Broken Conductor

Worn-out primary conductor strands can cause severe electrical failures.

Broken Conductor

Introduction

In Canada a broken conductor was found using the Early Fault Detection (EFD) System. The damaged power line was remotely detected and accurately located from the information provided by the EFD system. This early warning enabled the utility to proactively remedy the issue ahead of an occurrence of a reliability or safety outcome.

Early detection allowed for immediate repair, preventing potential disruptions or safety risks.

By identifying the damaged conductor, the utility avoided the possibility of a wildfire, ensuring environmental and community safety.

Mitigated potential economic losses from both supply outages and property damage, demonstrating financial benefits from early fault detection.

Summary

A broken conductor in critical condition was found while completing a review of the utility’s network. There are several strands that are completely broken on the conductor, warranting an immediate repair.

The broken conductor, if left unremedied, could have resulted in a supply outage or wildfire. By finding this issue proactively, the utility was able to mitigate economic and property loss by ensuring that this did not spark a wildfire.

Testimonials

Eliminating customer outages, driving affordability because we can efficiently group our work instead of heading out to fix things whenever they fail, and dearest to my heart, risk management – not just put in better protection to respond to faults and limit consequences, but actually manage the risk of faults happening – all I can say is this tech is magic.

Jeff Hackman

Senior Director, Ameren (USA)

The results have been very promising, and it’s worked the way it’s designed to. We’ll let the trial play out and then we’ll look at the deployment across our network.

Steve Neaves

General Manager, Powercor (Australia)

IND T.’s innovative EFD technology enables utilities to monitor “the heartbeat of the grid” in near real-time. With this technology, utilities can implement prescriptive maintenance and detect incipient faults on the modern grid, providing immediate, tangible benefits. This enhances the products and services we offer, supporting a clean, reliable, and safe energy future for our customers.

Source: Article from “EPRI 2023 Technology Transfer Award Winner, National Grid” on T&D World Website, published on 6 January 2025.

John-Paul Knauss

Head of R&D and Innovation, National Grid (USA)

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