The electromagnetic time-reversal (EMTR) location method enables real-time online cable fault location. However

due to the influence of the insulation defect evolution and the unknown fault resistance

the traditional EMTR method often suffers from low location accuracy. To address this issue

this paper proposes a cable fault location method based on reflection coefficient modification and local energy extraction during the time-reversal process. First

based on the time-domain propagation characteristics of fault traveling waves

the paper thoroughly investigates the underlying mechanisms by which fault resistance affects EMTR location accuracy

specifically how the reflection coefficient magnitude influences the energy of the backward-time process in traditional EMTR methods. To address the impact of fault resistance on EMTR location accuracy

a special fault resistance model is constructed in the backward-time EMTR process to modify the reflection coefficient. Additionally

a location criterion based on the local energy at the initial traveling wave is proposed. To validate the accuracy of the proposed method

both practical cable tests and simulations are conducted. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust under various fault resistances and cable operating conditions. Compared with the traditional EMTR method

the proposed method reduces the location error from 40 m to within 10 m in a 300 m medium voltage cable

significantly improving the location accuracy of the EMTR method.