Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL) has implemented GPS mapping technology to map its underground cables along with RFID (Radio-frequency Identification Detector) marker installation on cable splices for speedier fault location and resolution. Tata Power-DDL is the first utility in the country to implement the above technologies, the power utility said in a statement.
Tata Power-DDL has currently carried out mapping of around 1,200 cable routes and installation of 1,000 RFID markers in the first phase and is planning to expand it to the entire remaining cable routes in a phased manner.
Tata Power-DDL with predominant urban geography has a vast underground network, to the tune of 3,100 ckm of 66kV, 33kV and 11kV underground cables, serving some a population of approximately 7 million in north and north-west Delhi, with a command area of around 510 sqkm.
Since the implementation of the technology, Tata Power-DDL has reduced the effective time to locate the cable fault from average 90 minutes to an average of 45 minutes.
The technology is aimed to identify the route of underground power cable network at any desired location as well as to fetch the details of any joints through RFID detectors over and above the ground level. It will help to provide speedier resolutions in case any fault develops in the underground cables.
How it works
GPS mapping technology works by collecting location data tags of the routes and mapping it with the accurate location received from satellites. The data is further incorporated with existing Geographical Information System (GIS) network of TATA Power-DDL. The company is tagging its cable routes via the technology to create an accurate mapping of the cable routes along with the RFID markers on joints not only for faster restoration in case of cable faults but also for fetching pre-fed details from the splices (details in terms of depth of joint, make of joint, date of installation etc). Any fault in underground cable and the route of the cable can then be easily traced using the fault locator and RFID detectors.
“I am sure, the GPS mapping technology in along with RFID marker installation on splices will not only ensure to trace accurate cable route and its fault location but will also help in speedier resolution to any issues related to underground power cables to improve upon reliability,” says Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power-DDL.
Since the implementation of the technology, Tata Power-DDL has reduced the effective time to locate the cable fault from average 90 minutes to an average of 45 minutes.
Tata Power-DDL is also coming up with some more innovative product, process & technology in near future to ensure complete remedial action against some other vital issues like external damages of cables which results in untimely and unwanted interruption at times, the release added.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd is a joint venture between Tata Power (equity stake: 51 per cent) and the Government of NCT of Delhi (49 per cent) and has taken over a distribution licensee in its command area from the erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB).
Featured photograph shows a Tata Power-DDL site engineer using the fault locator in an underground cable
