A novel single-phase grounding fault location method with traveling wave for distribution networks

To solve the problem of precise location for long-standing single-phase grounding fault in complex tree-type distribution network, a novel single-phase grounding fault location method with traveling wave has been proposed. This paper studied transmission characteristics of traveling wave modulus, and presented a new fault location method combining the two traveling wave principles. First, the multi-terminal location algorithm was established to find out fault trunk line and narrow fault location scope. Second, a double-terminal fault location algorithm based on the time gap between zero mode and aerial mode traveling has been put forward to calculate the fault distance. Finally, according to the information of multi-terminal and double-terminal fault location, the fault point was located. Simulation results indicated that the location method can carry out accurate fault location with traveling wave location device mounted on only part of the ends in the distribution network. Therefore, it can save investment effectively, and has advantages of little data load and simple algorithm implementation.