Power Line Fault Location Using Two-Ended Traveling-Wave Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fault location methods in electrical power supply networks, especially those using impedance-based methods, suffer from inaccuracies due to measurement errors and noise, and require complex evaluations, necessitating more precise techniques to reduce downtime and maintenance efforts.

Innovation Solution

The method determines fault location by analyzing time-stamped current and voltage profiles of traveling waves at both line ends, using pattern comparison and cross-correlation to calculate the time difference of wave arrival, which allows for high-accuracy fault localization, even in lines with significant attenuation or length-related losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If impedance-based fault location methods are used, then fault location can be determined using simple one-sided measurements, but measurement errors and noise significantly reduce accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault location determinationVSAvoidfault location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines measurements from both ends of the line to determine fault location, merging the advantages of two-sided data collection to achieve higher accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If two-sided fault location methods are used to improve accuracy, then fault location precision increases to 1-2% error, but the complexity of data communication and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault location accuracyVSAvoiddata communication and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential information from two-sided measurements - the time difference of traveling wave arrivals - while discarding redundant data, thereby achieving high accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary synchronization of clocks at both line ends before fault occurrence, establishing a common time reference that simplifies subsequent time difference calculations and reduces processing complexity during actual fault events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional fault location methods are used, then standard equipment and procedures can be maintained, but fault-related downtime remains excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidfault-related downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary fault location determination that guides maintenance teams directly to the fault location before visual inspection begins, preventing unnecessary travel time and enabling immediate remediation actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual inspection process with electromagnetic wave-based detection, using traveling wave analysis to electronically locate faults without requiring physical examination of entire line sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach significantly enhances fault location accuracy, reducing measurement errors and enabling precise fault detection with minimal data transmission, suitable for both real-time and offline applications, thus improving maintenance efficiency and reducing network downtime.

Implementation Method 1

profiles of traveling waves propagating along the line towards the line ends when the fault occurs are determined using the time-stamped first and second current and/or voltage values

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTraveling wave:

Data Source

PatentEP3223026B1Method, device and system for determining the location a fault on a line of an electrical energy supply network

Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SIEMENS AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the fault location (F) of a fault on a line (11) of an electrical power supply network, in which first and second current and/or voltage values are measured at the line ends (11a, 11b) of the line (11) and provided with a time stamp, and using the time-stamped first and second current and/or voltage values, the fault location (F) is determined after the occurrence of a fault on the line (11).To enable fault location with even higher accuracy using measurements from both ends of the line, it is proposed that, using the time-stamped first and second current and/or voltage values at both ends of the line (11a, 11b), profiles of traveling waves propagating along the line towards the ends of the line (11a, 11b) when the fault occurs are determined, and the fault location (F) is determined from the profiles of the traveling waves determined for both ends of the line (11a, 11b) by determining a time difference with which the traveling waves arrive at the two ends of the line (11a, 11b), wherein the time difference is determined from a pattern comparison of the profiles of the traveling waves determined for the ends of the line (11a, 11b).