A wireless sensor concept for managing electrical distribution networks

In this paper, methods and analysis of a simple wireless sensor concept for detecting and locating faults as well as for load monitoring are presented. The concept is based on distributed wireless sensors that are attached to the incoming and outgoing power lines of secondary substations. A sensor measures only phase current characteristics of the wire it is attached to, is not synchronized to other sensors and does not need configuration of triggering levels. The main novelty of the concept is in detecting and locating faults by combining power distribution network characteristics on system level with low power sampling methods for individual sensors. This concept enables the sensor design to be simple, energy efficient and thus applicable in new installations and for retrofit purposes in both overhead and underground electrical distribution systems.