Optimization techniques for fault identification and optimal allocation of protective devices

Abstract

With the looking to the electrical power network, it is considered the main driver of the world economy. So that the electrical grid has been classified into three main parts; generation, transmission, and distribution. Identifying the fault location and accelerating functions can support the system's stability; moreover, the transmission system is the middle part between the generation system and the distribution into the electric grid which has the highest percentage of faults due to weather conditions, and long-covered distances. Hence, faults or abnormal conditions that isolate the feeder can be translated to cost. The traditional method of maintaining the transmission line after faults or abnormal conditions has depended on the walking manpower through the transmission line, which can lead to delays in the recovery time and affect the power system's reliability. Using numerical protection devices with the protected equipment such as a generator, transformer, transmission line, and motors can enhance the system by adding the optimum protection devices including the fault locator into the transmission line. This chapter describes the importance and the way of fault analysis with accurate methods. The proposed case study in this chapter was simulated with a 230.0 kV overhead transmission line to show the distance protection function with the accurate isolating fault with the required time delay; the proposed simulation also shows the use of the optimum allocation of the protection system with 32 sections of the electrical distribution system.