Three-phase modeling of unbalanced distribution systems during open conductors and/or shunt fault conditions using the bus impedance matrix

This paper presents a digital simulation technique for unbalanced three-phase distribution systems subjected to a shunt or a series fault. The method is also applicable to multiple faults which involve a shunt fault at one location and blown fuses or open conductors at another. The method utilizes the phase frame representation of network elements. The imbalance conditioned by large single-phase loads, untransposed feeders, conductor bundles, etc., is reflected in the polyphase impedance matrix. Consequently, line removals, additions, impedance changes, conductor and phase openings can be simulated by modifying the base-case impedance matrix. Thus, the proposed method makes it possible to analyze any type of single or multiple fault occurring anywhere in the system.