A cost-effective approach for feeder fault detection and location of radial distribution networks

This paper presents a approach and its algorithmic implementation to address the technical challenge of fault detection and location (FDL) of overhead feeders in radial-structured power distribution networks. The functionality is realized based on the proposed system consisting of a set of wireless distributed measurement units (WDMUs) and an alarm monitoring center (AMC). The three-phase current sampling and analyses, e.g. the current waveforms under the faulty or overloaded scenarios, can be carried out in a real-time fashion, which makes an online fault detection and location empirical in realistic networks. The outcome of this work delivers a cost-effective solution underpinning an efficient feeder fault diagnosis platform for power radial distribution networks with the minimal deployment hurdles.