Distributed Voltage Phasor Triangulation for Fault Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fault location techniques on electrical networks are limited by unknown parameters, network complexity, load imbalance, and the difficulty in building accurate models, leading to inaccurate and unreliable fault location, particularly in distribution networks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving distributed voltage measurements at multiple locations, including one between the source and the fault, to determine voltage phasors, fault current, and fault position using impedance and voltage drop ratios, reducing dependency on complex models and expensive measurement devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distributed voltage measurements are taken at multiple locations, then fault location precision is improved, but the quantity of measurements and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses voltage measurements from multiple existing measurement locations to create a virtual model of the electrical network state during fault conditions. By copying and analyzing voltage data from several points, the system determines fault location without requiring complex specialized measuring devices at each location, thus improving precision while limiting device complexity increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs existing wave quality measuring devices that serve multiple functions - they not only monitor power quality parameters but also provide voltage measurement data for fault location determination. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve precise fault location without adding dedicated complex measuring equipment
2Reliability
If more measurement locations are used, then the number of possible fault positions is reduced, but measurement cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a ratio-based calculation method that compares voltage measurements from measurement locations to directly calculate fault position without requiring exhaustive measurements at every possible location. This approach skips unnecessary measurements by using mathematical relationships to determine fault location from a limited set of voltage measurements, thus improving reliability while reducing the quantity of measurements needed
3Measurement precision
If complex network models are built for accurate fault location, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential voltage measurement data from the electrical network that is needed for fault location determination, rather than requiring complete complex network models. By taking out and analyzing only the relevant voltage information from multiple measurement locations, the system achieves accurate fault location while avoiding the complexity of building and maintaining detailed network models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using complex network parameters and models to using simple voltage measurement parameters from multiple locations. By focusing on voltage magnitude and phase angle changes at measurement points rather than complex impedance models, the system achieves precise fault location with simpler implementation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of locating a fault on an electrical network energized by a source uses a form of triangulation of voltage measurements at at least three different locations on the network, with at least one of the locations situated upstream from the fault with respect to the source. Voltage phasors corresponding to the voltages measured during the fault are time synchronized. Conductors of the network involved in the fault are determined as a function of characteristics of the voltage phasors and a fault current causing a voltage drop at one of the locations with respect to an initial voltage value is evaluated. A position of the fault is evaluated at a point of the network where a ratio between a difference of the voltages measured at two of the locations and an impedance between one of the two locations and the point is equal to the fault current.