State Grid Xuzhou launches advanced fire warning system for cable-dense areas

On Jan 15, the Ultra-Early Fire Warning System for Cable-Dense Areas successfully transmitted a fire alarm signal from the 220 kV Yanji Substation to the monitoring center. This marked the completion of the system's deployment at 10 substations by the Substation Operation and Maintenance Center of State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company..

The system is covers 35 kV and lower high-voltage, control and power cables, including interlayers and vertical shafts with dense cable layouts. It allows personnel to identify potential fire hazards at an extremely early stage.

The system uses active cloud-chamber detection technology, which is able to capture nano-scale thermally released from local discharge or smoldering heat-generation stage of combustible materials such as cables. By analyzing the concentration of thermally released ions in air samples collected through air-sampling pipes, the system provides high-sensitivity detection and pre-combustion warning capabilities.

According to environmental conditions and operational requirements, the system supports the configuration of five graded alarm thresholds—alert, early warning, patrol warning, Fire Alarm Level 1, and Fire Alarm Level 2—to maximize the elimination of hidden risks within protected areas. It also features strong anti-interference and false-alarm prevention, accurately monitoring thermally released ions and without false alarms caused by interfering particles such as dust or haze.

Currently, 11 technical renovation projects for 220 kV substations, including the Shaochang Substation, have been approved by State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company. Upon implementation, these projects will further upgrade fire monitoring methods in cable-dense areas and enhance e fire safety management and control level of substations.