Traveling wave-based transmission line earth fault distance protection

Abstract

This paper proposes a one-terminal traveling wave (TW)-based transmission line earth fault distance protection function. It only needs the detection of the first incident modal earth fault-induced TWs, so that, the challenging detection of wavefronts reflected from the fault point is not required. Both the sampling frequency effect and inaccuracies on the wave propagation velocity are considered in order to define the distance protection zone. Simulated fault records were played back in an actual relay, allowing the comparison between a commercially existing time-domain distance protection element and the proposed one. The proposed function is more accurate and significantly reduces transmission line distance protection tripping times without dependability losses.