This paper reviews the development of overhead line fault locators based on traveling wave techniques and provides examples of use in transmission systems.

It is generally accepted that accurate fault location on transmission lines is a necessity to reduce downtime, allow the implementation of preventive maintenance to known trouble spots and to reduce cost and manpower requirements on line patrols. The traditional method of fault location has been based on impedance techniques that are now conveniently incorporated in digital protection relays.

The consistency of distance to fault results, however, is often variable. This paper introduces an alternative, more accurate, method of fault location based on traveling wave technology that significantly enhances a Power Company’s ability to respond to line trips faster and with more precision.