Development of fault location functions in a real digital fault recorder: Computational strategies and validation.

This paper shares experiences acquired during the development of a fault location module (FLM) in a real Digital Fault Recorder and Phasor Measurement (DFRPM) device, which has been designed for the Itaipu utility, Brazil. Hardware and software aspects, as well as computational strategies and innovative solutions used to implement the FLM are addressed. The DFRPM fault location module (DFRPM-FLM) is validated by means of simulations in a Real-Time Digital Simulator, considering fault scenarios in high- and low-inertia systems. The case studies reveal that the adopted computational strategies resulted in a flexible and reliable DFRPM-FLM, which showed to be able to automatically estimate the fault location, without the need for human intervention. • The literature is scarce of works describing the implementation of real devices. • Experiences in building a real fault location device are discussed. • The used multi-method fault location approach showed to be promising. • Real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulations are carried out. • A satisfactory performance of the developed fault location device was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]