The Research of Traveling Wave Fault-Location Methods for the 10kv Distribution Networks

Abstract

The 10kV distribution networks have complicated geographical environment and the lines with many branches, as well as high grounding resistance at fault point, thus result the difficult of locating fault. Traveling wave fault-location methods locate fault by the time of traveling wave from fault point to receiver or wave subtraction from fault point to two sides receivers, and the advantages of the methods are fast and have high precision. This paper introduced A, B, C, E four types traveling wave fault-location methods and their characteristics. Many simulations are taken for single-phase earth fault in a 10kV power distribution line with branches. By comparing the waves reflected from normal line and the fault one, the fault distance is determined by the first distortion point. As a result, the simulations indicate that the fault-location precision meet the actual requirement, Type C traveling wave fault-location method is feasible for the fault location in distribution networks.