Faulted section identification for DC distribution systems using smart meter data

The potential benefits of direct current (DC) network in low-voltage system promote smart grids and facilitate increasing penetration of distributed generation (DG). Correct identification of faulted section of a distribution network by an automation system reduces power outage time and improves reliability indices of such systems. With the onset of a fault in a DC distribution system, data recorded at an outage management system are used to identify the faulted section. With DG units active in a distribution system, there will be bidirectional power flow and faulted section identification becomes challenging. Using voltage and current data from consumer-end smart meters and the substation, a method is proposed to identify the faulted section in DC distribution system. The Hadamard product of fault-affected sections (obtained from network topology and voltage status matrices) is used to identify the faulted section correctly. Using power systems computer-aided design/electro-magnetic transient design and control simulation, the accuracy of the proposed method is verified for different fault situations including simultaneous faults, fault close to a bus and with rooftop photovoltaic integration to a DC distribution system. The method has the capability to provide information on the fault segment that connects feeder pillar to the consumer end also.