A TECHNICAL PAPER ON

PROTECTION OF TRANSMISSION LINE USING GPS

Presented by
V. Gowri Spandana K. Lakshmi prasanna
MailID:[email protected]
MailID:[email protected]
III-E.E.E III- E.E.E
Ph.no:9491455133
Ph.no:9494643168

RAMIREDDY SUBBARAMIREDDY
ENGINEERING COLLEGE

NH-5, KADANUTALA, BOGLU (MANDALAM)

KAVALI

SPSR NELLORE (DIST)

 PIN: 524201

ABSTRACT: information needs to be acquired quickly

in a form most useful to the power system
This is a new technique for the operator communicating to field personnel.
protection of transmission systems by
using the global positioning system (GPS) To achieve this accuracy, a
and fault generated transients. In this complete system of fault location
scheme the relay contains a fault transient technology, hardware, communications,
detection system together with a and software systems can be designed.
communication unit, which is connected to Technology is available which can help
the power line through the high voltage determine fault location to within a
coupling capacitors of the CVT. Relays are transmission span of 300 meters. Reliable
installed at each bus bar in a self monitoring hardware can be
transmission network. These detect the configured for installation sites with
fault generated high frequency voltage varying geographic and environmental
transient signals and record the time conditions. Communications systems can
instant corresponding to when the initial retrieve fault location information from
traveling wave generated by the fault substations and quickly provide that
arrives at the bus bar. information to system operators. Other
communication systems, such as
The decision to trip is based on the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
components as they propagate through the (SCADA), operate fault sectionalizing
system. Extensive simulation studies of the circuit breakers and switches remotely and
technique were carried out to examine the provide a means of fast restoration. Data
response to different power system and from SCADA, such as sequence of events,
fault condition. The communication unit relays, and oscillographs, can be used for
is used to transmit and receive coded fault location selection and verification.
digital signals of the local information to Software in a central computer can collect
and from associated relays in the system. fault information and reduce operator
response time by providing only the
At each substation relay determine concise information required for field
the location of the fault by comparing the personnel communications. Fault location
GPS time stay measured locally with those systems usually determine distance to
received from the adjacent substations, fault from a transmission line end. Field
extensive simulation studies presented personnel can use this data to find fault
here demonstrate feasibility of the scheme. locations from transmission line maps and
drawings. Some utilities have automated
this process by placing the information in a
INTRODUCTION: fault location Geographical Information
System (GIS) computer. Since adding
Accurate location of faults on transmission line data to the computer can
power transmission systems can save time be a large effort, some utilities have
and resources for the electric utility further shortened the process by utilizing a
industry. Line searches for faults are costly transmission structures location database.
and can be inconclusive. Accurate
Several utilities have recently created these available, crews can prepare for the
databases for transmission inventory using geography, climatic conditions, and means
GPS location technology and handheld of transport to the faulted location. Repair
computers. time and resources would be optimized by
the collected data before departure.
The inventory database probably Accurate fault location can also aid in fast
contains more information than needed for restoration of power, particularly on
a fault location system, and a reduced transmission lines with distributed loads.
version would save the large data- Power system operators can identify and
collection effort. Using this data, the isolate faulted sections on tap loaded lines
power system operator could provide field and remove them by opening circuit
personnel direct location information. breakers or switches remotely along the
line, restoring power to the tap loads
Field personnel could use online serviced by the unfaulted transmission
information to help them avoid spending sections.
valuable time looking for maps and
drawings and possibly even reduce their TRANSMISSION SYSTEM:
travel time. With precise information

GENERATION TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION

Electric power transmission, a voltage (110 kV or above). Electricity is

process in the delivery of electricity to usually transmitted over long distance
consumers, is the bulk transfer of electrical through overhead power transmission
power. Typically, power transmission is lines. Underground power transmission is
between the power plant and a substation used only in densely populated areas due
near a populated area. Electricity to its high cost of installation and
distribution is the delivery from the maintenance, and because the high
substation to the consumers. Electric reactive power produces large charging
power transmission allows distant energy currents and difficulties in voltage
sources (such as hydroelectric power management. A power transmission
plants) to be connected to consumers in system is sometimes referred to
population centers, and may allow colloquially as a "grid"; however, for
exploitation of low-grade fuel resources reasons of economy, the network is not a
that would otherwise be too costly to mathematical grid. Redundant paths and
transport to generating facilities. Due to lines are provided so that power can be
the large amount of power involved, routed from any power plant to any load
transmission normally takes place at high center, through a variety of routes, based
on the economics of the transmission path TRANSMISSION LINE
and the cost of power. Much analysis is PROTECTION:
done by transmission companies to
determine the maximum reliable capacity
of each line, which, due to system stability
considerations, may be less than the
physical or thermal limit of the line.

WHAT IS TRAVELING WAVE FAULT obtained by multiplying the wave velocity

LOCATION? by the time difference in line ends. This
collection and calculation of time data is
Faults on the power transmission usually done at a master station. Master
system cause transients that propagate station information polling time should be
along the transmission line as waves. Each fast enough for system operator needs.
wave is a composite of frequencies,
ranging from a few kilohertz to several BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WAVE
megahertz, having a fast rising front and a FAULT LOCATION:
slower decaying tail. Composite waves
have a propagation velocity and Early fault locators used pulsed radar.
characteristic impedance and travel near This technique uses reflected radar energy
the speed of light away from the fault to determine the fault location. Radar
location toward line ends. They continue equipment is typically mobile or located at
to travel throughout the power system until substations and requires manual operation.
they diminish due to impedance and This technique is popular for location of
reflection waves and new power system permanent faults on cable sections when
equilibrium is reached. The location of the cable is de-energized. Impedance-
faults is accomplished by precisely time- based fault locators are a popular means of
tagging wave fronts as they cross a known transmission line fault locating. They
point typically in substations at line ends. provide algorithm advances that correct for
With waves time tagged to sub fault resistance and load current
microsecond resolution of 30 m, fault inaccuracies. Line length accuracies of
location accuracy of 300 m can be 5% are typical for single-ended locators
obtained. Fault location can then be and 1-2% for two-ended locator systems.
Traveling wave fault locators are
becoming popular where higher accuracy with respect to each other by less than one
is important. Long lines, difficult microsecond.
accessibility lines, high voltage direct
current (HVDC), and series-compensated Precisely synchronized clocks are the key
lines are popular applications. Accuracies element in the implementation of this fault
of <300 meters have been achieved on 500 location technique. The required level of
kV transmission lines with this technique. clock accuracy has only recently been
Hewlett-Packard has developed a GPS- available at reasonable cost with the
based sub microsecond timing system that introduction of the Global Positioning
has proven reliable in several utility System.
traveling wave projects. This low-cost
system can also be used as the substation The voltage and current at any point x
obey the partial differential
TRAVELING WAVE FAULT
LOCATION THEORY:
Equations:
Traveling wave fault locators make use
of the transient signals generated by the
fault. When a line fault occurs, such as an
insulator flashover or fallen conductor, the
abrupt change in voltage at the point of the Where L and C are the inductance and
fault generates a high frequency capacitance of the line per unit length. The
electromagnetic impulse called the resistance is assumed to be negligible. The
traveling wave which propagates along the solutions of these equations are these
line in both directions away from the fault equations are
point at speeds close to that of light. The
fault location is determined by accurately
time-tagging the arrival of the traveling
Where Z = (L/C) is the characteristic
wave at each end of the line and
impedance of the transmission line and
comparing the time difference to the total
v=1/ (LC) is the velocity of propagation.
propagation time of the line. Refer to
Forward (ef and if) and reverse (er and ir)
Figure1. 0
waves, as shown in Figure 1, leave the
disturbed area x traveling in different
Unlike impedance-based fault location
directions at v, which is a little less than
systems, the traveling wave fault locator is
the speed of light, toward transmission line
unaffected by load conditions, high ground
ends. Transmission line ends represent a
resistance and most notably, series
discontinuity or impedance change where
capacitor banks. This fault locating
some of the waves energy will reflect
technique relies on precisely synchronized
back to the disturbance. The remaining
clocks at the line terminals which can
energy will travel to other power system
accurately time-tag the arrival of the
elements or transmission lines. Figure 2,
traveling wave. The propagation velocity
a Bewley lattice diagram, illustrates the
of the traveling wave is roughly 300
multiple waves (represented by subscripts
meters per microsecond which in turn
2 and 3) generated at line ends. Wave
requires the clocks to be synchronized
amplitudes are represented by reflection
coefficients ka and kb which are
determined by characteristic impedance
ratios at the discontinuities. and b
represent the travel time from the fault to
the discontinuity. With GPS technology,
and b can be determined very
precisely. By knowing the length (l) of the
line and the time of arrival difference
( b), one can calculate the
distance (x) to the fault from Substation A
by:

Where c= the wave propagation of 299.79

m/ sec ( 1ft/ns).

WHAT IS GPS?

The Global Positioning System

(GPS) is a satellite-based navigation
system made up of a network of 24
satellites placed into orbit. GPS was
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF FAULT
originally intended for military
applications, but in the 1980s, the
government made the system available for
civilian use. GPS works in any weather
conditions, anywhere in the world, 24
hours a day. GPS Technology allows
precise determination of location, velocity,
direction, and time. GPS are space-based
radio positioning systems that provide time
and three-dimensional position and
velocity information to suitably equipped
users anywhere on or near the surface of
the earth (and sometimes off the earth).
Concept of satellite navigation was first
conceived after the launch of Sputnik 1 in
1957 when scientists realized that by
measuring the frequency shifts in the small
bleeps emanating from this first space GPS receiver must be locked on to the
vehicle it was possible to locate a point on signal of at least three satellites to
the earth's surface. The NAVSTAR calculate a 2D position (latitude and
system, operated by the US Department of longitude) and track movement. With four
Defense, is the first such system widely or more satellites in view, the receiver can
available to civilian users. The Russian determine the user's 3D position (latitude,
system, GLONASS, is similar in operation longitude and altitude). Once the user's
and may prove complimentary to the position has been determined, the GPS unit
NAVSTAR system. Current GPS systems can calculate other information, such as
enable users to determine their three speed, bearing, track, trip distance,
dimensional differential position, velocity distance to destination, sunrise and sunset
and time. By combining GPS with current time and more. Accurate 3-D
and future computer mapping techniques, measurements require four satellites. To
we will be better able to identify and achieve 3-D real time measurements, the
manage our natural resources. Intelligent receivers need at least four channels.
vehicle location and navigation systems
will let us avoid congested freeways and
more efficient routes to our destinations, THE GPS SATELLITE SYSTEM:
saving millions of dollars in gasoline and
tons of air pollution. Travel aboard ships The 24 satellites that make up the
and aircraft will be safer in all weather GPS space segment are orbiting the earth
conditions. Businesses with large amounts about 12,000 miles above us. They are
of outside plant (railroads, utilities) will be constantly moving, making two complete
able to manage their resources more orbits in less than 24 hours. These
efficiently, reducing consumer costs. satellites are traveling at speeds of roughly
7,000 miles an hour. GPS satellites are
HOW IT WORKS? powered by solar energy. They have
GPS satellites circle the earth twice backup batteries onboard to keep them
a day in a very precise orbit and transmit running in the event of a solar eclipse,
signal information to earth. GPS receivers when there's no solar power. Small rocket
take this information and use triangulation boosters on each satellite keep them flying
to calculate the user's exact location. in the correct path.
Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the
time a signal was transmitted by a satellite Here are some other interesting facts
with the time it was received. The time about the GPS satellites (also called
difference tells the GPS receiver how far NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department
away the satellite is. Now, with distance of Defense name for GPS):
measurements from a few more satellites,
the receiver can determine the user's The first GPS satellite was
position and display it on the unit's launched in 1978.
electronic map. By knowing the distance A full constellation of 24 satellites
from another satellite, the possible was achieved in 1994.
positions of the location are narrowed Each satellite is built to last about
down to two points (Two intersecting 10 years. Replacements are
circles have two points in common). A
 constantly being built and launched tagging the arrival of the traveling wave at
into orbit. each line terminal. The traveling wave
A GPS satellite weighs once generated is subject to attenuation
approximately 2,000 pounds and is and distortion as it propagates along the
about 17 feet across with the solar transmission line. Attenuation occurs due
panels extended. to resistive and radiated losses. Distortion
Transmitter power is only 50 watts of the waveform occurs due to a variety of
or less. factors including bandwidth limitations of
the transmission line, dispersion from
IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING different propagation constants of phase-
to-phase and phase-to-ground components,
Evaluation of the fault locator etc. These effects combine to degrade the
involved the installation of GPS timing quality of the "leading edge" of the
receivers at four 500kV substations, see traveling wave at large distances from the
Figure 2.0. An especially developed Fault fault inception point. The accuracy of time
Transient Interface Unit (FTIU) connects tagging the traveling wave diminishes for
to the transmission lines and discriminates the substations far away from the fault.
for a valid traveling wave. The FTIU Experience with the evaluation system has
produces a TTL-level trigger pulse that is shown that the traveling wave is relatively
coincident with the leading edge of the "undistorted" for distances less than 350
traveling wave. A time-tagging input km. To effectively reduce the effects of
function was provided under special attenuation and distortion requires
request to the GPS receiver manufacturer. traveling wave detector installations
This input accepts the TTL level logic spaced at regular intervals. For B.C.
pulse from the FTIU and time tags the Hydro, this translates to installing fault
arrival of the fault-generated traveling location equipment at fourteen out of
wave. The time tag function is accurate to nineteen 500 kV substations.
within 300 nanoseconds of UTC - well
within the overall performance
requirement of timing to within 1
microsecond.

DISTORTION AND ATTENUATION

OF TRAVELING WAVES
The accuracy of fault location
depends on the ability to accurately time

Fault Locator System Test

Calculated cumulative arc length from NIC substation to the fault = 13 1,694.5 meters.
Fault Locator Difference
Output from Est. Value
Test (meters) (meters)
 Fault Locator Response to Traveling Waves Generated by Routine Switching of
Substation Equipment
Line Estimated Tp Measured Tp

The distance to the fault from the line

Terminals are given by:

Where Vp is the velocity of propagation

for the line and

 that identifies which satellite is
transmitting information. You can view
this number on your GPS unit's satellite
page, as it identifies which satellites it's
receiving. Ephemeris data tells the GPS
receiver where each GPS satellite should
be at any time throughout the day. Each
satellite transmits ephemeris data showing
the orbital information for that satellite and
for every other satellite in the system.
Almanac data, which is constantly
transmitted by each satellite, contains
important information about the status of
the satellite (healthy or unhealthy), current
date and time. This part of the signal is
Denotes stations with travelling
wave detector installations essential for determining a position.

Figure 2.0 Fault Locator Installations and HOW ACCURATE IS GPS?

Testing
Today's GPS receivers are extremely
WHATS THE SIGNAL? accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-
channel design. 12 parallel channel
GPS satellites transmit two low receivers are quick to lock onto satellites
power radio signals, designated L1 and L2. when first turned on and they maintain
Civilian GPS uses the L1 frequency of strong locks, even in dense foliage or
1575.42 MHz in the UHF band. The urban settings with tall buildings. Certain
signals travel by line of sight, meaning atmospheric factors and other sources of
they will pass through clouds, glass and error can affect the accuracy of GPS
plastic but will not go through most solid receivers. GPS receivers are accurate to
objects such as buildings and mountains. within 15 meters on average. Newer GPS
A GPS signal contains three different bits receivers with WAAS (Wide Area
of information a pseudorandom code, Augmentation System) capability can
ephemeris data and almanac data. The improve accuracy to less than three meters
pseudorandom code is simply an I.D. code

on average. No additional equipment or corrected signal, users must have a

fees are required to take advantage of differential beacon receiver and beacon
WAAS. Users can also get better accuracy antenna in addition to their GPS.
with Differential GPS (DGPS), which
corrects GPS signals to within an average
of three to five meters. The U.S. Coast
Guard operates the most common DGPS SOURCES OF GPS SIGNAL ERRORS
correction service. This system consists of
Factors that can degrade the GPS signal
a network of towers that receive GPS
signals and transmit a corrected signal by and thus affect accuracy include the
beacon transmitters. In order to get the following:
 Ionosphere and troposphere delays Intentional degradation of the
the satellite signal slows as it satellite signal Selective
passes through the atmosphere. Availability (SA) is an intentional
The GPS system uses a built-in degradation of the signal once
model that calculates an average imposed by the U.S. Department of
amount of delay to partially correct Defense. SA was intended to
for this type of error. prevent military adversaries from
Signal multipath this occurs using the highly accurate GPS
when the GPS signal is reflected signals. The government turned off
off objects such as tall buildings or SA in May 2000, which
large rock surfaces before it significantly improved the
reaches the receiver. This increases accuracy of civilian GPS receivers.
the travel time of the signal,
thereby causing errors. CONCLUSION:
Receiver clock errors a
receiver's built-in clock is not as Thus the use of GPS in protection of
transmission systems is beneficial with
accurate as the atomic clocks respect to Value regarding
onboard the GPS satellites. programmatic goals: more reliable
Therefore, it may have very slight monitoring using GPS related
timing errors. technologies.
Receiver clock errors a
receiver's built-in clock is not as Technical merit: new fault location
algorithm based on new input data.
accurate as the atomic clocks
onboard the GPS satellites. Emphasis on transfer of technology:
Number of satellites visible the CCET partnership aimed at
more satellites a GPS receiver can commercialization.
"see," the better the accuracy.
Buildings, terrain, electronic Overall performance: on time, with all
interference, or sometimes even goals met so far.
dense foliage can block signal
REFERENCES:
reception, causing position errors
or possibly no position reading at
all. GPS units typically will not www.wikipedia.com
www.howstuffworks.com
work indoors, underwater or
www.tycho.usno.org
underground. IEEE JOURNAL
Satellite geometry/shading this
refers to the relative position of the
satellites at any given time. Ideal
satellite geometry exists when the
satellites are located at wide angles
relative to each other. Poor
geometry results when the satellites
are located in a line or in a tight
grouping.