Enhancing Accuracy of Fault Detection System and Reducing Outage Time with GIS: A Case Study of Arba Minch Electrical Distribution System

Abstract

Fault detection and location in electrical distribution systems are critical for maintaining a reliable electric power supply and minimizing outage time. The Arba Minch District distribution department of Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) currently employs a manual trial-and-error approach for fault detection and location of the faults, is not only inefficient, time-consuming, and ineffective in the current state of the arts but crucial for resolving faults. This study evaluates the current approach and proposes an enhanced system utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to improve fault detection and location in the Arba Minch distribution system, specifically at the Shecha feeder. The implementation of GIS-based fault detection and location aims to address the limitations of the manual method and mitigate economic losses associated with feeder faults. By synchronization of the ETAP circuit and ETAP GIS network, the location of the fault visualized in the ETAP-GIS system. The GIS system achieved a 99.11% reduction in fault detection and location time relative to the conventional method. In this research by optimizing fault detection and locating time, the System’s Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) for the feeder significantly reduced from 216.36 to 1.93 hours/customer per fault. Consequently, the GIS system also eliminated economic losses associated with energy unsupplied (24,784.58 kWh and 13,625.41 kVArh) and non-collected revenue (42,000 ETB for 1 hour, 78,288 ETB for 1.864 hours, and 231,000 ETB for 5.5 hours). The results demonstrate the potential of GIS technology in enhancing fault detection and location, ultimately improving the reliability and efficiency of the distribution system.

Keywords: Distribution systems, ETAP, Fault Detection, Fault Location, GIS, SAIDI