In vast rural or remote areas, often across significant distances, power is usually supplied by overhead distribution lines. These powerlines are uninterrupted long cables held by numerous poles scattered in lowlands, as far as the eye can see.

The ABB WiAutoLink is a medium-voltage electronic sectionalizer that sits high atop these power poles, nestled in among the various electrical equipment that are critical to keeping the power flowing, like an isolator and once in a while a transformer.

Overhead distribution lines are more likely than underground lines to experience momentary loss of network connectivity, known as transient faults. As a matter of fact, about 80 percent of these faults are caused either by contact with animals or the lines touching each other in windy conditions or by lightning strikes. All these external factors adversely affect the electrical networks’ reliability, causing interruptions and blackouts.

About the size of a baseball bat, ABB’s WiAutoLink is able to sectionalize a fault section of the line, isolating the defective part with spark-free operation. Being able to operate spark-free is crucial in helping prevent wildfire in dry areas. With its wireless function the sectionalizer provides feedback to the customer with events recordings.

The WiAutoLink can also detect fault currents and prevent unwanted trips in power supply due to transient inrush currents, thus continually protecting hundreds of kilometers of distribution lines in hardly reachable areas.

Key facts:

Improves grid reliability up to 80%
Prevents wildfires in dry areas
Prevents temporary faults from causing power outages

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Did you know…

... that ABB improves grid reliability in the most remote and rugged areas?

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