SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On-Ramp Wireless and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) announced the completion of a successful field test with a Western Utility Company within their distribution network. The extensive field test successfully demonstrated the ability to connect wireless sensors throughout the distribution grid, significantly reducing time to isolate, repair, and restore service to consumers.
Wireless Sensors for Overhead Lines (WSO) from SEL, were combined with a fully integrated On-Ramp Ultra-Link Processing (ULP) wireless communication system. Real-time fault indication and condition data, including average hourly load and momentary event counters at varying intervals, were monitored by the sensor and reported by the integrated radio. This enabled a comprehensive view of the distribution grid performance, results of which can be used not only for rapid and precise fault location, but also for predictive maintenance, grid automation, long-term grid efficiency and capital planning.
The field test spanned an approximately 200 sq. mile territory that included mountainous terrain and provided wireless communication with overhead distribution wireless sensors. The field test, conducted on the utility's operational distribution grid, demonstrated a 100% status and event report delivery rate during the entire duration of the study in a 24x7 real world high interference environment.
"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," according to Daniel F. Clifford, General Manager of the SEL Fault Indicator and Sensor Division. "This sensor transmits reports, in this case in conjunction with On-Ramp's ULP system, helping utility personnel locate faults more quickly and easily."
All status and event data generated by the wireless sensor were reliably delivered by On-Ramp's ULP communication system during the course of the field test, in which messages were communicated every eight hours during normal operation and real time on fault or alarm condition. The information was readily available via a secure Web Services Application, enabling to view fault status and threshold, average load, and temperature trends for the reporting period, giving the utility the insight needed to quickly respond to faults and make decisions and plans for future changing grid conditions.
During the test, the ULP Access Points successfully communicated with battery-operated wireless sensors, located 3-8 miles from the Access Point.
"The completion of this field test, with a leading utility in the Smart Grid area, and in a challenging terrain with mountains and valleys, and in a high interference environment, showcases our coverage and networking system costs advantages and reliability," said Joaquin Silva, president and CEO of On-Ramp. "With a trusted partner and industry leader like SEL, we have the tools to bring a new level of automation to the distribution grid, providing long-term benefits for utilities across the country and beyond."
About On-Ramp Wireless
On-Ramp Wireless has developed the first wireless system purpose-built to efficiently connect billions of hard-to-reach devices in metro scale and other challenging environments. On-Ramp's field-proven Ultra-Link Processing system enables low-power monitoring and control applications within Smart Grid, industrial sensing, and location tracking. Operating in un-licensed spectrum, our signal processing innovation finds weak signals even in high noise environments, yielding extreme coverage, immunity to high interference, and significantly lowers cost.
About Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
SEL serves the power industry worldwide through the design, manufacture, supply and support of products and services for power system protection, monitoring, control, automation, and metering. SEL offers unmatched local technical support, a worldwide, ten-year product warranty, and a commitment to making electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.