Synchronous Waveform Measurements to Locate Transient Events and Incipient Faults in Power Distribution Networks

A new method is proposed to identify the location of transient events, including incipient faults, in power distribution systems, by using synchronized measurements from an emerging class sensors, called waveform measurement units (WMUs). WMUs capture voltage and current waveforms time domain. The consists three steps. first step characterize oscillatory modes components all captured WMUs, conducting a multi-signal modal analysis. second construct circuit model for underlying feeder at identified dominant mode(s) event. final event with means that involves certain forward backward analyses constructed model. requires installing as few only two WMUs. It can also utilize several when are available. performance assessed on IEEE 33-bus test system; different cases such sub-cycle multi-cycle permanent well benign yet informative events capacitor bank switching. Both accuracy robustness verified. analysis results this paper provide insights possible applications WMU measurements; while they address highly challenging problem networks.