Zero-Sequence Voltage-based Method for Determination and Classification of Unloaded Overhead Line Operating Conditions at the Moment of Energization

Overhead line energization can be performed under normal or faulty conditions. The latter indicates an occurrence of a fault along the line that exists at the moment of energization. This can lead to significant over-voltages that could endanger proper line operation. The issue gets more complex to protective devices when it comes to high-resistance faults, which impair the ability of relays to react promptly and accurately. Consequently, installation of additional detection devices becomes necessary. This paper proposes a novel method that properly detects and classifies line operating conditions at the moment of energization. The method is designed to be useful for utilities and it can be considered as a low-cost, fast, and accurate detection and classification approach, suitable for dealing with both low-resistance and high-resistance faults. Through comprehensive mathematical modeling it was found that both normal and faulty conditions during line energization are accompanied by the zero-sequence voltages of specific characteristics. The differences between zero voltage sequences are reflected in harmonic content, magnitudes of dominant frequencies, and their phase angles in regard to supply voltage. These findings are taken as the method's detection and classification criteria. The validity of the proposed model is verified by simulations and by field measurements.