The successful demonstration that the Fuse Saver can operate in a superior fashion to ASLs, and provide greater information regarding normal and fault conditions on the spur.
What is the project about?
EPN Analysis
In EPN there far fewer ASLs installed than in SPN. Therefore there is an opportunity to install the Fuse Savers on a “clean” feeder that does not have reclosers and ASLs on it already. Through the process described above a particular feeder was identified.
SPN Analysis
SPN already has a high penetration of ASLs on the network which have been installed over many years. The trial objective here is to install Fuse Savers in a “busy” environment to see how the devices perform alongside a number of different types of reclosers and several ASLs. It is also important to see if the devices can operate in an identical fashion to the existing ASL as well how the devices grade with the existing protection schemes on the feeders.
How we’re doing it
Identification of Trial Sites
The business has identified “At Risk” overhead lines and spurs as part of the business as usual quality of supply process. This process has provided the best test cases for the trial.
From the review of auto-sectionalising links, the key sites were identified for Fuse Saver deployment.
Spur Risk Identification Process
A script has been developed to trace down each feeder recording every overhead line spur off the mainline. From each of these overhead lines spur points the script then traces the rest of the spur: identifying if there are ASLs, counting the number of customers either side of the ASL and measuring the length of the overhead line and underground cable either side of the ASL. If there are no ASLs on the spurs the script returns the number of customers and the length of overhead line and underground cable.
What we’re learning
Rural network visibility is extremely limited. Fuse Saver’s ability to view loads, capture fault data and segregate OHL spur is extremely
valuable. UK Power Networks strongly believes that these devices can be rolled out across many utilities in the UK and Europe once
the concept has been proven.
Share your ideas
If you have an idea that could reshape or revolutionise the way we work, we want to hear from you.
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