Intelligent system identifies and locates transmission faults

• Published in: IEEE computer applications in power Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 31 - 35
• Main Authors: Hong, H.W., Colwell, D.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.04.1997; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Availability; Contracts; Delay; Disturbances. Regulation. Protection; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fault diagnosis; Intelligent systems; Personnel; Power networks and lines; Power system faults; Power system protection; Power system restoration; Power transmission lines; Electrical network; Three phase network; Signal processing; Digital processing; Failure detection; Maintenance; Localization; Fault diagnostic; Intelligent system; Electric fault; Exploitation
• ISSN: 0895-0156; 1558-4151
• DOI: 10.1109/67.582449

When faults occur on major transmission lines, the bulk power system is immediately exposed to potentially costly outages. During peak loading conditions, when line availability is most critical, a lengthy outage can be detrimental to system operations. In an age of open access and retail wheeling, power exchanges are bound by contract, and any unnecessary delay of energy restoration compromises a utility's competitive position. It is necessary for protection and operation personnel to locate the fault as accurately and as expeditiously as possible. Within large utility systems, major transmission lines are located in remote or inaccessible areas, which makes fault finding difficult. The combination of using a two-ended algorithm along with the advent of improved communication technology, mathematical techniques, and PC applications made possible the development of an automatic fault location system. IFL is a PC/Windows-based operator's tool that uses two-ended loop fault analysis to identify fault types and location. The system is innovative in its integration of mature, low cost, and reliable instrumentation, combined with advanced applied mathematics to achieve a mission-critical system for electric system maintenance and operation.