NIA SSEN 0037 Low Voltage – Underground Fault Location Technologies (LV-UFLT)

Key Activities

The project looks to improve the accuracy of low voltage, underground, fault location techniques, reducing repair times and shortening outages for our customers. Initially a range of acoustic devices and fault passage indicators (FPIs) were trialled on a test network. The most successful devices were then passed on to the field teams for trialling.

Expected Outcomes

This project will establish the technical and commercial viability of a selection of acoustic cable fault location devices and fault passage indicators that can work in conjunction with existing proven LV fault location technologies. It will also look to maximise the portfolio of technologies available for LV fault location and make recommendations for optimal adoption of the suitable devices for BaU use. Environmental benefits will come from being able to more accurately pinpoint an underground cable fault, reducing the number of excavations and volume of spoil.

Progress

Successful test network trials identified the most technically capable devices, which have since been passed to a selection of field teams in both licence areas. As these teams cover different network topographies and cable types, this was a significant field test of the LV detection tools. Data from the field is being collected, analysed and compared with historical records to establish that there are quantifiable improvements in fault location detection. Pending the results of this analysis the business is now looking into larger deployment and use of acoustic devices and further development of the FPIs.