Underground power line fault locating system

摘要

A fault locating system for locating a fault in an underground power distribution system includes a method and an apparatus. The underground power distribution system receives and distributes power from a bulk power source to power consumers through a fused switchgear unit and a first vault. The first vault distributes power from the fused switchgear unit among plural outgoing underground power lines, with each line supplying power to at least one power consumer. A current limiting apparatus for locating faults in the above system includes an enclosure of an insulative material defining a fuse receiving chamber. First and second bushings extend through the enclosure to the fuse receiving chamber. The apparatus has a current limiting fuse received by the respective first and second bushings within the fuse receiving chamber. The method includes the steps of identifying the fused switchgear unit and the first vault which normally supply power to a line having the fault, and installing a fault indicator on each underground outgoing power line in the first vault. The current limiting fuse of the apparatus is inserted in series with and between the fused switchgear unit and the first vault. The first vault is reenergized through the current limiting fuse, which causes the current limiting fuse to blow. After the reenergizing step, each fault indicator is read to determine the location of the fault.