. The process uses only the principal distribution substation recorded data to construct the “short-circuit current ranges” of fault locations (zoning). The tracking is a probabilistic optimization process which uses the failure probability, the inspection time and the transit time of each line (the three basic ideas used by the emergency brigades to locate faults). The validity and robustness of the model is verified with real short-circuit situations. According to the results, the proposed strategy provides a plan of action to emergency brigades reducing, significantly, the time and mileage used to find the point where the failure occurred.