This paper proposes a cable single-ended traveling wave fault location method based on the combination of improved variational mode decomposition（VMD） and Wigner ville distribution（WVD） algorithm. This method optimizes the preset scale of variational modal decomposition through the change of the instantaneous frequency mean value to extract the fault traveling wave signal for modal decomposition. The WVD distribution of high-order eigenmodes is performed

and the instantaneous energy curve of the fault traveling wave is used to calibrate the arrival time of the initial traveling wave wave head and the first reflected wave wave head of the fault

so as to realize single-ended cable traveling wave fault location. The simulation builds a transmission line model of a prefabricated cabin-type substation in Changsha. The analysis results show that this method can effectively carry out preset scale decomposition

and has fast operation speed and high fault location accuracy. The research provides a simple and practical method for cable traveling wave fault location

which has certain engineering application value.