Fault Location by the Electromagnetic-Time Reversal Method Using the Fault Clearing Transients

The Electromagnetic Time Reversal (EMTR) theory has been applied to fault location with effectiveness. The method works with the electromagnetic transients (EMTs) induced by the fault incipience. However, using the fault-induced EMTs has some shortcomings, as those related to the fault-inception angle. Thus, this work proposes an alternative EMTR fault-location method, where the fault-clearing EMTs compose the working signal. The study is performed with fault simulations in a single-feed transmission system. The method's accuracy is tested under different conditions of faults. The fault type, fault resistance, and fault-inception angle are changed. Also, both single- and three-pole tripping are used. Evaluating the method through two criteria, the average relative error on the fault location estimation observed is even null for single-line-to-ground faults. The method fully overcomes the issue related to low fault-inception angles.