A Novel Fault Location Method for Distribution Networks Based on Velocity Difference Between Zero-Mode and Aerial-Mode Traveling Waves

Abstract

To address the large location errors of traditional traveling-wave methods in distribution networks, this paper proposes a fault location method based on traveling-wave velocity differences between zero-mode and aerial-mode components. First, phase-mode transformation is performed on the acquired zero- sequence voltage signals to extract aerial-mode and zero-mode components. Second, use wavelet transform modulus maxima to identify the initial fault wavefront. Third, the traveling-wave velocity difference is utilized for fault location. Moreover, distance estimation results from both terminals are fused to pinpoint the final fault position. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is immune to transition resistance, fault initial phase angle, and branch line disturbances, and achieves superior fault location accuracy.