SWER Powerline Defect Detection Using Low-Voltage Broadband Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fault-finding in Single-Wire Earth-Return (SWER) powerline networks is challenging due to their length, leading to costly regular asset inspections and potential fire hazards from undetected defects.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising data collection units and a server that measure broadband signals, convert them to digital signals, extract parameters, and use time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithms to locate defects on the SWER network, determining whether they are supply-side or customer-side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If SWER powerline networks are extended to cover sparsely populated regions, then electricity supply coverage is improved, but fault-finding difficulty increases due to the length of powerlines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces broadband signals as an intermediary carrier to transmit defect information along the SWER powerline. These signals act as mediators that convey location data from remote defects back to detection points, enabling fault identification without physical inspection of the entire extended network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fault-detection methods (physical inspection, visual examination) with electromagnetic signal-based detection. By injecting broadband signals and analyzing their reflection characteristics, the system substitutes manual fault-finding with automated electrical measurement techniques.
2Reliability
If regular asset inspections are conducted to detect defects, then defect detection reliability is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary defect detection by continuously monitoring broadband signals reflected from potential defect locations. This allows early identification of defects before they cause failures, enabling preventive maintenance rather than reactive repairs, thereby reducing overall maintenance costs while maintaining high detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SWER powerline network itself serves as the detection medium. The existing powerline infrastructure is used to carry both power and diagnostic signals, eliminating the need for separate inspection equipment or personnel travel to remote locations. The system uses the network's own structure for self-diagnosis.
3Ease of manufacture
If SWER networks use simple single-wire configuration, then construction and maintenance cost is reduced, but fire hazard from undetected defects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of defects that could lead to fire hazards. By continuously monitoring broadband signal reflections, the system identifies potential danger points (such as loose connections, insulation breakdown, or vegetation contact) before they can ignite wildfires, enabling preventive intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where broadband signals are injected into the powerline, reflected signals are captured, and the reflected pattern information is analyzed to provide real-time feedback about defect conditions. This continuous feedback loop allows operators to respond to developing hazards before they cause fires.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and cost-effective detection and localization of defects in SWER networks, preventing fires and outages by preemptively identifying asset failures.
Implementation Method 1
Each data collection unit can be positioned at a distribution transformer of the SWER network and configured to measure broadband signals originating from a defect along the SWER network
Implementation Method 2
convert the broadband signals to a digital signal
Implementation Method 3
the server can be configured to use a time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithm on the extracted parameters from each of the plurality of data collection units
Data Source
AI summary
A system for locating defects on a single-wire earth-return (SWER) network can include a network, a plurality of data collection units, and a server communicably coupled to the plurality of data collection units via the network. Each data collection unit can be positioned at a distribution transformer of the SWER network and configured to measure broadband signals originating from a defect along the SWER network; convert the broadband signals to a digital signal; extract parameters from the digital signal; and transmit the extracted parameters over the network. The server can be configured to receive the extracted parameters from each of the plurality of data collection units; and determine a location of the defect based on the extracted parameters.