Single-ended multi-method phasor-based approach for optimized fault location on transmission lines

This paper presents the development of a transmission line multi-method single-ended phasor-based fault location (SEPHFL) approach in a real digital fault recorder (DFR). Unlike classical solutions, it processes the outputs taken from different SEPHFL methods, allowing the calculation of accurate punctual fault distances, such as traditional approaches do, and reliable fault search fields, which is innovative from the point of view of SEPHFL applications. To properly select the algorithms to be used in the proposed solution, a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) is used to carry out massive hardware-in-the-loop fault simulations on 500 kV and 230 kV test power systems. Firstly, the DFR hardware capabilities are analyzed to identify SEPHFL methods with compatible requirements, and then, eight SEPHFL methods are chosen to be embedded in the DFR. Parametric studies in a fully controllable 500 kV test power network are carried out, varying the system operation conditions and fault features. Based on the obtained results, three techniques are selected to compose the proposed multi-method SEPHFL solution, which is finally implemented in the DFR and validated through tests in a realistic IEEE benchmark 230 kV/60 Hz system. The obtained results show the proposed approach is able to calculate accurate punctual fault distance estimations, with the advantage of providing a reliable search field, which can be used to optimize line inspection procedures, mainly when there is uncertainty on the punctual fault location estimations provided by traditional technologies.