Calculation and analysis method for distribution network fault location based on improved differential evolution algorithm

Distribution network has complicated grid structure and various kinds of faults，which make the current measures hard to accurately locate fault zones in field operation. This paper proposes a differential evolutionary algorithm to locate the fault based on the transient wave record data from the distribution network, using the mechanism of cooperative coevolution with penalty factor to optimize the solution set and punishment factor. The simulation result shows that the proposed method has good convergence and fault-tolerant ability when single point or multi-points fault occurs in the distribution network. In addition， it can provide important technical support for the fault position in the distribution network based on the transient wave data.