Diagnosis of Shunt Faults in Power Distribution Feeders and Laterals

In this study, a digital fault location and monitoring technique using fibre-optics and current sensors for overhead power distribution systems is presented. By using lateral current data transferred through fibre-optic communication lines to the substation, the possibility of multiple fault point locations are eliminated. The technique, based on an interactive approach whereby an assumed fault point is varied systematically until the actual fault point is found, has culminated in a fault locator design that gives a high accuracy for the vast majority of practically encountered system and fault conditions. The effectiveness of this method is verified through Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) simulations.