As the demand for reliable electricity continues to grow, substations are under increasing pressure to operate flawlessly. One of the most critical components in this infrastructure is Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), while compact and efficient, it presents unique challenges when it comes to fault detection and maintenance. That’s where Qualitrol’s latest innovation—Arc Detection and Localization—comes into play.
Consider a substation with a 110 kV GIS. Traditionally, this substation would have no monitoring system capable of locating flashovers or “Arcs”. However, with Qualitrol’s latest development for their Gen3 PDM System, this substation can monitor for PDM and Arcs in the same UHF PDM System with just a software upgrade. This can be accomplished with the existing UHF PD sensors, which in this case is approximately 35. In contrast an optical arc detection system, which relies on line of sight—would require over 100 sensors. These sensors are not only numerous, but also expensive in terms of cabling, installation, and maintenance, while introducing the potential for multiple new leak paths into the GIS.
No additional hardware. No new wiring. Just smarter technology.
The utilization of existing PD sensors not only slashes installation and maintenance costs but also simplifies system architecture, making it easier to scale and manage.
In the event of a flashover, without an arc detection system, traditional methods require manual inspection or rely on less precise detection methods. With Qualitrol’s Arc Detection, the system automatically identifies and locates the arc to a specific gas compartment. This allows operators to:
The PDMG-RH Gen3 doesn’t just detect arcs—it integrates Partial Discharge Monitoring, Gas Density Monitoring, and Arc Detection into a single platform. This unified approach enables:
Arc Detection and Localization are more than just features—they’re a leap forward in substation intelligence. By leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing hardware dependency, Qualitrol’s solution delivers unmatched efficiency, safety, and cost savings.
For substations looking to modernize without overhauling their monitoring infrastructure, this upgrade is a game-changer.