In this work, an algorithm based on the voltage sag characteristics for locating faults on overhead distribution feeders is proposed. When a fault occurs in the feeder, voltage sags propagate presenting different characteristics for each feeder node. The usage of voltage sags ensures the efficiency and robustness of the algorithm, which provides quite suitable results for fault location. An overhead, 13.8 kV, three-phase, three-wire, 134-node, real feeder is used in order to evaluate the algorithm. Test results show that the algorithm provides not only the likely faulty node, but also an area enclosing the faulty node is established. This information is extremely useful for maintenance crews to locate the fault and reestablish the power supplying.
Fault location; voltage sags; electric power distribution
