Zhejiang: Digital sensing technologies turbo-charge autumn maintenance

State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power has deployed a new generation of ultra-high-frequency (UHF) and ultrasonic partial-discharge (PD) sensors to perform on-line PD tests on ring-main units and other key assets along cable trunks. Hidden defects are exposed and eliminated in a timely manner, guaranteeing sound performance under contingency operating patterns.

Built on advanced wireless sensing and signal-analytics engines, the device captures in real time the ultra-low-level electromagnetic, acoustic and mechanical signatures generated by partial discharge, vibration or gas leakage. Imperceptible incipient faults are translated into waveforms, spectrograms and audible cues, allowing technicians to spot early-stage PD months before it becomes critical. Fault-locating time is compressed, unplanned outages are reduced, and the grid's self-awareness and O&M responsiveness are elevated — injecting a digital "nitro boost" into this year's autumn inspection programme.

In the next phase, State Grid Zhejiang will institutionalize a closed-loop management mechanism that includes real-time monitoring, intelligent diagnosis, alert pushing, and maintenance feedback. The company will scale up the daily deployment of digital sensing technologies and further leverage science and technology to enhance power-supply reliability.