Electric Power Components and Systems, 43(5):491–507, 2015

Copyright C Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

ISSN: 1532-5008 print / 1532-5016 online

DOI: 10.1080/15325008.2014.992499

A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault

Phase Selection Factors
Jing Ma, Wei Ma, Xiangsheng Zhu, Xiang Gao, Yinan Li, Xi Wang, Zengping Wang,
and Qixun Yang
State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power
University, Beijing, China

CONTENTS
Abstract—A new fault phase selection method for transmission lines
1. Introduction is proposed in this article. First, fault phase selection factors are
2. Fault Phase Selection Based on FPSFS constructed based on the relationship between the fault current of each
phase and the fault current difference of the other two phases at a relay
3. Performance Analysis point. By analyzing different characteristics of fault phase selection
4. Simulation Verification and Analysis factors in the case of different fault types, fault phase selection criteria
5. Conclusion are proposed. Simulation results show that fast and accurate selection
of the fault phase can be achieved within a period cycle after fault
Acknowledgments
occurs. Also, it is verified that the method bears a high sensitivity to
Funding all types of faults and is immune to the impact of fault resistance,
References fault inception angle, fault location, load current, and high-voltage
Appendixes DC lines, which makes it relatively reliable. Even when a developing
fault occurs, good selectivity is secure with this method. Furthermore,
the method provides sufficient sensitivity for phase selection on the
weak-infeed side and parallel lines.

Keywords: fault phase selection, fault current, fault phase selection factors,
fault resistance, fault inception angle, fault location, developing fault,
weak-infeed side
Received 2 October 2012; accepted 28 October 2014
Address correspondence to Dr. Jing Ma, State Key Laboratory of Alternate
Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China
Electric Power University, 102206 Beijing, China. E-mail:
hdmajing@163.com
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online
at www.tandfonline.com/uemp.
1. INTRODUCTION
For high-voltage transmission lines, the current differential
relaying and distance relaying are applied as double primary
protection. The three-segment distance relaying is used for
backup protection in addition to an auto-reclosing device. Ac-
curate phase selection is needed for accurate operation of the
distance protection component and the auto-recloser. A false
phase selection result will lead to mal-operation of the two
devices and may even threaten the safety and stability of the
system [1–4].
Currently, fault phase selection mainly utilizes frequency-
domain techniques, time–frequency techniques, and time-
domain techniques. Fault phase selection methods based on the
frequency domain [5] utilize the natural frequency characteris-
tic of the high-frequency component caused by the distributed
capacitance after the fault and identify the fault type by an-
alyzing the spectral characteristics. Frequency-domain-based
phase selectors are immune to the fault location, fault time,
fault resistance, power swing, and current transformer (CT)
error. However, these methods may be affected by system

491
492 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5
operation mode, noise disturbance, and fault inception time
[6]. Besides, when grounding faults occur at the end of long
lines with high fault resistance, the natural frequency is
very small in amplitude and the possibility of false selection
may increase. Fault phase selection methods based on the
time–frequency characteristics [7, 8] utilize the fault type
information identified in the transient traveling wave by the
wavelet transformation method to select the fault phase. This
kind of method is accurate and reliable and is not affected by
the system operation mode, fault resistance, fault type, fault
location, CT error, or voltage transformer error [9, 10]. How-
ever, the traveling wave can be influenced by some elements,
such as fault electric arc, initial angle, and reflected wave,
which may increase the possibility of an unwanted phase [11,
12]. Besides, in view of the computational burden and high-
frequency sampling, a specialized hardware processor chip is
required for fast selection [13]. Fault phase selection based
on the time domain mainly utilizes the combined method of
steady-state variable selection and mutation variable selec-
tion. Steady-state variable selection mainly includes selection
methods based on current, voltage, and sequence components
[14, 15]. Mutation variable selection methods mainly include
phase current difference mutation selection, phase voltage
difference mutation selection, and integrated current and
voltage mutation selection [16]. Time-domain-based phase
selection methods have several merits, such as successful
application to periodic signals [17], common sampling fre-
quency [11], and ease of implementation for digital protection
relaying (DPR) [16]. However, these methods have difficulty
accelerating the protection speed and escaping the impacts of
some factors, such as fault type, fault resistance, developing
fault, and weak feed-side fault [8]. The merits and limitations
of the frequency-/time–frequency-/time-domain-based phase
selectors can been seen in the Appendix.
A new fault phase selection method based on fault phase
selection factors (FPSFs) is proposed in this article. First, ac-
cording to the proportion relation between the fault current
of each phase and the fault current difference of the other
two phases at the relaying point, the FPSFs are constructed.
Then, by analyzing different characteristics of FPSFs in the
case of different fault types, the fault phase selection method
is proposed. Simulation results show that with the proposed
method, fast and accurate selection of the fault phase can be
achieved within a period cycle after the fault occurs. Also, it
is verified that the proposed method bears a high sensitivity to
all types of faults and is immune to the impacts of fault resis-
tance, fault inception angle, fault location, load current, and
high-voltage DC (HVDC) lines, thus being relatively reliable.
This method of fault detection is effective even when there is
an uncommon fault, such as a developing fault. Furthermore,
FIGURE 1. Model of a dual-source power system.
the method provides sufficient sensitivity for phase selection
on the weak-infeed side and parallel lines.
2. FAULT PHASE SELECTION BASED ON FPSFS
To simplify analysis, a dual-source power system, shown in
Figure 1, is used as the model in this article. The system volt-
ages of side M and side N are Ė M and Ė N , and the equivalent
impedances are ZMS and ZNS respectively.
Suppose a fault occurs at point F on line MN. The sequence
network is shown in Figure 2, where Z MSi and Z NSi represent
the equivalent sequence impedances of the system on sides M
and N ,respectively. I˙Mi and I˙Ni represent the sequence currents
on sides M and N, respectively. I˙Fi represents the sequence
current at fault location F. Rg is the transition resistance i =
1, 2, 0.
The sequence current distribution coefficient on side M is
defined as
I˙Mi Z NSi + (1 − p) Z MNi
Ci = = , (1)
˙IFi Z MSi + Z MNi + Z NSi
where ZMNi is the sequence impedance of line MN, and p
represents the percentage of the distance from fault location F
to bus M in the line length. For high-voltage system, it can be
approximately viewed that C 1 , C 2 , and C 0 are all real values
[15]. Meanwhile, the positive-sequence and negative-sequence
impedances are approximately the same, thus C 1 = C 2 .
The fault phase currents at the relaying point of bus M are
⎧
⎨ I˙Ma = C1 I˙Fa1 + C2 I˙Fa2 + C0 I˙Fa0
I˙ = α 2 C1 I˙Fa1 + αC2 I˙Fa2 + C0 I˙Fa0 , (2)
⎩ ˙Mb
IMc = αC1 I˙Fa1 + α 2 C2 I˙Fa2 + C0 I˙Fa0
FIGURE 2. Sequence network of internal fault.
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 493

◦
where α = ej120 . I˙Ma , I˙Mb , and I˙Mc are the fault currents of current of phase A are
phases A, B, and C measured at bus M. I˙Fa1 , I˙Fa2 , and I˙Fa0 are 
I˙Fa1 = − I˙Fa2
the sequence components of the fault current of phase A at . (9)
fault location F. I˙Fa0 = 0
According to the proportion relation between the fault cur- Applying Eq. (9) to Eq. (2) results in
rent of each phase and the fault current difference of the other
⎧
two phases at the relaying point, the FPSFs are defined as ⎨ I˙Ma = C1 I˙Fa1 +C2 I˙Fa2 +C0 I˙Fa0 = (C1 −
 C
˙
2 ) IFa1 
      I˙Mb = α C1 I˙Fa1 +αC2 I˙Fa2 +C0 I˙Fa0 =  α C1 − αC2 I˙Fa1 .
2 2
 I˙Ma   I˙Mb   I˙Mc  ⎩˙
S1 =   , S2 =   , S3 =   , (3) IMc = αC1 I˙Fa1 +α 2 C2 I˙Fa2 +C0 I˙Fa0 = αC1 − α 2 C2 I˙Fa1
 I˙Mb − I˙Mc   I˙Mc − I˙Ma   I˙Ma − I˙Mb 
(10)
where (S 1 , S 2 , S 3 ) is a group of FPSFs. Thus, the FPSFs can be gained as follows:
  √
 I˙Ma  3 |C1 − C2 |
2.1. Characteristics of FPSFs for Different Fault Types S1 =  = , (11)
 I˙Mb − I˙Mc  3 |C1 +C2 |
2.1.1. Single-phase Grounding Fault
When a phase-A-to-ground (AG) fault occurs, the fault cur-
 √ 
rents of phases B and C at fault point F are both zero, i.e.,    
 I˙Mb  − (C1 − C2 ) − j 3 (C1 +C2 )
I˙Fb = I˙Fc =0. It can be gained from fault analysis that the se- S2 =  =  √  = 1,
 I˙Mc − I˙Ma   
quence components of the fault current of phase A meet the − (C1 − C2 ) + j 3 (C1 +C2 )
following relationship: (12)
I˙Fa1 = I˙Fa2 = I˙Fa0 , (4)  
   √ 
Applying Eq. (4) to Eq. (2) results in  I˙Mc  − (C1 − C2 ) + j 3 (C1 +C2 )
S3 =  =  √  = 1,
⎧  I˙Ma − I˙Mb   
⎨ I˙Ma = (C (C1 − C2 ) + j 3 (C1 +C2 )
 1 + C2 + C0 IFa1
)˙

˙IMb = α 2 C1 +αC2 + C0 I˙Fa1 . (5) (13)
⎩˙  
IMc = αC1 +α 2 C2 + C0 I˙Fa1 Considering that C 1 is approximately equal to C 2 , the nu-
merator of the expression on the right side of Eq. (11) is nearly
Thus, the FPSFs can be gained as follows: zero. Therefore, S 1 is nearly zero. Besides, whatever values C 1
  √
 I˙Ma  3 |C1 + C2 + C0 | and C 2 may take, the relationship between S 2 and S 3 is S 2 =
S1 =  = , (6) S 3 = 1.
 I˙Mb − I˙Mc  3 |C1 − C2 |

    2.1.3. Phase-to-phase Grounding Fault

 I˙Mb  1 C21 + C22 + C20 − C1 C2 − C1 C0 − C2 C0 
S2 =   =  2  , When a phase-BC-to-ground (BCG) fault occurs, the fault
 I˙Mc − I˙Ma  3 C + C 2 + C 1 C 2 
1 2
(7) current of phase A at fault point F is zero. The sequence
components of the fault current of phase A are
    ⎧
 I˙Mc  1 C21 + C22 + C20 − C1 C2 − C1 C0 − C2 C0  Z0
S3 =   =  2  . ⎪
⎨ I˙Fa2 = − I˙Fa1
 I˙Ma − I˙Mb  3 C + C2 + C1 C2  Z2 +Z0
1 2
Z2 , (14)
(8) ⎪
⎩ I˙Fa0 = − I˙Fa1
Considering that C1 is approximately equal to C2 , thus the Z2 +Z0
denominator of the expression on the right side of Eq. (6)
where Z2 and Z0 are the negative- and zero-sequence inte-
is nearly zero. Therefore, S 1 is very large. Regardless of the
grated impedance, respectively.
values C 1 , C 2 , and C 0 may take, the relationship between S 2
Applying Eq. (14) to Eq. (2) results in
and S 3 is S 2 = S 3 .
⎧
⎪
⎪ I˙Fa1
⎪
⎪ I˙Ma = [(Z2 +Z0 ) C1 − Z0 C2 − Z2 C0 ]
2.1.2. Phase-to-phase Fault ⎪
⎪ Z2 +Z0
⎨
 I˙Fa1
When a phase-B-to-C (BC) fault occurs, the fault currents of I˙Mb = α 2 (Z2 +Z0 ) C1 − αZ0 C2 − Z2 C0 .
⎪
⎪ Z2 +Z0
phases B and C at fault point F are equal in amplitude and ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
 I˙Fa1
opposite in direction, and the fault current of phase A is zero, ⎩ I˙Mc = α (Z2 +Z0 ) C1 − α 2 Z0 C2 − Z2 C0
Z2 +Z0
i.e., I˙Fb = − I˙Fc , I˙Fa = 0. The sequence components of the fault (15)
494 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

Thus, the FPSFs can be gained as follows: fault current of phase A, i.e., I˙Fa = I˙Fb = I˙Fc = I˙Fa1 . Applying
  √
 I˙Ma  3 |Z2 (C1 − C0 ) +Z0 (C1 − C2 )| this expression to Eq. (2) results in
S1 =  = , ⎧
 I˙Mb − I˙Mc  3 |Z2 C1 +Z0 (C1 +C2 )| ⎨ I˙Ma = C1 I˙Fa1
(16) I˙ = α 2 C1 I˙Fa1 . (23)
⎩ ˙Mb
IMc = αC1 IFa1 ˙
 √  √ 
   1 
 I˙Mb   2 A − 23 B + j 12 C+ 23 D  Thus, the FPSFs can be gained as follows:
S2 =   =  √  √  , (17) √
 I˙Mc − I˙Ma   3 
 2 A+ 23 B + j 32 C − 23 D  S1 = S2 = S3 =
3
. (24)
3
 √  √ 
   1 
 I˙Mc   2 A+ 23 B + j 12 C − 23 D 
S3 =   =    , 2.2. Fault Phase Selection Criteria
√ √
 I˙Ma − I˙Mb   3 
 2 A − 23 B + j 32 C+ 23 D  Concerning the different characteristics of FPSFs in different
(18) fault types, the fault phase selection criterion is established.
where A = R2 (C1 +2C0 ) + R0 (C1 − C2 ), B = X2 C1 +
Criterion A: As shown in Eq. (25), when one factor in the group
X0 (C1 +C2 ), C = X2 (C1 +2C0 ) +X0 (C1 − C2 ), and
of FPSFs (S 1 , S 2 , S 3 ) exceeds threshold ε1 , and the absolute
D = R2 C1 +R0 (C1 +C2 ); A, B, C, and D are all real values.
value of the difference between the other two factors in
Whatever values C 1 , C 2 , and C 0 may take, it can be seen
the group divided by the minor of the two remains below
from Eqs. (16)–(18) that S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 differ from each other.
threshold ε2 , a single-phase grounding fault can be decided.
Because of this, the amplitudes of the fault currents can be
The fault phase is the one corresponding to the maximum
used to identify phase-to-phase-to-ground faults.
factor in the group of FPSFs;
According to Eq. (15), 
  
   √   max  (S1 , S2 , S3 ) ≥ ε1  , (25)
 I˙Mb  C1 −α 2 + j 3 ZZ0 +C   S1 −S2   S2 −S3   S3 −S1 
  =  
2

0
 = 1, min  min(S1 ,S2 )  ,  min(S2 ,S3 )  ,  min(S3 ,S1 )  ≤ ε2
 I˙Mc   √ 
(19)
C1 −α − j 3 ZZ0 2
+C 0  where ε1 = 50 and ε2 = 0.1.
    Criterion B: As shown in Eq. (26), when the minimum factor
     C0 
 I˙Ma  (C1 − C0 ) + ZZ0 (C 1 − C2 )   C1
− 1  in the group of FPSFs (S 1 , S 2 , S 3 ) does not surpass threshold
 =  < .
2

 √   C0
(20) ε3 , and the differences of the other two factors between one
 I˙Mb 
C1 −α 2 + j 3 ZZ0 +C   − α 2 
2
0 C1 are both smaller than threshold ε4 , a phase-to-phase fault can
Letting be decided, and the selected phase is the one corresponding
  to the minimum factor in the group;
 C0 
 C1 − 1 ⎧
Y =  , ⎨ min (S1 , S2 ,S3 ) ≤ ε3
 C0 
 C1 − α 2  |Sm1 − 1| ≤ ε4 , (26)
⎩
|Sm2 − 1| ≤ ε4
Y can then be written as a function of x:
 1−x where ε3 = 0.1 and ε4 = 0.2. S m1 and S m2 are the other two
√
x 2 +x+1
0≤x ≤1
Y = , (21) factors in the FPSFs group, which have higher values.
√ x−1
x 2 +x+1
x >1
Criterion C: As shown in Eq. (27), when the zero-sequence
where x = CC01 . current exceeds threshold ε0 , and the absolute value of the
Consider that C 1 , C 2 , and C 0 can all be approximately difference between any two factors in the group divided by
viewed as positive real values. Therefore, x can also be seen the minor of the two surpasses threshold ε5 , a phase-to-
as a positive real value. According to Eq. (21), when x = 0 or phase-to-ground fault can be decided. Meanwhile, accord-
x → +∞, Y has the maximum value 1; when 0 < x < +∞, Y ing to Eq. (22), the fault phases are the two with higher fault
is always below 1. Thus, for BCG faults, it is always true that currents;
           
 I˙Ma  <  I˙Mb  =  I˙Mc  .  S1 − S2   S2 − S3   S3 − S1 
(22) min    ,   ,   > ε5 ,
min(S1 ,S2 )   min(S2 ,S3 )   min(S3 ,S1 ) 
(27)
3.1.4. Three-phase (ABC) Fault where ε0 = 30 A and ε5 = 0.2.
When an ABC fault occurs, the fault currents of phases A, B, Criterion D: As shown in Eq. (28), when the absolute value of
and C at fault point F are all the same as the positive-sequence the difference between any two factors in the group divided
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors
by the minor of the two does not surpass threshold ε6 , an
ABC fault can be decided;
     
 S1 − S2   S2 − S3   S3 − S1 
max    ,   ,   < ε6 ,
min(S1 ,S2 )   min(S2 ,S3 )   min(S3 ,S1 ) 
(28)
where ε6 = 0.1.
3. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
In the algorithm flow shown in Figure 3, phasor measurements
of the current mutation variable are used to select the fault
phases. When the system operates in the stable and steady state,
the current mutation at the relaying point is nearly zero. Once a
fault occurs, the current mutation value increases significantly.
The starting threshold value is set to be istart = 0.13Ie (the
operating value of the mutation phase selector is usually set
to be istart = 0.1–0.15Ie in real relay protection devices [16]),
where Ie represents the rated current. When the maximum
current mutation value of different phases exceeds istart , the
fault phase selection scheme embedded in DPR starts (see
Appendix).
The proposed method has the following characteristics.
1) The proposed method is unaffected by the transition re-
sistance and fault location, and it is applicable to fault
phase selection on the weak-infeed side. According to
Eq. (1), the current distribution coefficients are not re-
lated with the transition resistance. Thus, however big
the transition resistance is, the proposed method is able
to select the fault phase correctly. Additionally, although
the current distribution coefficients are affected by the
system impedance, line impedance, and fault location,
no matter what values C 1 , C 2 , and C 0 take, the character-
istics FPSFs demonstrate in different fault types always
FIGURE 3. Flowchart of the fault phase selection method.
495
remain the same. Therefore, the proposed method is
not affected by the fault location, and it is applicable
to fault phase selection on the weak-infeed side (the
weak-infeed side means the system impedance is big).
2) The proposed method is unaffected by the fault ini-
tial phase angle. According to analysis of different
fault types, for a single-phase-to-ground fault, phase-
to-phase fault, and ABC fault, the FPSFs are only re-
lated with the current distribution coefficients; for a two-
phase-to-ground fault, the FPSFs have to do with the cur-
rent distribution coefficients and the negative- and zero-
sequence integrated impedances. Since the current dis-
tribution coefficients and negative- and zero-sequence
integrated impedances are not related with the fault in-
stant, the proposed method is not affected by the fault
initial phase angle.
3) The proposed method is applicable for fault identifica-
tion of a developing fault. A developing fault refers
to a single-phase-to-ground fault developing into a
two-phase-to-ground fault (including the former sin-
gle phase) at the same fault location [16]. Comparative
analysis shows that the phase selection criterion of a
single-phase-to-ground fault (Criterion A) is obviously
different from the phase selection criterion of a two-
phase-to-ground fault (Criterion C). Thus, in the case
of a developing fault, the proposed method has good
selectivity.
4) The proposed method is applicable to fault phase se-
lection of double-circuit lines. For double-circuit trans-
mission lines on the same tower, if any type of fault
occurs on one line, the phase electrical variables on the
two lines at the fault location are independent from each
other, thus the relationship between sequence currents
is the same as in a single-circuit transmission line [18].
Therefore, the proposed method is applicable to fault
phase selection of a double-circuit line.
5) The proposed method is not affected by a thyristor
controlled series compensation (TCSC) and unified
power flow controller (UPFC), and is applicable to
the rectifier side in an AC/DC hybrid system. When
a thyristor controlled series compensation (TCSC) or
unified power flow controller (UPFC) is installed on the
transmission line, the positive- and negative-sequence
impedances are still the same, thus C 1 ≈ C 2 . Also, the
FPSFs are not related with the values of the current dis-
tribution coefficients. Therefore, the proposed method
is not affected by a TCSC and UPFC. For an AC/DC
hybrid system, when a short-circuit fault occurs on the
496 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5
rectifier-side AC line, usually there is no commutation
failure; thus the phase/sequence components “felt” at
two ends of the fault line are the same as those in an
ordinary AC line. In this case, false identification will
not happen. On the other hand, when a short-circuit
fault occurs on the inverter-side AC line, due to the
influence of commutation failure, the positive- and
negative-sequence impedances of the backside system
“felt” by the inverter-side relay protection during the
fault transient can be much different. In this case, false
identification may result.
4. SIMULATION VERIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
In reference to the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan 500-kV ultra-
high-voltage transmission line parameters, a 300-km transmis-
sion line model with distributed parameters are constructed in
this study by PSCAD/EMTDC (Manitoba HVDC Research
Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), shown in Figure 4. The
system rated power is SN = 100 MVA, rated voltage is UN
= 500 kV, and fundamental frequency is f = 50 Hz. System
parameters are LM0 = 0.0926 H, RM0 = 0.6 , LM1 = 0.13743
H, RM1 = 1.0515 , LN0 = 0.11927 H, RN0 = 20 , LN1
= 0.14298 H, and RN1 = 26 . Parameters for the transmis-
sion line are r1 = 0.02083 /km, l1 = 0.8948 mH/km, C 1
= 0.0129 μF/km, r0 = 0.1148 /km, l0 = 2.2886 mH/km,
and C 0 = 0.00523 μF/km. The compensation degree of the
shunt reactor is set to be 70% with LL = 7.4803 H and LN =
2.4934 H. The full-wave Fourier algorithm is used to extract
the phasor with a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz.
The fault phase selector is installed at bus M. Five locations
for fault simulation are chosen, i.e., d 1 , d 2 , d 3 , d 4 , and d 5 ,
with their distance from bus M being 0, 75, 150, 225, and
300 km, respectively. Since the statistical maximum grounding
resistance for 500-kV lines is 300  [16], the fault resistance
of high-resistance faults is set to be 300  in this study.
4.1. Simulation of Fault Resistance
In real system operation, fault usually occurs via a certain
transition resistance, which will weaken the fault character-
istics of the power grid and exert unfavorable influence on
FIGURE 4. Simulation model of high-voltage transmission
line.
FIGURE 5. FPSFs when an AG fault occurs via a 300- fault
resistance.
fault phase selection. The different types of faults via fault
resistance, including a single-phase grounding fault, a phase-
to-phase grounding fault, a phase-to-phase fault, and an ABC
fault, are simulated to estimate of the influence of fault resis-
tance on the performance of the proposed method.
When t = 0.40 sec, an AG fault occurs at the middle point
of the line via a 300- fault resistance. After the fault occurs,
the fault phase selector immediately starts to calculate the
FPSFs. As shown in Figure 5, S 1 increases rapidly, while S 2
and S 3 remain approximately the same. According to Criterion
A, an AG fault can be decided. The time taken to make such a
judgment is 4 ms.
When t = 0.40 sec, a BC fault occurs at the middle point
of the line via a a 300- fault resistance. The variation curves
of the FPSFs are shown in Figure 6. It can be seen that S 1 is
nearly zero, while S 2 and S 3 are next to 1. Therefore, according
to Criterion B, a BC fault can be decided. The time used for
the selection process is 2.5 ms.
When t = 0.40 sec, a BCG fault occurs at the middle point
of the line via a 300- fault resistance. The FPSFs curves are
shown in Figure 7. It can been seen that S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 are
different from each other and that the zero-sequence current is
relatively large. However, it can be noted that the fault currents
of phases B and C are higher than the fault current of phase A.
Thus, according to Criterion C, a BCG fault can be decided.
Time for identification is 2.5 ms.
FIGURE 6. FPSFs when a BC fault occurs via a 300- fault
resistance.
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 497

Fault FPSFs
resistance Selection
Fault type () S1 S2 S3 result
AG 0 3292.3 0.0348 0.0349 AG
300 1820.6 0.0145 0.0151 AG
BC 0 0.0000 1.0000 1.0000 BC
300 0.0001 1.0002 0.9998 BC
BCG 0 0.0013 0.8906 1.1095 BCG
300 0.0059 0.6932 1.4436 BCG
FIGURE 7. FPSFs when a BCG fault occurs via a 300- fault ABC 0 0.5724 0.5751 0.5774 ABC
resistance. 300 0.5740 0.5773 0.5723 ABC

When t = 0.40 sec, an ABC symmetrical fault occurs at TABLE 1. Results of fault phase identification at the middle point of
the line via different fault resistances
the middle point of the line. The FPSF curves are shown in
Figure 8. It can be seen that S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 are very close to
one another. In accordance with Criterion D, an ABC fault can effect of the fault inception angle on the proposed method is
be decided. simulated. Table 2 shows the values of the FPSFs at a cycle
For different types of faults, the values of the FPSFs at after the fault phase selector starts and the selection results. It
a cycle after the fault phase selector starts and the selection can be seen that the proposed method has satisfactory perfor-
results are shown in Table 1. It can be seen that for either mance for identifying the fault type and phase occurring under
metallic or high-resistance faults, accurate identification of different fault inception angles.
the fault type and selection of the fault phases is possible with
the proposed method. This method is highly sensitive to all 4.3. Simulation of Different Fault Locations
types of faults, especially for phase-to-phase grounding faults, The fault phase selector should be able to distinguish accu-
when the fault resistance changes from 0 to 300 . In this case, rately the fault phase when a fault occurs at any location in
the FPSFs do not vary much; rather it remains significantly the protection area [16]. To evaluate the proposed method, a
distinct from the cases of the other fault types. Thus, Criterion
C will never lose its applicability in deciding a phase-to-phase
grounding fault. Fault FPSFs
inception Selection
4.2. Simulation of Fault Inception Angle angle Fault type S1 S2 S3 result

The fault inception angle, especially for a voltage zero- 0◦ AG 1956.5 0.0185 0.0177 AG
BC 0.0002 0.9994 1.0006 BC
crossing situation, is one of the most frequent problems found BCG 0.0118 0.8291 1.1826 BCG
in fault phase selection schemes for which the performance is ABC 0.5719 0.5708 0.5723 ABC
based on traveling waves or on superimposed quantities due 45◦ AG 1873.6 0.0192 0.0184 AG
to the small traveling waves generated by the fault [7]. When BC 0.0002 0.9992 1.0008 BC
BCG 0.0134 0.7523 1.2995 BCG
faults occur at middle point of the line under a wide range
ABC 0.5745 0.5763 0.5756 ABC
of fault inception angles varying between 0◦ and 180◦ , the 90◦ AG 1905.2 0.0197 0.0188 AG
BC 0.0002 0.9992 1.0008 BC
BCG 0.0114 0.6510 1.5142 BCG
ABC 0.5747 0.5752 0.5763 ABC
135◦ AG 1808.2 0.0223 0.0208 AG
BC 0.0002 0.9992 1.0008 BC
BCG 0.0104 0.8167 1.2071 BCG
ABC 0.5751 0.5751 0.5785 ABC
180◦ AG 1892.6 0.0234 0.0219 AG
BC 0.0003 0.9987 1.0013 BC
BCG 0.0155 0.9438 1.0299 BCG
ABC 0.5790 0.5781 0.5741 ABC

FIGURE 8. FPSFs when an ABC fault occurs via a 300- TABLE 2. Influence of fault inception angle to fault phase identifi-
fault resistance. cation results
498 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

FPSFs
Fault Fault Selection
location type S1 S2 S3 result
d1 AG 3834.9 0.0040 0.0037 AG
BC 0.0000 1.0000 1.0000 BC
BCG 0.0025 0.6616 1.0416 BCG
ABC 0.5799 0.5657 0.5635 ABC
d2 AG 2725.3 0.0068 0.0065 AG
BC 0.0000 1.0000 1.0000 BC
BCG 0.0032 0.6583 1.5219 BCG
ABC 0.5780 0.5676 0.5685 ABC
d4 AG 1217.0 0.0861 0.0868 AG
BC 0.0002 1.0000 1.0000 BC
BCG 0.0396 0.7701 1.2555 BCG
ABC 0.5753 0.5773 0.5794 ABC
d5 AG 586.10 0.3193 0.3206 AG
BC 0.0003 1.0000 1.0000 BC
BCG 0.2264 1.0626 0.6907 BCG
ABC 0.5774 0.5782 0.5750 ABC

TABLE 3. Influence of fault positions to fault phase identification

results

series of faults of different types with a 300- fault resistance

are simulated at several locations along the transmission line.
Table 3 shows the values of the FPSFs at a cycle after the fault
phase selector starts and the selection results. It can be seen
that for faults at different locations along the line, the fault
type and phase can be identified reliably and with a relatively
high sensitivity using the proposed selection method.
4.4. Simulation of Developing Fault
The post-fault power system is under abnormal operating con-
ditions, where a developing fault can easily occur. If the phase
selector cannot identify the fault phases quickly and accurately,
mal-operation of protection may result. Therefore, research on
a phase selector applicable to a developing fault is a key is-
sue for high-voltage line protection [16]. Taking an AG fault
as an example, the applicability of the proposed method to a
developing fault is verified.
When t = 0.40 sec, an AG fault occurs at the middle point
of the line. After a cycle, the fault develops into a phase-CA-to-
ground (CAG) fault and a phase-AB-to-ground (ABG) fault,
respectively. Selection results of these developing faults using
the proposed method are shown in Figure 9. The fault type
codes are shown in Table 4.
As can be seen from Figure 9, 4 ms after the fault occurs,
an AG fault can be accurately decided according to Criterion
A. After a cycle, the single-phase fault develops into a CAG
fault and an ABG fault, respectively, and this developing fault
is correctly identified using Criterion C within 5 ms.
FIGURE 9. Results of fault phase identification with devel-
oping fault: (a) AG developing to CAG and (b) AG developing
to ABG.
4.5. Simulation on the Weak-infeed Side
The weak-infeed system often has relatively low values of fault
current availability [19]. Under a weak-infeed condition, the
fault phase selector may have not enough sensitivity for fault
detecting. By reducing the capacity of the generator on side M
by 100 times, the generator on side N can be equivalent to an
infinite bus while the generator on side M becomes the weak-
infeed system, and the performance of the proposed method
is studied. When a fault occurs at different locations along the
line via different fault resistances, the values of the FPSFs at a
cycle after the fault, the zero-sequence current, and the phase
selection results are shown in Table 5.
Numbering Selection result
0 Proposed method
does not start
1 AG
2 CAG
3 ABG
TABLE 4. Fault type codes
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 499

FPSFs
Fault resistance Zero-sequence
Fault location Fault type () S1 S2 S3 current i0 /A Selection result
d1 AG 0 25110 0.3358 0.3358 — AG
300 3307.1 0.3979 0.3976 — AG
BC 0 0.0000 1.0001 0.9999 — BC
300 0.0000 1.0002 0.9999 — BC
BCG 0 0.2406 0.9002 1.6515 832.74 BCG
300 0.2378 0.9389 1.3584 814.84 BCG
ABC 0 0.5662 0.5721 0.5718 — ABC
300 0.5589 0.5694 0.5758 — ABC
d3 AG 0 3242.1 0.3499 0.3499 — AG
300 1810.4 0.3110 0.3106 — AG
BC 0 0.0000 1.0001 0.9999 — BC
300 0.0001 1.0003 0.9997 — BC
BCG 0 0.0267 0.9058 1.0975 395.23 BCG
300 0.1088 0.5206 1.7229 299.02 BCG
ABC 0 0.5781 0.5758 0.5698 — ABC
300 0.5764 0.5782 0.5771 — ABC
d5 AG 0 8046.8 0.3025 0.3026 — AG
300 834.89 0.2941 0.2951 — AG
BC 0 0.0000 1.0001 0.9999 — BC
300 0.0003 1.0011 0.9989 — BC
BCG 0 0.1571 0.8901 0.9224 186.58 BCG
300 0.2040 0.8698 0.8415 105.91 BCG
ABC 0 0.5681 0.5717 0.5698 — ABC
300 0.5701 0.5728 0.5766 — ABC

TABLE 5. Results of fault phase identification at the weak-infeed side

It can be seen from Table 5 that it is convenient for the pro-
posed method to identify different kinds of faults sensitively on
the weak-infeed side within one cycle of time. Meanwhile, it
is unaffected by fault location and fault resistance. Therefore,
the adaptability of the proposed method in phase selection on
the weak-infeed system is proven.
4.6. Simulation on the Effects of TCSC and UPFC
TCSC and UPFC make control on a large-scale interconnected
power grid faster, more frequent, continuous, and flexible, thus
improving the power grid stability level. However, the applica-
tion of such techniques also affects the relay protection [20].
For example, the distance protection may refuse to operate in
the case of an in-zone fault and mal-operate in the case of a
backward fault [21]. To examine the influence of TCSC and
UPFC on the proposed method, simulation tests are carried out
based on the system model shown in Figure 4.
Suppose that TCSC is installed at bus N and that it com-
pensates according to 30% of the line reactance. When fault
occurs at the midpoint of line MN, the phase selection results
are shown in Figure 10. When a UPFC is installed on line MN,
if there is fault at the midpoint of the line, the phase selection
results are shown in Figure 11. It can be seen from Figures 10
and 11 that the proposed method is not affected by the installa-
tion of TCSC and UPFC. It is still able to identify the fault type
and fault phase fast and accurately and with high sensitivity.
4.7. Simulation on the Double-circuit Lines
A high-voltage parallel transmission line has the advantages of
high transmission capacity as well as great economic benefits.
It is able to improve the security and stability of the power
system and has been widely applied in recent years [22]. To
minimize the power outage of double-circuit lines on the same
tower when fault occurs, it is required that the fault phase
selector identify the fault phases correctly [23]. To examine the
suitability of the proposed method for parallel lines, an extra
transmission line is added between bus M and bus N on the
basis of Figure 4, so that a parallel line results (see Figure 12).
When different types of faults occur at F 1 (which is 150 km
from bus M) via a 300- fault resistance, the phase selection
results at relay R1 are shown in Figure 13. It can be seen that
in the case of a double-circuit line, the proposed method is
highly reliable in identifying different types of faults and fault
phases, unaffected by the fault resistance.
500 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

FIGURE 11. FPSFs when UPFC is installed on line MN: (a)

FIGURE 10. FPSFs when TCSC is installed at bus N: (a) AG AG fault, (b) BC fault, (c) BCG fault, and (d) ABC symmetrical
fault, (b) BC fault, (c) BCG fault, and (d) ABC symmetrical fault.
fault.

4.8. Simulation on AC-DC Hybrid System

HVDC transmission is widely applied due to its obvious
advantage in a long-distance large-capacity power trans-
mission and a large power grid interconnection. Compared
with a traditional AC power system, when fault occurs,
the AC-DC hybrid system will exhibit many new electrical
characteristics, which will exert unfavorable influence on
FIGURE 12. Double high-voltage transmission line.
the operation behavior of AC system relay protection [24].
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 501

FIGURE 14. Single-line diagram of the CIGRÉ benchmark

HVDC system.

in Figure 15, with the corresponding phase selection results

shown in Figure 16. The instantaneous phase currents at the
relaying point of bus Q are shown in Figure 17, and the cor-
responding phase selection results are shown in Figure 18. It
can be seen from Figures 15–18 that when fault occurs on the
AC line at rectifier side, the proposed method is highly reliable
in identifying the fault type and fault phase, unaffected by the
fault resistance.
In the case of an inverter-side AC line fault, suppose that
a metallic AG fault and an AG fault via fault resistance (300
) occur at the midpoint of line MN; the instantaneous phase
currents at the relaying point of bus M are shown in Fig-
ure 19, with the corresponding phase selection results shown
in Figure 20. The instantaneous phase currents at the relaying
point of bus N are shown in Figure 21, and the corresponding
phase selection results are shown in Figure 22. It can be seen

FIGURE 13. FPSFs when different types of faults occur at

F 1 : (a) AG fault, (b) BC fault, (c) BCG fault, and (d) ABC
symmetrical fault.

Simulation experiments are carried out in the laboratory

based on the CIGRÉ benchmark HVDC system (Paris,
France) (see Figure 14) established in the real-time digital
simulator (RTDS). The system parameters can be found
in [25].
When a metallic AG fault and an AG fault via fault resis- FIGURE 15. Phase currents at the relaying point of bus P
tance (300 ) occur at the midpoint of line PQ, the instanta- when line PQ is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault
neous phase currents at the relaying point of bus P are shown via fault resistance.
502 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

FIGURE 16. FPSFs at the relaying point of bus P when line FIGURE 18. FPSFs at the relaying point of bus Q when line
PQ is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault via fault PQ is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault via fault
resistance. resistance.

from Figures 19–22 that when a metallic fault occurs on the fault resistance occurs, due to the influence of the DC system,
inverter-side AC line, both line ends are able to identify the the fault type is mistakenly identified as an ABC fault at bus
fault type and fault phase accurately. However, when fault via M, while bus N fails to identify the fault phase.

FIGURE 17. Phase currents at the relaying point of bus Q FIGURE 19. Phase currents at the relaying point of bus M
when line PQ is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault when line MN is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG
via fault resistance. fault via fault resistance.
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 503

FIGURE 20. FPSFs at the relaying point of bus M when line FIGURE 22. FPSFs at the relaying point of bus N when line
MN is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault via fault MN is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG fault via fault
resistance. resistance.

According to the above simulation analysis, in the AC- identification may happen with the proposed method for faults
DC hybrid system, the proposed method is able to identify on the inverter-side AC line.
faults on the rectifier-side AC line accurately. However, false

FIGURE 21. Phase currents at the relaying point of bus N FIGURE 23. Results of traditional fault phase identification
when line MN is in fault: (a) metallic AG fault and (b) AG method: (a) AG developing to CAG and (b) AG developing to
fault via fault resistance. ABG.
504 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

     
Fault location  I˙Mab /A  I˙Mbc /A  I˙Mca /A
d1 4202.9 3771.1 4146.0
d3 4129.5 3353.7 3728.1
d5 2956.7 3740.0 3083.4
TABLE 6. Simulation results with different fault locations when an
ABC fault occurs at line MN
4.9. Comparisons with Other Fault Phase Selection
Methods
Digital high-voltage line protection mainly applies the phase
current difference mutation phase selector after the protection
starts in China [16]. When fault occurs in the system, the am-
plitude characteristic of the phase current difference variation
is used to select the fault phases (see Appendix).
In the simulation model shown in Figure 4, suppose an AG
fault occurs at the midpoint of line MN at t = 0.40 sec and
develops to a CAG fault and an ABG fault separately after
one cycle. The variation
  curves
 of phase current difference
mutations IMab , IMbc , and  I˙Mca  are shown in Figure 23.
 ˙   ˙  method is proposed. Simulation results show the following
It can be seen that it takes 15 ms for the traditional phase
current difference mutation phase selection scheme to identify
the developing fault. However, according to Figure 9, it takes
only 5 ms for the proposed phase selection scheme to identify
the fault, with high sensitivity and accuracy.
Suppose the generator on M side is the weak-infeed side of
the system. When an ABC fault occurs at different locations
on line MN, the phase selection results of the traditional phase
current difference mutation method are shown in Table 6. It
can be seen that false selection may occur with the traditional
phase current difference mutation method. For example, when
fault occurs at d3, it is falsely identified as a phase-A-to-B
fault; and when fault occurs at d5, it is falsely identified as a
BC fault. On the other hand, according to Table 5, in phase
selection on the weak-infeed side, the proposed method is able
to identify different types of line faults correctly, unaffected
by the fault location and the fault resistance.
Further tests are conducted to perform the comparisons be-
tween FPSFs and other fault phase selection methods, such
as wavelet energy (WE) [26] and wavelet modulus maxima
(WMM) [27], which both are based on wavelet transform
(WT). The tests under different conditions show that the worst
case for fault phase selection is the low-transient condition.
Some of the worst-case classification results are shown in Ta-
ble 7. It can be seen that due to the very low transient mag-
nitude, the accuracies of the fault phase selections based on
WE and WMM are 13% and 60%, respectively. However, the
proposed method is unaffected by fault inception time and
fault resistance, and the accuracy is 100%.
5. CONCLUSION
A new fault phase selection scheme is proposed in this article.
First, according to the proportion relation between the fault
current of each phase and the fault current difference of the
other two phases at the relaying point, the FPSFs are con-
structed. Then, by analyzing different characteristics of FPSFs
in the case of different fault types, the fault phase selection
advantages of the proposed method:
1) highly sensitive to all types of faults and immune to the
impact of fault resistance, fault inception angle, fault
location, load current, and HVDC lines;
2) fast and accurate selection of the fault phase within a
cycle after the fault occurs;
3) selective and accurate identification of developing
faults; and
4) adaptable to phase selection on the weak-infeed side and
parallel lines.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many faculties and students contributed greatly to this re-
search. The authors would like to thank Dr. James S. Thorp
and Dr. Arun G. Phadke.

Failed fault phase Accuracy

Conditions Number Methods selection (%) FUNDING
tA = 0◦ , d = 30 WE 26 13 This work was supported by The National Basic Research
100 km, Rg is WMM 12 60 Program of China (973 Program) (2012CB215200), National
from 10–300  FPSFs 0 100 Natural Science Foundation of China (51277193), the Chi-
(in 10- steps)
nese University Scientific Fund Project (2014ZZD02), the Sci-
TABLE 7. Comparison with other fault phase selection methods entific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chi-
tA = fault inception angle of phase A, d = distance from fault point to nese Scholars, State Education Ministry ([2011] No. 1139),
bus M, Rg = fault resistance. Hebei Natural Science Foundation (E2012502034), Electric
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors
Power Youth Science and Technology Creativity Foundation
of CSEE ([2012] No. 46), the New-Star of Science and Tech-
nology supported by Beijing Metropolis Beijing Nova pro-
gram (Z141101001814012), the Excellent talents in Beijing
City (2013B009005000001), and the Fund of Fok Ying Tung
Education Foundation (141057).
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506 Electric Power Components and Systems, Vol. 43 (2015), No. 5

APPENDIX A

Methods Merits Limitations

Frequency- Fast; immune to fault Affected by system
domain resistance, fault operation mode, noise
method type, disturbance, and fault
power swing, and inception time
CT error
Time–frequency- Accurate and reliable; Complexity;
domain method varying time data computational burden;
windows; high-frequency
immune to system sampling; traveling
operation mode, wave can be
fault resistance, influenced by some
FIGURE B1. Simplified schematic diagram of the digital pro-
fault type, fault elements, such as fault
tection relaying.
location, CT error, electric arc, initial
or voltage angle, and reflected
transformer error wave user so that manual operating and debugging of the protection
Time-domain Successful Fixed time data window; devices are possible, as well as acquiring the feedback infor-
method application to difficult to accelerate mation. The function of the digital output (DO) is to provide
periodic signals; protection speed and
the output channel to send the switch operation command cor-
common sampling escape impacts of
rectly and to realize electrical isolation between the internal
frequency; smaller some factors, such as
amount of fault type, fault and external of DPR.
computations; ease resistance, developing Through the CTs (CTA , CTB , CTC ), the three phase currents
of implementation fault, and weak feed I˙Ma , I˙Mb , and I˙Mb are transmitted to the analog signal process-
side fault ing component for the ALF, S/H, and A/D. The output digital
signals are then transmitted to the digital core component,
TABLE A1. Merits and limitations of the frequency- where FPSFs are calculated.
/time–frequency/time-domain-based phase selectors
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX B
According to Eq. (2), the phase current difference mutation
With the wide application of DPR in power systems, phase at the relaying point is
selection schemes based on the three-phase currents are easy ⎧
⎨ I˙Mab = I˙Ma − I˙Mb = (1 − α )C1 I˙Fa1 + (1 − α)C2 I˙Fa2
2
to implement [7, 28]. The simplified schematic diagram of
˙IMbc = I˙Mb − I˙Mc = (α 2 − α)C1 I˙Fa1 + (α − α 2 )C2 I˙Fa2 .
DPR is shown in Figure B1. Analog signal processing is the ⎩˙
first stage for DPR. The main components of signal processing IMca = I˙Mc − I˙Ma = (α − 1)C1 I˙Fa1 + (α 2 − 1)C2 I˙Fa2
(C1)
are as follows: (1) transducers and isolation, the transducers
Suppose that Im is the amplitude of the fault phase current
here are the CT, which also provide the necessary isolation; (2)
mutation and that the positive-sequence and negative-sequence
an analog low-pass filter (ALF), which can suppress the high-
current distribution coefficients are the same. The amplitude
frequency components in the input signals that are useless for
characteristics of the phase current difference mutation at the
protection; (3) sample and hold (S/H); and (4) an analog-to-
relaying point in different cases of short-circuit faults can be
digital converter (A/D).
analyzed, as shown in Table C1.
The function of the digital core component is to run the relay
protection program and command the operation of various pe-
Phase selection can be conducted in the following steps:
ripheral interface components so that protective relaying could
be realized. Therefore, the FPSF program is embedded into the Step 1: Calculate and compare the  amplitudes
   of three
 phase
digital core component. The function of the communication in- current difference mutations: IMab , IMbc , and  I˙Mca . If
 ˙   ˙ 
terface (CI) is to provide the communication channel with the the three values are basically the same, and are bigger than
computer communication network and the telecommunication a set value, then it is identified as an ABC fault.
network. The function of the man–machine interface (MMI) Step 2:
 Otherwise,
 select the minimum value  among
  the three.

is to establish the information contact between DPR and the If IMab is the minimum value, and IMab <<  I˙Mbc  and
 ˙   ˙ 
 Ma et al.: A Novel Fault Phase Selection Scheme Utilizing Fault Phase Selection Factors 507

     
Fault type  I˙Mab   I˙Mbc   I˙Mca  China Electric Power University, China. His interests mainly
include power system protection and power restoration.
AG Im 0 Im
Phase-B-to-ground Im Im 0
AG 0 Im Im Xiangsheng Zhu received the B.S. degree from Northeast Dili
Phase-C-to-ground 2Im Im Im University in 2012. He is currently pursuing the M.S. degree
BC Im 2Im Im in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North
Phase-C-to-A Im Im 2Im China Electric Power University, China. His interests mainly
ABC Im Im Im include wide area measurements, and small signal analysis and
control.
TABLE C1. Amplitude of phase current difference mutation in dif-
ferent kinds of short circuits Xiang Gao received the B.S. degree from Guangxi University
in 2012. He is currently pursuing the M.S. degree in the School
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North China Electric
    Power University, China. His interests mainly include wide
 I˙Mab  <<  I˙Mca  , then it is identified as a phase-C-to-
area measurements, and small signal analysis and control.
ground fault.
 
Step ˙ 
 3: If IMab is the minimum   value
 among  the three, but
Yinan Li received her B.S. from North China Electric Power
 I˙Mab  is not far less than  I˙Mbc  or  I˙Mca , then it is identified
University, China, in 2013. She is currently a master student
as a phase-to-phase fault. In this  case, select the maximum in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North
value among the three. If  I˙Mbc  is the maximum value, then
China Electric Power University, China. Her interests mainly
it is identified as a BC fault. As to whether it is a grounding
include power system protection and power restoration.
fault, this could be judged according to the zero-sequence
voltage.
Xi Wang received his M.S. from North China Electric Power
According to the above phase selection steps, if the calcu- University, China, in 2012 and his B.S. from Shanghai Uni-
lated amplitudes of three phase current difference mutations versity of Electric Power, China, in 2009. He is currently an
are all big and basically the same, then theoretically it is iden- engineer working in the State Grid Beijing Electric Power
tified as an ABC short-circuit fault; otherwise, continue to Bureau, Beijing, China. His interests mainly include power
determine the fault type. system analysis and wide-area protection.

BIOGRAPHIES
Jing Ma received his B.S. and Ph.D. from North China Electric
Power University, China, in 2003 and 2008, respectively. He
is currently an associate professor in the School of Electrical
and Electronic Engineering, North China Electric Power Uni-
versity, China. He has been a visiting scholar in the Bradley
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA,
from 2008–2009. His major interests include power system
modeling, wide-area monitoring, small-signal stability, and
control.
Wei Ma received his B.S. from North China Electric Power
University, China, in 2012. He is currently a master student
in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North
Zengping Wang received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in elec-
tric engineering from North China Electric Power University,
China, in 1985 and 1988, respectively. He received the Ph.D.
degree from Harbin Institute of Technology, China, in 1997.
He is a Professor and the Dean of the School of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering at North China Electric Power Uni-
versity. His special fields of interest include relay protection,
accident analysis and system security protection.
Qixun Yang received the Ph.D. degrees from The University
of New South Wales, Australia. Currently, he is a Chinese aca-
demician of engineering and a Professor at North China Elec-
tric Power University, Beijing, China. His research interests
include power system protection and control, and substation
automation.