Disclosed herein are systems for detecting a location of a fault on an electric power transmission line using a state-of-polarization traveling wave in an optical ground wire. Various embodiments may also detect a traveling wave on a conductor of the transmission system. The arrival times of the state-of-polarization traveling wave and the electrical traveling wave may be compared. Using the difference in times and the known propagation velocities of the traveling waves, a distance to the fault may be calculated. Arrival time of the state-of-polarization traveling wave may be calculated using electrical signals from photodetectors in an optical channel with polarizing filters at different orientations or reference frames.