Distribution feeder fault location using IED and FCI information

Fault location in distribution feeders is a difficult task. Traditional impedance-based fault location methods assume that all feeder sections have the same impedance characteristics. This assumption introduces errors on feeders having sections with different conductor types and different tower configurations. This paper describes a new impedance-based method that uses the impedances and length of each feeder section and relay event reports to calculate possible fault locations. The method is complemented with faulted circuit indicators with communications abilities to reduce the number of possible fault locations. The paper compares calculation results obtained with the traditional and new methods using field cases and shows the benefit of using the new method.