Sensor-based system pinpoints faults and weak points in power cables to reduce service disruption and optimize maintenance.
SINGAPORE - 6 October 2017 - DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, and SBS Transit Limited have announced that DNV GL’s Smart Cable Guard (SCG) monitoring system will be helping to minimize cable-related service disruptions in Singapore’s commuter rail network. Following a successful six-month pilot, DNV GL is installing its latest SCG 2.0 solution – supported with monitoring and data analysis services – on the 22-kV distribution network for SBS Transit’s North East Line (NEL), Sengkang and Punggol Light Rail Transits (SP-LRT) connections. The system will help reduce the number and duration of power outages, and hence service disruptions, by precisely pinpointing faults and weak points in power cables.
SBS Transit is one of two major public transport operators in Singapore. Stretching 20 km and serving 16 stations, its NEL was the world’s first fully automated and driverless high-capacity rapid transit line. The two other lines to be monitored with SCG 2.0 connect the residents in the suburbs around Sengkang and Punggol with the NEL, via a combined total of 21 km of track and 29 stations.
“Keeping our passengers happy and moving is our primary goal. So we need to guard against any electrical failures that could disrupt our services and inconvenience our passengers,” said Mr Dennis Tan, Assistant Vice President, Power & OCS at SBS Transit. “To provide the most reliable service possible, we wanted a system to minimize repair time by quickly and accurately locating potential and actual failures. A six-month trial with DNV GL showed that their Smart Cable Guard perfectly matches our needs. It is the only system that can cover our entire cable network, and visualize the most probable failure spot along the cable. Overall, Smart Cable Guard will help us deliver the optimum travelling experience for our commuters, with minimal or no disruption to rail services.”
DNV GL’s Smart Cable Guard provides online monitoring of medium-voltage power cables. A proven solution for safeguarding underground cable networks, SCG locates cable weak points and faults to an accuracy of 1% of the cable circuit. It enables operators to respond quickly to faults and eliminate weak spots before they fail, helping minimize the frequency and duration of outages.
“As the world becomes ever-more digital, data is increasingly important in helping companies optimize their operations and services. Smart Cable Guard is part of a wide array of tools and services that DNV GL offers to help our customers collect, manage and analyse the data they need to make fast and informed decisions. The pilot project and resulting contract with SBS Transit highlight how data-driven solutions like Smart Cable Guard help our customers offer better service to their customers,” said Mr Mathias Steck, Executive Vice President Asia Pacific at DNV GL - Energy.
“As a Singaporean, the opportunity to work with SBS Transit and aid Singapore’s drive to enhance the public transport infrastructure by improving rail reliability and integrity is very rewarding and meaningful,” adds Mr Desmond Ng, Senior Consultant at DNV GL in Singapore. “The success of this project is further proof that customers understand the value of our Smart Cable Guard solution.”
Working together with SBS Transit’s rail engineers and contractors, DNV GL will supply, install, test and commission the SCG 2.0 in the three-rail metro and transit lines. It will also provide annual monitoring services to SBS Transit on their distribution network.
About DNV GL
DNV GL is a global quality assurance and risk management company. Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, we enable our customers to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, our professionals are dedicated to helping customers in the maritime, oil & gas, power and renewables and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener.
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