PM7000-FLM Fault Level Monitor

THE OUTRAM FLM PRODUCT TRIALS

The Outram FLM is the first ever commercially available Fault Level Monitor. It uses natural disturbances observed on the network to derive it’s results.

UK trials - ScottishPower Energy Networks

After accurate and encouraging results produced during lab trials, and with the help of funding from OFGEM’s Innovation Funding Incentive (IFI), field trials were carried out with Outram Research’s partners Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN).

These trials were to compare results generated by the FLM with fault currents calculated by analytical modelling, the most accurate solution previously available. The results demonstrate that the Outram FLM can consistently and accurately calculate fault current in real-world applications.

“Recent trials held in conjunction with ScottishPower Energy Networks confirm that the Outram FLM (predicting fault current using natural disturbances from the network) gives consistent results that compare positively with detailed IPSA and DigSILENT models, typically within 3-5% of the modelled fault current. – The Outram FLM results could be more accurate than the models!”

Geoff Murphy, ScottishPower Energy Networks, 2012

US tests - Western Power Distribution (WPD)

Western Power Distribution, Outram research Ltd, S&C Electric Company and Parsons Brinckerhoff are currently working on a Tier 1 Low Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF) project endorsed and partially funded by OFGEM which aims to use the Outram FLM to speed up distributed generation connections through the monitoring of real time fault level values.

Stage 1 of this project, 11kV lab testing, has already been achieved. In July 2012, WPD carried out trials with the Outram FLM and an IntelliRupter ® PulseCloser, (a unique alternative to conventional automatic circuit reclosers) manufactured by S&C Electric Company, at S&C’s Advanced Technology Center in Chicago, USA. (By comparison with conventional reclosers the IntelliRupter significantly reduces the amount of energy the network is exposed to when testing the circuit to see if a fault is still present).

In the lab, non-customer affecting ¼ to ½ cycle current and voltage disturbances, generated during the IntelliRupter’s pulseclosing operations, were used to enable the FLM to predict the fault currents produced by separate, deliberately instigated and independently measured bolted faults produced under identical source conditions. Thus during the trials it was possible to compare the predicted fault level with the actual measured peak current seen in response to the bolted fault. These trials were outstandingly successful, the results showing that the FLM predictions were between 2.5 and 5% of the current measured by lab instrumentation – an error margin felt very hard to improve upon as noise on the network and sensor deficiencies will always produce some degree of uncertainty.

FLM in use FLM and Intelliruptor Chicago test July 2012

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I have used data loggers in the past… Not in the same league as the Outram equipment

Thank you for all your fantastic efforts yesterday.

I have used data loggers in the past but they were not in the same league as the Outram equipment.

Last December when Network Rail asked me to install PQ monitoring I looked at hiring a couple of [competitor] PQ monitors. I had a Network Rail Graduate alongside me and I thought it would be a good learning exercise for him. As I began to understand the railway electrification system I realised [these] were a non-starter, so when the local electricity board ‘turned the screw’ I decided to look deeper.

I discovered Outram and when I read about your collaboration with Scottish Power I immediately realised the Outram equipment was the only one to consider. From what I have seen since yesterday morning I know I was correct in contacting your company.

Bob King, Power Phase Services, UK (Contracting for Network Rail)
Fault Level Monitors to Validate ENWL RESPOND Project Network models

Fault level monitors – Outram fault level monitors have been installed at seven [Electricity North West] Respond [Project] sites. These monitors will validate our network model and the Fault Level Assessment Tool. Electricity North West Ltd RESPOND Project Newsletter, May 2016.

Electricity North West Ltd RESPOND Project Newsletter, May 2016.
It’s shown me just how much time your software is going to save me!

What you showed me this morning and what I’ve been doing this afternoon has shown me just how much time your software is going to save me!

Bob King, Power Phase Services, UK (Contracting for Network Rail)
I have been quite astounded at the detail the Outram Data Logger has captured.

During communications regarding the 3 PM7000TIs that Bob is managing remotely, with new data sent back to him over email every 24 hrs, he told us that he has been finding detail in the recordings he never thought he would see. “I have been quite astounded at the detail the Outram Data Logger has captured.”

Bob King, Power Phase Services, UK
…PM3000 is the best product in my shop

The reason I think your PM3000 is the best product in my shop is the reliability and the software. I use 5 different brands of recorders and this one by far has been the most reliable. The software updates are great, with the 60 day reminders. The layout of the software and every single function make it simple and user friendly unlike most products.

Greg Ellis, Electrical District #3, Arizona USA, 2014
“These [PM7000s] really are pucker units”

Following successful measurements using 2 of our PM7000 Power Quality Hire units…

“We captured some good stuff, these [PM7000s] really are pucker units.”

Shaun Smith, Firstfield Electrical Ltd, March 2021

 

Shaun Smith, Firstfield Electrical Ltd, March 2021
It’s an amazing piece of Kit!

I certainly will be hiring another PM7000 again. It’s an amazing piece of kit!

Stuart Turner, PCAS (Power Control and Automation Solutions) Ltd, Feb 2020
Your kit knocks spots of the bigger manufacturers

Your kit knocks spots of the bigger manufacturers.

Andrew Williams, MD, Smart Electrical Systems, Sept 2018
…calculation of fault level trivial in comparison to the ‘manual’ methods

The Outram equipment (and associated software) makes calculation of fault level trivial in comparison to the ‘manual’ methods.

Rob Weller, Rina Consulting, UK Power Networks Earth Fault Level Project
The Outram PM7000FLM … software made analysis of fault-current straightforward

We found the Outram PM7000FLM useful for capturing data, and its software made analysis of fault-current straightforward. Other methods of data capture can be used, but would require further development to accurately give fault level information; the area where the FLM scores is its ease of use, and also that statistical analysis is applied over the whole test period, rather than at a ‘snapshot’ of one event as our analysis. This makes it less prone to noise and other disturbances on the system.

Rob Weller, Rina Consulting, UK Power Networks Earth Fault Level Project, March 2018
The analyser did everything that we needed. We were also impressed with how quickly it got across the US.

The analyser did everything that we needed. Rob was surprised at how easily it went on.

We were also impressed with how quickly it got across the US. It was there before we even left [the UK] and we didn’t expect that to happen.

It’s a specialised subject and the support we received from Duncan was second to none.

Chris Brookes, Simpson and Wood, UK Feb 2019
Bluetooth functionality with PMScreen and real time monitoring is sensational.

Thank you so much for attending to [my support query], and so quickly! Very impressed with these [PM3000] power analysers and the Bluetooth functionality with PMScreen and real time monitoring is sensational.

Euan Galbally, Operations Project Engineer - Supply Restoration, SSE.
That’s a hell of a piece of Kit!

That’s a hell of a piece of Kit!

Now I’ve seen what it can do I’m going to mention it to another customer here in the UK who I know is having trouble.”

Rob Rose, Simpson and Wood, UK Feb 2019
Outram PM7000FLM proved capable of reliably assessing Fault Level

The Outram PM7000FLM and associated software proved to be capable of reliably assessing / calculating fault level from both repeated low-level steps, as well as one-off larger pulses.

Rob Weller, Rina Consulting, UK Power Networks Earth Fault Level Project, March 2018
….Commendable for its ease of use and portability

The Outram equipment is commendable for its ease of use and portability.

Rob Weller, Rina Consulting, UK Power Networks Earth Fault Level Project
By far the best project partner I have ever worked with!

Thank you for all the help and support you all gave me on the RTFLM project… It was an absolute privilege to work with you all and Outram are by far the best project partner I have ever worked with!

Cameron Scott, Innovation Engineer, UK Power Networks, 2022
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