Use Case
Detecting Ground Faults
Distance-to-fault calculations in Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) are more accurate when line sensors combine fault magnitudes with fault type identification. Fault type identification is important because phase-to-phase faults will have different fault magnitudes than phase-to-phase-to-ground faults in the same location. If the ADMS incorrectly assumes inclusion of the ground in a fault the calculated fault location could be significantly off compared to a phase-to-phase fault. This will lead to extended fault restoration times as field crews search for the actual fault location.
Sentient Energy Line Sensors
How It Works
Sentient Energy’s MM3ai overhead line sensors not only detect faults and provide accurate fault magnitudes, but they identify fault types to improve accuracy of ADMS distance-to-fault calculations.
These sensors offer:
- Accurate fault magnitude measurements – Sentient Energy MM3ai line sensors accurately capture peak fault current magnitude up to 10kA within 2% accuracy.
- Identification of ground faults – MM3ai sensors and Ample® can distinguish between phase-to-phase and phase-to-phase-to-ground faults. Depending on the feeder, this distinction can significantly improve fault location.
- ADMS integration – The Ample Analytics platform has an application programming interface (API) to facilitate integration of sensor data into a utility’s ADMS.
