Phase Shift Analysis and Phase Identification for Distribution System with 3-Phase Unbalanced Constant Current Loads

Power grids are large complicated networks in use around. An absolute phase value for a particular unknown-phase line at a local site should be identified for the operation and management of a 3-phase distribution network. The phase shift for a specific point in the line, as compared with a phase reference point at a substation, must be within a range of +/- 60 degrees for correct identification. However, the phase shift at a particular point can fluctuate depending on the line constants, transformer wiring method, line length, and line amperage, etc. Conducted in this study is a theoretical formulation for the determination of phase at a specific point in the line, Simulink modeling, and analysis for a distribution network. In particular, through evaluating the effects of unbalanced current loads, the limitations of the present phase identification methods are described.