Composite Fault Map for Power Line Event Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical power distribution systems face challenges in accurately locating line faults due to varying estimates from different monitoring devices, leading to extensive physical inspections and inefficiencies in identifying and repairing issues.
Innovation Solution
An automated process that receives and analyzes event reports from multiple systems, identifies associated events based on location and time criteria, and combines probability distributions to create a composite fault map, reducing the area of inspection and improving fault localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple monitoring devices provide different location estimates of a line fault, then the coverage area for fault detection is improved, but the inspection area required to locate the exact fault increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fault location probability distributions from different monitoring devices into a single composite probability distribution. This merging process integrates the individual estimates to produce a unified view of fault likelihood across the distribution system, concentrating the inspection effort on areas with the highest combined probability rather than spreading efforts across multiple separate high-probability zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms multiple discrete probability estimates into a continuous composite probability distribution function. By changing the parameter representation from separate discrete values to a unified continuous distribution, the system can identify a single most-likely fault location rather than multiple separate high-probability areas, thereby reducing the total inspection area required.
2Reliability
If different monitoring devices process electrical current measurements to provide location estimates, then the reliability of fault detection is improved, but the time required for physical inspection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of fault location probabilities by combining multiple device estimates into a composite distribution before field inspection begins. This preliminary analytical work identifies the most likely fault location in advance, allowing service personnel to proceed directly to the highest-probability area rather than conducting a broad preliminary survey, thereby reducing on-site inspection time while maintaining detection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If service personnel perform physical inspection over a large portion of conductors, then the accuracy of fault location is improved, but the productivity of the inspection process decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating inspection resources on the specific location with the highest composite probability rather than distributing effort uniformly across a large area. The composite probability distribution identifies a focal point or narrow region of highest likelihood, allowing personnel to apply their inspection efforts locally where they are most needed, thereby achieving high accuracy with improved productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to determine an event location on a feeder line segment that is downstream of a feeder line branch. A first indication of an event is received from a sensor located on a feeder line upstream of the feeder line branch. A status of a monitored segment downstream of the feeder line branch is determined based on receiving the indication. The monitored segment is determined to be a particular branch based on locations of the feeder line branch, status sensors downstream of the feeder line branch, and location data of segments downstream of the feeder line branch. The event is determined to have occurred on a determined segment downstream of the feeder line branch based on the status of the monitored segment and on which segment is the monitored segment. An indication that the event occurred on the determined segment is provided based on determining the monitored segment.