FLUCCUM

This report presents the outcomes of testing a communication-based fault location algorithm 
designed for medium-voltage systems. The algorithm utilizes the magnitudes of voltage and 
current from both ends of the line while applying a simplified pi model. This approach elimi
nates reliance on phase difference measurements, thereby ensuring robustness against com
munication delays and synchronization errors. 
The study employed a private industrial 5G network to analyze the impact of communication 
delays on fault location accuracy. The results indicate that the algorithm is effective for fault 
location, with errors typically below 3%. However, errors increased up to 12% in specific cas
es where inverters injected highly variable current magnitudes during faults. The delays ob
served in the 5G network, ranging from 6–20 milliseconds, were manageable for fault location 
purposes but pose challenges for time-sensitive protection applications. 
The key findings include: 
✓ The algorithm’s delay tolerance enables its application in real-time fault location sce
narios. 
✓ Variations in inverter outputs remain a primary challenge, requiring enhancements to 
handle non-ideal conditions effectively. 
✓ The robustness of the algorithm under private 5G conditions demonstrates its poten
tial applicability, although additional testing on public 5G networks is recommended. 
Open issues include the need for standalone embedded devices that offer plug-and-play func
tionality and advanced signal processing techniques to address inverter-induced variability. 
Future research will focus on these aspects, aiming to develop a more efficient and reliable 
fault location solution for modern power systems.