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International Journal

International of of
Journal Electrical Engineering
Electrical and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
Engineering
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME
and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online), Volume 2 IJEET
Number 2, May - July (2011), pp. 32-41 ©IAEME
© IAEME, http://www.iaeme.com/ijeet.html

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF FAULT LOCATION


ALGORITHM FOR PROTECTION OF SERIES COMPENSATED
TRANSMISSION LINE
Santosh B. Kulkarni1, Rajan H. Chile2, Azhar Ahmed2 and Arvind R. Singh2
1. Department of Electrical Engineering, M.S.Bidve Engineering College, Barshi
Road, Latur-413 512, Maharashtra State, India,Ph.+919422023838, Fax.+91-
2382-221455.
2. Department of Instrumentation Engineering, S.G.G.S. Institute of Engineering
and Technology, Vishnupuri, Nanded- 431601,Maharashtra State,
India,Ph.+919226777168, Fax.+91-2462-229236.
e-mail: : sbkulkarni@hotmail.com1, rhchile@yahoo.com2,
azhar.ahmed.eep@gmail.com2 and arvindsinghwce@gmail.com2

ABSTRACT

In this paper, performance evaluation of different schemes for location of fault in


series compensated transmission lines are presented. A fault location algorithm using
two end measurements and another fault location algorithm using one end
measurements for transmission lines with series compensator at midpoint are
simulated and results are obtained. Both the schemes are compared on the basis of
results and it is found that the algorithm using one end measurements gives more
accurate results.
ATP-EMTP software is used for modelling of two machine system
incorporating MOVs, series compensator and transmission line. The simulation
results show the better accuracy and dependability of one end measurement algorithm.
Keywords - Distance Protection; ATP-EMTP; Series compensation.

I. INTRODUCTION
The Technical reasons behind installing series compensator on long
transmission lines are increased transmittable power, improved system stability,
reduced transmission losses, enhanced voltage control and more flexible power flow
control. Also environmental concerns and direct cost benefits stand for that too [1, 2].
However, protection systems with series compensated lines create challenges for
protection engineers and relay manufacturers. Series compensation not only increases
fault current but also creates several problems for its protective relays and fault
locators. Relay mal-operation due to voltage or current inversion and under or
overreaching of distance elements are probably the most critical and known
consequences of series compensations [3, 4].
Series compensated systems are mainly catalogued into switched capacitors
(SCs) systems and thyristor controlled switched capacitors (TCSCs) systems.
Typically, the main problem in designing series capacitors protection systems is

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

overvoltage protection of the capacitor itself. Three single-phase banks of capacitors


are used for series compensation. Numbers of such series connected modules decides
the degree of compensation by which the inductive reactance of line has to be
neutralized. Higher the degree of compensation, greater will be the non linear
behaviour of the device. Metal oxide varistors (MOVs), triggered gap and bypass
breaker are connected across the SC to protect it against over voltages during fault as
shown in Fig 1. Neither the air gap nor the MOVs conduct under heavy load or low-
current fault conditions as the voltage drop across the SC is below the protective
voltage level of MOV. Therefore, the SC bank is equivalent to a pure reactance equal
the reactance of the actual (physical) capacitor. But during fault, large current
develops high voltage across the capacitor. This conducts the MOV and/or gap,
practically by-passing SC. The majority of the current passes through MOV and/or
gap, practically by-passing the capacitor. Therefore, for large through currents the SC
bank is equivalent to a small resistance. This nonlinear characteristic of MOV will
affect the compensated voltage of SCs/MOV in fault period [5]. When a series
compensated line suffers a fault behind the SCs as seen from the relaying point (fault
F1, Fig. 1), a fault loop measured by a distance relay contains depending on a type of
fault, one (SLG faults) or even two (multi-phase faults) systems of SCs and MOVs.
As a consequence, the operating conditions for protective relays become unfavourable
and include such phenomena as voltage and/or current inversion, sub-harmonic
oscillations, high frequency oscillations due to MOVs, and additional transients
caused by thermal protection of the MOVs. The most important singularity of series
compensated lines as objects to be protected, lays, however, in the fact that the
positive sequence impedance measured by traditional distance relays is no longer an
indicator of the distance to a fault [6].
The aforementioned problems with protective relaying for series compensated
lines are being extensively explored as a series of studies have been performed by
relay vendors and utilities [7]-[11].The simplest but far unsatisfactory solution to the
problem of lack of proportionality between the actual (geometrical) distance and the
measured impedance is to set the first zone at about 30% of the line length. Another
solution to the overreaching problem is to measure the line-side voltage rather than
the bus-side voltage if the compensating bank is located in the substation. This
enables the relay to measure the line impedance alone and avoid overreaching.
Similar solution, but not requiring the compensating bank to be directly accessible, is
to offset numerically (by calculation, not by direct measurement) either the measured
apparent fault loop impedance or the relaying voltages for the effect of series
compensation. Based on the current in the substation, the relay can calculate the
fundamental frequency equivalent impedance of the compensating bank (impedance
compensation) or the voltage drop across the bank (voltage compensation) and use the
compensated quantities for faults behind the SCs [12],[13].
One approach proposes to use Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to calculate
the voltage drop [13]. An extra algorithm is required for assessing whether the fault is
in front of the SCs (correction must not be applied) or behind them (correction must
be applied) [14]. Another solutions proposed in the literature use high frequency noise
signals for protective relaying of series compensated lines [15]; Kalman filters as a
simultaneous measurement and hypothesis testing tool (fault in front or behind SCs)
[16]; and ANNs as a direct black- box trip asserting elements [17]. Those methods
require either special hardware to be installed on a power line [15] or utilize novel

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

approaches that are not sufficiently tested nor widely accepted by relay vendors and
utilities [16], [17].
This paper evaluates the performance of two such fast, secure and dependable
schemes for the protection of the series compensated line based on one end
measurement and two end measurement. Section-II shows the simulation model of the
system considered for the ATP-EMTP [18] modelling. The complete data is given in
the appendix for the reference. Section-III, details the two end measurement method
to locate the fault in presence of series compensation along with selection algorithm.
Section-IV details the one end measurement method to locate the fault in the zone of
protection. Section-V shows the comparative simulation results obtained by
implementing both the algorithm.
II. SIMULATION MODEL OF THE SYSTEM

Fig. 1. Singles line diagram for two machine system with line to ground fault

Fig. 2. Equivalent single line diagram for two machine system in ATP-EMTP
Fig. 1 shows the single line diagram of the two machine system incorporating
series compensator at the mid-point of the transmission line. The MOVs and air-gaps
are also shown in the figure for better understanding. Fig. 2 shows the equivalent
ATP-EMTP model of the two machine system with the series compensator connected

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

at mid-point of the transmission line. The transmission line is divided into four
sections for the study. In ATP-EMTP software the pi-section model of the
transmission line is used to implement the each section. The degree of compensation
is controlled by varying the reference point of the firing angle. The various faults are
created in ATP-EMTP to generate the sampled data for the system and the output
sampled data from ATP-EMTP is used in MATLAB to extract the phasors using the
recursive Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) [19]. The algorithms and the relay are
modelled in the MATLAB and the trip decision is observed for the various cases.
III. FAULT LOCATION ALGORITHM USING TWO END MEASUREMENTS
In this section a fault locating algorithm using measurements from both the end is discussed.
The algorithm is developed in phase co-ordinates. The algorithm is based on the measurement of fault
distance for series compensated lines with the help of voltages and currents data from both the ends. A
general fault model introduced in [6] is utilized in the fault location algorithm. It is stated in matrix
notation as:
(1)

where and are vectors (3×1) of voltages and currents at fault location respectively, is
aggregated value of fault resistance and is 3×3 fault matrix built upon the type of fault.
The algorithm uses two subroutines for calculating the fault distance, one for faults in front of
compensator and the other for faults after compensator. Then the correct estimate is obtained by using a
logic block.
A. Subroutine 1: Faults behind compensator ( )
When fault occurs behind compensator at distance from sending end as shown in fig.1, the
current flowing through compensator is sending end current. Hence the voltage drop across the
compensator (3×1) is calculated using sending end currents (3×1). The following applies to the
faulty network:
(2)

(3)
(4)

where is matrix (3×3) of line impedances, and are sending end voltage and current
vectors (3×1), and are receiving end voltage and current vectors (3×1) respectively. Solving
equations (2) and (3), we have p.u. fault distance (3×1) and fault resistance (3×1) as:

(5)

(6)

B. Subroutine 2: Faults in front of compensator ( )


When fault occurs in front of compensator at distance from sending end as shown in fig1,
the current flowing through compensator is receiving end current. Hence the voltage drop across the
compensator (3×1) is calculated using receiving end currents (3×1). The following applies to the
faulty network:
(7)

(8)

Solving equations (7) - (8), we have p.u. fault distance (3×1) and fault resistance (3×1)
as:

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

(9)

(10)

C. Selection procedure
Locating a fault with respect to the SCs in the system of Fig.1 is a separate issue. Here,
however, the problem narrows to the selection of the correct pair (x, ) from two alternatives;
( , ) and ( , ). The block diagram of selection procedure is shown in Fig. 3. The simple and
straight forward algorithm that works in most cases is as follows:
If is out of [p,1] and is in [0,p] then accept ( , ) as a solution,
If is in [p,1] and is out of [0,p] then accept ( , ) as a solution,
Otherwise select the alternative with lower as a solution.

Fig. 3. Selection procedure

IV. FAULT LOCATION ALGORITHM USING ONE END


MEASUREMENT
In this section a fault location algorithm using one end measurements is discussed. The
algorithm is based on the measurement of instantaneous 3-phase voltage and current signals, from one
end of the transmission line to estimate the location of a fault in series compensated transmission lines.
The algorithm is developed using time domain signal analysis. The new algorithm does not require
synchronization of fault data, which is difficult to achieve from both ends of the transmission line,
during the fault. The algorithm is applicable for multi-phase faults only. For single line to ground
faults, one end sample data may not be sufficient to accurately estimate the fault location.
Consider the three phase two end transmission power network with series compensator
connected in the middle of the line as shown in Fig. 1. The relay is located at the sending end of the
line as shown in the figure. Consider a two phase to ground fault occurred after the compensator , at
distance from the sending end. If the faulted point voltage is , fault equation can be written to the
sending end of the transmission network as:
(11)
where, is matrix (3×3) of line impedances, and are sending end voltage and current
vectors (3×1) and and are vectors (3×1) of voltages at fault location and compensator voltage
drop respectively. Using phases A, B and C, equation (11) can be expanded as:

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

(12)

where, s and m of Z are subscripts refer to the self and mutual impedances of the transmission
line, and subscripts a, b and c denote the phases A, B and C respectively. For two phase to ground fault
(a-b-g), voltages at the fault point in phase A and B are nearly equal. Therefore, equation (12) can be
rearranged to obtain the expression for the fault location for two phase to ground (a-b-g) fault as:
(13)

For completely transposed transmission lines mutual impedances are nearly equal. Therefore,
equation (13) can be simplified and rewritten as:
(14)

Since sending end currents and voltages are measured and sample values are known, fault
point can be estimated using time domain analysis. If value of at time t is equation (14) can be
written in time domain as:
(15)

If the fault has occurred on the left of the series compensation unit, the fault equation becomes
further simpler due to the absence of compensator for the fault current from the sending side.

V. SIMULATION AND RESULTS


In order to compare the two algorithms, a 400 kV, 300 km transmission line system is
simulated for different faults at different locations and both the algorithms are checked. Some of the
results for both the algorithms are shown below. The system is simulated for 250 millisecond and fault
is created at 35 msec. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show p.u. fault distance calculated using two end measurements
algorithm for L-L-G (a-b-g) fault at 90% of line length and 3-phase to ground fault at 75% of line
length respectively with compensator connected at the midpoint at the rate of 70% (capacitive). Fig. 6
and Fig. 7 shows p.u. fault distance calculated using one end measurements algorithm for L-L-G (a-b-g)
fault at 90% of line length and 3-phase to ground fault at 75% of line length respectively.

(a) (b)

Fig. 4. Two end measurement algorithm with 70 % series compensation at mid-point for L-L-G (a-b-g) fault at
90 % of line length (a) Distance relay impedance trajectory; (b) per unit distance measurement using fault location
algorithm
Fig. 4 shows the simulation results of two end measurements algorithm calculating the fault
location for the L-L-G (a-b-g) fault on the transmission line in presence of series compensator
connected at the mid-point. Fig. 4 (a) shows the impedance trajectory on the R-X plane and first zone

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

of distance relay is set to cover the 80 % of line length. It is observed that, the fault is not in the zone of
protection but distance relay see the fault in the zone and relay mal-operates. The mal-operation
observed is in the form of over-reaching the fault point because of series compensation of the
transmission line. Fig. 4 (b) shows the calculation of the p.u. fault distance using two end measurement
algorithm. It is seen that, the algorithm calculates the p.u. distance very accurately for the fault at 90 %
of the line and prevents the mal-operation of the distance relay. Hence, making the distance relay
intelligent even in presence of series compensation.

(a) (b)
Fig. 5. Two end measurement algorithm with 70 % series compensation at mid-point for L-L-L-G (a-b-c-g) fault at
75 % of line length (a) Distance relay impedance trajectory; (b) per unit distance measurement using fault location
algorithm
Fig. 5 shows the results of two end measurement algorithm calculating the fault location for
the L-L-L-G (a-b-c-g) fault on the transmission line in presence of series compensator connected at the
mid-point. Fig. 5 (a) shows the impedance trajectory on the R-X plane and first zone of distance relay
is set to cover the 80 % of line length. It is observed that, the fault is in the zone of protection but
distance relay locate the fault near the mid-point of the line even though the fault is on 75 % distance of
the line. Fig. 5 (b) shows the calculation of the p.u. fault distance using two end measurement
algorithm. It is seen that, the algorithm calculates the p.u. distance very accurately for the fault at 75 %
of the line.

(a) (b)

Fig. 6. One end measurement algorithm with 70 % series compensation at mid-point for L-L-G (a-b-g) fault at
90 % of line length (a) Distance relay impedance trajectory; (b) per unit distance measurement using fault location
algorithm
Fig. 6 shows the simulation results of one end measurement algorithm calculating the fault
location for the L-L-G (a-b-g) fault on the transmission line in presence of series compensator
connected at the mid-point. Fig. 6 (a) shows the impedance trajectory on the R-X plane and first zone
of distance relay is set to cover the 80 % of line length. It is observed that, the fault is not in the zone of
protection but distance relay see the fault in the zone and relay mal-operates. The mal-operation

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

observed is in the form of over-reaching the fault point because of series compensation of the
transmission line. Fig. 6 (b) shows the calculation of the p.u. fault distance using one end measurement
algorithm. It is seen that, the algorithm calculates the p.u. distance very accurately for the fault at 90 %
of the line and prevents the mal-operation of the distance relay. Hence, making the distance relay
intelligent even in presence of series compensation

(a) (b)
Fig. 7. One end measurement algorithm with 70 % series compensation at mid-point for L-L-L-G (a-b-c-g) fault at
75 % of line length (a) Distance relay impedance trajectory; (b) per unit distance measurement using fault location
algorithm
Fig. 7 shows the results of one end measurement algorithm calculating the fault location for
the L-L-L-G (a-b-c-g) fault on the transmission line in presence of series compensator connected at the
mid-point. Fig. 7 (a) shows the impedance trajectory on the R-X plane and first zone of distance relay
is set to cover the 80 % of line length. It is observed that, the fault is in the zone of protection but
distance relay locate the fault near the mid-point of the line even though the fault is on 75 % distance of
the line. Fig. 7 (b) shows the calculation of the p.u. fault distance using one end measurement algorithm.
It is seen that, the algorithm calculates the p.u. distance very accurately for the fault at 75 % of the line.
Simulation study shows that the one end measurement algorithm performs more accurately
than the two end measurement algorithm. Hence, the percentage errors has been calculated for one end
measurement algorithm which are tabulated in table-I.
Table-I: One end measurement % error calculation

Fault Distance
% Error
type (km)
a-g 75 (25 %) -2.83
a-b-g 75 (25 %) -2.49
a-b-c-g 75 (25 %) 1.87
a-g 150 (50 %) -2.99
a-b-g 150 (50 %) -2.98
a-b-c-g 150 (50 %) 2.19
a-g 225 (75 %) -2.73
a-b-g 225 (75 %) -2.87
a-b-c-g 225 (75 %) 1.85
a-g 270 (90 %) -1.06
a-b-g 270 (90 %) -1.19
a-b-c-g 270 (90 %) 0.99

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

VI. CONCLUSION
Performance evaluation of two fault location algorithms for protection of
series compensated transmission line has been presented. The simulation results
shown prove the accuracy and dependability of both schemes. It is found that the one
end measurement fault location algorithm gives better accurate results than the two
end measurements algorithm. Also, the fault location measurement simulation results
from one end measurement give very marginal deviation from the actual values.
Hence, we conclude that the one end measurement fault location algorithm is robust
and accurate than the other fault location algorithm for protection of series
compensated transmission line.

APPENDIX
System Parameters

Line length: 300 km; System voltage: 400 kV;


Z1 8.25 + j9.25 ohm; Z0 82.5 + j308 ohm;
C1 13 nF/km; C0 8.25 nF/km.

Source impedances:
Zsa1=Zsb1= 1.31 + j15 ohm; Zsa0=Zsb0= 2.33 +j26.6 ohm;
MOV: Vref = 150 kV; k = 1 kA; q = 23.

VII. REFERENCES

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International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET), ISSN 0976 – 6545(Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6553(Online) Volume 2, Number 2, May - July (2011), © IAEME

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