Genetic Algorithm Based Fault Locator for Transmission Lines

This paper presents a novel application of Genetic Algorithm (GA) in implementation of the Differential Equation Algorithm (DEA) for fault location on transmission lines. The approach consists in first formulating the problem as that of minimization of the error between measured and estimated instantaneous voltage at the relay location. GA is then used as a tool, for finding out the optimum solution. Inherent advantages of GA like good ability to reach global optimum, robustness etc. are thus exploited. Comparison with results obtained using other conventional methods like Simultaneous Differential Equation (SDE), Non-Linear Programming (NLP) and Multivariable Series Least Squares (MVS-LSQ) techniques reveals that the proposed approach using GA has a superior performance. Thus GA should find a place in the tool-bag of protection engineers.