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Field Test: Wireless Sensors in Distribution Grid Slash Repair and Restoration Times By SGN Staff Jul 20, 2010 - 3:14:46 PM
. A field test by On-Ramp Wireless and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) has shown that wireless sensors can be successfully connected throughout the distribution grid, significantly cutting the time needed to isolate, repair and restore electric service to customers. In the test, Wireless Sensors for Overhead Lines (WSO) from SEL were joined with a fully integrated On-Ramp Ultra-Link Processing (ULP) wireless communications system. The test was conducted with a western utility company within its distribution network, specifically in a roughly 200-square mile area that included mountainous terrain with wireless communications provided with overhead distribution wireless sensors. "The WSO is a distribution automation sensor that stores load and temperature data as it monitors the distribution line for loss of voltage, loss of current and faults," said Daniel F. Clifford, general manager for SEL's Fault Indicator and Sensor Division.
Jesse Berst's take: Many utilities are quietly turning more attention to distribution automation, which can have faster paybacks that AMI (and less customer pushback). This announcement points out that wireless technologies are a viable communications option for distribution automation, which typically requires much more rapid response than smart metering.
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