Siemens Fusesaver and RCU fault protection

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Fusesaver from Siemens is a fault-protection device designed for rural networks. An estimated 80% of faults occur as a result of objects, such as trees, debris and animals, coming into contact with overhead lines. Its developers claim the device will greatly reduce the duration of outages from such transient fault events.

The device will change the way utilities manage the reliability of rural overhead medium-voltage lines. The unit is a compact, cost-effective and intelligent fault-protection device. It protects the energy network by disconnecting and then reconnecting the flow of electricity when temporary contacts are made, without blowing the line fuses.To further meet the demands of Australia's vast electricity network, the remote-control unit (RCU) enables utilities to respond to faults remotely via a SCADA network when used with Fusesaver.

The RCU is mounted on the same pole as the Fusesaver and communicates via a short-range radio. It collects switchgear status and event-log information and stores these in an internal database for relay back to the utility control centre, via the SCADA system.

A DNP3 via serial link protocol has been implemented to support the RCU's communication with the utilities' long-haul radio or modem. This enables utilities to quickly issue commands to all Fusesavers such as trip or close control.

Wireless connectivity between the RCU and Fusesaver reduces installation time and cost and low power consumption allows for solar power supply.

The RCU features a local/remote toggle switch, various power supply options including 115/230 VAC mains and a 12 V supply for solar power or other DC sources, a rechargeable battery for back-up power, an IP54-rated enclosure to shelter the control electronics, configurable settings for the RCU, DNP3 and radio or modem interface and an LED display for troubleshooting.