Fault and Equipment Failure Analysis in Distribution Systems Using Intelligent Techniques

The paper will describe a distribution wide monitoring and analysis system that employs intelligent methods to provide utilities with near time automated fault and equipment analysis. Fault analysis in terms of supporting restoration activities and power quality diagnostics and equipment analysis in terms of equipment degradation monitoring and apparatus failure prediction. Over the past few years utilities have deployed a significant number of IEDs that have resulted in a vast untapped source of data as well as advanced communications technologies to include BPL, fiber, and wireless that allow for the rapid collection of this data. Also, a collection of utilities have or will deploy advanced systems that include a dynamic distribution network model. The presentation will describe how the system takes advantage of these new assets and specific methods of integration. This includes the description of data access, communications, and storage technologies as well as the structure and capacities of the analysis modules.