Proceedings of 2014 RAECS UIET Panjab University Chandigarh, 06 – 08 March, 2014
A Novel Technique for Impedance Relay to Locate
Fault in Long Transmission Line
Ravindra Kumar
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
ravindrakumar01908@gmail.com
Abstract—In this paper distributed parameters based a novel
algorithm for finding location of fault in long transmission line is
presented. Presently relay manufacturers use impedance based
algorithm considering the lumped parameters even for long
transmission line. Lumped parameters based gives accurate
results for short transmission line, but fails to produce good
accuracy in long transmission lines. This paper draws the
attention of manufacturer to use distributed parameters based
algorithm in long transmission line to get correct location of
fault. A mathematical model is developed for proposed technique
and a simulation model is developed for proposed fault locator in
MATLAB for short and long transmission line. Simulation
results are validated from actual field results and the results
obtained from two different make relays.
Keywords—Digital Protection Relay; Fault locator; numerical
relay; Impedance relay; Transmission system protection
I. INTRODUCTION
Faults in transmission lines are mainly due to lightning,
earthing, foggy atmosphere, pollution and puncturing of the
line insulators. Whenever a fault occurs in a transmission line,
isolation of the faulty line from the system and determination
of fault location is very essential in order to make necessary
repairs and restoration of the line as early as possible. An
accurate fault location algorithm must be used for the different
types of faults such as line-to-ground, line-to-line, which
creates unbalancing in the power network. Most of the faults in
a transmission lines are single line to ground in nature.
Accurate fault location detection technique is very important in
improving the power system reliability, and routine
maintenance. An accurate fault locator facilitates the operator
to do the repairing and restoration of the line as early as
possible.
To identify the location of fault in transmission line several
researchers have suggested fault location technique based on
impedance-methods [1–8]. These fault location algorithms
based on lumped parameters give good accuracy in results for
short transmission lines, but fails to produce accuracy in results
in case of medium and long transmission lines as it uses one
end data for the calculation of fault location. These techniques
do not require optical fiber cable media between the two
terminals of the lines. Another popular technique is multi-
terminal & traveling wave [9-15]. These techniques require
measurement of voltage and current of both the ends. Although
78-1-4799-2291-8/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE
Sanjiv Kumar
Department of Electrical Engineering
Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur
sanjiv.iitr@gmail.com
in these methods result possessed good accuracy, but having
complex algorithm and higher cost.
In this paper mathematical modeling of short and long
transmission line based the network model of the transmission
line. In these methods fault location has been calculated by
using the measured parameters of one end and network
parameters of both the ends. Based on the mathematical
equations for fault location equations for short and long
transmission line MATLAB simulation model has been
developed. Simulation results of short line and long line
transmission line model is compared with the results simulated
in ‘X’ and ‘Y’ make relays and same has also been compared
with the actual fault locator data obtained during the patrolling
of the line after the occurrence of the fault.
II. FAULT LOCATING TECHNIQUE
There are several methods available in literature for the
measurement of fault location but the most frequent used
methods are only two which are as follows:
A. Single ended method
Impedance of a transmission line is proportional to its line
length. It can be utilised for locating fault point. Various fault-
location techniques have been developed by using single-end
impedance method. This technique is simple in implementation
in digital protective relays.
Single ended fault locator measurement method based on
simple reactance model. This method has assumed that the
voltages at both the ends are equivalent. Power flows due to
power angle difference between the voltages at two ends. Most
of the numerical relays are using algorithm designed for short
transmission line and are using it for medium and long
transmission lines. All the distance relays should have two
separate algorithms and should use the algorithm based on
whether line is short, or medium/long. Relay should select
appropriate algorithm based on the types of the line.
B. Two-terminal method
In this method, fault-location algorithm is more accurate,
but it requires voltage and current parameters of both ends.
Therefore, if communication channels are available, then the
two-terminal fault-location methods may be used for better
accuracy. Source impedance variations due to line switching or
generation variations influence or current distribution factors,
introduces errors in the fault location estimation.
 III. MODELING OF SINGLE ENDED METHOD FOR SHORT
TRANSMISSION LINE
Local and remote end source impedances are ZSL and ZSR.
Voltage source at both the ends have been used considered. At
end “A” strong voltage source and at end “B” a week voltage
source with load have been because all the transmission lines
are connected in the Grid. The reactance of line may be used
for the measurement of location of fault in a line. Single line to
ground fault will be:

Fig. 2. Distributed-parameter model of faulty long Transmission line

The equivalent ABCD parameters matrix equations are:

⎛ Cosh ( γmL) Z C Sinh ( γmL) ⎞⎛ 1 0 ⎞
⎛ VA ⎞ ⎛ 1 Z A ⎞⎜ ⎟⎜ 1 ⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜ 1 ⎟⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟
I 0 1 Sinh ( γmL ) Cosh ( γmL )
⎝ A⎠ ⎝ ⎠⎜ Z ⎟ RF
⎝ C ⎠⎝ ⎠
⎛ Cosh[ γ (1 − m)L) Z C Sinh[ γ (1 − m)L] ⎞
⎜ 1 ⎟⎛ 1 Z B ⎞⎛ VB ⎞
Fig. 1. Phase Ground Fault in case of short transmission line ⎜ ⎟⎜⎜ 0 ⎟⎜ ⎟
⎜Z Sinh [ γ (1 − m ) L ] Cosh [ γ (1 − m ) L ] ⎟⎝ 1 ⎟⎠⎜⎝ I B ⎟⎠
⎝ C ⎠
V A = I A mZ L + ( I A + I B ) RF (1) By solving the above value of m will be
1 ⎡⎛ VA − I AZ A ⎞ ZB ⎤
m= [γL + Tanh −1 ⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥−
Where m is the fault position ranging 0≤m≤1, and ZL is the 2γL ⎢⎣⎝ V A − I A Z A − I A Z B ⎠ Z C ⎥⎦
total impedance of the line between A and B.
⎡⎛ ⎞⎤
V ⎢⎜ ⎟⎥
ZA = A −1 ⎢⎜ VA − K 1 Cosh ( γL) − K 2 Sinh ( γL) ⎟⎥
IA Cosh ⎜ (4)
⎢ 1 ⎟⎥
I ⎢⎜⎜ 2R [(VA − I A Z A ) Z B ] 2 − K 3 2 ⎟⎟⎥
= mZ L + (1 + A )R F (2) ⎣⎝ F ⎠⎦
IB
Where
By solving the above equations, we get the quadric
ZC
equations of m K1 = VA − IA ( ZA + ZB ) + [(VA − I A ZA )
2R F
m2 + k1m+ k2 =0 (3) ZB Z Z Z
K 2 = VA − I A ( ZC + A B ) + [(VA − I A ZA ) C
ZC ZC 2R F
Where
K 3 = (VA − I A ZA − I A Z B ) ZC
I A Z L Z SR − V A Z L
k1 = From (4) value of fault locator depends upon line
I AZ L2 parameters ZC, γ network parameters ZA, ZB remains constant
I A R F Z SR + I A R F Z SL + I A R F Z L − VA Z SR for the line and fault parameters RF and system parameters VA
k2 =
IA ZL2 and IA are the measured parameters. RF is calculated using the
technique given in [17].
RF is calculated using the technique given in [17].
V. DISCRETE FOURIER TRANSFORMER FOR NUMERICAL RELAY
IV. MODELING OF SINGLE ENDED METHOD FOR LONG
TRANSMISSION LINES Under steady state conditions, voltage and current signals
are periodic and the fundamental frequency component is at the
Long-length lines, the distributed nature of overhead-line power frequency. Hence impedance can be calculated with the
and effect of shunt parameters has to be considered. The help of voltage and currents at fundamental components by
distributed network is solved by using travelling reactance of using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) technique. In order to
line may be used for the measurement of location of fault in a store analog signals into a digital computer, the analog signal is
line network is solved by using travelling wave method and digitized. This is achieved by using sampling and quantization
compared with equivalent Π model as shown in Fig. 2. technique (A/D conversion). The value of digital signal will be:
z
Surge impedance of the line, ZC = N
y
X K = ∑ X n e −( j ∏ k / N ) n
Propagation constant of the line, γ= zy k =1
 VI. ALGORITHM IN DISTANCE RELAY
START
Distance relays measures analog quantities (voltage and
current) from the Current Transformer (CT) and Potential
Transformer (PT). Current & voltage inputs from CT & PT are Analog Inputs VA and IA and Compute ZA,
1 or 5 Amp and voltage is 110 volts. Source and line ZB, ZC, γ and L
parameters are computed into the relays for local as well as
remote end. Then distance relay calculate the value of fault Calculate value of m Fault Location
location m by using value of m in (3) or (4) based on the length from (3) or (4)
of the line.
Distance Relay is set for various protection zones. Distance
Relays usually have a reach setting of up to 80% or 120% of Yes If m< 80%
the protected line impedance in Zone-1 depends upon No
communication scheme. Zone-1 protection is instantaneous in
case of permissive under reach transfer trip (PUTT) scheme
and have a time delay of 100 ms for permissive over reach
Yes
(POR) scheme in case of series compensated line. Zone-1 is set If m>= 80%
80 % in case of PUTT scheme, because of errors in current & < 120%
transformers, voltage transformers, and measurement error in
numerical relay and inaccuracies in line impedance parameters.
The purpose of Zone-2 is to cover at least the full length of
the line. Zone 2 protection must be kept at least 120% of the
Yes No
protected line impedance. Generally Zone 2 reach is kept the If m>= 120%
full length of the protected line + 50% of the shortest adjacent & < 300%
line. Zone 2 tripping is time delayed protection and its setting
is kept 350 ms for short transmission line and 500 ms for Z1/Z2/Z3 Fault
medium and long transmission lines. Trip CB in No
Zone-3 is the back-up protection of remote end and is time Z1/Z2/Z3 Time System is
delayed (1.0 s to 1.5 second) to discriminate with Zone 2 Healthy
protection. Zone 3 reach should be set to at least 1.2 times of
protected line plus 100% of longest line emanating from
remote end and also forbid to reach to other voltage level. This
has been selected 300% for zone-3 in our simulation. Signal END
flow graph for the same has been presented in fig.3.
Instrument transformers (i.e. voltage and current) are
sensing the analog signal and sending to A/D converter and Fig. 3. Signal Flow Graph for the Distance relays
then RMS value of these signals is calculated. Value of fault
locator is calculated by using equations (3) and (4) for short VIII. ALGORITHM SIMULATION OF LONG TRANSMISSION LINE
and long transmission lines.
Modeling of numerical relays has based on the algorithm Mathematical modeling of the fault locator of a long
for short transmission line and same is functional all relays. transmission line, by using single terminal data has been done.
Here same relay is also simulated in MATLAB simulink for The mathematical model has also been simulated in MATLAB
result comparison purpose with the algorithm proposed for and its results are providing good accuracy with more accurate
long transmission line. The results of the fault locator for the results from fault locator and precise zone selection by the
two lines “A” short type and “B” long type are compared with relays. We can easily extend this approach to a mho or
algorithm for long transmission line and actual field results quadrilateral relays. The purpose of this paper is to draw the
available for these two lines. attention of manufacturers to use different algorithms for short,
medium/long transmission lines. The major benefit of this
VII. SIMULATION OF NUMERICAL RELAY FAULT LOCATOR FOR technique is that it makes modeling visible into numerical
SHORT TRANSMISSION LINE IN MATLAB relays.
Modeling of numerical relays has based on the algorithm Simulation of the relay has been done by dividing the
for short transmission line. Here same relay has also been whole line into four sections with R, L & C parameters for
simulated in MATLAB simulink for result comparison purpose creating faults at various points. All shunt (capacitance and
with the algorithm proposed for long transmission line. The resistance) and series parameters have been considered for the
results of the fault locator for the two lines “A” short type and modeling of transmission line. We had taken the parameters of
“B” has been taken by substituting the parameters given in 400kV line details as per APPENDIX. Impedance is calculated
APPENDIX. by relay by measuring the voltage and current signals.
 Fig. 4. Simulation model of numerical relay in MATLAB for short
Transmission line

Simulated relay selects different zones for tripping by Fig. 6. Voltage and Current waveforms for the Faults at 25%, 50%,
different impedance settings. 75%, of the line model of a Long Transmission line
Whenever a fault occurs in a transmission line, the voltage
and current signals get distorted. These signals may contain dc
component, sub-transient frequencies, high frequency TABLE I. FAULT LOCATOR READING OF A RELAY SIMULATED IN
components etc. Higher frequency components can be MATLAB FOR 400 KV ROORKEE-RISHIKESH LINE ‘B’
eliminated by using low pass antialiasing filters, however Actual %
Algorithm for Long Algorithm for Short
dc/low frequency components cannot be removed by using Location
Transmission Line Transmission Line
anti-aliasing filters. of the Line
% Error
Impedance is calculated by the measurement of voltage and FLR % Error in Fault FLR
in Fault
Reading Locator Reading
currents. Resistance and reactance values are obtained by Locator
measuring the magnitudes and phasor of the voltage and 25 27.05 -8.20 25.07 0.28
currents by using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT).
50 57.21 -14.42 50.29 0.58

75 81.67 -8.89 75.7 1.05

100 111.09 11.09 99.78 -0.22

TABLE II. FAULT LOCATOR READING OF A RELAY SIMULATED IN

MATLAB FOR 400 KV BALLAGGARH-KANPUR ‘A’
Actual %
Algorithm for Long Algorithm for Short
Location
Transmission Line Transmission Line
of the Line
% Error
FLR % Error in Fault FLR
in Fault
Reading Locator Reading
Locator
25 25.02 -0.08 22.73 9.08
50 50.04 -0.08 46.21 7.58
75 75.12 -0.16 70.21 6.39
Fig. 5. Simulation model of a Long Transmission line
100 99.87 0.13 94.35 5.65
From above results it is seen that results of algorithm based
on lumped parameters are more accurate for short transmission
line and results of algorithm based on Π model of distributed
parameter line are more accurate for long transmission line
model.
IX. VALIDATION OF LUMPED MODEL SIMULATION RESULTS
Fault data of 400 kV Ballabgarh-Kanpur line of long type
and 400 kV Roorkee-Rishikesh Line of length 50 kM of short
type are taken, whose actual fault locations are known to us by
patrolling the transmission line. Each line is having two
numerical relays of different make ‘X’ and ‘Y’. These fault XI. APPENDIX
files (*.cfg and *.DAT) has been run into these relays with the
help of OMICRON make CMC 256 plus relay kit to know the PARAMETERS OF TRANSMISSION LINE:
fault locations measured by the relay ‘X’ and ‘Y’. Frequency: 50 Hz
Number Fault data of 400 kV Ballabgarh-Kanpur line of Line ‘A’: 400 kV Kanpur-Ballabgarh LineLength-394.5 kM
long type and 400 kV Roorkee-Rishikesh Line of length 50 kM Line ‘B’ Data: 400 kV Roorkee-Rishikesh Line Length-50 kM
of short type are taken, whose actual fault locations are known
Line Length Line ‘A’ Data Line ‘B’ Data
to us by patrolling the transmission line. Each line is having Line Reactance X1Ω 139.01 16.545
two numerical relays of different make ‘X’ and ‘Y’. These Line Resistance R1Ω 12.68 1.33
fault files (*.cfg and *.DAT) has been run in to these relays Surge Reactance XCΩ 925 515
with the help of OMICRON make CMC 256 plus relay kit to Source ‘A’ Reactance XAΩ 12.2 16.9
know the fault locations measured by the relay ‘X’ and ‘Y’. Source ‘A’ Resistance RAΩ 1 1.06
Source ‘B’ Reactance XBΩ 23 23.13
TABLE III. FAULT LOCATOR READING OF VARIOUS RELAYS FOR 400 KV Source ‘B’ Resistance RBΩ 2 2.02
ROORKEE-RISHIKESH LINE Zero Sequence Reactance XOΩ 390.06 51.72
Zero Sequence Resistance ROΩ 110.48 13.055
Fault Location from
field in % 25.31 47.11 66.31 90.31 Setting of Z1 80% 80%
Results of FLR Setting of Z2 120% 120%
‘X’ Make Reading 25.73 47.13 67.1 91.35 Setting of Z3 122% 322%
Relays % Error
in FLR -1.66 -0.04 -1.19 -1.15
FLR
Results of
Reading 25.99 47.41 68.03 91.65
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