Comparison between fault location methods in distribution grid using PMU measurements

The introduction of Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) in distribution network has an important innovation that brings the possibility of having in real time the complete knowledge of the full network with higher accuracy. In the following chapters is analized the possibility to derive the position of a fault along a line using measurements performed by a limited number of PMU connected to strategic nodes. Aim of this thesis is to analize and compare different possible use of PMU for fault location and undestrand which are the problematics that have to be solved for real implementation. Firstly is provided an introduction on the main features of the instrument focusing on the definition of the synchrophasor and because it is important to improve the quality of the measurements providing some accuracy indexes used to define such parameter. Then, different methods for fault location in distribution network are described concentrating the discussion on the algorithm provided for the calculation and finally, is introduced a method for stategic PMU positioning inside the network and then a comparison between the methods is performed emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages brings from each method, focusing on the limitations that can occur due to not easily accessible input data, exibility of each method to different types of fault and extension of the theorical model to a real network with different components and higher vastity.