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• Comprehensive physics-based analytical model for HIF location. • Statistical behavior of estimates is analyzed to identify the faulted section. • One-ended data based frequency domain measurement model. This paper presents a physics-based analytical model for high impedance fault location in power distribution systems. The presented analytical solution is composed by two interdependent processes. First, fault distance is estimated through a Weighted Least Square approach applied to solve an overdetermined and nonlinear algebraic system of equations. Second, an analytical method based on the statistical behavior of the estimates obtained from the frequency domain system model solution is presented to address the multiple estimates problem, identifying the faulted section. The presented fault location physics-based analytical model considers the capacitive effect of distribution lines. Furthermore, voltages and currents measured from only one terminal are used. The formulation is evaluated using the IEEE 13-bus and a modified version of the IEEE 34-bus test feeders. Comparative analysis with state-of-the-art methods is presented. Average errors of 1.95% are obtained. Easy to implement analytical model, without hard to derive parameters, built on the weighted least squares state estimator, highlight potential aspects for real-life applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High impedance faults (HIFs) have been a major concern for protecting distribution systems and public safety hazards when involving downed conductors. The deployment of smarter grids brings new technologies for smart monitoring, automation, and protection of distribution networks. This paper presents a new method for a series of HIF detection and location in primary distribution feeders, using voltage unbalance measurements collected from smart meters (SMs) installed at low-voltage end-users. The methodology was tested in MATLAB and Simulink through steady-state simulations of a typical 13.8 kV distribution system, under load unbalance and different fault scenarios. Results show that the proposed method is robust and accurate for the detection of blown fuses and broken conductors, with or without ground faults, located either at the source or the load-side. The ease of implementation in SM design, formulation of parameters, and reliable simulation results show potential real-life applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]