Locating faults by the traveling waves they launch

Faults on overhead transmission lines cause transients that travel at the speed of light and propagate along the power line as traveling waves (TWs). This paper provides an overview of TWs and TW fault locators. It explains the physics, reviews the theory of TWs, explains the foundations of various types of TW fault locators, and provides an in-depth discussion on a number of TW fault locating implementation challenges. Finally, it discusses integration of TW fault locating in microprocessor-based relays and presents Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA's) field experience using these relays.