This innovation project will issue a number of depot fault location teams with Phase Identification Units. The HAYSYS phase identification unit, is set to reference the phase at the appropriate secondary substation and by approaching the household the unit can identify if power is present and to which phase the house is connected. This functionality is the basis of the trial in assessing whether the unit can reduce fault restoration times. It is recognised that for many faults where the LV fuse is blown this unit will not be of assistance but for other faults and in conjunction with other technologies it will be of assistance to the local fault location teams. The HAYSYS phase identification unit can be used to identify if the power is on and what phase it is on without entering the property which is critical when we cannot get access to the property at night or when people are at work during the day.
A number of existing fault location technologies have been developed to substantially improve the re-connection of customers to the network at times of interruption due to faults. However, none are 100% accurate in identifying the preferred location for the primary excavation point.
The ‘Phase Identification Unit (PIU) to Assist in Underground Fault Location’ project concludes that you can use a PIU to help locate underground cable faults. The PIU has proved to be a reliable device with a high level of accuracy. The project has identified that the PIU would be a suitable tool to be used by underground cable jointing teams and front-line Rapid Response Operatives as standard equipment.
The PIU provides an opportunity where customers’ supply cannot be restored due to an open circuit fault, the PIU can reduce the overall repair time by identifying the last customer on and the first customer off. In situations where it is not possible to gain access to a residence’s cut out this will also help in mitigating a certain number of Guaranteed Standard failures.
£153,000
February 2018 – May 2019
Kevin Dennis
