Fault location scheme for multi-terminal transmission lines using unsynchronized measurements

•A fault location algorithm for multi-terminal transmission lines using unsynchronized measurements is proposed.•Data synchronization procedure is developed.•The data synchronization procedure works as a faulted-leg identification scheme with immunity to power system transients.•The proposed fault location algorithm is independent of the fault resistance and source impedance variations.•The proposed multi-terminal fault location algorithm was tested extensively and accurate results were obtained.

In this paper, a simple alternative fault location algorithm for multi-terminal transmission lines using unsynchronized measurements is proposed. The developed data synchronization procedure is employed to identify the faulted leg before the fault location is calculated. The fault location algorithm is independent of the fault resistance and source impedance variations. The proposed faulted leg identification and location algorithm is extensively tested for all major fault types and different high fault resistances. The results show that the proposed multi-terminal fault location algorithm is fast, accurate and immune to power system transients.