The State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company successfully carried out the live installation of a dual-ultrasonic partial discharge (PD) fault locator in Chengnan subdistrict in Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province, signifying the first time such a device has been applied under live conditions in the city.

The operation was completed without any disruption to residential electricity supply, representing a solid step forward in the company’s efforts to advance smart distribution networks and enhance power reliability.

As electricity demand continues to grow, both the scale and voltage of power equipment are increasing. Prolonged high-load operation of electrical equipment often leads to partial discharge, which if left unchecked, can cause equipment faults, posing risks to the stability of distribution networks.

To address this challenge, the company introduced the dual-ultrasonic PD fault locator, which offers high detection sensitivity, strong anti-interference performance, precise fault source positioning and 24-hour real-time monitoring. The device enables efficient PD data collection, detection, localization and imaging. By leveraging an AI-based PD phase spectrum classification model for short-frequency trend monitoring, it can rapidly identify genuine PD anomalies.

Combined with intelligent edge-side recognition algorithms of digital node devices, the system replaces multiple manual re-tests, enabling early detection, accurate localization and timely elimination of hidden risks — strengthening the foundation for secure and reliable power supply.

"Compared to traditional handheld PD detectors, the dual-ultrasonic device delivers higher sensitivity and greater accuracy in detecting signal changes," said Zhang Li, a staff member on site.

"Its precision algorithms break down data silos, enabling automatic identification of abnormal equipment conditions. This significantly reduces inspection time and enhances fault diagnosis for maintenance teams."

The successful deployment of the device not only provides a valuable reference for the intelligent and digital development of distribution networks but also lays the groundwork for further technological applications.

The State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company plans to expand the use of this technology, accelerating the shift toward proactive defense in distribution network maintenance and supporting the efficient operation of power grid equipment.