The XC-2100E will allow the user to identify and locate events on AC or DC power systems. It can be applied to overhead, underground or submarine lines, or hybrid combinations. The most urgent issue on the line is a fault, but its integrity and operation may also be affected by the effects of lightning and deterioration in the performance of the circuit breaker, both of which can be monitored by this equipment.
When a fault does occur, it can be difficult to locate, particularly on long remote lines. Conventional fault locators work on the principle of measuring the impedance of the loop through which the fault current flows. In most cases, this includes a return path through the ground for which knowledge of the actual impedance is hard to obtain and is often estimated, leading to inaccuracies in the measurement of the distance to the fault. By utilising traveling waves, created when the fault occurs, the XC-2100E system can measure the fault position independently of impedance and identify the fault point much more accurately.
The system provides accurate fault location solution for all transmission and distribution power lines, with each unit monitoring up to 8 lines. The fault distance measurement error is less than ±150m and is independent of line length and other factors which affect the fault location accuracy of traditional impedance measurement methods, including; line and earth return loop impedance, instrument transformer accuracy and uncertainty of zero sequence impedance due to variance of soil resistivity along the line corridor. When the measurement is made it can be automatically plotted on to a Google Map of the network, or an offline map if the internet is not available, to allow the fault to be quickly accessed.
Connection is normally made using clip-on CTs around the protection CT wiring in the substation, this allows ready retrofitting of the system as the wiring is not disturbed. Alternatively, the equipment can be directly connected to the line CT or PT, or to a clip-on CT around the ground wire of a CVT. For HVDC systems the traveling wave is obtained through a clip-on CT placed around the ground wire of the harmonic suppression filter. The system is synchronised by a GPS signal and the results from each end can be transmitted to a master station pc throough the utility's SCADA system or other internal communication network.