Low-sampling frequency two-terminal traveling wave-based overhead transmission line protection

• Published in: Electric power systems research 2023-11, Vol.224, p.109639, Article 109639
• Main Authors: Costa, F.B., Lima, J.R., Aziz Jahan, M.A., Lopes, F.V., Silva, K.M., Dantas, K.M.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fault detection; Power system protection; Traveling waves
• ISSN: 0378-7796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2023.109639

Digital fault recorders (DFRs) and some conventional relays operate typically with sampling frequencies up to a few kHz. Conversely, traveling wave (TW)-based methods are usually designed to operate at sampling frequencies in the order of MHz. However, this paper demonstrates that two-terminal TW-based protection that considers the effects of the sampling frequency and TW propagation velocity uncertainties can protect transmission lines using sampling frequencies of a few kHz instead of MHz. This demonstration considers a performance validation based on challenging real-world faults recorded in transmission lines equipped with DFRs operating with a sampling frequency of 15,360 Hz. The low-sampling frequency two-terminal TW protection was implemented in hardware as a protective relay to evaluate actual data in real-time analysis, representing a significant step toward the practical application of the TW concept readily available in real protection devices with a low-sampling frequency. •Traveling wave (TW)-based protection has been used in electrical systems.•Two-terminal traveling wave (TW)-based protection functions can also be used with low-sampling rates.•Consideration of the sampling rate effect results in the protection zones.•Performance assessment with actual faults of a Brazilian transmission system.•The results obtained demonstrate the reliability of the proposed method.•The proposed algorithm can be used in existing systems with low sampling rates.