A Novel Ground Distance Protection Algorithm for Non-Uniform Power Transmission Lines

In this paper, the performance of a conventional distance protection relay employing a single ground compensation factor (k0) per protection zone is investigated for non-uniform transmission lines consisting of mixed overhead line and underground cable sections. In such composite lines, the use of a single k0 value may lead to inaccurate apparent impedance calculation during phase-to-ground faults due to significant differences in zero- and positive-sequence parameters among line sections. To address this limitation, a novel ground distance protection algorithm is proposed, which applies separate ground compensation factors corresponding to individual line sections within the same distance protection zone. The proposed algorithm dynamically identifies the faulted line section based on the measured reactance and selects the appropriate compensation factor accordingly. A three-section composite transmission line model is developed in the ATP–EMTP environment, including overhead and cable segments with different electrical characteristics. Phase-to-ground faults are simulated at various locations along each line section, and the apparent impedances calculated using the proposed algorithm are quantitatively compared with those obtained from the classical ground distance protection algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that, under resistive fault conditions (Rarc = 1 Ω), the proposed method reduces impedance magnitude estimation errors from over 23% to below 7%, while maintaining comparable or improved angle estimation accuracy across the protected zone. Although the proposed algorithm introduces an additional computational step due to the selection of appropriate ground compensation factors for individual line sections, this aspect has not been evaluated under real-time conditions and is left for future implementation-oriented studies. Overall, the proposed approach offers a practical and effective solution for improving ground distance protection performance in non-uniform transmission lines.