A Numerical Approach to the Diagnostics of

Electrical Distribution Networks

F. Muzi, Member, IEEE, and G. Sacerdoti

AbstractIn order to ascertain the state of electrical

distribution networks, a numerical approach is suggested
based on a continuous monitoring of network impedances,
whose changes are usefully interpreted for diagnostic
purposes. Accurate diagnostics procedures allow to schedule
effective preventive maintenance with cost reduction and an
improvement in the supply continuity level. First the proposed
method performs a computation of the impedances and then
classifies network elements, which are automatically assigned
one of the following states: good, weak or faulted. The
necessary diagnostic information is obtained from a designed
network stimulation whose responses are previously acquired,
pre-processed by a measurement system and then sent to a
data processing center. The implemented algorithm performs
a real-time network diagnosis by solving a linear equation
system properly developed to calculate network parameters. A
virtual test network was used to validate the method through
proper numerical simulations performed by means of the
Simulink Mat-Lab code. The mathematical model applied is
thoroughly described and the various conditions to obtain
consistent solutions are properly demonstrated.
Index TermsDiagnosis of distribution systems, prediction
of electric network state, power distribution maintenance.

I. INTRODUCTION
The proposed diagnostic process is based on the
assumption that the state of a simple electrical element can
be defined by its impedance value. An example is a
conductance to ground, whose value can supply a
quantitative evaluation of insulation degradation. The
values of the impedances to be used for diagnostic purpose
are evaluated through a designed network stimulation by
current generators (sources) with frequency different from
that of the network. Responses are acquired through
voltmeters (sensors) tuned to the stimulation frequency.
Sources and sensors are connected in a limited number of
network nodes, named in the following accessible (or
peripheral) nodes. The equations obtained with only one
stimulation (named test) are not usually sufficient to
compute all problem unknowns.
_________________________
F. Muzi is with the Department of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science, University of LAquila, 67100 LAquila Italy
(email: muzi@ing.univaq.it).
G. Sacerdoti is with the Electrical Engineering Department
University of Rome La Sapienza, 00100 Rome, Italy
(email:gsacerdoti@hotmail.com).

1-4244-1298-6/07/$25.00 2007 IEEE.

Tests must be repeated a number of times,

changing each time the system measurement
configuration and/or the stimulus characteristics. The
implemented algorithm processes the information
received and computes the network impedances
establishing the system state. Namely, for each
component a comparison is made between the
computed value (valid at the moment of the
measurement) and the commonly-accepted normal
value of the impedance; this comparison allows to
establish how far the actual state of a component is
from the ideal. In this way, the degradation level of
each network element can be evaluated. This
information is very useful both for diagnostic aims [5]
when the degradation is slow (i.e. days, years) and for
protection purposes [4] if the degradation is very quick
(i.e. fractions of seconds).
The proposed method has similarities with
traditional methods used for network steady-state
computation: these methods (e.g. load flow
calculations) calculate the requested electrical
quantities (voltages, currents, powers, etc.) in all nodes
and branches of the power systems starting from
known network impedances (internal constraints) and
network operating conditions (external constraints). In
the proposed method this logic is reversed because all
the network impedances are calculated starting from
the knowledge of network topology and external
constraints.
The method is herein illustrated for mesh networks
but can also be applied to radial networks. Distribution
networks consist of nodes, where more branches
converge, and connections between nodes (branches)
established with cables and aerial lines. For line
representation, it is convenient to adopt the
equivalent circuit. The proposed method checks
longitudinal line impedances, phase to ground
admittances and impedances between phases. The
presence of such derived devices as loads does not
interfere with the developed method. The diagnostic
procedure can be used to check normally operating
power systems.
The correct application of the method requires a
preliminary examination of the following aspects:
The choice and location of the stimuli.
The sensors characteristics and performances.
The position of the sensors in relation to the
stimulus location (which affects the method
precision).
The accuracy and robustness of analysis
software.

The speed and capacity of storage data loggers.

Speed acquisition on acquiring sampled quantities.
The reliability and efficiency of the lines of
communication connecting sensors and control center.

stimulation with a known current is applied between

node 1 and ground. The responses are acquired by
means of two voltmeters measuring node voltages at
points 2 and 3 respectively (Fig. 1).
IS

As concerns stimuli, attention must be paid to the choice

of their amplitudes and frequencies. In the cases examined,
the frequency adopted for the stimulus (which coincides
with the measurement frequency) is 170 Hz, which was
chosen to minimize any possible interference between the
measurement signal and network currents (first and superior
harmonics).
With a high-speed measurement system [1], [3], and the
adoption of latest-generation computers, the method can be
applied also to wide networks and performed in very short
time. For very large systems (hundreds of nodes), the
procedure may be applied first to a small portion of the
network and then gradually extended to the whole system.
In general, network stimulation can be carried out with a
sequence of Ns stimuli by acquiring the node voltages at Na
points. The accuracy of the virtual construction of the
network portions depends on the reciprocal positions of
sources and sensors.
II. THE PROPOSED METHOD
The method illustrated in the following is valid under
the following assumptions:
The network is linear (i.e. consisting of linear R, L, C
elements).
The network branches (lines) for each frequency are
represented by means of constant impedances.
The signal sources used to stimulate the network consist
of ideal current generators.
The network configuration remains unchanged during
the measurement process (that is, measurements are
valid only if no circuit-breaker operations occur).
The frequency of the injected measurement signal does
not interfere with the network frequency.
Grounding resistances are nil.
The method is presented with reference to a singlephase mesh network, but it can be extended to three-phase
networks repeating the diagnostics system at each phase.
Generally speaking, the method applies a designed
system stimulation by means of known stimuli. The
consequent responses (signals) are acquired at different
points and then properly processed to perform a system
diagnosis [6], [7], [8].
For an electrical network, stimuli consist of currents
injected time by time into different nodes of the system.
The acquired signals are the voltages to ground of the
accessible nodes, also named node voltages. A suitable
processing of the data acquired from a sufficient number of
tests allows to calculate the impedances of all network
branches. The method is presented starting with simple
circuits to finally arrive at however complex distribution
networks.
Let us consider a simple network as shown in Fig. 1.
The unknowns are the impedances: Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4. A

Z1

IV2

I1

V2
I2

I4

Z4

Z2

I3
3
4
R

Z3
V3

IR

IV3

Fig. 1. Application of the method to a simple network; first

stimulation.

In Fig. 1, the current flows along the ground return

path through the R resistance (of known value) and the
internal resistances of the measurement instruments RV
(also known). The values of the currents flowing to
ground through the voltmeters are also known, since
they can be calculated by means of the following
relation: IV 2 = V2 R

V2

and IV 3 = V3 R

V3

For simplicity reasons, the network is assumed as

completely ohmic. If each network branch is
represented by a conductance, by applying the
Kirchhoffs first rule to the network independent nodes
the following equations will be obtained:

I S (V1 V2 ) G1 (V1 V4 ) G4 = 0
node 2 (V1 V2 ) G1 (V2 V3 ) G2 IV 2 = 0 (1)

node 1

node 3 (V2 V3 ) G2 + (V4 V3 ) G3 IV 3 = 0

node 4 (V1 V4 ) G 4 (V4 V3 ) G3

V4
=0
R

For a given network having n nodes the N number

of independent nodes, i.e. those which allow to obtain
linearly independent solutions [2], is by definition:

N=n-1

(2)

In practical cases, the non-independent node is

usually considered to be the ground node.
In the linear system of equations (1) the unknowns
are G1, G2, G3, G4, V1, V4, the remaining terms being
known. Here the aim is to compute the value of the G1,
G2, G3, G4 conductances. In these conditions, the
number of unknowns (six) overcome the number of
equations (four) therefore the system of equations
cannot be solved. In order to obtain independent
solutions, the network is stimulated at node 3 while
node voltages are acquired at points 1 and 4. Fig. 2
shows the electrical scheme of this second stimulation.

IV1

Z1

R
IR

I1
Z4

V1

I2

I4

In the following, the method is applied to the test

mesh network shown in Fig. 3 consisting of 16
independent nodes plus the ground node. The system
is stimulated first at node 1 while the resistance for the
ground return path is connected to node 16. In real
cases, this resistance can be omitted because there are
many resistances connecting the network to ground
(for instance the admittances to ground of the line
equivalent circuits). In general, both stimulus and
sensors can be applied at any accessible node.

Z2

I3

IV4

Z3

V4

IS

V1

V2

V4

V3

Fig. 2. Second network stimulation.

17

The circuit of Fig. 2 is stimulated by a current with

amplitude ISIS. In comparison with the previous
stimulation, both branch currents and node voltages change
while the G1, G2, G3, G4 conductances remain the same.
Applying again the first Kirchhoffs rule to the four nodes,
the following equations will be obtained:

V5

V8

11

10

12

V12

V9

node 1 (V2 'V1 ' ) G1 + (V4 'V1 ' ) G 4 I V 1 ' = 0

V2 '
=0
R
node 3 I S '(V3 'V2 ' ) G 2 (V3 'V4 ' ) G3 = 0
node 4 (V3 'V4 ' ) G3 (V4 'V1 ' ) G4 IV 4 ' = 0
node 2 (V3 'V2 ' ) G 2 (V2 'V1 ' ) G1

(3)

In the system of equations (3), the unknowns are: G1,

G2, G3, G4, V2 and V3; the other quantities are known. The
sets of equations (1) and (3) establish the following linear
system with 8 unknowns (G1, G2, G3, G4, V1, V4, V2, V3)
and 8 linearly independent solutions:
I S (V1 V2 ) G1 (V1 V4 ) G4 = 0

(V1 V2 ) G1 (V2 V3 ) G2 IV 2 = 0
(V2 V3 ) G2 + (V4 V3 ) G3 IV 3 = 0

(V V ) G (V V ) G V4 = 0
4
4
4
3
3
1
R

(
'
'
)
(
'
'
)
V

G
+
V

I
2
1
1
4
1
4
V
1' = 0

V2 '
=0
(V3 'V2 ' ) G2 (V2 'V1 ' ) G1
R

I S '(V3 'V2 ' ) G2 (V3 'V4 ' ) G3 = 0

(V3 'V4 ' ) G3 (V4 'V1 ' ) G4 IV 4 ' = 0

(4)

It was actually possible to solve the problem repeating the

test. The number of equations and unknowns vs. number of
tests is summarized in Table I.
TABLE I
NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS VS. NUMBER OF
TESTS.

No. of Tests.
1
2
Total

No. of Equations
4
4
8

No. of unknowns
4+2
2
8

13

V15

V14

16

15

14

V13

V16

17

Fig. 3. Test network used to evaluate method validity and

effectiveness.

The unknowns of the test network (assumed at this

stage to be completely ohmic for simplicity reasons)
are the 24 branch conductances as well as the node
voltages on non-monitored nodes corresponding to V6,
V7, V10 and V11, respectively. In the case of a single
stimulation the known quantities are the 12 node
voltages measured. Let us suppose to stimulate the
same network with other tests at different peripheral
nodes until the number of the linearly independent
solutions is equal to the unknowns. The number of
equations and unknowns vs. the number of tests is
summarized in Table II.
TABLE II
NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS DURING
THE TEST-NETWORK STIMULATION.

No. of Tests

No. of Equations

No. of Unknowns

1
2

16
16

24 + 4
4

Total

32

32

In conclusion, in the case of a network with 16

independent nodes, if node voltages are acquired at 12
peripheral points and the system is stimulated with one

source, 2 tests are necessary to compute the value of 24

branch conductances.
III. GENERALIZATION OF THE METHOD TO A MESH
NETWORK HOWEVER COMPLEX
In the following the method is generalized to
distribution mesh networks of any size. Let us consider a
network with n=N+1 nodes. The l number of maximum
possible connections between all N independent nodes is:

N (N 1)
2

(5)

Let us suppose to stimulate the network with a current

source of known amplitude and frequency placed between
the k node (k=1, 2,. N) and the N+1 node (ground). By
applying the first Kirchhoffs rule to the N independent
nodes the following matrix relation will be obtained:

I
I

Yij = y ij

Of course, if between the nodes i and j there are no

admittances, the mutual admittance [2] is nil:

Yij = yij = 0
A last observation on the admittance matrix is
summarized by the condition Yij = Y ji = y ij , which
means that the admittance matrix is symmetric. As a
consequence, a drastic simplification on the
computation occurs when mutual terms are nil.
As regards the proposed method, in order to
compute the value of all the unknown admittances (or
impedances) it is important to define the g number of
tests to be performed.
Let us define the following conditions:
l=

=0

...

(6)

(10)

N ( N 1)
(max network branches).
2

(11)

np = number of accessible nodes (where node

voltages are measured).

IN

g = number of tests performed.

The (6) matrix relation requires that the sum of

incoming and outgoing currents at each of the N
independent nodes must be nil. In the extended form
relations (6) can be written as:

Y11

Y22

.
.

:
YN1

Y1N

V1

V2

: : =0

By performing g tests, the number of unknowns

will be:

(7)

(13)

After g tests the number of the obtained equations

is:

no. of equations = g N

The (7) matrix relation can be written in compact form as:

(8)

The terms Yii (i=1,,N) placed in the main diagonal of

the [Y] matrix correspond to the proper admittances
obtained from the sum of the admittances converging to the
i-th node, that means:
N

Yii = yi1 + yi 2 + ... + yiN = yik

(12)

(unknown voltages).

no. of unknowns = l + g (N np)

.
:
:
. YNN V N

[Y ] [V ] = 0

N-np = number of non-accessible nodes

(9)

k =1

where i= 1 , , N .
The terms Yij, (with i=1,,N and j=1,,N), are defined
as mutual admittances. A generic mutual admittance
corresponds to the total admittance between nodes i and j
with sign changed, that is:

(14)

With g tests, the system of equations exhibits

linearly independent solutions if:

no. of equations = no. of unknowns

(15)

This means that relations (13) and (14) must be equal,

therefore:

l + g ( N np ) = gN
l g np = gN + gN
l = g np
l
g=
np

(16)

By substituting relation (11) in the last of the (16)

equations, the following equation can be written:

g=

N ( N 1) 1

2
np

(17)

In relation (17) g is the number of tests necessary to

characterize a network with N independent nodes, np
peripheral measurement points and all nodes connected
with l maximum number of branches.
IV. VALIDATION OF THE METHOD
The validity of the method was demonstrated through
numerical simulations performed on the test network shown
in Fig. 3. The branch impedances are assumed to be of
ohmic-inductive nature. The adopted numerical program is
the Simulink tool of the Mat-Lab code [9]. This tool allows

Fig. 4. Model of the test network of Fig. 3 built with the Mat-Lab code.

a virtual cabling of the network starting from the

single components and then feeding the test network
and acquiring node voltages at all points. In addition,
numerical results can be downloaded to the Mat-Lab
Work-Space where any possible off-line computations
can be implemented using the data supplied by the
simulation process. Fig. 4 shows the test network
model built with the Mat-Lab code. The numerical
results were used to check the validity of the proposed
model supposing the network in all three possible
states (good, weak, faulted). Namely, the simulation
results demonstrated that the diagnostic procedure can
reveal any changes in the value of longitudinal and toground branch admittances. In addition, the performed
simulations point out that the higher sensor
concentration is in a part of the network, the more
precise the construction of the impedance model will
be in this part of the system.

V. CONCLUSIONS
The possibility to define the real-time state of a
distribution network by means of a global
measurement system was investigated. In order to
continuously monitor the power system field
information is properly processed through an
implemented numerical procedure, which also allowed
a real-time computation of all network impedances.
The calculation is performed regularly at very short,
pre-established time intervals. Any changes in branch
impedance is quickly revealed and interpreted so as to
identify possible anomalies in the behavior of the
monitored system. The method was based on the use
of a properly designed stimulation, performed by
applying a stimulus at one node of the network and at
the same time registering the acquisitions of responses
to the stimulus in a number of other nodes. To provide
a continuous monitoring of the network, the procedure
must be repeated permanently so as to detect any
possible changes in the distribution system state.
Whenever changes from the expected values are
revealed in the network impedance calculations, an
anomaly may be present in the system. This
information is very useful to foresee undesired events
in the electrical system monitored and therefore allows
an effective preventive maintenance.

[5] F. Muzi, Preventive maintenance optimization to improve

quality in electrical power systems. Presented at the Ninth
ISSAT Int. Conf. on Reliability and Quality in Design August
7-9, 2003, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
[6] C. Bartoletti, M. Desiderio, D. Di Carlo, G. Fazio, F. Muzi, G.
Sacerdoti and F. Salvatori, Vibro-acoustic techniques to
diagnose power transformers, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery,
Vol. 19, NO. 1, January 2004.
[7] C. Bartoletti, G. Fazio, M. Marinelli, F. Muzi and G. Sacerdoti,
Electromagnetic and Acoustic Emissions to Diagnose Complex
Electrical and Mechanical Structures. Presented at the IEEEPES General Meeting - June 6-10, 2004, Denver, Colorado,
USA.
[8] M. Cerullo, G. Fazio, M. Fabbri, F. Muzi, and G. Sacerdoti,
Acoustic Signal Processing to Diagnose Transiting ElectricTrains, IEEE Trans. on Intelligent Transportation Systems,
Vol. 6, No. 2 June 2005.
[9] Mat-lab, Rulebook, Vers. 7, 2006, The MathWorks, Inc. South
Natick, MA 01760, USA.

Francesco Muzi (M90) was born in LAquila (Italy). He graduated

(honors) in Electrical Engineering at the University of LAquila in
1981. In 1984 he was appointed Researcher in Power Systems at the
same University. Currently he is an Associate Professor of Electrical
Distribution Systems in the Department of Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science, University of LAquila, Italy. His main
research interests include Power Systems Analysis, Power Systems
Reliability, Diagnostics Techniques and Power Quality in
Distribution Systems.

VI. REFERENCES
[1] C. Bartoletti, D. DAmico, F. Muzi, and G. Sacerdoti From
instrument to intelligent systems, Series in Sensors and
Microsystems, World Scientific Publishing 2000 - Singapore.
[2] M. DAmore, Elettrotecnica II, Vol. II, Pitagora Editrice,
Bologna, 1971.
[3] C. Bartoletti, F. Muzi, and G. Sacerdoti Intelligent monitoring
in electrical power systems Presented at the IMEKO 2000 16th
World Congress 25-28 September 2000, Wien Austria.
[4] G. Fazio, V. Lauropoli, F. Muzi, and G. Sacerdoti VariableWindow Algorithm for Ultra-high-speed Distance Protection,
IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery - Vol. n. 18, NO. 2, April
2003.

Giancarlo Sacerdoti was born in Bologna, Italy, and graduated in

Engineering at the University of Bologna in 1952. He is a Full
Professor of Electrical Measurements at La Sapienza University,
Rome. He contributed to the development of electric energy meters
based on over-sampling technique as sigma-delta modulator, Nb3Al
superconductors cables, electric-charged particle lens for particle
beam transport channel, techniques to characterize non
homogeneous dielectrics for MV-cable diagnostics and vibroacoustic techniques to diagnose mechanical and electrical
structures.