Distribution Transformer Voltage Analysis for Faulty Subsection Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fault detection methods in electric distribution networks require costly sensors for voltage and current measurements, making them inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing voltage measurements from secondary sides of distribution transformers to compute fault detection indices based on negative sequence components, synchronizing signals, and using two thresholds to identify faulty subsections without requiring additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fault detection methods use current measurement sensors (current transformers) to detect broken conductor faults, then fault detection accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses voltage measurements from distribution transformers as an intermediary to indirectly detect faults. Instead of directly measuring current with expensive current transformers, the system measures voltage signals at transformer secondary sides and processes them to identify fault conditions, thereby reducing sensor requirements while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical sensor-based current measurement system with a signal processing approach that uses existing voltage measurements. By transforming voltage signals into sequence components and analyzing their characteristics, the system achieves fault detection without requiring additional current measurement hardware
2Reliability
If protection relays with voltage and current sensors are used to detect short-circuit faults, then fault detection capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing distribution transformer voltage measurements serve multiple functions: both fault detection and fault location. The same voltage signals used for normal operation monitoring are processed to identify fault conditions and determine fault positions, eliminating the need for separate protection relay sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the voltage measurements already being taken by distribution transformers for their original purpose and additionally employs these same measurements for fault detection and location. This self-service approach allows the existing measurement infrastructure to provide multiple functions without requiring additional specialized sensors
3Measurement precision
If multiple current measurement sensors are installed along MV feeders to locate faults, then fault location precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial distribution of current sensors along the feeder to temporal/dimensional analysis of voltage signals. By measuring voltage at discrete points and analyzing the time-domain characteristics and sequence components, the system achieves fault location precision without physically distributing multiple current sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating a faulty subsection in a distribution network. The method includes measuring a plurality of voltage signals, obtaining one or more pre-fault negative sequence components and one or more post-fault negative sequence components from the plurality of voltage signals, and detecting the faulty subsection based on the one or more pre-fault negative sequence components and the one or more post-fault negative sequence components. The plurality of voltage signals is measured utilizing a plurality of measurement devices. The plurality of voltage signals is measured from a plurality of distribution transformers in the distribution network. The one or more pre-fault negative sequence components and the one or more post-fault negative sequence components are obtained utilizing one or more processors. The faulty subsection is detected utilizing the one or more processors.