Adaptive Fault Location Iteration for Power Transmission Lines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing procedures for fault location in three-phase electrical transmission lines face challenges in convergence behavior during the iteration process, leading to potential errors in determining the exact location of faults.

Innovation Solution

The proposed procedure introduces a compensation indication as an auxiliary specification to describe a valuation point for potential error locations. It employs at least two different modification methods, selecting the appropriate method based on the sensitivity specification, which quantifies the influence of compensation on error location. This approach ensures that the iteration process converges correctly by avoiding increasing deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single modification method is used in the iteration process, then the calculation procedure is simple, but the convergence behavior deteriorates and may lead to uncontrolled iterations with increasing deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation procedure complexityVSAvoidconvergence behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the modification method adaptive rather than static. The procedure dynamically selects between first and second type modification methods based on the calculated sensitivity specification. When sensitivity is below a threshold, the first type method is used; when above, the second type method is used. This dynamic adaptation ensures convergence while maintaining procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of modification type based on the sensitivity specification value. By monitoring the sensitivity parameter during iteration and adjusting the modification method accordingly, the system achieves reliable convergence. This parameter-based control prevents uncontrolled iterations while keeping the overall procedure manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the iteration proceeds without checking sensitivity, then the calculation is faster, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to potential uncontrolled iterations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation timeVSAvoidfault location precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by calculating the sensitivity specification during each iteration and using this information to control the continuation and method selection of the iteration. This feedback mechanism ensures that the iteration stops when convergence is achieved, preventing unnecessary calculations while maintaining precision through appropriate method selection based on sensitivity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If compensation information is not adjusted during iteration, then the procedure is simpler, but the fault location accuracy deteriorates due to increasing deviation from optimal compensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiteration procedure complexityVSAvoidfault location accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the sensitivity specification in advance during each iteration step before determining the next compensation information. This preliminary sensitivity assessment allows the system to select the appropriate modification method proactively, ensuring that compensation information is adjusted optimally to maintain fault location accuracy throughout the iteration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4310521B1Method and safety device for locating a fault
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4310521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4310521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4310521B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for locating a fault in a conductor section (30) of a three-phase electrical power transmission line, wherein the method includes at least one iteration step comprising a location calculation method in which a fault location (Mm) is determined taking into account an auxiliary specification, and a modification method in which a modified auxiliary specification is formed with which the location calculation method can be repeated to form a new fault location (Mm), wherein the iteration step is repeated within an iteration until a predetermined termination criterion is met.According to the invention, the auxiliary specification is a compensation specification (Mc) that describes an estimated location where the error could be, and at least two different modification methods are available, and in each iteration step it is checked which of the modification methods should be used in the respective iteration step, wherein the choice of the modification method depends on a sensitivity specification (E) that quantitatively describes the influence of the compensation specification (Mc) on the error location specification (Mm).