Substation Earth Integrity Monitoring System

Mar 2013

Electricity Distribution

Reference: IFI 1209

Status: Live

Start Date: Mar 2013

End Date: Unknown

Funding Licencee(s): SP Energy Networks

Contact: SP Energy Networks Innovation

Funding Mechanism Innovation Funding Incentive

Research Area: None

Core Technology(ies): High Voltage Technology

Estimated Expenditure: £189,347.00

Introduction: The project will explore three separate work streams:

Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology using RFID tags bonded to earth straps that are monitored (pinged) by a monitoring unit on site to detect their presence
To prove the concept of using Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) as used in radio/antenna optimisation to provide detection of real time earth tamper activity
Develop the Cresatech Copper Theft Sensor (CuTS) prototype unit for application at SPEN substations.

Objectives: This aim of this project is to develop a system for monitoring the removal / theft of earth straps from Transmission and Distribution substations or other installations.