While insulated overhead lines require smaller protection zones, the detection of fallen branches or trees onto these conductors is more complex, increasing the risk of degradation or breakage of the conductor and, in turn, of electric shock. To address this issue, CEZ Distribuce developed the Indication of Partial Discharges (iPD) project. From the evaluation of voltage waveforms and partial discharge signals recorded by sensors, a PeakClassifier application determines the probability of fault and allows distinguishing disruptive signals from real branch contacts or conductor breaks.
Following the successful operation of 20 fault detectors by CEZ Distribuce, other DSOs in the Czech Republic have deployed an additional 30 iPD units. A lighter, low-power version of the fault detector that relies on nearby iPD units is currently being investigated.
