Fault section estimation in power systems using a novel decision support system

This paper presents a novel decision support system (DSS) using circuit breaker information for online fault section estimation in power systems. The new representation of knowledge and approach to resolving fault diagnosis problems are included in the proposed system. The DSS automatically creates rules for knowledge representation and develops an efficient diagnosis procedure. After the fault section is estimated, the logical reasoning approach uses the relay information to further validate the candidate fault section and circuit breaker status. Test results verify that the DSS can obtain rapid and accurate diagnosis results with flexibility and portability for fault diagnosis of diverse power systems. Those results further demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed DSS to actual power system fault section estimation.

I. Introduction

On-Line fault section estimation to detect faulted facilities in power systems is a difficult, complex, and vital task. A section of power systems means a power apparatus, e.g., a transmission or distribution line, bus bar, or transformer, which can be separated from the rest of the system by breakers. Based on the fault situations identified, rapid and correct restoration procedures can thus be taken to minimize the power interruption and limit the impact of outages in the system.