A new algorithm for fault location in multi-end underground cables using traveling waves

Abstract

A quick, reliable, and accurate fault location approach is essential in underground power systems protection. Being the most optimistic research topic of electrical power systems, this article presents an optimized algorithm for fault location in multi-end underground cables using travelling waves. Existing algorithms based on wavelet theory have fewer reliability and accuracy issues that raise an error to the power systems in fault location. The proposed layout presents a multiterminal underground cables system where the entire system is segregated into several fault identification sections where this model identifies the faulty section and the faulty half. Voltage and current wave transient at the mid-point of each fault locator are taken into account to eliminate the time-synchronous error. Traveling waves models are modelled using Bewley diagrams. Detecting the first and second traveling wave transient at both ends of each cable keeps the system reliable. Extensive simulations are simulated using the alternative transient program (ATP) to discriminate, identify, and locate several faults, while the system can also validate the faults near the busbar. The model is developed in MATLAB, and the obtained results depict the proposed algorithm's higher accuracy in fault location.