EWR GmbH operates the electricity grids in and around Remscheid. Like many grid operators, it still employs traditional underground MV cables to connect its medium-voltage substations.
Despite their flawless performance, these cables were once challenging to integrate into smart grid environments. Horstmann's pioneering solution now enables modern short-circuit indicators to be linked to these cables and monitored via LoRaWAN.

Until the 1990s, distribution networks still installed cables with insulation made from paper impregnated with compound or oil. Plastic-insulated cables later became the norm.
Ground and oil-insulated cables have demonstrated their durability in operation and are characterized by long service life. Ground cables, in particular, are still widely employed.

However, the individual phases are not safe to touch and short-circuit indicators with current sensors cannot be fitted. An alternative solution could be to convert the earth connection to plastic cables.
Although this option is both costly and time-consuming.

Horstmann has launched two new innovative solutions on the market:
1️⃣ Special sensor holder CSOR-4 for insulated and unshielded medium voltage cables, which enables current sensors to be mounted on earth cables.
2️⃣ Short-circuit indicator type Sigma F+E 3 L, which uses an integrated LoRaWAN module (Long Range Wide Area Network) to transmit a short-circuit event to the control center via LoRaWAN radio system. The LoRaWAN radio network enables the transmission of relatively small amounts of data over long distances. EWR Remscheid already has its own LoRaWAN radio system in use in which the Sigma R+D L can be integrated.

The advantages at a glance:
✅ Ongoing operations are only interrupted for a very short time
✅ Safe application: type-tested retrofit option
✅ Cost savings: Simple, compact installation without conversion measures
✅ Time saving: quick installation
✅ Flexible application options for all common earth cables
✅ Universally applicable: Suitable for all ComPass and Sigma devices

#Horstmann #Medium voltage #Local network station #EWR #Remscheid #Current sensor #Short-circuit indicator