Magnetic field sensing for 2D fault localization in underground power cables

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Geophysics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Underground cable fault localization is a complex 2D inverse problem.
• Accurate fault location is critical for minimizing power outages and repair costs.
• Existing methods often require physical access or are computationally intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a non-invasive, accurate, and cost-effective method for localizing underground cable faults.
• To address three common fault types: line-to-ground fault (LGF), leakage current fault (LCF), and line-to-line fault (LLF).
• To validate the proposed method through simulations and experimental testing.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing magnetic field sensing for initial cable localization.
• Employing the Quotient method to determine fault depth.
• Applying Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) to calculate the horizontal fault distance.
• Validating the approach with simulations and experimental data.

Main Results:

• Simulation results demonstrated low average errors: 5.25% for LGF, 4.77% for LCF, and 3.53% for LLF.
• Experimental results showed acceptable errors of 20% for LGF and 29% for LLF.
• The method proved reliable across different fault types.

Conclusions:

• The proposed magnetic field sensing approach offers a reliable and accurate solution for underground cable fault localization.
• The technique is practical and cost-effective due to its reliance on a single sensing device and minimal computation.
• This non-invasive method significantly enhances the efficiency of underground cable maintenance and repair.