UKPN trials early warning system for network faults

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has begun trialling a new early warning system for network faults at key sites across London and the South East.

The company said the Smart Cable Guards developed by DNV work like a “doctor’s stethoscope” – continuously monitoring the “pulse” of the network to detect tiny electrical distortions similar to an “irregular heartbeat”.

UKPN said the box-like devices are attached to underground cables and have so far been installed at two sites in New Addington and East Grinstead.

The distribution network operator said the Smart Cable Guards are so sensitive they can detect electrical disturbances smaller in magnitude than the power used by a standard mobile phone charger on a cable serving around 5,000 properties. When a disturbance is detected, they are able to alert engineers where a fault is likely to occur to within a few metres, allowing them to replace the cabling before a power cut occurs.

The company said the devices will be installed at 18 further locations across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London as part of the £435,000 trial running until February 2023.

UKPN said it will also begin trialling an early warning system for overhead power line faults at two sites near Canterbury and four around Crawley later this year as part of an £1.8 million innovation project.

The MILES system uses sensors fitted to overhead cables to detect disturbances in radio waves. Up to 30 of the sensors will be tested over a six-month period beginning this autumn.

The company said it is now receiving results from Radiometric Arc Fault Location devices already installed around Canterbury, Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of a joint innovation project with SP Energy Networks.

Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UKPN, said: “Our most fundamental purpose is ensuring safe and reliable power supplies for our customers. With these new trials we’re continuing to invest, improve our performance and put our customers first.”

Lucy Craig, director of growth, innovation and digital at DNV, said: “We are increasingly reliant on electricity to power homes, businesses and industries – and that is set to increase in the future, for example, as we shift to electric vehicles.

“Technology, such as Smart Cable Guards, allows grid operators to digitally monitor their systems and receive real-time information to help them detect and avoid power failures. We’re proud to support UK Power Networks to increase reliability for its customers.”