US 11,933,833 B2
System and method for detecting faults in medium voltage circuits
Verónica Pomar Pedredo, Paterna (ES); and David Ruiz Muñoz, Paterna (ES)
Assigned to Aplicaciones Tecnologicas, S.A., Paterna (ES)
Appl. No. 18/252,405
Filed by Aplicaciones Tecnologicas, S.A., Paterna (ES)
PCT Filed Nov. 10, 2020, PCT No. PCT/ES2020/070691
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 10, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/101521, PCT Pub. Date May 19, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0393186 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. G01R 31/08 (2020.01)
CPC G01R 31/083 (2013.01) [G01R 31/088 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Method for locating faults in electric power distribution cables, the method applied to a medium voltage circuit that comprises at least one electric power distribution cable (205), a first transformation center (210) that comprises a first transformer and a first grounding conductor (603), a first grounding system comprising a first grounding resistor (RPAT1) connected to the first transformer through the first grounding conductor (603), the first transformation center (210) connected to a first end of the cable (205); and
a second transformation center (220) comprising a second transformer and a second grounding conductor (603), a second grounding system comprising a second grounding resistor (RPAT2) connected to the second transformer through the second grounding conductor (603), the second transformation center (220) connected to a second end of the cable (205), the method characterized in that it comprises:
identifying a fault in the cable (205) by monitoring through current threshold in at least one of the grounding conductors (603), in case of fault identification:
measuring a first current value Imed1 through the first grounding conductor (603);
obtaining the value of the first resistor (RPAT1);
measuring a second current value Imed2 through the second grounding conductor (603);
obtaining the value of the second resistor (RPAT2);
calculating a relative distance d1 from a point on the cable (205) where the fault occurs to the first transformation center (210), such that:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
calculating a distance d2 from the point on the cable (205) where the fault occurs to the second transformation center (210);

OG Complex Work Unit Math
identifying the fault location based on distances d1 and d2.