transmission and distribution
Fault Passage
Indicator
Communication Capabilities
Communicable and Non-Communicable Type
Voltage Rating
3.3kV to 66kV
Fault Types
Transient and Permanent
Overcurrent and Earth
Fault Reporting System
Through SMS and/or through SCADA
The main function of fault passage indicating system is to identify faults occurring in the downstream section from the point of its installation in the medium voltage system. This is achieved by continuous monitoring of voltage presence and current flow in medium voltage line.
Any increase in current along with absence of voltage is signaled by the equipment. Fault condition is indicated by flashing lights in FPI; this information is sent using radio signals to the communication gateway installed nearby for onward transmission to SCADA system at the control centre through a suitable communication channel.
Using this system, the utility acquires information regarding the section of the line having fault. This identification helps eliminate the patrolling of entire line for finding the fault, ultimately reducing restoration time.
Our Fault Passage Indicators (FPIs) are designed to be clipped on the Overhead MV line. Usually, 3 Fault Passage Indicators are clipped on one circuit— one on each phase. Our FPIs carry out the following functions:
- Detection of current running in the phase it is clipped on
- Detection of transient / permanent phase-to-phase and phase-to-earth faults
- Communication of information to communication gateway using license free short range radio frequency
- To provide a local light indication on occurrence of fault, which in turn is a useful information for fault finding and maintenance activity
- Our FPIs are self-powered by a battery with minimum life span of 10 years. The battery is capable enough to carry out at least 1 short range radio communication with the communication gateway every hour for 24 hours and at least 400 hours flashing for fault indication.
- The Fault Passage Indicators are suitable for outdoor use. The components used in the Fault Passage Indicators are accordingly protected from direct sunlight to prevent malfunctioning caused by solar radiation. It is rated up to IP-55 / IP-65 degree of protection as per requirement.
Power networks are subjected to extreme weather events and pollution all-round the year. From lightening to high-speed winds, and from dust storms to environmental pollution; an array of factors could be detrimental to their smooth functioning.
The result is the appearance of faults from time to time and disruption in the power supply for long hours, causing huge revenue losses to the utilities.
The key to minimizing losses on account of faults lies in identifying the fault locations early and taking timely remedial measures. Our Fault Passage Indicators enable utilities to do so with ease by helping linemen attain quick visual or remote indication of the fault occurrence on an overhead electrical system.
The non-communicable indicators work best where the access to the lines is easy and can be traversed quickly through a parallel road.
The fault location identification completely depends upon the visual signals obtained from looking at the indicators starting from the substation.
Let’s assume that there are 10 indicators placed starting from the substation through the entire line, and the fault occurs between Indicator #5 and #6. On fault, the lineman will travel from the substation along the line and observe the status of each indicator, and stop at Indicator #6 as he will notice that indicator #5 was blinking whereas #6 shows no signal. Through this, he will be able to identify that the fault is between #5 and #6.
The advantages of non-communicable FPIs are:
- Cost effective
- Easy Installation
- Ability to change settings without taking it out of the line
However, it comes with its own limitations of not being effective in difficult terrains, and where the access to the lines is not easy.
The communicable indicators are effective in all kinds of terrain. In case of difficult mobile connectivity areas, it can work over LoRaWAN technology and instantly help identify the location of the fault.
The fault indicators are installed with an RF chip which communicates to the Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) through RF. The DCU has a microcontroller and a SIM card using which the data is sent to our servers over IEC 101/104. This data is then analyzed and represented on a sleek web-based application which can be accessed from anywhere. The DCUs are self powered through battery, which are continuously charged using solar panels.
In case of LoRaWAN indicators, the FPIs send data packets to the LoRa gateways installed upto 2-3 km away. These gateways then send the data to our servers through either a wired connection, or mobile networks.
The advantages of Communicable FPIs are:
- Works in all terrains and regions
- Instant fault location identification
- Works in case of generating stations as well, where faults can travel in any direction
- Web-based application to guage exact location of fault instantly
Communication Capabilities
Communicable and Non-Communicable Type
Voltage Rating
3.3kV to 66kV
Fault Types
Transient and Permanent
Overcurrent and Earth
Fault Reporting System
Through SMS and/or through SCADA
The main function of fault passage indicating system is to identify faults occurring in the downstream section from the point of its installation in the medium voltage system. This is achieved by continuous monitoring of voltage presence and current flow in medium voltage line.
Any increase in current along with absence of voltage is signaled by the equipment. Fault condition is indicated by flashing lights in FPI; this information is sent using radio signals to the communication gateway installed nearby for onward transmission to SCADA system at the control centre through a suitable communication channel.
Using this system, the utility acquires information regarding the section of the line having fault. This identification helps eliminate the patrolling of entire line for finding the fault, ultimately reducing restoration time.
Our Fault Passage Indicators (FPIs) are designed to be clipped on the Overhead MV line. Usually, 3 Fault Passage Indicators are clipped on one circuit— one on each phase. Our FPIs carry out the following functions:
- Detection of current running in the phase it is clipped on
- Detection of transient / permanent phase-to-phase and phase-to-earth faults
- Communication of information to communication gateway using license free short range radio frequency
- To provide a local light indication on occurrence of fault, which in turn is a useful information for fault finding and maintenance activity
- Our FPIs are self-powered by a battery with minimum life span of 10 years. The battery is capable enough to carry out at least 1 short range radio communication with the communication gateway every hour for 24 hours and at least 400 hours flashing for fault indication.
- The Fault Passage Indicators are suitable for outdoor use. The components used in the Fault Passage Indicators are accordingly protected from direct sunlight to prevent malfunctioning caused by solar radiation. It is rated up to IP-55 / IP-65 degree of protection as per requirement.
Power networks are subjected to extreme weather events and pollution all-round the year. From lightening to high-speed winds, and from dust storms to environmental pollution; an array of factors could be detrimental to their smooth functioning.
The result is the appearance of faults from time to time and disruption in the power supply for long hours, causing huge revenue losses to the utilities.
The key to minimizing losses on account of faults lies in identifying the fault locations early and taking timely remedial measures. Our Fault Passage Indicators enable utilities to do so with ease by helping linemen attain quick visual or remote indication of the fault occurrence on an overhead electrical system.
The non-communicable indicators work best where the access to the lines is easy and can be traversed quickly through a parallel road.
The fault location identification completely depends upon the visual signals obtained from looking at the indicators starting from the substation.
Let’s assume that there are 10 indicators placed starting from the substation through the entire line, and the fault occurs between Indicator #5 and #6. On fault, the lineman will travel from the substation along the line and observe the status of each indicator, and stop at Indicator #6 as he will notice that indicator #5 was blinking whereas #6 shows no signal. Through this, he will be able to identify that the fault is between #5 and #6.
The advantages of non-communicable FPIs are:
- Cost effective
- Easy Installation
- Ability to change settings without taking it out of the line
However, it comes with its own limitations of not being effective in difficult terrains, and where the access to the lines is not easy.
The communicable indicators are effective in all kinds of terrain. In case of difficult mobile connectivity areas, it can work over LoRaWAN technology and instantly help identify the location of the fault.
The fault indicators are installed with an RF chip which communicates to the Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) through RF. The DCU has a microcontroller and a SIM card using which the data is sent to our servers over IEC 101/104. This data is then analyzed and represented on a sleek web-based application which can be accessed from anywhere. The DCUs are self powered through battery, which are continuously charged using solar panels.
In case of LoRaWAN indicators, the FPIs send data packets to the LoRa gateways installed upto 2-3 km away. These gateways then send the data to our servers through either a wired connection, or mobile networks.
The advantages of Communicable FPIs are:
- Works in all terrains and regions
- Instant fault location identification
- Works in case of generating stations as well, where faults can travel in any direction
- Web-based application to guage exact location of fault instantly