Fault location in radial distribution lines using travelling waves and network theory

This paper proposes a method for locating a fault in a radial distribution network using travelling waves together with network theory. The single-ended travelling wave measurement scheme is used to calculate the distance of the fault from the terminal node. However, due to the radial structure of the distribution network, there could be more than one possible fault candidates at the same distance. The spanning tree structure and unsymmetrical nature of such networks are then taken into consideration to isolate the actual faulty link from all possible fault candidates. The methodology is explained on a simple 12 node example and further verified on the IEEE 34 node test feeder network using Matlab and Alternate Transients Program/Electromagnetic Transients Program (ATP/EMTP).