Locating Faults with Ease- A Fault Current Matching Method for Distribution Feeders

Locating faults in large distribution networks presents a major challenge due to limited measurement data. Deploying smart sensors in the network could improve network observability, but they pose significant techno-economic challenges. To overcome this limitation, the paper proposes a cost-effective fault current-matching technique that estimates fault location using network data and fault resistance. First, the method finds the possible fault line sections between adjacent protective devices and calculates the theoretical fault current for each line. Then, the calculated fault currents are compared with measured values using a fault expectancy index, resulting in a compilation of prospective fault locations with corresponding possibilities. To validate the proposed method, two recent fault events in two different feeders recorded from actual distribution grids in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, are used. The method classifies the fault accurately and detects faulted line sections with more than 90 percent fault expectancy based on the test cases. The proposed approach offers an efficient solution to techno-economic challenges, potentially enhancing fault detection and service restoration efforts.