Fault Location in Distribution Network with Distributed Generation: An Overview and Key Issues

The addition of distributed generation sources into conventional distribution networks results in several technical challenges for successful operation of distribution network. As far as physical integration is concerned, finding the exact location of fault is a key issue. The coordination between the protection devices existing in the distribution network gets disrupted due to presence of distributed generation (DG). Therefore existing fault location techniques for distribution system will not work properly with penetration of DG. Therefore new fault location schemes for distribution networks with distributed generations (DG) have been developed in the recent times, but there are still problems whose solution needs to be found out. This paper investigates the issues and current state regarding fault location in distribution network with DG. A comparative analysis is carried out in which the merit and demerit of each technique is assessed and some conclusion and suggestion for fault location in distribution system with DG is put forward.