Identification of Electrical Network Faults During Multi-Sided Observation

An electrical network consisting of a chain-type connection of unobserved sections and radial lines observed from one side is considered. The network can be ringed or open-loop, like a power line with branches. It is assumed that network observation is based on synchronized vector measurements. It is shown that the general fault identification algorithm is derived from modeling the faulty network using an active multiport circuit, the observed current condition of which is divided into virtual components, such as normal and local modes. The latter is activated by the fault currents, thus paving the way for pinpointing the fault locations. The identification procedure is supplemented by an algorithmic observation of the radial line sides that are actually unobservable. The local mode model provides for shunts that are placed on both sides of each network section. The undamaged sections do not add currents to their shunts, while the fault current flowing from the damaged section is short-circuited through both shunts on its sides. There is a universal relationship between the fault location coordinate and the local currents at the section boundaries.