Instantaneous Frequency-Based Algorithm for Directional Relays

The looped structure of the transmission and subtransmission networks results in the bidirectional fault current passing through the protection relays. The detection of the current direction is relegated to the directional protection unit. The traditional directional overcurrent relays utilize the reference voltage phasor for the detection of the fault direction, which increases total cost due to the need for both current and voltage measurement units. In this article, a new current only directional algorithm based on the instantaneous frequency is introduced. The proposed method is robust to noise and changes in the grid parameters, such as a change in the power frequency and direction of normal power flow. To evaluate the algorithm, plenty of simulations and actual experiments are carried out in different fault conditions. Also, its performance is compared with some other directional algorithms. The results confirm that the proposed algorithm can detect fault direction with a high degree of accuracy.