POWER CABLE MONITORING
Electrical Power and Utility Monitoring Service
Electrical power network integrity is only as robust as its weakest point. OptaSense provides on-line condition monitoring that helps you monitor the pulse of power networks at every point both on and off shore—enabling higher performance, reliability and asset life.
Ensuring maximum throughput across an extensive network of power cables can be challenging. Within a single network, cables vary by type, installation and operating environment, making them susceptible to numerous risks that can result in cable failure. Unfortunately, many fault detection solutions provide alerts after an electrical or mechanical fault has occurred. Because these technologies rely heavily on simulated analysis, pinpointing the root cause of faults (design, manufacturing, installation or operational) becomes a time consuming and costly process.
Power monitoring using distributed fiber optic sensing technology, the OptaSense Integrated Smart Sensing solution for power cables pinpoints the root cause of cable failure on line, resulting in quicker response and repair time. By combining short circuit detection with third party intervention, conditioning monitoring and seismic monitoring, this solution allows operators to maximize throughput and lower operating costs by optimizing operations and maintenance practices.
Integrated Smart Sensing
The OptaSense Integrated Smart Sensing solution uses Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology to transform existing fiber optic cables into an array of virtual microphones that detect, classify and locate faults along the power cable, as well threatening events near the asset that can result in power failure.
Integrated Smart Sensing enables cost-effective installation and reduces the cost of asset ownership by integrating multiple condition monitoring capabilities from a single distributed fiber optic system.
Detect and locate power cable faults
Monitor ground strain, temperature changes and shock waves in order to detect and locate short circuits in real-time, with +/- 10m accuracy.
Prevent third party cable damage
Detect, locate and classify potential third party interference (TPI) events, such as manual or mechanical excavation and theft.
Avoid costly cable breakdowns
By listening to acoustic indicators of functional performance, this system provides on-line, cost-effective power cable condition monitoring at each point along the entire asset.
Monitor assets during seismic events
Benefit from fast, reliable, on-line notifications that pinpoint damaged areas for rapid dispatch, investigation and repairs.
Case Studies
CASE STUDY–Power Cable Monitoring for Scotland Offshore Wind Farm
CASE STUDY Condition Monitoring of Power Cables for Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland Reducing Costs in Real Time with Smart Sensing DAS Technology Problem: Short circuit on main export cable Uncertainty on exact fault location
CASE STUDY–Delivering Cable Fault Detection for Major U.S. City
CASE STUDY OptaSense Delivers Cable Fault Detection for Major U.S. City Utility Provider Uses Fiber-Optic Sensing to Protect Critical Infrastructure Problem: Underground cable faults from both naturally-occurring and man-made damage Inefficient existing fault detection solution
