Introduction: Smart Dust is a self-configuring wireless sensor network, capable of transmitting low bandwidth information in a series of short hops. Data acquired and transmitted from sensors is relayed through a gateway for data interpretation. SPEN led a feasibility study into the use of motes for detecting the passage of fault currents on 11kV overhead line networks.

Following on from this work, a collaborative project has been scoped between EDF Energy, Central Networks and SPEN to develop higher power motes, overcoming some of the inherent problems associated with low powered units.

Objectives: The feasibility of the use of higher power motes as a medium for fault passage indication is being investigated in this project, the aim being to increase the efficiency of fault finding on the 11kV overhead network, ultimately reducing customer minutes lost penalties.