Multi-hypotheses Single-Ended Fault Discrimination in AC Networks with Underground Sections

Abstract

When a fault occurs in an AC hybrid network, comprising both aerial and underground sections, the discrimination of the faulty part allows to try auto-reclose when the fault is detected in an aerial section. This paper presents a single-ended approach based on models of the traveling waves propagating in the network after the fault occurrence. Upon fault detection, different hypotheses related to the affected section of the monitored lines are put in competition. The estimated faulty section corresponds to the hypothesis and its associated model providing the smallest error between the modeled and the measured currents and voltages. The approach is tested on an adapted 9-bus system implemented in EMT software. It is able to distinguish faults occurring within a cable section from faults occurring in the near aerial part. The robustness of the approach to errors in the parameters of the lines is also evaluated.

Remi Challemet – SuperGrid Institute ; Sameh Betamony – SuperGrid Institute ; Michel Kieffer – Université Paris-Saclay ; Thibault Prevost – RTE – Réseau de Transport d’Electricité ; Paul Verrax – SuperGrid Institute

Presented at IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies (ISGT) Europe, October 19-22, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary.

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