1020 IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 13, No.

4, October 1998

rotection and Fault Location Utilizing Only Phase Current Phasors

M.B. Djuri6, Z.M. Radojevi6 and V.V. Terzija, Member IEEE

Faculty of Electrical Engineering
University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Abstract -Two numerical algorithms for fault location and
distance protection which use data from one end of
transmission line are presented. Both algorithms require only
current signals as input data. Voltage signals are unnecessary
for determining the unknown distance to the fault. The solution
for the most frequent phase to ground fault is presented. The
algorithms are relatively simple and easy to be implemented in
the on-line application. The algorithms allow for accurate
calculation of the fault location irrespective of the fault
resistance and load. To illustrate the features of the new
algorithms, steady-state and dynamic tcsts are presented.
Keywords: computer relaying, distance protection, fault location.
I. INTRODUCTION
Transmission lines provide the essential continuity of the
service from generating plants to customers. They are
primarily exposed to short circuit faults and must be
switched out of the network by protective relays and power
circuit breakers located at the terminating substations.
Among the protective devices available for transmission
lines protection, distance relays play an important role in the
protection of complex networks. Distance relays respond to
the impedance between the relay location and the fault
location. As the impedance per kilometer (mile) of a
transmission line is fairly constant, these relays respond to
the distance to a fault on the transmission line.
Modern microprocessor-based distance relays are utilized
for the line protection system, sampling and analyzing
voltage and current signals from the line terminals and
making the decisions to trip the breakers within tens of
milliseconds when a fault occurs. Every fault trip requires
PE-023-PWRD-I-04-1997 A paper recommended and approved by
the IEEE Power System Relaying Committee of the IEEE Power
Engineering Society for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery. Manuscript submitted January 21, 1997; made available for
printing March 26, 1997
the inspection around the fault location before the line can be
manually re-energized. The utility tries to restore power as
quickly as possible. In order to improve the quality of power
delivery, digital devices with the fault location algorithms
are developed and proposed in the open literature. Distance
relays calculate the fault distance in real-time, while the fault
location programs are executed after the fault using stored
fault data Therefore, a fault location operates in the off-line
regime, which allows for elaborate calculations. The rapid
progress in microprocessor technology gives us a hope that
some numerical algorithms devoted to fault location will be
used as algorithms for distance protection, particularly the
so-called "one terminal fault location algorithms" (OTFLA).
Such algorithms provide very accurate results, but they are
based on certain assumptions, concerning the source
impedances (i.e. the exact knowledge of the network
topology), fault resistance, loading, and other factors [ 11. In
order to minimize the errors, "two terminal fault location
algorithms" (TTFLA) are developed [2,3]. Digital relays and
communications provide the opportunity to perform the fault
location using data from both line terminals. This approach
assumes that the data acquisition at both line terminals is
synchronized, which is now the main obstacle for real-time
applications. A new method not requiring synchronization
has been newly developed, where the synchronization angle
between the local and remote phasors has been estimated
using the iterative Newton-Fbphson technique [2].
In this paper a novel numerical algorithm intended for
fault distance (fault location) calculation will be presented.
The algorithm can be classified in the category of OTFLA. It
serves for the fault distance and the total fault resistance
calculation, It is assumed that the total fault resistance is the
sum of the fault resistance and the resistance of the arc (if it
occurs during the fault). Two algorithms are developed. In
the first algorithm the fault distance is calculated from the
phase current phasors, utilizing the zero sequence impedance
of the line as an input parameter. In the second algorithm the
fault distance is calculated from the phase current phasors,
too. The prefault load current phasor is required as an input
value, whereas the use of undesirable zero sequence
impedance line parameter is avoided. Both algorithms do not
require voltage phasors as input data. From the authors
experience, such an approach has never been published in
the open literature.

0885-8977/98/$10.00 0 1997 IEEE

 1021

The pre- and postfault phasors are calculated by using Fast

Fourier Technique (FFT). In the paper the solution for the
most frequent phase-to-ground faults is given. The extension
to other fault types can be easily provided.

11. FAULT
DISTANCEAND TOTAL FAULT RESISTANCE CALCULATION

Given a phase-to-ground short circuit on the transmission

line, the following complex equation is utilized in
calculating the fault distanceAocation:
(Jd) 1' @do)

where: _V and are the input voltage and current phasors to

the faulted phase relays, ib is the input zero sequence current
to faulted phase relays, & is the zero sequence current at
fault location, z and ar: the positive and the zero sequence
If the zero sequence equivalent circuit of the network is
line impedances per unit length, e is per unit distance from
known in advance, the zero sequence current at fault location
relay to fault and R is the total fault resistance.
Zero sequence current at fault location, &, is not
&, can be calculated from the measured zero sequence
current, as follows:
measurable, but it can be expressed in terms of the input zero
sequence current &, and parameters from the zero sequence
equivalent circuit of the analyzed network.
Fig. 1 depicts the analyzed transmission line, as a part of a
complex network with an arbitrary topology. A fault with the
total fault resistance R occi~rson the homogeneous line between where zol zO2
and are the impedances of the network
terninals 1 and 2. In order to get the appropriate phasors, ac equivalent star circuit, D is the line length and
quantities available at twminal 1 are stored as waveform
samples and constantly processed via FFT.
ZOe = Z O+Z02
~ +go'*
Substituting equation (2) into equation (1) and
By using the fundaniental knowledge from the circuit
rearranging, yields:
theory, any network can be equivalented with the simpler
one. So, the network from Fig. 1 (excluding the line) can be
equivalented with the equivalent star circuit, as depicted in R e2
-2 - e +KO+ R K = 0 (3)
Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 the zero sequence equivalent circuit is
plotted. The values given in brackets correspond to the where K 2 =Cgo, C=gL+Lo(go -g), =ygo+_Czo2,
positive and the negative sequence equivalent circuits, KO = i'Lo2 and
- E = 3Lo zoeare complex coefficients. By
respectively. The positive: sequence equivalent network is an
active network, with the electromotive forces of generators. separating the complex equation (3) into real and imaginary
To consider this network as a passive one, equivalented with parts, two simultaneous equations with two unknowns are
the equivalent star circuit, one has to subtract the prefault obtained:
load current IL from the measured current 6. Thereby, the K2,C 2 -k',,L+K,, +RKr = O
existence of generator electromotive forces is compensated. (44

K2i e2 - Kli 1 + Koi + R Ri = 0 (4b)

where indices (r) and (i) denote real and imaginary parts of
the complex coefficient (for example, K2 = R2r+ jK2i,
where j = J-l).
By eliminating the unknown total fault resistance R, one
obtains the following quadratic equation with the single
unknown e:
Fig. 1. Transmission I iiie as a pari of an arbitrary network.
(KiK2r-KrK2i)L2 +(&Kli -KiKl,)e+(y& -K,Gi) = O . (5)
1022
For the practical application of equation ( 5 ), the following
phasors should be measured: the phase voltage _V at the relay
location, the faulted phase current I and its zero sequence
component &. All these phasors can be obtained by using
FFT algorithm with sampling frequenqh = 800 Hz and data
window size Tdw = 20 ms (for 50 Hz power systems).
Equation (5) gives two solutions, i.e. distances &. If one
of them is negative, or greater than the line length D, it is to
choose the exact solution. In the cases in which both
solutions are positive and less than the line length D, it is not
possible to determine which one is the exact value. Such a
problem occurs in the algorithm presented in [l]. In the
hitherto published open literature this problem has not yet been
analyzed und solved when using only data from one line end.
It can be solved by using &ita from the two line ends, which are
brought together via data communications, either from one
substation to the other, or to a computer at a third site to which
both substations &an send data. We will give two solutions of
the problem in which only one-terminal data are used.
A. The First Algorithm
From the negative sequence equivalent star circuit (see
Fig. 2), the following expression can be derived:
where zi, zi2
and are the negative sequence impedances, Ii
is the input negative sequence current to faulted phase relays,
Ji is the negative sequence current at fault location and
-
zil
Lie = +Zi2 + g D .
For the phase to ground short circuits, the sequence
currents are equal to each other (&=&=Ji). By equalizing
equations (2) and (6), the following explicit expression for
the fault dist'ance can be obtained:
= Lo ZOe +z') -Li Zle (Zoz +?OD) (7)
z
I -0e -
-0 Z- I-I. 2--le. z-0
For the practical application of equation (7), only three
input currents should be measured. From them one can
derive positive, negative and zero sequence currents. From
the calculated distance t, the total fault resistance can be
obtained from one of equations (4).
Equations (5) and (7) require the same number of input
values. It can be noted that (7) uses input phase currents,
only, whereas ( 5 ) uses phase currents and voltages.
B. The Secoiid Algorithm
The fault distance can be also determined by using only
positive and negative parameters, thereby avoiding the
utilization of uncertain zero sequence line parameters.
From the positive sequence equivalent star circuit (see
Fig. 2), the following expression can be derived:
jd dl
2 + -d2
Z zD -
+-
-
( Ld -1-L)-deZ
(8)
Zd2 +k(D-t) Zd2 +z(D-B)
where: and Z d 2 are the positive sequence impedances of
the positive sequence equivalent star circuit from Fig. 2, Id
is the input positive sequence current to faulted phase relays,
LL is the prefault load current, L d is the positive sequence
current at fault location and z d e = & I + zd2
+z D .
By equalizing equations (6) and (S), the following
expression can be obtained:
z l = ( I d -LL)Z&(ZiZ +zD)-Li Zie(Zd2 +zD) (9)
( i d -IL) &e - Li Z i e
where z_t= gk is the positive sequence impedance to the
fault. For the practical applications of equation (91, current
signals should be constantly measured. The voltage signals
are not necessary.
111. EVALUATION
OF THE ALGORITHMS
To evaluate the performance of the algorithms presented,
this section is divided into two p<uts.The first illustrates testing
with a steady-state short-circuit program, whereas the second
introduces a more realistic testing using EMTP simulations.
A. Steady-state Tests
The accuracy of the algorithms presented is determined by
using a steady-state short-circuit program. This approach of
algorithm testing reveals the algorithm features themselves,
and does not include any errors introduced by the hardware
and/or current and voltage transducers. The simulation
program uses distributed line parameters in deriving phase
variable relationships, and thereby gives a detailed and
realistic line representation under operating and fault
conditions. A phase-to-ground faults have been simulated at
different locations along a transposed 100, 200 and 300 km
transmission lines for different fault resistances.
The schematic diagram of the 400 kV power system for
which the tests are provided is depicted in Fig. 3. Here _V and
J are the line terminal voltage and current, D is the line
length, J? is the fault distance and R is the total fault
resistance The line impedances and admittance were:
= (0.0178 + j 0.2796) Szkm, y = j 3 . 4 7 ~ 1 0 Skm,
-~
Q = (0.2984 + j 1.2618) Szkm and & =j 2 . 5 ~ 1 0Skm. -~ The
impedances of active networks 1 and 2 were:
Zdl=Zil=j21.3Sz, &,=j24.4R and G2=Zi2=j25.6R,
zo2= j 27.8 Sz, respectively. The electromotive forces of
active networks prior to the fault inception were:
zml = (390 +j 0.0) kV and EmZ = (294.2 -j 294.2) kV,
respectively. The value of R is varied in wide range.
 1023
D long lines. In Tables I1 and I11 correction factors for both
algorithms and the line analyzed in the aforementioned tests
are given. Correction factors can be also calculated from the
appropriate expression (dependence on the fault distance),
obtained by approximating a series of correction factor
values with the polynomial of an arbitrary order. The
approximation with the polynomial of the third order
- _L fault presents the satisfactory approximation.
The sensitivity analysis of the algorithms to the input
Fig. 3. Test power system used in short circuit study.
parameters of the network and line has shown that the errors
occurred are similar to the errors obtained by using
In the first set of tests the line capacitive nature is algorithm presented in [ 11.
neglected, as it is done in the derivation of the algorithms.
The line length, fault distance and fault resistance are varied.
The relative errors obtained in calculating the fault distance
were practically negligible, as was expected.
In Table I are presented the results of testing the
numerical algorithm described in [l]. The fault distance C
and fault resistance R are varied. The cases N (no solutions)
and 2s (two solutions) are emphasized. They are typical for
remote faults and faults lover relatively big fault resistance R.
Such cases never occur in the new algorithms presented in
this paper.
TABLE I
-6l
200
I I
220
I I
240
' ' '
260
I
280
I I
300
TESTING OF ALGORITHM PRESENTED IN [ 11 (D= 300 km)
fault distance pm]
Fault Fault distance
resistance t' [lun] Fig. 4. Relative errors in calculating fault location via new algorithms.
(steady-state tests, 0=300 km)
[QI 100 200 300
0
TABLE I1
5 N CORRECTION FACTORS
FOR THE F&ST.&WlUlWM
10 N
15 N N Fault
20 N N distance Line length D [km]
30
40
N
N
N
N
e w.1 100 200 300
50 2s 2s N 2s 0.1 0.995 1.056 1.282
75 2s 2s N 2s 0.2 1.006 1.067 1.266
0.3 1.007 1,057 1.207
0.4 1.007 1.045 1.151
0.5 1.006 1.033 1.105
In the second set of tests, the line capacitive nature is 0.6 1.005 1.024 1.069
t,aken into account. For these cases the expected errors 0.7 1.003 1.016 1.043
0.8 1.002 1.009 1.024
appeared. Relative errors for both algorithms are presented 0.9 1.002 1.005 1.011
in Fig. 4. It can be concluded that the results obtained are 1.0 1.001 1.002 1.003
better for the remote faults, just in the cases when the
algorithm presented in [ I ] fails. This conclusion gives us an TABLE I11
CORRECTION FACTORS
FOR THE SECOND ALGORITHM
idea to combine algorithm [ 11 and two algorithms presented
in this paper. Fault
Line length D [km]
From Fig. 4 the following important feature of the new distmce
algorithms is derived: the errors in calcuhtingfault distance e [P.U.] 100 200 300
0.1 0.896 0.808 0.713
are not dependent on the fault resistance. Particularly that 0.2 0.949 0.901 0.843
holds for thejrst algorithm. Thereby a strategy of using in 0.3 0.968 0.938 0.899
advance calculated correction factors for correcting the 0.4 0.978 0.958 0.932
0.5 0.984 0.971 0.954
results obtained can be introduced for the concrete line and 0.6 0.988 0.980 0.969
network topology. By multiplying the results obtained by the 0.7 0.991 0.986 0.979
correction factors, the algorithm accuracy can be 0.8 0.994 0.991 0.987
0.9 0.995 0.994 0.992
significantly improved when calculating the fault location of 1.0 0.996 0.996 0.996
1024

B. Dynamic Tests The results could be further improved, e.g., by applying

The dynamic testing is provided by using Electromagnetic
Transient Program (EMTP) developed at T U Kaiserslautern
(Germany) [4]. The network topology and parameters were
the same as in the steady-state tests (see Fig. 3). The
dynamic simulation integration step is selected to give the
voltages and currents with the sampling frequency
f,=800Hz (16 samples/O.O2s). The length of the line was
D = 100km and the total fault resistance was R = 8 R. Fig. 5
presents the results of calculated fault location for three
typical cases: 1 = 2 5 , 50 and 90 km. The instant of fault
inception was t = 0.045 s. The strategy of utilizing correction
factors is used during fault location calculation. For the
purpose of fine analysis of the errors and speed of
convergence, in Fig. 6 are presented relative errors for the
cases depicted in Fig. 5. The speed of convergence is
determined by the algorithm capability of calculating the
accurate value of current phasors. In the algorithms
presented, FFT is applied for phasors estimation. During the
existence of decaying DC component, the results are not
correct because of the inherent sensitivity of FFT to it.
125 I
some more sophisticated techniques, less, or not sensitive to
decaying DC component (for example, algorithm presented
in [ 5 ] ) . From the results obtained, the new algorithms
developed can be utilized not only for the purpose of the off-
line fault location, but also in the field of distance protection.
The authors were not in the position to check the validity
of the algorithms presented through the real-life testing.
Such data are not available in Yugoslavia. We hope that this
important stage of research will be done in the near future.
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper describes a new approach of calculating
distance to the fault on the transmission lines by using only
phase current phasors from one line terminal. Two new
algorithms are developed for the most frequent phase to
ground fault. Algorithms can be utilized both for the short
and long lines. For the protection of long lines, whose
capacitive nature must be taken into account, the strategy of
use of correction factors is described. Algorithms require
parameters of the analyzed network and line. Due to the
simplicity of the algorithms, they can be utilized not only for
I
fault location (off-line application), but also in the field of

i
distance protection (on-line application). The steady-state
100 ...... 1.
i
. ... ...:. ....e : .h
.:. ........ tests showed that algorithms do not introduce any error.
Dynamic tests confirmed that the algorithms convergence is
75 ...... fast enough to satisfy the requirements of fast distance relays.

50 ______ V. REFERENCES
25 ...... [ l ] L. Eriksson, M. Saha, and G.D. RocHeller, "An Accurate Fault Locator
with Compensation for Apparent Reactance in the Fault Resistance
0 ' I ' I ' ' I ' l Resulting from Remote-End Infeed," IEEE Transaction on PAS,
0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.1 2 Vol. PAS-104, No. 2, February 1985, pp. 424-436.
[2] D. Novosel, D. Hart, E. Udren, and J. Garitty, "Unsynchronized Two-
time [SI Terminal Fault Location Estimation" IEEE PES Winter Meeting, New
York J " m y 1995,95 WM 025-7 PWRD.
Fig. 5. Fault location estimates
[3] M. Kezunovic, "An Accurate Fault Location Using Synchronized Sampling
at Two Ends of a Transmission Line," Applicabons of Synchronized
10 I Phasors Conference, Washington, DC, 1993.
[4] D. Liinard, R. Simon, V.V. Terzija, "Simulation von Netzmodellen mit
zweiseitiger Einspeisung zum test von Nelzschutzeinrichtungen," TB-
157192 Univ. Kaiserslautem, July 1992.

-
[5] V. Terzija, M. DjuriC, B. KovaEeviC,."A New Self-Tuning Algorithm for
the Frequency Estimation of Distorted Signals,'' IEEE Transaction on
PowerDehvery, Vol. 10, No. 4, October 1995, pp. 1779-1785.

VI.AUTHORS
Milenko B. Djurii. is Professor in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
-10
0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 University of Belgrade, Belgrade.
Zoran M. RadojeviC is a Research Assistant in the Faculty of Electrical
time [SI Engineering,University of Belgrade, Belgrade.

Fig. 6. Relative errors in calculating fault location via new algorithms Vladiinir V. Terzija (M '95) is a Research Assistant in the Faculty of
(dynamic tests) Electrical Engineering,University of Belgrade, Belgrade.

DISCUSSION
Toshihisa Funabashi, Senior Member, Meidensha Corporation,
36-2, Nihonbashi-hakozakicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103, Japan :
The authors presented a :simple algorithm to calculate fault
distance in a transmission line using currents measurement at one
terminal of the transmission line. It seems that this algorithm
might be applicable and useful to distance relay and/or fault
locator for transmission lines. But when considering the situation
that this algorithm is applied to real power systems those have
many kinds of system configuration and many types of fault
occurred in the system, I have some questions. It will be
appreciated if the authcrs kindly comment about these
questionnairesbased on their viewpoint.
1) In the high voltage and extra high voltage system in Japan, one
circuit transmission line is, rarely found. For the two circuit
transmission line in the system of these voltage levels, fault
location algorithm using zero sequence currents measurement of
two circuits at one terminal of the line is often applied in a case of
one phase to ground fault.‘* In this paper the proposed algorithm
is explained in a case of one circuit transmission line. It seems
that, even if a transmission line has two circuits, the fault location
algorithm for this system could be derived using currents
measurement of two circuits at one terminal of the line i.e. using
six phases of currents measurement. But for this case, the
equations representing the fault location algorithm might be
complicated, hard to derive, and consequently not easy to apply to
distance relay or fault locator.
2) Although the ratio of one phase to ground fault is large in the
faults occurred in the transmission lines, in the real system, many
other types of fault might be occurred such as two phases fault,
three phases fault, and Ewlt concerning more phases. The
proposed algorithm is explained in a case of one phase to ground
fault. But when we tq to apply this algorithm to another type of
fault, we might have difficulty in deriving the equations for fault
location. For examples, if we try to apply this algorithm to three
phases short clrcuit fault, we have only positive sequence circuit
in a equivalent circuit show m Fig.2 in this paper and don’t have
negative and zero sequence circuit. The fist algorithm described
in this paper can not be applied to this case of fault, because the
algorithm needs zero sequence circuit and negative sequence
circuit. The second algorithm might as well because the algonthm
needs positive and negative sequence circuit.
3) The total fault resistanc’e R, which is the sum of the fault
resistance and the fault arc resistance, has been considered in the
proposed algorithm but this algorithm seems to be based on the
assumption that a fault arc has constant resistance, say 8 n and
does not have any nonlinear effect. But in the real world, a fault
arc may behave nonlinearly due to the variation of its physical
characteristics. In such cases, the fault location algorithm is in
error due to the nonlinearity of the fault resistance.
4) In the second algorithm, the input positive sequence current 5,
and the prefault load current cLare used to calculate the positive
1025
sequence current at fault location &. But in this equation the load
current during fault must be used instead of the prefault load
current c,, except the case when the load has a constant current
characteristic V.S. voltage. If the load impedance is constant, the
load current during fault is not equal to the prefault load current
because the voltage applied to the load during fault is not the
same as that of before fault. If the load has a constant power
characteristics, both the prefault and during fault load currents are
apparently not the same.
Reference
[A] K.Suzuki, Y.Ohura, Y.Kurosawa, T.Takemura, S.Kumano,
M.Yoshikawa, T.Funabashi and F.Iwatani, “Existing
Condition and Experiences of Distance Relays and Fault
Locators using Digital Technology,” Cigre Symposium
Boumemouth S34-89,1989
Manuscript received October 29, 1997.
M.B. DjuriC, Z.M.RadojeviC and V.V. Tenija:
The authors welcome the comments made by Mr. Toshisisa
Funabashi, comments underlining some practical aspects of
application of the algorithms presented in the paper and
covering some in the paper not mentioned situations under
which the new approach can be, or can not be used.
The main goal of the paper was to give a new idea and new
concept of utilization only current signals for the fault
location and to implement it for the most frequent phase to
ground fault on the one circuit line.
The answers are reported as follows.
1. In the power pool of Yugoslavia, the 400 kV transmission
system is constructed by using only one circuit lines, so the
authors were motivated to solve this case, which is at the
same time the most simplest one. Of course, two circuit lines
are common on this voltage levels in other countries and in
Yugoslavia on lover voltage levels. The solutions for this
case is rather difficult, but possible to be derived. The authors
are currently developing them.
2. It is obvious that both algorithms presented can not be
applied to three phases short circuit faults, whereas the first
algorithm (requiring zero and negative sequence equivalent
circuits) can not be applied to two phase faults. Fortunately,
the aforementioned faults are very seldom and not so
frequent as one phase to ground faults. In order to locate
them, one requires both voltages and currents measured by
relay.
3. By the inspection of the equations defining the algorithms
presented, one observes that both algorithms do not depend
on the total fault resistance R and hence they are not
influenced by this, even in the case in which resistance is not
1026
constant (typically if long arc in free air occurs on the fault
point). This is one of important features of both algorithms.
4. It is clear that the second algorithm, utilizing the prefault
load current I, , should be influenced by the changes of load
current initiated by the sudden voltage drop at the instant of
fault inception. The algorithm converges to the true unknown
fault location within two fundamental periods (approximately
40 ms). During such short time interval a load can not be
significantly changed, so the assumption that the load current
is constant is acceptable.
The authors would like to thank the discusser once again for
his interest in their paper.