A fully adaptive PMU-based fault location algorithm for series-compensated lines

This paper presents a fully adaptive fault location algorithm for series-compensated lines (SCLs) based on synchronized phasor measurements obtained by phasor measurement units (PMUs). The proposed algorithm does not require any knowledge on the exact model of the series-compensation device and, therefore, can be applied to transmission lines with any type of series compensation. In addition, the proposed algorithm utilizes only PMU synchronized measurements and does not require any data to be provided by the electric utility. The SCL parameters and Thevenin's equivalent (TE) of the system at SCL terminals are determined online, utilizing three independent sets of pre-fault PMU measurements, to ensure considering the actual operating conditions of the system. Fault-location accuracy evaluation of the proposed algorithm is performed with respect to various factors such as fault position, fault type, fault resistance, fault inception angle, pre-fault loading and line compensation degree. The proposed algorithm is simulated using both PSCAD/EMTDC and MATLAB and tested on a 400-kV system. Simulation results revealed that the developed algorithm is capable of producing reliable and highly accurate solutions. © 2014 IEEE.