Fault classification and phase selector algorithm for half-wavelength transmission lines

Abstract This study presents a new phase selector algorithm and fault type classification for very long transmission lines, known as the half-wavelength lines (HWL). For this work, the Clarke components variation rate method applied to current magnitudes was used. The method was implemented in a real-time digital simulation hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environment. We applied different fault types at each 5% line length, obtaining Clarke component current phasors. The proposed algorithm is stable for the native behavior of the half-wavelength line, including the resonance zones and their mitigation procedures. In addition, the algorithm is immune to the fault insertion angle, fault resistance, and line loading level. Finally, the algorithm could be applied in commercial microprocessor-based relays or could be used as a post-fault analysis tool.