Fibre optic technology boosts network reliability
New fibre optic cables are helping make electricity supplies even more reliable by pinpointing potential faults before they happen.
The UK’s first-ever trial of fibre optic temperature-sensing cables has proved that engineers can pinpoint the exact location of potential faults and make essential repairs before customer supplies are interrupted.
UK Power Networks has operated the technology in two North Surrey substations for the last 18 months. It is trialling the deployment of highly accurate distributed temperature sensing equipment, which measures temperature changes along the length of a fibre-optic cable wound around electrical equipment such as circuit breakers. The condition of the network asset can thereby be continually monitored by its temperature. This allows UK Power Networks to proactively address and repair any hot spot issues before they cause faults.
The project found that the cables can detect heat differences down to as little as half a degree Celsius for every 50cm of cable. This level of accuracy produces data points that enable engineers to pinpoint the exact location of the network which needs attention.
Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “It's our job to make sure our customers can rely on a safe and secure network. By innovating – we are able to deliver on our clear public purpose.”
The heat monitoring system was designed, installed, and is managed by Infrastructure Services Group, a UK-based fibre optic sensing solutions provider. Business development director Ian Walker said: “The project with UK Power Networks is the first time the technology has been successfully implemented to monitor for hotspots in this manner.”
The UK’s first-ever trial of fibre optic temperature-sensing cables has proved that engineers can pinpoint the exact location of potential faults and make essential repairs before customer supplies are interrupted.
UK Power Networks has operated the technology in two North Surrey substations for the last 18 months. It is trialling the deployment of highly accurate distributed temperature sensing equipment, which measures temperature changes along the length of a fibre-optic cable wound around electrical equipment such as circuit breakers. The condition of the network asset can thereby be continually monitored by its temperature. This allows UK Power Networks to proactively address and repair any hot spot issues before they cause faults.
The project found that the cables can detect heat differences down to as little as half a degree Celsius for every 50cm of cable. This level of accuracy produces data points that enable engineers to pinpoint the exact location of the network which needs attention.
Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “It's our job to make sure our customers can rely on a safe and secure network. By innovating – we are able to deliver on our clear public purpose.”
The heat monitoring system was designed, installed, and is managed by Infrastructure Services Group, a UK-based fibre optic sensing solutions provider. Business development director Ian Walker said: “The project with UK Power Networks is the first time the technology has been successfully implemented to monitor for hotspots in this manner.”
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