Signal-based fault location method using time and frequency domain

This research introduces an innovative approach to fault detection in high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) systems by integrating temporal and frequency domain characteristics of signals. It utilizes Traveling Wave (TW) detection and analysis, focusing on a precise window of just 100 microseconds surrounding the TW’s arrival at the measurement point. Mathematical Morphology is applied to identify time-domain properties, while the Stationary Wavelet Transform is employed to extract frequency-domain features. Additionally, the integration of a Dynamic Mode Decomposition-based technique enhances TW detection accuracy. The efficacy of this approach is extensively assessed for fault site classification and regression tasks, demonstrating superior performance compared to utilizing time or frequency-domain features separately. The study also examines the method’s resilience to noisy measurements and the sufficiency of training data. Comparative analysis against existing signal-based approaches within the IEEE 34 node system underscores its heightened accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed technique showcases minimal fault location estimate errors along the feeder length and competes favorably with slower phasor-based fault detection methods in performance. Regarding the distance of the fault, its proximity to the generator, transmission line, or load significantly influences the parameters of positive, negative, and zero sequence components. When a fault occurs, these parameters undergo distinct changes, serving as indicators of the fault’s severity and location. If the fault occurs near the generator or substation, there may be alterations in the voltage and current magnitudes, affecting the sequence components accordingly. In the case of a fault in the transmission line, impedance changes can lead to variations in sequence parameters. Similarly, a fault near the load can cause disturbances in the voltage and current profiles, impacting the sequence components. Analyzing these changes in positive, negative, and zero sequence parameters during a fault provides valuable insights into the fault’s severity and location, aiding in effective fault detection and mitigation strategies.