Development of a 2nd generation Vdip fault localization system

The project was focused on developement of the 2nd generation Vdip system (Vdip2) for the localization of asymmetric faults in medium voltage systems. Developed functionalities will extend the application of the localization system to high-impedance faults and combined faults, while the amount of transmitted data and time required for fault location evaluation is reduced. As part of the development, the system is supplemented with PMU (synchronized phasor measurement unit) functionality integrated into distributed measurement units (DMU) and functionality enabling global voltage quality index evaluation. The development of DMU components is aimed at reducing acquisition costs while expanding DMU variability.
The project developed a Vdip 2nd generation system (Vdip2) for fault location, especially earth faults, in medium voltage systems. The Vdip2 system extends the Vdip system developed in the project TK01020107. During the project, new functionalities were developed that extend the area of application of the localization system to high-impedance earth faults, combined faults and cross-country faults localization, while significantly reducing the requirements for transmitted data and the time required to evaluate the fault location. The Vdip2 is a unique system designed for autonomous fault location in medium voltage (MV) networks. It is in these systems, which are mostly operated as compensated systems, where fault localization is very problematic and time-consuming, and due to the lack of suitable technical solutions, it usually leads to multiple switching of fault. Which increases the likelihood of fatal injury or the risk of component damage. The Vdip system is the result of many years of development by the BUT department using national patent (No. 305 209, applied for in 2014) and European patent (EP2940483, filed in 2015) and many years of know-how in the field of fault location issues. The application of the results of this basic research was achieved within the framework of pilot operation in the distribution system of the EG.D company, which began in 7/2024, where excellent results were achieved. During the pilot operation, the deployed Vdip system demonstrated an excellent ability to accurately and quickly localized all types of common faults, which has a positive societal impact in the form of reducing the duration of supply interruptions and limiting the time of exposure to touch and step voltages. As part of the development, the system was supplemented with phasor measurement functionality (synchronous phasor measurement) integrated into distributed measuring units (DMU) and a unique system of central monitoring of the voltage quality at the level of the distribution transformer station, feeder or supply substation. This function enables comprehensive mapping of the voltage quality in the entire monitored network and thus prevents exceeding of the voltage quality limits. A detailed description of the system is provided on the WWW (https://www.rtu.cz/reseni/vdip2/) of the Vdip2 system supplier.
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