Analysis and simulation of faults in a radial distribution network

Abstract

Faults in the power system cause inconvenience in the transmission and distribution networks. Faulty conditions occur due to many reasons both internally and externally. Lightning strikes, cyclones, overheating, fire dangers, destruction of electrical devices, failure of power system components owing to deteriorated equipment, and human errors are only a few of the reasons. These faults in the power distribution network are unpredictable and can cause a reduction in system reliability that can result in exorbitant repairs, loss of productivity, blackout to customers, and even loss of life. The paper does not address any detection methods, but a study of the simulation of symmetrical fault, asymmetrical fault, load switching, capacitor switching, and high impedance faults in the radial distribution network and the analysis is done in Matlab/SIMULINK 2020. The waveforms obtained during single line to ground fault, the line-to-line fault, double line to ground fault, the triple line to ground fault, high impedance fault, load switching, and capacitor switching are presented.