Contribution of Corporate Systems for Fault Location in Power Distribution Networks

Abstract

In power distribution systems, short-circuit events imply long service response time, affecting the quality of service. Although many research works propose fault location methodologies, which are based on meta-heuristics, artificial intelligence and travelling waves, most power utilities do not have the data requested by such approaches. Consequently, maintenance crews locate faults through field searches, considering the operation of protection devices and affected customers' phone calls, characterizing a procedure that may last some hours. This work proposes a practical fault location methodology, considering the current scenario of few metering data concerning the short-circuit events. Based on case studies results, the proposed methodology is considered effective. It may be executed in few seconds and leads to satisfactory results.