Keyword: «impedance methods»

The article is devoted to the analysis of existing and promising methods for determining the locations of damage on overhead power lines with a voltage of 6–35 kV. Features of medium-class voltage distribution networks are considered, including the mode of operation with isolated or compensated neutral, the presence of branches, variable wire cross-section and high transient resistance at the short-circuit point, which significantly complicate the process of searching for emergency areas. WMD methods were classified into distance (impedance, wave and reflectometric) and topographic (visa-al inspection, induction and acoustic methods). The advantages and disadvantages of each approach for 6–35 kV networks are identified, the limited effectiveness of classical resistance methods for single-phase ground faults is shown. Particular attention is paid to modern technologies: the use of business pilot aircraft with thermal imaging, intelligent damage indicators, wave methods of online registration of transitional processes. The need to combine different WMD methods in a single search algorithm is justified, as well as in the transition from simple elimination of existing damages to their prevention through the use of data analysis and predictive analytics systems.