Safety Enhancements

Detecting and de-energizing downed and broken overhead conductors is a public safety responsibility and a crucial component of wildfire risk mitigation. SEL technologies reduce these risks and hazards in both transmission and distribution systems.

Partner with SEL Engineering Services, Inc. for turnkey broken-conductor and downed-conductor mitigation solutions with comprehensive consulting, commissioning, and field-testing services.

Our innovative falling-conductor solution, developed in partnership with a utility customer, uses synchrophasor data to detect and de-energize broken overhead conductors within one second—less than the time it takes a broken conductor to fall 25 feet. De-energizing the affected line section while the conductor is still falling eliminates the risk of an arcing ground fault or energized circuits on the ground.

Designed for application in wide-area distribution systems, including single-, two-, and three-phase circuits, the system is easy to modify and expand when additional feeders or phasor measurement units (PMUs) are added.

When an energized distribution line contacts the ground, it can be nearly impossible for conventional ground overcurrent protection to detect the high-impedance faults that often result.

Select models of SEL relays and recloser controls feature the additional security of advanced Arc-Sense Technology (AST), which can detect electrical arcing and high-impedance faults.

The broken conductor detection function in the SEL-411L Advanced Line Differential Protection, Automation, and Control System detects conductor breaks in transmission or subtransmission overhead lines.

Advanced logic in the SEL-411L allows the relay to identify a broken conductor, trip the line before it hits the ground, adaptively block reclosing onto a permanent fault, and estimate the location of the break.

In addition to broken-conductor detection, SEL relays identify potential cable failures—helping to extend asset life, minimize unexpected downtime, and reduce the likelihood of overhead conductors falling to ground.

SEL offers modernization solutions and services for any part of the grid, scaled to your needs. We design electric power systems, coordinate procurement and construction, manufacture the relays, build the panels, and install and commission the protection and control systems.

Partner with us on individual projects or multi-year modernization programs.

• Simplicity at Every Stage—Streamline your grid modernization program with a single PO. We offer a single-vendor solution for the entire process—from design and permitting through building, installation, and commissioning. This simplifies budgeting, project management, and timelines, ensuring on-time delivery.
• Advanced Technology—SEL solutions offer the fastest protection available. They also improve systemwide visibility and control through cybersecure remote engineering access, automated event collection, and precise fault location, among other benefits.
• Access to Experts and Product Support—Engineering support is available to you before, during, and after a project. After commissioning, you receive 24/7 support from SEL application engineers. Technical support is available for the lifetime of every SEL device at no cost.
• Reduced Total Cost of Ownership—Our simplified project management approach, advanced technology, and expert support lower your O&M costs in the short term and for the entire life of your modernized system.

We believe you should never have to worry about whether your protection and control systems will be working when you need them most. That’s why you always have access to SEL engineers—and every device we manufacture comes with a ten-year warranty and free technical support.