Compensation of Systematic Errors for Improved PMU-Based Fault Detection and Location in Three-Phase Distribution Grids

Grid management undoubtedly benefits from an accurate monitoring of actual network operating conditions. Such monitoring can be obtained starting from a widespread presence of measurement points and different types of estimation techniques. To exploit all the possible measurements present on the network, data coming from the protection systems can be considered in addition to those from the measurement systems. In this scenario, however, accuracy should not be underestimated, because in the presence of dynamic signals, it can be dramatically reduced. In this context, this article presents an improved fault detection and location method based on synchronized measurements, estimation techniques, and an appropriate accuracy modeling aimed at reducing the uncertainty in the fault analysis. The proposed approach is validated by simulations carried out by means of a digital real-time simulator (DRTS) on the three-phase CIGRE European medium voltage (MV) distribution network. © 1963-2012 IEEE.