Ring Power Network Fault Location via Traveling Wave

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fault location methods for ring power networks, particularly using traveling wave techniques, face challenges such as complexity in fault section judgment, reliance on multiple sensors, and uncertainty in wave speed, leading to inaccurate and unreliable fault detection.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the expansion of ring power networks into multiple reference coordinate systems, using traveling wave propagation speed and arrival times to construct distributed fault location equations, allowing for accurate fault determination through a series of simplified equations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traveling wave method is used for fault location in ring power network, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for multiple sensors and complex coordinate system construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault location accuracyVSAvoidmultiple sensors and coordinate systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ring power network is divided into multiple line segments with monitoring points at both ends. Each segment is analyzed independently by constructing local reference coordinate systems, allowing fault location to be determined by comparing traveling wave arrival times at adjacent monitoring points without requiring a complex global coordinate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single global coordinate system for the entire ring network, the patent constructs local reference coordinate systems for each line segment. This local approach simplifies the calculation by focusing only on the relevant segment containing the fault, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple sets of traveling wave location devices are deployed, then reliability of fault detection is improved, but loss of time for system installation and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The traveling wave location device is designed with multi-functional capability to operate in both ring network mode and linear network mode. The same device can adapt to different network configurations by switching between reference coordinate system constructions, eliminating the need for separate device sets for different topologies and reducing installation and maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its coordinate system construction based on the detected fault location and network topology. By flexibly selecting and constructing appropriate reference coordinate systems during fault analysis, the system maintains high reliability without requiring fixed multiple device sets, thereby reducing maintenance burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If fault section judgment is performed before location, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to complex judgment process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault location precisionVSAvoidfault location speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-constructs reference coordinate systems for all possible line segments during system initialization, before any fault occurs. When a fault happens, the system only needs to compare traveling wave arrival times at monitoring points using the pre-prepared coordinate systems, eliminating the need for complex real-time fault section judgment and improving both precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a reliable, economical, and accurate fault location method for complex AC/DC power transmission and distribution lines, overcoming the need for multiple sensors and simplifying the fault location equation, thereby enhancing the precision and efficiency of fault detection.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring a traveling wave propagation speed; constructing a plurality of distributed fault location equation sets according to the monitoring point coordinate information, the wavehead arrival time information, the assumed fault point information and the traveling wave propagation speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTraveling wave propagation: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentEP4488694B1Annular power network fault location method and related equipment
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 YUNNAN POWER GRID CO LTD ELECTRIC POWER RES INST
  • EP4488694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488694B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4488694B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and a related device for locating a ring power network fault. The method comprises: expanding in each ring line segment with an arbitrary point as a coordinate origin in a ring power network to construct a plurality of reference coordinate systems; acquiring monitoring point coordinate information and wavehead arrival time of each of the monitoring point positions in each of the reference coordinate systems; acquiring assumed fault point information; acquiring a traveling wave propagation speed; constructing a plurality of distributed fault location equation sets according to the monitoring point coordinate information, the wavehead arrival time information, the assumed fault point information and the traveling wave propagation speed in each of the reference coordinate systems; and determining an actual fault position according to a solution result of each of the distributed fault location system equation sets and the assumed fault section. The method provided in this application makes up for the deficiency of double-ended traveling wave positioning for ring network location. It provides a reliable, economical and accurate fault location method for the ring and complex AC/DC transmission and distribution lines.