Monitoring of voltage, current, power factor via Edge devices (IED)

The history of monitoring voltages and currents in grid started in high voltage grids. Those are already 100% equipped with devices connected to a SCADA system. The medium voltage grid is catching up, but still on a level of around 30% coverage and in the low voltage area, the interconnection level is well below 10%.

The needs of the utility companies to get more information from the grid is rising rapidly. This is mostly driven by heavy investments in regenerative decentralized power generation and in rising fluctuating consumptions. A “non-smart” Ring main unit, which runs in overload due to low demands and high PV-generation, will not be recognized immediately. This leads to an overload of the distribution transformer and the grid itself and can even cause a complete breakdown if this overload is too high for a too long time.

A lot of different devices are already on the market and many more are coming up shortly, which have different purposes ranging from simple monitoring of currents and voltages, feeder condition monitoring, fault and earth fault detection and protection functions. All devices have either a digital interface or even a direct communication module to the SCADA system in common.

GWP is offering a big range of sensor-products for each kind of device, perfectly adjusted to the specific purpose of the device. GWP is working towards all devices emerging the market and adapts immediately, which also enabled some special application cases in the low voltage area and in temperature monitoring.