Publications

The published record

86 papers, reports, articles and talks on DFA and the research behind it, from 1995 to 2026. Many include field cases written with the utilities involved.

86 items

2026

"High-Impedance Fault Detection" Revisited: Why the Term Has Lost Its Meaning and Should be AbandonedOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
2026

Distribution Fault Anticipation: Real-time Health Monitoring for Distribution Networks Using Waveform Analytics

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIRED 2026 (IET Conf. Proc.)
2026

Toward an Ideology of Waveform Analytics: How to Automate Transient Point-on-Wave Analysis for Actionable Information

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE ICHQP 2026
2025

Diagnosing Protection Misoperations with High-Quality Substation Data

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE 2025 Montreal, SC B5 PS2
2025

Electrical Characterization of Vegetation Contacts with medium Voltage Conductors: Summary of Field Experiments

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers (CFPR) 2025, Texas A&M
2025

Electrical phenomena associated with vegetation in contact with medium voltage conductors: summary of field experimentsOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIRED 2025, Geneva, Paper 539 (IET Conf. Proc. icp.2025.1847)
2025

High-impedance faults: challenges of the term and multiple electrical signatures (CIGRE Grid of the Future 2025)

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US National Committee Grid of the Future Symposium 2025
2025

Investigation of Operational Detection of Vegetation Contacts with Medium Voltage Conductors

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE 2025 International Symposium, Montreal, Paper 10780 (SC B5 PS2)
2025

Using high-fidelity waveform data to diagnose medium-voltage protection misoperations

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIRED 2025 (IET Conf. Proc. icp.2025.1853)
2024

Early detection of powerline equipment failure + distribution circuit health monitoring and incipient failures (two presentations)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Talk · 77th Conference for Protective Relay Engineers, Texas A&M, Mar 2024
2024

Electrical Characterization of Vegetation Contacts with Medium Voltage Conductors: Summary of Field Experiments

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2024, Raleigh NC
2024

Improved Distribution Circuit Awareness Using High-Fidelity Waveform Measurements

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2024
2024

Utilizing High-Quality Waveform Data to Detect and Diagnose Protection Misoperations and AnomaliesOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · 17th Int. Conf. on Developments in Power System Protection (DPSP 2024), Manchester (IET icp.2024.1001)
2024

Utilizing Substation-based Monitoring to Improve Condition Assessment of Distribution Networks

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE Paris Session 2024, Paper 10326 (SC C4 PS3 / A3 PS3)
2023

Effective Use of Incipient Failure DetectionOpen

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · 76th Annual Conference for Protective Relay Engineers (CFPR), Texas A&M, Mar 2023
2023

Finding and diagnosing protection anomalies on distribution systems (overcurrent protection failures)

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2023, Kansas City
2023

Online Automated System for Incipient Fault and Failure Detection of Distribution Apparatus Using Waveform Disturbances

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIRED 2023, Rome, Paper 10743 (IET icp.2023.1077)
2023

Unintended Consequences of Extra Sensitive Protection

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Conference · 76th Annual Conference for Protective Relay Engineers (CFPR) 2023
2022

Co-op Demo of Sensor Technology Reduces Wildfire Risk, Improves ReliabilityOpen

Derrill Holly (NRECA)

Magazine · America's Electric Cooperatives, 25 Jan 2022
2022

Detecting and Responding to Incipient Failures on Distribution Circuits (GOTF 2022 presentation: 'four incipient failures, none caused outages')Open

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Talk · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium, Chicago, 8 Nov 2022
2022

Detection of Incipient Arcing Days Prior to Ultimate Device Failures

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · 75th Conference for Protective Relay Engineers (CPRE) 2022
2022

Early detection of incipient powerline failures / Electrical detection of wildfire ignition mechanisms (two panel talks)

B. Don Russell

Talk · IEEE PES General Meeting 2022, Denver
2022

Identification, Location, and Remediation of Incipient Fault and Failure Conditions Using Waveform Monitoring and Automated Analysis

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE ICHQP 2022, Naples
2022

Incipient Electric Circuit Failure Detection and Outage Prevention Using Advanced Electrical Waveform Monitoring: Field Experience

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Journal · IEEE Industry Applications Magazine
2022

Preventing Certain Powerline Caused Wildfires by Early Detection and Repair of Failing DevicesOpen

B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition 2022, New Orleans
2022

Real-time diagnostics to prevent electrical failures

B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Talk · Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center Symposium, College Station, Oct 2022
2022

Substation-based Waveform Analytics Monitoring System For Improved Circuit Awareness

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE Paris Session 2022, SC B3/B5 Joint PS3
2021

Complex Faults: Using High-Quality Waveform Data to Understand Faults that Misbehave

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · 74th Conference for Protective Relay Engineers (CPRE) 2021
2021

Incipient Electric Circuit Failure Detection And Outage Prevention In Petrochemical Facilities Using Advanced Electrical Waveform MonitoringOpen

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE IAS Petroleum and Chemical Industry Technical Conference (PCIC), San Antonio, Sep 2021
2021

New Tools in the Fight to Reduce Wildfire Ignition (PG&E and DFA)Open

Eric Schoenman, John Mead (PG&E)

Magazine · T&D World, 18 Aug 2021
2021

Sympathetic Capacitor Events (capacitor switching transients and sympathetic events)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2021, Providence
2021

Waveform data for misbehaving faults; incipient failure detection in petrochemical facilities; circuit health webinar (Texas A&M Smart Grid Center webinar, Mar 2021)

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Talk · Texas A&M Smart Grid Center webinar, Mar 2021
2021

Wildfire Ignition from Latent, Undiscovered Distribution Faults - Early Detection Using Signature Recognition

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2021, Providence
2020

Anticipating wildfire ignition from failing line devices

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Conference · CIGRE New Zealand Conference, Auckland, Aug/Nov 2020
2020

Detection of Distribution Circuit Wildfire Ignition Mechanisms Using Substation-only Sensors and Data AnalyticsOpen

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Talk · NASPI Webinar, 19 Aug 2020 (also T&D World Wildfire Conference Dec 2020)
2020

Incipient failure detection in petrochemical facilities

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE IAS PCIC, Atlanta 2020
2020

Real-time operational use of waveform analytics (panel)

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner

Talk · IEEE PES General Meeting 2020 panel
2019

DFA technology detecting device failures (MidSouth)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · 72nd Conference for Protective Relay Engineers, College Station, Mar 2019
2019

Distribution Fault Anticipation Technology: Reducing Wildfire Ignition Risk through Advanced Electrical Monitoring (California Wildfire Mitigation Summit)Open

B. Don Russell

Talk · CPUC Wildfire Technology Summit, Sacramento, 20-21 Mar 2019
2019

Objective electrical criteria for de-energizing circuits (operator justification)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium, Atlanta, Oct/Nov 2019
2018

Automated Waveform Characterization for Providing Situational Awareness to Distribution Operators

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · Georgia Tech Fault and Disturbance Analysis Conference, Atlanta, May 2018
2018

Conference presentations: concho clamp, Pedernales/Bluebonnet, MidSouth switch arcing, SWEDE (2018 items)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Talk · TAMU PRE 2018 / SWEDE 2018
2018

Fault Anticipation Improves OperationsOpen

Robert A. Peterson (Pedernales Electric Cooperative), Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Magazine · T&D World Magazine, June 2018, pp. 28-34
2018

Reliability and safety using DFA technology (GOTF Reston, Oct 2018)

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium, Reston VA, 2018
2017

Advanced monitoring tools for distribution visibility (Ellis, Bender, Benner, Russell)

Ellis, Bender, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · 70th Conference for Protective Relay Engineers, Apr 2017
2017

Application of DFA Technology for Improved Reliability and Operations

Carl L. Benner, Robert A. Peterson, B. Don Russell

Conference · IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference (REPC) 2017, Columbus OH
2017

Automatic identification, clustering and reporting of recurrent faults in electric distribution feeders

Karthick Manivannan (sic: Manivinnan), Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Conference · ISAP 2017, San Antonio
2016

Improved fault location on distribution circuits using advanced inputs

Michael Lattner, Wayne C. Carr, Carl L. Benner

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers 2016
2015

Application of Waveform Analytics for Improved Situational Awareness of Electric Distribution FeedersOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 2041-2049
2015

Causes of wildfire ignition by powerlines (Wildland Fire Litigation Conference, Monterey)

B. Don Russell

Talk · Wildland Fire Litigation Conference, May 2015
2015

Data Quality Considerations for Waveform AnalyticsOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2015
2015

Online monitoring of substation waveform data (CIGRE Canada, Winnipeg, Sep 2015)

Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Karthick Muthu Manivannan, B. Don Russell

Conference · CIGRE Canada Conference 2015
2014

Application of advanced electrical waveform monitoring and analytics for reduction of wildfire riskOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition 2014, Chicago, and IEEE ISGT 2014, Washington DC
2014

Automatic capacitor bank identification in power distribution systems

Alexandre Perera-Lluna, Karthick Muthu Manivannan, Peng Xu, Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna, Carl L. Benner

Journal · Electric Power Systems Research
2014

Detection of incipient faults using waveform analytics (PES General Meeting panel, Washington DC)

B. Don Russell

Talk · IEEE PES General Meeting 2014 panel
2014

Texas Wildfire Mitigation Project: Reducing the Risk of Wildfires Caused by Power Lines (project kickoff presentation)Open

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner

Talk · Wildfire Project Initiation Meeting, Austin, 12 Dec 2013
2014

Waveform analytics-based improvements in situational awareness, feeder visibility, and operational efficiency

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition 2014
2014

Wildfire Mitigation Through Advanced Monitoring - State of Texas Demonstration ProjectOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2014
2013

Automated Power System Waveform Analytics for Improved Visibility, Situational Awareness, and Operational EfficiencyOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Talk · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2013, Boston
2013

Incipient Faults: Can They Be Seen?Open

C. Ken Sanford (Arizona Public Service), John S. Bowers (Pickwick Electric Cooperative)

Magazine · T&D World, March 2013, pp. 50-55
2013

Reducing Wildfire Risk through the Use of Advanced Electrical Waveform Monitoring and AnalyticsOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2013, Boston
2012

A new monitoring architecture for distribution feeder health monitoring, asset management, and real-time situational awareness

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · IEEE PES ISGT 2012
2012

Advanced Monitoring of Low-voltage Secondary Networks for the Detection and Mitigation of Arcing FaultsOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, L.G. Philp (Con Edison), S. Lee (Con Edison)

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2012
2012

Automated Waveform-Based Analytics for Enhanced Reliability, Power Quality, and Operational EfficiencyOpen

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, K. Muthu-Manivannan

Conference · CIGRE US NC Grid of the Future Symposium 2012
2012

Distribution Feeder Caused Wildfires: Mechanisms and PreventionOpen

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Conference · 65th Conference for Protective Relay Engineers, Texas A&M, Apr 2012
2012

Power Distribution System Event Classification Using Fuzzy Logic (PhD dissertation)Open

Karthick Muthu Manivannan

Thesis · Texas A&M University OAKTrust, 2012
2011

Electrical Characterization of Arcing Fault Behavior on 120/208V Secondary Networks (PhD dissertation)Open

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper

Thesis · Texas A&M University OAKTrust, Dec 2011
2010

Intelligent Systems for Improved Reliability and Failure Diagnosis in Distribution Systems

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid
2009

Automated fault analysis using an intelligent monitoring system

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers 2009
2009

Distribution Fault Anticipation, Phase III: System Integration and Library Enhancement - Final Report (EPRI 1016036)Open

C. Benner, D. Russell (principal investigators)

Report · EPRI, July 2009
2009

Reliability improvement of distribution feeders through real-time, intelligent monitoring

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner, Robert M. Cheney, Charles F. Wallis, Thomas L. Anthony

Conference · IEEE PES General Meeting 2009
2008

Electrical Characterization of Vegetation Contacts with Distribution Conductors - Investigation of Progressive Fault BehaviorOpen

Jeffrey A. Wischkaemper, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition 2008, Chicago
2008

Feeder Interruptions Caused by Recurring Faults on Distribution Feeders: Faults You Don't Know About

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell, Ashok Sundaram

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers 2008
2008

Outage avoidance through intelligent detection of incipient equipment failures on distribution feeders

John S. Bowers (Pickwick Electric), Ashok Sundaram (EPRI), Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · IEEE PES General Meeting 2008
2007

Distribution Fault Anticipation, Phase III - Interim Report (EPRI 1013824)Open

C. Benner, B. Russell

Report · EPRI, Dec 2007
2006

Distribution Fault Anticipation, Phase III: System Integration - Technical Update (EPRI 1012435)Open

C. L. Benner, B. D. Russell

Report · EPRI, Dec 2006
2006

Field Experience with High-Impedance Fault Detection Relays

A.C. Depew, J.M. Parsick, R.W. Dempsey, Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers 2006 / IEEE PES T&D 2006
2005

Distribution Fault Anticipator, Phase II: Algorithm Development and Second-Year Data Collection (EPRI 1001688)Open

C. Benner, K. Butler-Purry, B. Russell

Report · EPRI, Feb 2005 (interim)
2005

Distribution Fault Anticipator, Phase II: Field Data Collection and Algorithm Development (EPRI 1010662)Open

C. Benner, B. Russell

Report · EPRI, Nov 2005
2005

Investigation of incipient conditions leading to the failure of distribution system apparatus

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · IEEE PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition 2004
2004

Distribution incipient faults and abnormal events: case studies from recorded field data

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Conference · Conference for Protective Relay Engineers 2004
2003

Electrical behavior of contaminated distribution insulators exposed to natural wetting

Christopher Scott Richards, Carl L. Benner, Karen L. Butler-Purry, B. Don Russell

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
2001

Distribution Fault Anticipator - Final Report (EPRI 1001879)Open

C. Benner, K. Butler-Purry, B. Russell

Report · EPRI, Dec 2001
1999

Characterization of electrical incipient fault signature resulting from tree contact with electric distribution feeders

K.L. Butler, B. Russell, Carl L. Benner, Kwame Sarpong Andoh

Conference · IEEE PES Summer Meeting 1999
1997

Practical High-Impedance Fault Detection on Distribution Feeders

Carl L. Benner, B. Don Russell

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications 33(3), 635-640
1995

Arcing fault detection for distribution feeders: security assessment in long term field trials

B. Don Russell, Carl L. Benner

Journal · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery