Two effective methods for impedance estimation in distance relays based on the DC offset removal

Abstract This paper introduces the eigensystem realization (ER)-based identification algorithm and the Z-domain method (ZDM) to improve the impedance estimation of transmission lines under fault conditions, which is achieved by removing the exponential decaying DC offset from current signals in distance relays. Both methods effectively work employing a one-cycle rectangular window; specifically, the Z-domain method works in less than a fifth of one-cycle window, ensuring timely, accurate, and prompt estimates. To confirm the effectiveness and performance of the proposed algorithms, they are evaluated under steady-state and dynamic conditions by using time-domain simulations performed in PSCAD©and DIgSILENT©PowerFactory. They also are compared with the well-known discrete Fourier transform (DFT). The attained results indicate that both the ER-based and Z-domain methods can become a powerful tool to reduce the adverse influence of exponentially decaying DC offsets in distance relays.