Detection of Open Conductor Fault Using Multiple Measurement Factors of Feeder RTUs in Power Distribution Networks With DGs

Open conductor faults are causing socioeconomic problems worldwide owing to fires caused by arc generation and increased risk of human electric shock. Also, the recent increase in the interconnection of distributed generators (DGs) has further aggravated the difficulty in detecting open conductor faults. In this study, we proposed a detection method for open conductor faults in power distribution networks using multivariate measurement factors of feeder remote terminal units (RTUs). The proposed method has the following advantages over the existing methods. First, the applicability in actual networks has been secured by utilizing the measurement values detectable in a general RTU. We analyzed the characteristics of open conductor faults according to the fault type, transformer connection, DG, etc., which we devised detection procedures for RTUs at the source-side and load-side of the open conductor point and developed an algorithm for open conductor detection. Using the proposed detection method, each RTU derived three results of open conductor alarm, warning, and no detection. Second, the detection problem caused by the DG in the existing open conductor method was rectified. Also, the limitations of classification between open conductor fault and other events were improved. Simulations using Matlab Simulink for a standardized power distribution network proved that the proposed method has a higher open conductor detection rate and distinguishing capability compared to the existing methods. Lastly, we demonstrated the applicability of the proposed method to a real system by deriving the optimal detection criteria using a sensitivity analysis.