Wavelet based on-line disturbance detection for power quality applications

This paper introduces a new online voltage disturbance detection approach based on the wavelet transform. The proposed approach: (1) identifies voltage disturbances; and (2) discriminates the type of event which has resulted in the voltage disturbance, e.g. either a fault or a capacitor-switching incident. The proposed approach is: (1) significantly faster; and (2) more precise in discriminating the type of transient event than conventional voltage-based disturbance detection approaches. The feasibility of the proposed disturbance detection approach is demonstrated based on digital time-domain simulation of a power distribution system using the PSCAD/EMTDC software package.