ISSN (Print) : 2320 3765

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
(An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2015

Transmission Line Fault Location based on

Distributed Parameter Line Model
Ashish N. Kakde
M. Tech Scholar, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati, Maharashtra, India
ABSTRACT:In this article an algorithm for transmission line fault location is discussed. This algorithm is based on
Distributed Parameter Line Model which utilizes unsynchronized voltage and current measurements from two ends of
the line. Firstly, the algorithm is derived, based on Distributed Parameter line model, then the simulation is carried out
in MATLAB to obtain the fault voltages and currents at both ends of a transmission line. Then, with the help of
Newton-Raphsonapproach based iterative method simulated data is used for estimating the location of faults
(unbalanced and balanced) on line. It is observed that solution is independent of fault resistance and source impedance.
Evaluation studies based on MATLAB/SIMULINK Simulation studies have been undertaken to verify the accuracy of
the algorithm.
KEYWORDS:distributed parameter line model, fault location, unsynchronized.
I.INTRODUCTION
In Electrical Power Systems, Transmission lines are prone to various faults. It is very necessary that faults occurring
at lines must be located accurately so that maintenance crew members arrive at the place and fix the faulty section as
soon as possible. As we know physical constraints causes some parts of power transmission lines to be difficult to
reach. Hence, validity of the accurate fault location detection under several of power system operating constraints and
fault conditions is an important necessity. Normally, quick and exact fault location expedites supply restoration and
enhances the supply quality and reliability [1]. When any kind of faults occur in a power system, the first action must
be to clear the fault from the system. Once the protection action is taken, the most accurate distance of fault information
should be provided to aid the user in locating the fault to remove the cause of the fault. Fault location can be estimated
from current and voltages measured from one-end or two-end of the line [2].
Following the fault, the public utility company tries to re-establish the power as fast as possible. Rapid restoration of
service reduces users grievances, time of breakdown, loss of taxation and expenses of crew repair. All of these factors
are increasingly important to the utilities facing challenges in todays market. To aid in rapid and efficient service
restoration, algorithms have been developed to provide an estimate of the fault location.In this paper for the
enhancement of the computational efficiency, instead of EMTP software, MATLAB software is used.Further, by using
these voltages and currents phasor values,iterative method is used for calculating an accurate fault location.It is
observed that Newton-Raphson based iterative method involving an unsynchronized algorithm based on distributed
parameter model gives better and precise results in locating the faults at transmission line.
II.RELATED WORK
Much more has been done in Transmission line fault location area in Electrical power system. Many literatures are
available based on the different techniques for locating the accurate and exact fault location in long and short
transmission lines. This article as specified utilizes the impedance based fault location method, in which predominantly
uses the two end measurement approach. Papers [1]-[16] describes synchronised and unsynchronised techniques related
to fault location in lines. Yuan Liao has proposed many fault location methods describing utilization on one end and
two end measurement approaches. M. M. Saha has proposed a method based on parallel lines using unsynchronized
measurement of voltages and currents. There are many researchers working in this area of power system, studying
every aspects of fault location in long and medium transmission lines as fault location is a need of todays power
system.

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International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical,

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Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2015

III.VARIOUS FAULT LOCATION ALGORITHMS
Recognizing the importance as well as the challenges in fault location, a number of researchers have worked in this
area and developed a valuable set of algorithms. Based on the available data, one-terminal [4], two-terminal [5], or
multi terminal algorithms [6] have been proposed in the past. Most algorithms are based on an principle of impedance,
which make use of the fundamental frequency currents and voltages.
A one-terminal algorithm uses data (local voltages and currents) from just one end of the transmission line. The
accuracy of this type of algorithm is normally adversely affected by fault resistance, and a compensation technique is
needed to alleviate this effect. One-end impedance-based fault location algorithms estimate a distance to fault with the
use of voltages and currents acquired at a particular end of the line. Such a technique is simple and does not require
communication channel with the distant end. Hence, it is appealing and is vividly incorporated into the microprocessorbased protective relays. However, it is subject to several errors, such as the effect of reactance, shunt capacitance of
line, and the fault resistance value. Two terminal algorithms processes signals from both the ends of transmission line.
Hence large amount of information can be utilized. Performance of the two-end algorithms is generally superior in
comparison to the one-end approaches.
The second class of algorithms are based on traveling wavein which methods time-tags the arrival of the first highfrequency pulse due to a fault, at each end of the line. From knowledge of the surge impedance of the line, the length of
the line and the difference between the time of arrival of the first pulse at each line end, the fault location can be
determined. Some papers proposed the use of wavelets [7] to decompose the sampled voltage and current data to
determine the time of arrival of the high frequency fault pulse. Some papers propose fault location techniques based on
artificial neural networks [8]. Online fault detection techniques employing GPS make use of synchronised sampling of
data. But malfunctioning in this may lead to inaccurate fault location. Hence unsynchronised sampling of two end data
is considered to be better method of fault location [9, 10, 11].
This paper discusses a fault location algorithm utilizing the fundamental frequency phasors of voltages and currents
from two ends of the line depending on line model [12, 13, 14, 15] consisting of Distributed Parameters which fully
considers the shunt capacitance and distributed parameter effects. The developed solution is independent of fault
impedance and source impedance, and does not require data synchronization between measurements at two ends of the
line. Following sections presents the proposed method with results and discussions.
IV.FAULT LOCATION METHOD
Consider the line between terminals P and Q, as shown in Figure 1, where EP and EQ represent the Thevenin
equivalent sources.

EP

EQ

Fig.1.Transmission Line considered for analysis

Fig 2 depicts the mode 1 equivalent circuit of the line during the fault [11]. R indicates the fault point.

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Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2015

PI

R
p1

Z qr

Z pr

Q
I q1

Vq1

V p1
Ypr

Y pr

Yqr

Yqr

I f1
Vf 1

Fig.2. Positive sequence network of the system during the fault

Based on fig 2, we obtain
Ypr

Vp1 Z pr I p1 Vp1
2

Z pr

Yqr j

Vq1 Z qr I q1 Vq1
e
2

(1)

Z qr

equivalent series impedance of the line segment PR and QR. pr and qr are equivalent shunt
V
I
V
I
admittance of the line segment PR and QR. p1 and p1 mode 1 voltage and current during the fault at P. q1 and q1 mode
1 voltage and current during the fault at Q. is the synchronizing angle. The equivalent transmission line parameters
depending on the distributed model are as follows:
Where,

and

Zc

z1
y1

(2)

z1 y1

(3)
Z pr Zc sinh l1

(4)

Zqr Zc sinh l l1

(5)
2
l1
Ypr
tanh
Zc
2 (6)

Yqr

Where
Zc

l1

l l1
2
tanh

Zc
2 (7)

Characteristic impedance of the line;

Propagation constant of the line;
Length of the line in km or mile;
Fault distance from P to R in km or mile

Substituting Equations (2) to (7) in (1) results in

1
l
f ( x ) V p1 Z c sinh l1 I p1 V p1
tanh 1 Vq1e j
Zc
2

l l1 j
1
Z c sinh
tanh
l l1
I q1 Vq1
e 0
Zc
2

(8)

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Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2015

x l

1
where
, T represent vector transpose operator. There are two unknown variables in Equation (8), solution
of which is presented as follows.Equation (8) is a complex equation and can be separated into two real equations
corresponding to its real and imaginary part as
f1 x Re al f x 0
(9)
f2 x Im ag f x 0
(10)
where Real(.) and Imag(.) yield the real and imaginary part of its arguments, respectively. It follows that
f1 x
f x
Re al

l1
l1 (11)
f1 x
f x
Re al

(12)
f 2 x
f x
Im ag

l1
l1 (13)

f 2 x
f x
Im ag

Now define

(14)

f1 x

l1
J x
f 2 x

l1

f1 x

f 2 x

(15)

F x f1 x

f 2 x

(16)
Then the unknown variable x can be obtained using the Newton-Raphson approach iteratively as follows:

xk 1 xk J 1F xk

(17)

Where

xk 1

Solution of x after th iteration; k Iteration number starting from one.

Fig 3 below shows the Newton-Raphson approach with the help of flowchart.

Fig.3. Newton-Raphson approach

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4.1 EVALUATION STUDIES
To get the voltage and current measurement data at both ends of a transmission line during the fault, a simulation using
the SIMULINK has been carried out for a fault at 150km. A500kV, 320km long transmission-line is considered for the
simulation purpose. The fault distance is assumed to be at a distance 150km from terminal P.
In order to get precise fault location per-unit system is utilized with a voltage base of 500kV and an apparent power
base of 100 MVA. The voltage and current phasor values from both source side P and Q are obtained from SIMULINK
model for line-to-ground fault (L-G).The accuracy of above algorithm is measured by the percentage error calculated as

(18)
The data of voltage and current phasors obtained from SIMULINK is fed to a MATLAB based programming in order
to locate the transmission line fault location [16]. Further in order to get positive sequence values (mode 1 components) a
conversion is made from unsymmetrical to symmetrical one. Out of six parameters ( V p1 , I p1 , Vq1 , I q1 , Z C , ) value of Z C

and is calculated using equation (2) and equation (3) for a particular transmission line module considered in
SIMULINK.

Fig. 4. Model of Transmission line connected with two end sources.

The voltage and current waveforms at terminal P obtained from SIMULINK model during L-G fault are shown in fig 6.
Similarly, the voltage and current waveforms at terminal Q are shown in fig 7. Prior to fault the voltage and current
waveforms are depicted in fig 5.

Fig.5. Voltage and Current prior to the Fault

Fig 5 represents waveforms of voltages and currents in per unit values. As can be seen in above figure, the value of
voltage is 1 p.u with current 0.015 p. u prior to the occurrence of faults.

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Fig.6. Voltage and Current at Bus P with fault at 150 km

Fig. 6 shows the waveforms of current and voltages after occurrence of fault. The current has increased to higher value
of particular faulty phase and voltage has fallen below the rated value.

Fig.7. Voltage and Current at Bus Q with fault at 150km

V.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
For the Newton-Raphson based iterative method, starting value for

is chosen to be zero in all the cases.

Fig. 8. MATLAB Code for fault location

Initial fault location can be assumed as 0 or half of fault location [13]. In absence of line parameters, the algorithms are
capable of producing very reliable results. Fig. 8 below shows a MATLAB code for evaluating a fault location which is
written based on Distributed Parameter line model. Code is based on the Newton Raphson approach as shown in Fig. 3.
For the given input arguments it tries to find the solution for the polynomial f(x).

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By giving the intial input arguments to the program it evaluates the fault location and synchronising angle. Iteration
counter limit is set at 30.
TABLE I. DETERMINATION OF FAULT LOCATION WITH USE OF POSITIVE SEQUENCE QUANTITIES

Fault Types
LG

LL

LLG

LLL

Actual Location
(km)
50
100
150
50
100
150
50
100
150
50
100
150

Estimated
Location
(km)
47.91
97.60
140.8
48.85
99.14
142.05
51.07
98.01
145.01
49.01
98.21
147.20

Error (%)
0.006
0.075
0.028
0.003
0.002
0.024
-0.003
0.006
0.015
0.003
0.005
0.008

As can be seen from the Table, for various fault locations, estimated location obtained from the algorithm seems to be
nearer to actual location with a difference of few kilometres in some cases. Accuracy can be increased by utilizing
exact data of voltages and currents obtained during the fault.
V. CONCLUSION
The discussed algorithm is tested for various fault resistance (0 ohm, 5 ohm, 10 ohm etc.) for voltages and current data
obtained from two end of transmission line. Again various types of faults are taken under study in order to get check
the accuracy and sensitivity of an algorithm. It is observed that the error calculated using formula lies well below 1%.
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[13] Yuan Liao, Unsynchronized Fault Location Based on Distributed Parameter Line Model,Electric Power Components and Systems, Volume
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