Accurate Fault Location Method for Multiple Faults in Transmission Networks Using Travelling Waves

To prevent the further escalation of multiple faults in transmission networks, which could lead to severe accidents, this article proposes an accurate fault location method for multiple faults using simulated virtual faults (VFs) traveling waves. The method is validated by comparing it with real faults wavefront sequences. Initially, the article analyzes the interactions and aliasing phenomena of traveling waves from different fault sources at measurement points based on their propagation characteristics. It also discusses the relative temporal and amplitude relationships between different fault wavefront sequences. Then, a matching method between VF wavefront sequences and real fault wavefront sequences is proposed, and a wavefront sequence matching ratio is formulated to quantify the location disparity between the VFs and real faults. Finally, the article introduces a multiple faults location mechanism and achieves accurate fault location for multiple faults using the dynamic virtual faults traveling wave location method. Verified through the PSCAD simulation platform, the proposed method is unaffected by errors in wave propagation speed, eliminates the need for terminal traveling wave measuring equipment, and can accurately locate up to three faults with a location error less than 100 m.