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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SSEN_0052
Title	Low Voltage Feeder Cable Open Circuit Detection
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 December 2020
End Date	01 September 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£408,169
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Scotland
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SSEN_0052
Objectives	The Open Circuit Detector technology will consist of the following instruments:The Open Circuit Injectors The Open Circuit Detector. The Open Circuit Injector will inject a current into the faulty cable at the substation end, using a high frequency, that will also contain a specific code. The injector will also communicate with satellites providing highly accurate timing and position information.The Open Circuit Detector reads the signals the Injector sends down the faulty core, facilitating the Operator to walk/trace the faulty cable route with the goal of detecting the Open Circuit fault. The Open Circuit Detector will be configurable to operate in one of two modes (A or B) for utilisation in the common scenarios below. Mode A: Customers are on supply through the reconfiguration of the local LV network allowing customers to be Back Fed. Mode B: Customers are off supply beyond the location of the Open Circuit Fault. Re-configuration of the local low voltage network to restore power supplies is not possible. Immediate action is required to locate and fix the fault. The Scope of this project is to manufacture and test the proof of concept technology on the LV Network to detect Open Circuit Faults which will include as a minimum; Proof of Concept Models - prove the concept and confirm the theory of the Open Circuit Detector, to a level where factory testing can be undertaken Develop enhanced location accuracy using Global Position System (GPS) technology - Current GPS technology provides a positional accuracy of between 5m and 10m. Enhancement will provide a GPS accuracy of less than 2m. This increased accuracy will allow the remedial works to be carried out more efficiently Manufacture A Model (Prototype) The A Model (Prototype) units will be the first models used to locate real open circuit faults on a real low voltage Network. Trial A Model (Prototype) - Trial to locate real open circuit faults on a real low voltage Network. Manufacture B Model (Pre-Production) - From learnings captured in the trial of A Model, manufacture 10 B Model units, to enable the DNO to perform trials. Trial B Model (Pre-Production)- The final trial of the units to include thorough testing on real open circuit faults, diverse locations on an assortment of LV cable types. The projects objectives are as follows;1. To prove the concept and confirm the ability to accurately detect open circuit cable faults. 2. Production to a level of TRL 8 technology with the device enabling a Field Operative to accurately identify an open circuit cable fault, on an operational LV Network, reducing time Customers are off supply at time of fault or subsequent planned outages. This will including locating open circuit fault when power has been restored to the customer.
Abstract	The purpose of the Low Voltage Feeder Cable Open Circuit Detection proposal is to develop the technology and equipment to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) that will prove the application of locating Open Circuit faults accurately in the above scenarios.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22