MM3 Overhead Line Sensor
Increase Visibility of Overhead Feeders
Sentient Energy’s MM3 is an intelligent overhead line sensor used for fault detection, load monitoring and fault waveform capture. The MM3 is line-powered and communicates to a head-end system using cellular or mesh technologies.
The MM3 is a foundational element of Sentient Energy’s Grid Analytics System™ which consists of the MM3, MM3ai and ZM1 overhead sensors, UM3+ and UM1 underground sensors, and the Ample® Analytics Platform. The solution provides utilities with increased distribution system visibility to improve reliability and enable data-driven operational decision making.
MM3 Overhead Line Sensor Features
Powerful Sensing
Sensing and measurement capabilities for the MM3 include current, conductor temperature, voltage characteristics, GPS for location, a precision clock, and high-resolution waveform capture.
Advanced Network Communications
The MM3 supports cellular or mesh communications and is wirelessly configurable, allowing parameters to be easily adjusted as needed. Its software can also be securely upgraded over-the-air to streamline sensor management.
Line Powering
Sentient Energy’s patented power harvesting technology, IBOLT™, generates all the power the MM3 needs from the magnetic field surrounding a conductor carrying 7-10A. This power harvesting eliminates the need for maintenance of batteries and cleaning of sensor solar panels.
Grid Analytics System Applications
Fault Detection & Location
The MM3 overhead line sensor uses advanced fault detection algorithms to sense system faults on overhead lines in real-time, communicating fault information immediately to the utility control center for integration with SCADA, DMS or OMS systems.
With more precise fault location information, operators can dispatch crews to the correct location, significantly reducing patrol time and outage duration.
Waveform Capture
Equipped with high resolution waveform capability at a rate of 130 samples per cycle, the MM3 overhead line sensor captures and records waveforms of faults and line disturbances.
Complete current and E-field waveform data is stored locally on the MM3 and automatically downloads to Ample analytics software.
Utilities use waveforms to improve event analysis and determine sequence of events.
Load Monitoring
The MM3 continually measures current for load monitoring purposes. Collected data is processed on the device and critical information such as alerts, daily peaks, and averages are reported to Ample analytics software. Load data can also be integrated with an ADMS to improve accuracy of load flow models.
In addition to accurate load current levels the MM3 line sensor also senses current direction, which is increasingly important with distributed energy resources.
