Continuous Fault Monitoring

Challenge: Limited Visibility in Distribution Fault Monitoring

Existing distribution networks suffer from blind spots in detecting fault conditions between substations and customers. Typically, a transmission system may be well-instrumented with e.g. phasor measurement units (PMUs) and digital fault recorders (DFRs); however, most low-voltage distribution faults remain unseen or are discovered too late to prevent problems. This lack of visibility has real consequences: undetected incipient faults can lead to equipment failures, public safety incidents, and even wildfires in high-risk areas.

Solution:

Nexbe have considered four key challenges facing modern utilities: the need to anticipate when faults are likely to occur, implement cost-effective solutions, gain visibility into asset conditions, and effectively triage evolving threats.

Nexbe’s grid-edge sensor is purpose-built with hardware and firmware to address these challenges holistically.

Nexbe takes a cost-effective approach by embedding advanced capabilities within the standard grid-edge sensor format. This allows utilities to leverage existing deployment programs without the need for additional hardware or standalone systems.

Embedded algorithms within the device continuously assess what is connected to the network and evaluate the performance of those assets. By estimating parameters such as connection capacity, derived from metrics like source voltage and impedance, the system can identify when the network is approaching strain. This enables early detection of stressors such as overloaded circuits or deteriorating connections.

Using the same algorithms, the system can detect and discriminate between different types of unintentional loads, such as animals, vegetation & vehicles contacting power lines, which are often precursors to more serious faults.

Leveraging the existing communication infrastructure used for revenue data collection, the system can report serious network events in real time while also delivering scheduled statistical summaries. These reports offer valuable insights for network modeling, forecasting, and long-term planning.