An enhanced TDR and multi-ratio measuring method for locating long-distance distribution cable joints

Traditional time domain reflectometry (TDR) is difficult to detect cable joints on a long-distance distribution cable. In this article, an enhanced TDR and multi-ratio measuring method are proposed for locating long-distance distribution cable joints. At first, the relationship between reflection factor and cable joints location is analyzed in theory. Next, the relationship is verified by a simulation using MATLAB/Simulink. Then an enhanced TDR circuit and a multi-ratio measurement system are designed. In the end, a cable joints location experiment is carried out and the result of experiment shows that enhanced TDR and multi-ratio measuring system can locate cable joints on a long-distance cable accurately and the location relative error is 0.24%.