Incipient fault location formulation: A time-domain system model and parameter estimation approach

Power systems faults are unavoidable events which affect distribution networks reliability. The fault process in underground cables is gradual and characterized by a series of sub-cycle incipient faults associated with an arc voltage. These events often are unnoticed and eventually result in permanent faults. This paper presents an incipient fault location formulation for distribution networks with underground cables. Presented formulation is composed by a time-domain system model and parameter estimation strategy. System model derivation considers distribution networks inherent features as unbalanced operation and underground distribution cables capacitive effect. Further, incipient fault characteristics as fault arc voltage are considered. The proposed system model is an overdetermined linear system of equations in which the fault location is estimated through a parameter estimation approach. Parameter estimation is made through a Non-Negative Weighted Least Square Estimator (NNWLSE). Smoothing and curve-fitting procedures are applied to input data aiming to decrease the noise effect. A load current compensation strategy is proposed to reduce its effect in the fault current estimation and a back substitution method is proposed for estimation refinement. Validation is performed using real-life distribution network with underground cable data simulated on ATP/EMTP. Test results are encouraging and demonstrate the method's potential for real life applications. An average error of 1.95% is obtained when compared with 6.48% derived using the state-of-art.