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) ZCSinh(γmL) 1 0
V 1 ZA
A
=
1 1
I 0 1 Sinh(γmL) Cosh(γmL) 1
R
A Z F
C
Cosh[γ(1− m)L) Z Sinh[γ(1 − m)L]
C 1 Z V
Fig. 1. Phase Ground Fault in case of short transmission line 1 B B
Sinh[γ(1− m)L] Cosh[γ(1− m)L] 0 1
Z IB

By solving the above value of m will be

VA  I AmZ L  (I A  I B )RF 
1 −1 VA − I A Z A ZB
m [γL  Tanh −
Where m is the fault position ranging 0≤m≤1, and Z L is the 2γL V −I Z −I Z Z
AA A A B C
total impedance of the line between A and B.
V
A
ZA −1 VA − K1Cosh(γL) − K 2Sinh(γL)
IA Cosh
1
(4)

[(VA − I A ZA )ZB ]2 − K 3 2
 mZL  (1 IA )R F (2) 2R F
IB
By solving the above equations, we get the quadric Where
ZC
equations of m
K1  VA − IA (ZA  ZB)  [(VA − IAZA ) 2RF
2
m + k1m+ k2 =0 (3) K  V ZB − I (Z  ZAZB )  [(V − I Z ) ZC
A
Where 2 ZC A C ZC A A A 2RF
K3  (VA − IAZA − IAZB )ZC
I AZL ZSR − VAZL
k1  From (4) value of fault locator depends upon line
I AZL 2 parameters ZC, γ network parameters ZA, ZB remains constant
I R Z I R Z I R Z −V Z
A F SR A F SL A F L A SR for the line and fault parameters RF and system parameters VA
k

2 2 and IA are the measured parameters. RF is calculated using the
I A ZL
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 using
distributed network is solved by using travelling reactance of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) technique. In order to store
line may be used for the measurement of location of fault in a 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 ne−( j ∏ k / N )n
Propagation constant of the line, γ= zy k 1
 VI. ALGORITHM IN DISTANCE RELAY
Distance relays measures analog quantities (voltage and
current) from the Current Transformer (CT) and Potential
Transformer (PT). Current & voltage inputs from CT & PT are
1 or 5 Amp and voltage is 110 volts. Source and line
parameters are computed into the relays for local as well as
remote end. Then distance relay calculate the value of fault
location m by using value of m in (3) or (4) based on the
length 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
the protected line impedance in Zone-1 depends upon
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 (POR)
scheme in case of series compensated line. Zone-1 is set 80 % in
case of PUTT scheme, because of errors in current 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
protected line impedance. Generally Zone 2 reach is kept the
full length of the protected line + 50% of the shortest adjacent
line. Zone 2 tripping is time delayed protection and its setting
is kept 350 ms for short transmission line and 500 ms for
medium and long transmission lines.
Zone-3 is the back-up protection of remote end and is time
delayed (1.0 s to 1.5 second) to discriminate with Zone 2
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
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
then RMS value of these signals is calculated. Value of fault
locator is calculated by using equations (3) and (4) for short
and long transmission lines.
Modeling of numerical relays has based on the algorithm
for short transmission line and same is functional all relays.
Here same relay is also simulated in MATLAB simulink for
result comparison purpose with the algorithm proposed for
long transmission line. The results of the fault locator for the
two lines “A” short type and “B” long type are compared with
algorithm for long transmission line and actual field results
available for these two lines.
VII. SIMULATION OF NUMERICAL RELAY FAULT LOCATOR
FOR SHORT TRANSMISSION LINE IN MATLAB
Modeling of numerical relays has based on the algorithm
for short transmission line. Here same relay has also been
simulated in MATLAB simulink for result comparison
purpose with the algorithm proposed for long transmission
line. The results of the fault locator for the two lines “A” short
type and “B” has been taken by substituting the parameters
given in APPENDIX.
START
Analog Inputs VA and IA and Compute ZA,
ZB, ZC, γ and L
Calculate value of m Fault Location
from (3) or (4)
Yes
If m< 80%
No
Yes
If m>= 80%
& < 120%
Yes If m>= 120%
& < 300%
Z1/Z2/Z3 Fault
Trip CB in No
Z1/Z2/Z3 Time System is
Healthy
END
Fig. 3. Signal Flow Graph for the Distance relays
VIII. ALGORITHM SIMULATION OF LONG TRANSMISSION LINE
Mathematical modeling of the fault locator of a long
transmission line, by using single terminal data has been done.
The mathematical model has also been simulated in MATLAB
and its results are providing good accuracy with more accurate
results from fault locator and precise zone selection by the
relays. We can easily extend this approach to a mho or
quadrilateral relays. The purpose of this paper is to draw the
attention of manufacturers to use different algorithms for
short, medium/long transmission lines. The major benefit of
this technique is that it makes modeling visible into numerical
relays.
Simulation of the relay has been done by dividing the whole
line into four sections with R, L & C parameters for creating
faults at various points. All shunt (capacitance and resistance) and
series parameters have been considered for the modeling of
transmission line. We had taken the parameters of 400kV line
details as per APPENDIX. Impedance is calculated 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%, 75%, of the
different impedance settings. 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
MATLAB FOR 400 KV ROORKEE-RISHIKESH LINE ‘B’
components etc. Higher frequency components can be
eliminated by using low pass antialiasing filters, however Actual %
Algorithm for Long Algorithm for Short
Location
dc/low frequency components cannot be removed by using Transmission Line Transmission Line
of the Line
anti-aliasing filters. % Error
FLR % Error in Fault FLR
Impedance is calculated by the measurement of voltage in Fault
Reading Locator Reading Locator
and currents. Resistance and reactance values are obtained by
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 long Line ‘A’: 400 kV Kanpur-Ballabgarh LineLength-394.5 kM
type and 400 kV Roorkee-Rishikesh Line of length 50 kM of Line ‘B’ Data: 400 kV Roorkee-Rishikesh Line Length-50 kM
short type are taken, whose actual fault locations are known to us
Line Length Line ‘A’ Data Line ‘B’ Data
by patrolling the transmission line. Each line is having two
Line Reactance X1Ω 139.01 16.545
numerical relays of different make ‘X’ and ‘Y’. These fault files Line Resistance R1Ω 12.68 1.33
(*.cfg and *.DAT) has been run in to these relays with the help of Surge Reactance XCΩ 925 515
OMICRON make CMC 256 plus relay kit to know the fault Source ‘A’ Reactance XAΩ 12.2 16.9
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
Fault Location from Zero Sequence Resistance ROΩ 110.48 13.055
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 REFERENCES
Reading 25.99 47.41 68.03 91.65
‘Y’ Make
% Error [1] Mora-Florez J, Melendez J, Carrillo-Caicedo G.,“Comparison of
Relays in FLR -2.69 -0.64 -2.59 -1.48 impedance based fault locations methods for power distribution
systems”, Electric Power Systems Research, Volume 78, Issue 4, April
In Table III Comparison of actual Fault Locator (FLR) 2008, pp. 657–666.
reading with the fault locator reading measured by ‘X’ and ‘Y’ [2] Filomena AD, Resener M, Salim RH, Bretas AS.,“Fault location for
underground distribution feeders: an extended impedance-based
make relays has been taken for the short line. The results of
formulation with capacitive current compensation”, 16th Power Systems
the relays are within the 3% of accuracy limit. Computation Conference (PSCC), 2008 Volume 31, Issue 9, October
2009, pp. 489–496.
TABLE IV. FAULT LOCATOR READING OF VARIOUS RELAYS FOR 400 KV [3] Aslan Y., Ture S.,“Location of faults in power distribution laterals using
KANPUR-BALLABGARH LINE superimposed components and programmable logic controllers”,
International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems , Volume
Actual FLR from field in % 27.31 57.61 81.12 109.3 33, Issue 4, May 2011, pp. 1003–1011.
Results of FLR Reading 24.51 51.42 73.03 100 [4] Ravindra Kumar, “Mathematical modeling of Numerical distance relays
Make 'X' Error in FLR 10.25 10.74 9.97 8.5 for distance protection in MATLAB and its results for fault locator at
Results of FLR Reading 24.67 51.44 73.41 99.98 different frequencies”, Transica, Corporate Technical Journal,
Make 'Y' Error in FLR 9.67 10.71 9.5 8.54 POWERGRID CO. OF INDIA LTD., Feb 2013. pp. 18-21.
[5] Salim RH, Resener M, Filomena AD, Caino de Oliveira KR, Bretas AS.,
“Extended fault-location formulation for power distribution systems”,
In Table IV Comparison of actual Fault Locator reading Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on Volume:24 , Issue: 2, 2009, pp.
with the fault locator reading measured by ‘X’ and ‘Y’ make 508–16.
relays & for 400 kV Ballabgarh-Kanpur line viz. long type are [6] Salim RH, Salim KCO, Bretas AS. , “Further improvements on
given. The results of the relays are within the 11% of impedance-based fault location for power distribution systems”,
Generation, Transmission & Distribution, IET, Volume 5, Issue: 4, 28
accuracy limit; hence fault locator of the relays is become
March 2011 pp. 467–478.
more inaccurate for long transmission line because relays are [7] Ramar, K., Ngu, E. E.,“ Impedance-based fault location for distribution
having in-build logic for short transmission line. systems”, Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2010 IEEE,
2012 pp. 449–451.
X. CONCLUSION [8] Liao Y.“ Generalized fault-location methods for overhead electric
Mathematical modeling of the impedance relay for short distribution systems”, Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions, Volume 26,
and long transmission line, by using single terminal data has Issue: 1 , 2011, pp. 53–64.
[9] Ngu EE, Ramar K.,“A combined impedance and traveling wave based
been presented in this paper. Developed mathematical model
fault location method for multi-terminal transmission lines.”,
for short and long transmission line is simulated in MATLAB. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, Volume 33,
Simulation results are validated with the results obtained from Issue 10, December 2011, pp. 1767–1775.
‘X’ and ‘Y’ make relays and same has also been compared [10] Borghetti A, Bosetti M, Nucci CA, Paolone M.,“Continuous-wavelet
with the actual fault location obtained during the patrolling of transform for fault location in distribution power networks: definition of
mother wavelets inferred from fault originated transients”, Power
the line after occurrence of the fault. The comparison results Systems, IEEE Transactions on , Volume:23, Issue: 2, 2008, pp. 380–
revels that short transmission line algorithm must be based on 388.
lumped parameter while for long transmission line distributed [11] Shu H, Wang X, Xia Q, Wu Q, Tian X.,“A fault location method of
parameter based model has to be used. traveling wave for distribution network with only two-phase current
 transformer using artificial neutral network”, Image and Signal
Processing (CISP), 2010 3rd International Congress on, Volume:6 ;
2010. pp. 2942–2945.
[12] Kang M, Bo Z.,“ Based on the distribution network fault location
simulation of wavelet modulus maxima. In: The international conference
on advanced power system automation and protection (APAP)”,
Advanced Power System Automation and Protection (APAP), 2011
International Conference, Volume: 2, 2011. pp. 1517–1520.
[13] Wang Y, Zeng X, Qin X, Zhao Zh, Pan H.,“HHT based single terminal
traveling wave fault location for lines combined with overhead-lines and
cables”, Power System Technology (POWERCON), International
Conference, 2010 pp. 1-6.
[14] Pourahmadi-Nakhli M, Safavi AA.,“Path characteristic frequency-based
fault locating in radial distribution systems using wavelets and neural
networks”, Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions Volume:26, Issue-
2, 2011 pp. 772–781.
[15] Xiangning Lin; Feng Zhao, Gang Wu, Zhengtian Li ,“Universal wave
front positioning correction method on traveling-wave-based fault-
location algorithms”, Power Delivery, IEEE
Transactions, Volume:27, Issue-3 , ,2012 pp. 1601–1610.
[16] Brahma, S.M, Las Cruces, “Fault location in distribution systems with
distributed generation”,. Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions,
Volume:26, Issue: 3, Feb 2011, pp. 1545-1553.
[17] André D. Filomena, Mariana Resener, Rodrigo H. Salim c, Arturo S.
Bretas d, “Distribution systems fault analysis considering fault resistance
estimation”, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems
33, 2011, pp. 1326–1335.