New fault location system for power transmission lines using composite fiber-optic overhead ground wire (OPGW)

A fault location (FL) method using composite fiber-optic overhead ground wires (OPGWs) was developed to find out where electrical faults occur on overhead power transmission lines. This method locates the fault section by detecting the current induced in the ground wire, i.e. the OPGW in this system. Since detected fault information is essentially uncertain, the fault information is treated in the proposed FL method as a current distribution pattern throughout the power line, and fuzzy theory is applied to realize the manner of fault location used by electrical power engineers. It was confirmed by computer simulations that the fault section can be accurately located using this method under various conditions. This FL system was applied to several commercial power transmission lines and successfully located the sections where electrical faults occurred