Revolutionary Monitoring System for Switchgears Enabling Smart Grid Implementation Worldwide

The new wireless battery-less temperature monitoring system for electric equipment sold by SENSeOR has been granted a worldwide license-free use in medium-voltage air-insulated switchgears enabling a wide deployment of this wireless solution in any substation or plant over the World, for dynamic load management, preventive and only when required maintenance and life-cycle cost optimization.

Valbonne - Sophia Antipolis, France – September 10th 2015 – Achieve on existing electrical grid the flexibility required to integrate optimally renewable distributed intermittent energies is a crucial challenge for TSOs and DSOs over the World when copping with “how to build a Smart Grid”. Dynamic load management is one of the solutions, achievable on existing equipment by “pushing their limits” while closely supervising it, to ensure reliable and safe operation. Temperature is a key indicator to monitor, as a temperature increase can be a sign of overload, faulty operation or potential failure.

The wireless passive sensors from SENSeOR enable to monitor the temperature of the most critical components at the very heart of the equipment, where other systems are not applicable. Up to 15 points can be monitored in a switchgear with SENSeOR’s systems: the circuit breakers arms, the cable connections, the busbars connections.

The sensors feature an optimized form-factor for safe operation inside switchgears up to 545 kV and 5000 A. Their patented design makes them the most robust and accurate wireless passive SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) sensors on the market.

Connected to a Modbus-RTU network, the system provides real-time data, 24/7, in the control room through customer gateway or HMI.
SENSeOR’s Energy S1 solutions also feature innovative, patented interrogation methods and transceiver hardware enabling multiple sensors interrogation with robust, reliable, self-tested, self-healing wireless communication in the metallic cavity of the switchgear cabinet, while guaranteeing the license-free use with very low levels of RF-emission.

Indeed, the new systems Energy S1 for medium-voltage air-insulated switchgears are the first and only worldwide certified systems, enabling their implementation very easily in any substation. The modular fastening system for the wireless sensors, the user-friendly commissioning interface and the automatic sensor detection shorten the installation time and minimize cost, even in retrofit.

OEMs, solution providers, integrators and panel builders can get an OEM version of the system to implement it into their own solutions and equipment.
In addition to load management, the real-time data and trend analysis in post-processing facilitate reliable decision-making for proactive asset management and maintenance planning, shortening downtime, avoiding outages, and extending equipment life-cycle while exploiting it optimally.

Thanks to the SAW technology scalability and versatility, additional functionalities are opened (humidity, ambient temperature, partial discharge) and these systems are also compatible with transformer monitoring, Gas Insulated Switchgears monitoring, and real-time temperature monitoring of all other equipment over the Smart Grid.

Product information:

• System Energy S1 Circuit Breaker: 6 sensors – Ambient temperature in option
• System Energy S1 Switchgear: 12 sensors – Ambient temperature in option
• System Energy S1 Multi-cubicles: 3 sets of 6 sensors for 3 adjacent cubicles monitored with a single transceiver – Ambient temperature in each cubicle in option
• Compliance with IEC 62271 (ANSI C37-20 pending)
• Interrogation distance compatible with typical dimensions of primary and secondary AIS cubicles (ex.: 800x1550x2300 mm)
• Accuracy: ± 2°C
• Communication protocol: Modbus-RTU over RS485 through RJ45
• System options: Local/remote programmable alerts, Connector for additional sensors (Humidity, Partial Discharge), analog output

• Sensors (TSA EV01 or TSA EV11 – 15 compatible references available):
• Temperature range: -25°C, 150°C
• Diameter: 34 mm – Height:  21 mm – Weight: 44 g
• Modular Velcro strip fixation or M5 screw in sensor basis

• Transceiver HTR01 for switchgear monitoring:
• Supply voltage: 24V DC in the cabinet
• Consumption: 100 mA
• Frequency Band: [430 MHz – 450 MHz]
• Dimensions: 116x110x22 mm
• Rail DIN mounting in low-voltage compartment

Please refer to product datasheets for more details.

About SENSeOR

SENSeOR exploits Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) to conceive unique-patented wireless passive sensors for temperature, pressure, strain and torque measurements. With infinite autonomy and no maintenance required, these sensors perform advanced condition monitoring in Automation, Energy, Transportation – even in motion or rotation – like inside engines, in switchgears, in tunnel ovens or on moving belts.
Created in 2006, SENSeOR is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis (France) with offices in Besançon (France), and employs 20 people. SENSeOR is part of WIKA Group since 2012.

Its expert engineer team provides field engineering services and customized developments in addition to its standard sensor portfolio, to help its customers solve their measurement challenges.

Further information and documentation: www.senseor.com or contact@senseor.com