Transient Fault Analysis in Overhead Transmission Lines

Transient analysis is a crucial tool in the design and operation of a power network. Numerous power system analysis methodologies are implemented with different accuracy levels depending on the requirements for transient studies. The aim of this paper is to investigate the differences and similarities of two different methods of transient analysis applied to the occurrence of faults in overhead transmission lines. The first method is based on frequency response analysis undertaken by Peter Crossley in the early 1980s using a UK General Electric Company (GEC) simulator. The output results are compared to those generated by the PSCAD/EMTDC programme. Both represent the transient changes in the currents immediately after the occurrence of faults. However, they differ in details especially when the transient responses of the incremental phase currents are examined. The wave forms obtained from both approaches to modelling emphasise the enhanced accuracy of modern simulators. This study is important in validating the accuracy of a simulator when applied to the transient analysis of the current travelling waves resulting from a short circuit on a transmission line.