EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

Travelling Wave Fault Location Algorithm in HV

Lines Simulation Test Results for Arc and High
Impedance Faults
Krzysztof Glik #1, Dsir Dauphin Rasolomampionona #2
#
Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology
Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
1
krzysztof.glik@ien.pw.edu.pl
2
desire.rasolomampionona@ien.pw.edu.pl

AbstractThis paper presents simulation test results of the
travelling wave fault location algorithm used in high voltage
(HV) lines. The algorithm based on a wavelet transform, is tested
for different fault types, including high impedance faults (HIF)
and arc faults. Automatic test procedure (with use of
PSCAD/EMTDC, Matlab) enabled to perform vast number of
simulations for each testing scheme. Simulation results from a
PSCAD/EMTDC model are compared with EMTP-RV results in
order to confirm the correctness of the testing scheme.
Keywords: transmission line, fault location, wavelet transform,
travelling waves, arc fault, HIF, PSCAD/EMTDC
I. INTRODUCTION
Faults are events which are inevitable and occur in
electrical power system. If protection devices operate as they
should it means - quickly and reliably, the deterioration of
system status will be checked effectively, then the protection
of power systems is guaranteed to the maximum extent.
Relays play a decisive role in electricity grids safe operations.
Relay protection is just using the sudden changes of some
electrical signals to distinguish whether the power system is in
failure or normal state. Fault types and fault locations are
detected after comparing the signals which were subject to
some changes with the electrical parameters of normal system.
Laboratory testing of fault locators is rarely discussed,
because most of protective device laboratory testing is focused
on functional tests of apparatus [19]-[21].
Accurate fault location in HV line allows for efficient work
of power staff and for shortening the time of failure, which
directly translates into reduced cost for power grid operators
and end-users. In HVDC transmission lines [16]-[18] location
of line faults is performed by means of calculation of
travelling-wave propagation times [15]. The main fault
location methods are impedance and travelling wave method,
of which the latter has a better accuracy. Furthermore, it
accurately locates high impedance faults [1], for which the
impedance method has higher error. Principle of operation of
travelling wave fault locators is based on determining the
exact time moment of wave arrival to a substation. There is no
requirement for precise measurement of fundamental
frequency of current and voltage amplitude, as it is done in
impedance methods. Thus the influence of many factors on
the measurement error [2] is avoided (e.g. current distortion
due to saturation of current transformers). The purpose of this
article is to demonstrate that the algorithm is working properly
for different fault types, including high impedance and arc
faults.
Prior to algorithm testing, the correctness of the model is
verified by comparing the results of model simulations in two
programs for the simulation of electromagnetic transients
(PSCAD/EMTDC and EMTP-RV).
II. VERIFICATION OF THE MODEL COMPARISON BETWEEN
PSCAD/EMTDC AND EMTP-RV
PSCAD/EMTDC simulation model is shown in Fig. 1 and
EMTP-RV model is shown in Fig. 2. Fault locators are located
in substation A and B, at the opposite ends of
HV line (100 km long). The method based on current
measurements in two opposite substations is used.
The HV line is modeled as a frequency dependent model
with distributed parameters. PSCAD/EMTDC and EMTP-RV
transmission line models are based on [3] and [4], [5],
respectively.
Current transformer is modeled as a Butterworth filter with
frequency range (0 200 kHz). The chosen frequency range is
derived from the research presented in [6].
HV substations are modeled as 0.1 F capacitors [7].
Solution time step is chosen to be 1 s in order to properly
analyze a travelling wave phenomenon.
Fig. 1. Simulation model in PSCAD/EMTDC

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G1 B G2
A

70km prad_stacjaA 30km 70km prad_stacjaB 150km a

Zrodlo_1 a a a +A +A aa
b Zrodlo_2
+ + WB b b ?i + WB + WB ?i bb + WB
+
b c c cc c
c

+
+

+
0.1uF C1 0.1uF C2 0.1uF C3
0.1uF C4

Fig. 2. Simulation model in EMTP-RV

As it is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a fault is simulated at

HV line (A B), 30 km from substation A. Fig. 3 presents
fault current waveform in the substation A after an earth fault,
which is simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC and EMTP-RV. First Fig. 3. Comparison of fault current waveforms (phase L1) in substation A
current waves arriving to substation A and B are most after earth fault in HV line, PSCAD/EMTDC and EMTP-RV.
important for the correct operation of fault locator. Fig. 3
shows that curves of two first waves and their time moments III. FAULT LOCATION ALGORITHM
of arrival to the substation are the same for these two cases. The fault location algorithm similar to the algorithm
This confirms the proper modeling of the test system for the presented in [8] is tested in the paper. Main difference here is
purpose of travelling wave algorithm verification. Wave the fault classification, which is based on a fundamental
amplitudes are slightly different, which is a result of skin frequency not on a wavelet transform. Such solution is chosen
effect, which has a greater impact in EMTP-RV, so the current to make the algorithm more robust for different fault types.
has lower amplitude for this case. Fault detection and location algorithm is based on a wavelet
transform.

Fig. 4. PSCAD/EMTDC model for automatic simulation of numerous cases

algorithm [9]. According to wavelet multiresolution theory, in

Currents from three phases are measured on both ends of order to calculate approximation coefficients at the first
HV line. Clarke and Karrenbaur (only for L2-L3 faults) wavelet decomposition level the input signal s[n] needs to be
transforms are used to get matrix diagonal quantities, which convolved with decomposition low-pass filter coefficient and
are then used for wavelet transform. The algorithm is based on after this operation every second sample should be removed.
a biorthogonal 3.3 wavelet. Detail coefficients of second Coefficients of such filter for bior 3.3. are:
wavelet decomposition level are used (sampling frequency:
hD = {0, 0, 0.1768, 0.5303, 0.5303, 0.1768, 0, 0} (1)
1 MHz; frequency range of second level: 125 kHz 250 kHz;).
Discrete Wavelet Transform is realized according to Mallats

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In order to calculate detail coefficients at the second level resistance values corresponding to the actual fault resistance
of wavelet decomposition it is necessary to convolve occurring in HV lines. The algorithm is tested for following
approximation coefficients at the first level with values of fault resistance: 1, 10, 50, 100, 300, 400. The
decomposition high-pass filter coefficients and after that every model shown in Fig. 1 (with testing scheme from Fig. 4
second sample should be removed. Coefficients of such filter between substation A and B) is used for automatic testing.
for bior 3.3. are: The algorithm operation is verified for best and worst fault
cases. The best situation for the algorithm is when a fault
gD = {0, 0, -0.1768, 0.5303, -0.5303, 0.1768, 0, 0} (2)
occurs when voltage has its maximum (phase angle 90) and
the worst situation is when the fault occurs when phase angle
IV. SCHEME FOR AUTOMATIC ALGORITHM TESTING is equal to 2.5 (when the phase angle is lower than 2.5 the
In order to thoroughly test the travelling wave algorithm the algorithm does not work properly a wave amplitude is too
special testing scheme is developed. The simulation model, low to be properly located by the algorithm). Fig. 5 and Fig. 6
which is realized in PSCAD/EMTDC is shown in Fig. 4. The show three current waveforms recorded in substation A for a
purpose of testing the algorithm is to verify its proper best case. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 present the worst case scenario.
operations for different:
x fault types (L1-E, L2-E, L3-E, L1-L2-E, L1-L3-E, L2-
L3-E, L1-L2, L1-L3, L2-L3, L1-L2-L3-E, L1-L2-L3),
x distance from fault to substation (1 km, 2 km, 5 km, 10
km, 20 km, 30 km, 40 km, 50 km, 70 km, 85 km),
x fault angle (0 - 90 in steps of 2).
In PSCAD/EMTDC there are 3960 different cases
simulated, which are characterized by different fault type (L1-
E, L2-L2 etc.), fault location and different fault angle.
Comtrade files are then loaded to Matlab where for each of
3960 files (which represent phase currents waveforms in
Fig. 5. Current waveforms in a substation A: L1-E fault (IL1-blue, IL2-red,
substations at the end of HV line) the travelling wave IL3- green), RF = 10 ; u_L1 = 90, the rectangle indicates zoomed area
algorithm (detection, classification and location) is carried out. which is shown in Fig. 6
The output excel file contains the data associated with
simulation and results of algorithm: fault type and determined
fault location.

V. HIGH IMPEDANCE FAULTS

High impedance which occurs during a fault is one of the
common cause of incorrect determination of fault location by
conventional impedance methods. It also has influence on
electromagnetic wave which is generated after a fault and thus
may have an influence on a travelling wave algorithm.
Amplitude of voltage and current waves decreases with
increasing fault resistance. The initial value of voltage and Fig. 6. Zoomed area from Fig. 5, RF = 10 ; u_L1 = 90
current amplitude is equal to [10]:
Z
U1  U m sin M F (3)
Z  2 RF
U 1
I1  1 U m sin M F (4)
Z Z  2 RF
where:
RF fault resistance, []
Z line characteristic impedance, []
F fault angle.
Fault resistance for phase to phase faults is usually not
Fig. 7. Current waveforms in a substation A: L1-E fault (IL1-blue, IL2-red,
higher than 1 . In the case of earth faults that occur to a IL3- green), RF = 400 ; u_L1 = 2.5, the rectangle indicates zoomed area
tower construction it is within 1 - 25 [11]. Fault resistance which is shown in Fig. 8
can reach several hundred ohms, when a tree touches
conductors and causes a fault.
The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether the
fault location algorithm works properly for a range of fault

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Fig. 8. Zoomed area from Fig. 5, RF = 400 ; u_L1 = 2.5

The results of simulations are presented in Fig. 9. The

number of cases included in the Fig. 9 is 3870, because
simulations with fault angle equal to 0 were rejected. In such
cases travelling wave are not generated during a fault and the Fig. 9. Simulation results for different high impedance faults on 100 km line
algorithm cannot work properly. Worse results are obtained
when fault resistance is higher. This derives from equation (4),
which shows that the amplitude of current wave is lower for VI. ARC FAULTS
higher RF value. But still it can be concluded that it works
The purpose of this analysis is to check how the algorithm
correctly for most of cases. The target is to have fault location
works in the presence of arc fault. Only primary arc is
error less than 250 m, which is a declared accuracy of almost
simulated, which occurs at a fault location. A secondary arc,
all commercial solutions [12].
which is associated with opening operation of a circuit breaker
will not have any influence on the algorithm under tests. The
primary arc is modeled as a time dependent dynamic
resistance [13], [14]. The arc fault block shown in Fig. 10. is
used in automatic test scheme in Fig. 4.

Fig. 10. Arc fault simulation model, PSCAD/EMTDC

The model of primary arc is based on the equation [13]: p time constant.
Following values are chosen:
dg p 1

G  gp  (5) up = 15 V/cm, average contact arc voltage gradient,
dt Wp
Rarc = 10-5 /cm, arc resistance per unit length,
where: larc = 400 cm, arc length
gp time varying arc conductance,
G stationary primary arc conductance,

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DI p
W arc (6)
larc
where:
2,510-5, coefficient,
Ip 15000 A, maximum arc current.

g (k ) G (1  a1 )  g (k  1) a1 (7)
-T/p
a1 = e , T simulation time step
Initial conductance value at the fault time tF:
i
g (t F ) 0,054 (8)
up l
Fig. 11 presents time dependent resistance, which reaches
25 in its peak. Fig. 13. Results of fault location algorithm testing with and without fault arc

Fig. 11. Arc fault resistance
Fig.12 presents the current waveform in substation A after
phase to earth fault, which occurs in the presence of primary
arc. Some additional high frequency oscillations can be
observed in the waveform.
VII. CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the robustness of the algorithm for
HIF and arc faults was proved by numerous simulation tests.
The algorithm based on a wavelet transform and high
frequency current signal can be used to detect and locate such
faults. The average absolute error of all simulation cases is
less than 250 m, which meets the requirement for travelling
wave fault method to be much more accurate than impedance
methods.
There is still a place for improvement of the fault location
accuracy. One of the possible way of making the algorithm
work better is to increase the sampling frequency, but this
may lead to worse reliability.
The algorithm was already tested on hardware platform in
laboratory conditions and the aim of future work is to verify
the prototype on site. This will enable to compare the
simulations with real measurements.
All PSCAD/EMTDC models and more detailed results (list
of all 3960 test results for each case) can be found on the
website: http://www.krzysztofglik.evbox.pl

VIII. MODEL PARAMETERS

TABLE I
G1 SOURCE PARAMETERS

Parameter Value
Positive sequence
impedance
Z G1 _ 1 6,1  j16,7 17,8e j 70q :
Zero sequence
impedance
Z G1_ 0 2,7  j8,37 8,8e j 72 :
Fig. 12. Current waveform in substation A after arc fault in HV Line,
PSCAD/EMTDC Voltage (phase-phase, 231 kV
Fig. 13 presents the results of automatic testing of the RMS)
algorithm. There is no difference between scenario with fault Phase shift for L1: 0
arc and without it. Apparently, the arc fault value does not
cause significant decrease of wave amplitudes. It can be also
concluded that high frequency oscillation does not have any
impact on the algorithm operation. The current wave curves
have its original shape, so the wavelet transform can still
properly analyze the current waveform and accurately locate
faults.

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 EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia
TABLE II Ground wire radius 0.006375 m
G2 SOURCE PARAMETERS
DC resistance for ground wires 0.35 /km
Parameter Value
Sag for ground wires 4.2 m
Positive sequence
impedance
Z G1 _ 1 6,1  j16,7 17,8e j 70q : Height of ground wires above lowest
8.6
conductor
Zero sequence
impedance
Z G1_ 0 2,7  j8,37 8,8e j 72 : Distance between ground wires 11.2 m
Ideally transposed
Voltage (phase-phase, 209 kV
RMS)
Phase shift for L1: - 40 TABLE IV
HV LINE PARAMETERS (PER UNIT LENGTH)

Line Model in
Parameter
Fig. 14 presents arrangement of conductors and PSCAD/EMTDC
ground wires. Table III lists the dimensions used and R1 [/km] 0.049

conductors parameters. Finally, the Table IV specifies HV line X1 [/km] 0.417

electric parameters (per unit length). R0 [/km] 0.217

X0 [/km] 0.884
B1 [S/100km] 274.85
B0 [S/100km] 181.78

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