Adaptive, rule based fault diagnostician for power distribution networks

A fast, adaptive, rule based fault diagnostician for distribution networks is described. It uses two distinct types of rules. A fixed set of core rules, expressed in terms of breaker trips and bus status, is applied for all faults and networks. For particular cases in which the core rules fail, exception rules are generated by interaction with operators. These rules make use of suitable features of the faulted system, in particular, of the islands formed in the faulted network. The data used by the rules is topological information and the real time data normally available from a modern SCADA system. Test results using a distribution system protection simulator show that the diagnostician is accurate, and that speed compares very favourably with earlier schemes described