How can utilities get better visibility of their low voltage networks?
Smart meters provide useful customer level data and broad visibility across the network. However, network engineers may still need direct measurements from distribution transformers, pillars and individual LV feeders to understand what is actually happening at the network asset.
The CHK Power Quality TxM logger series, together with AsMoSys software, can provide this additional level of monitoring. TxM can be configured to measure 3 phase voltage and multiple feeder currents. This allows utilities to monitor transformer utilisation, individual feeder loading, phase imbalance, neutral current risk and voltage conditions at selected locations.
The system can support utilities with
- Monitoring distribution transformer loading and available capacity
- Identifying overloaded transformers and feeders
- Understanding how load is distributed between individual LV feeders
- Detecting phase imbalance and supporting phase balancing work
- Investigating voltage rise caused by rooftop solar generation
- Monitoring voltage drop during EV charging and peak demand periods
- Identifying abnormal voltage conditions and possible neutral issues
- Investigating intermittent disturbances and customer voltage complaints
- Monitoring harmonics and power quality parameters where supported by the selected TxM configuration
- Validating network models and conclusions derived from smart meter analytics
- Comparing network performance before and after transformer upgrades, feeder augmentation or phase balancing
- Carrying out temporary monitoring where smart meter coverage, access or data quality is insufficient
AsMoSys brings the information from multiple TxM monitoring locations into one central platform. Utility teams can review trends, alarms, transformer loading, feeder loading, phase conditions and historical performance without having to visit each site to collect data.
This can help engineers answer practical network questions.
- Where is the problem occurring?
- Is it affecting the entire transformer or only one feeder?
- Is one phase carrying significantly more load?
- Is the voltage condition linked to solar export, EV charging or peak demand?
- How often is the condition occurring and how long does it continue?
- Is the problem becoming more serious over time?
- Did the completed network work actually resolve the issue?
TxM and AsMoSys are not intended to replace smart meters or smart meter analytics. They provide a separate utility controlled measurement layer at important LV network assets.
Smart meter analytics can indicate where a network issue may be developing. TxM provides direct measurements at the transformer or feeder to help engineers validate the condition, investigate the cause and decide what action may be required. This gives utilities better awareness of actual network performance and supports more informed decisions for network planning, asset management, customer complaint investigations and future load connections.
Better measurements. Better network visibility. Better engineering decisions.
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