Automated fault location system for primary distribution networks

This paper presents the development, simulation results, and field tests of an automated fault location system for primary distribution networks. This fault location system is able to identify the most probable fault locations in a fast and accurate way. It is based on measurements provided by intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) with built-in oscillography function, installed only at the substation level, and on a database that stores information about the network topology and its electrical parameters. Simulations evaluate the accuracy of the proposed system and the experimental results come from a prototype installation.