Automated wire fault location using impedance spectroscopy and genetic algorithm

A new technique is proposed to detect and locate wire fault using impedance spectroscopy (IS) and a model-based optimization technique. The propagation along the cables is modeled by frequency dependent ABCD parameters. Genetic algorithms (GA) are used to solve the inverse problem. The novel method allows locating hard (short and open circuit) and soft (frays and junctions) faults and measuring the impedance of wire fault and consequently the types of wire fault can be distinguished. Results are presented to validate and illustrate the performance of this proposed method.