Fault location based on single terminal travelling wave analysis in radial distribution network

• We obtain the probable zero mode traveling wave speed via BP neutral network method.
• Preliminary fault distance is got by velocity difference of zero and aerial mode.
• We identify fronts from fault point and far terminal end by the preliminary distance.
• Two particular wave fronts identified already are employed to locate fault precisely.

Fault location remains a challenging problem in order to restore power supply rapidly. In this paper, a novel single-terminal traveling wave fault location procedure is proposed in a radial distribution network. Firstly, the propagating speed of zero mode traveling wave is determined by BP neutral network method. Then the preliminary estimation of fault distance is calculated based on the difference of velocities by discriminating the accurate timestamps of initial zero and aerial mode wave fronts. With this preliminary fault distance, the exact arrival timestamps of reflected wave fronts from fault position and far terminal end can be successful yielded. Finally, depended on mathematical relation of selected pairs-timestamps, the fault distance can be calculated precisely. Simulations have performed in PSCAD/EMTDC and the results show the accuracy and validity of procedures proposed above.