Illegal connection location on distribution lines using traveling waves method

The connection of loads on a main power cable causes a transient signal that propagate along the lines near the speed of light. Such signal is usually named a ‘Travelling wave’. Several techniques make use of TW signals for fault location in transmission lines. Based on the regular and known load of a network section of 13.8kV with extension 15.55km, a method for locating illegal clandestine connections in distribution lines is proposed. A computer model was developed using the ATP / EMTP® (Alternative Transients Program / Electromagnetic Transients Program) software, simulating a three-phase circuit. An illegal connection was simulated and had its position properly identified by the method based on the electromagnetic transient generated by the connection.