Wire Down Detection via Smart Meter Voltage Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utilities face challenges in differentiating between energized and de-energized wire down situations during power outages, which hinders timely and safe fault identification and repair, affecting customer safety and restoration efforts.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system using electrical grid fault detection that calculates abnormal power delivery predictions through voltage readings from smart meters, enabling differentiation between energized and de-energized wire down conditions by querying and analyzing signals from multiple meters, and sending alerts to prioritize hazardous situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If automatic outage detection tools are used to indicate power service outages, then outage detection capability is improved, but the ability to differentiate between energized wire down and complete power outage remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the outage detection process into multiple analysis dimensions by examining voltage readings from different meters on the same feeder. By dividing the detection task into individual meter analyses and comparing results across multiple meters, the system achieves both broad outage detection and precise fault type differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses voltage readings from smart meters as intermediary data to infer the state of downed wires. Instead of directly detecting wire conditions, the system analyzes the electrical characteristics (voltage levels) reported by meters, which serve as mediators between the physical wire state and the detection system.
2Loss of time
If utility companies wait for customer hazard calls to identify energized wire down situations, then response time is reduced for confirmed hazards, but overall safety standing deteriorates due to delayed identification of hazardous faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of voltage readings from multiple meters continuously, even before customer calls are received. By proactively analyzing meter data to identify patterns indicative of energized wire downs, the system prepares hazard identification in advance, enabling faster response when hazards are confirmed while simultaneously improving overall safety monitoring.
3Productivity
If distribution operators prioritize restoration responses to locations with clearly identified safety hazards, then restoration efficiency for hazardous locations is improved, but the ability to accurately identify locations with customer damage deteriorates without definitive fault type identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple meter readings to continuously refine fault identification. By comparing voltage readings across meters and analyzing patterns in the data, the system provides definitive fault type identification that enables both prioritized response to hazards and accurate identification of customer damage locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include a system for metering an electrical grid comprising at least one processor executing instructions from a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of an electrical grid fault detection system. In some embodiments of the system, the instructions cause a processor to calculate a prediction of whether power delivery to at least a portion of the electrical grid is functioning abnormally using voltage sensing devices coupled to at least one feeder, where one or more of the voltage sensing devices are responsive to a determination that the power delivery is functioning abnormally. Further in some embodiments, the determination includes the electrical grid fault detection system receiving at least one signal or voltage reading from the electrical grid based at least in part on a sensed or received voltage level or range of voltage level.