More than 90% of US power outages start on the distribution grid, which is closest to homes that utilities can't always see in real time. However, a company called Sense is trying to change this by pushing fault detection directly into smart meters.
Sense has rolled out a new software-based Fault Detection Solution that runs on next-generation meters, giving utilities real-time visibility into problems on distribution, service, and secondary lines feeding individual homes. This technology uses Waveform AI to analyze electrical signals at the meter in real time, allowing utilities to detect arcing, downed lines, and early signs of equipment failure as they occur.
The idea is to get faster fault detection without the cost and complexity of pole-mounted sensors or radio-based localization systems. For utilities, this could mean quicker fault localization, fewer truck rolls, shorter outages, and better data on which assets actually need replacement.
Early detection of arcing events could also improve safety for lineworkers, since those faults can be deadly when encountered in the field. Sense says the technology has already shown results in utility pilot projects, where it identified early-stage faults tied to vegetation growth and revealed infrastructure issues that had previously gone unnoticed.
0 smart meters and runs directly on devices that utilities are already deploying. This approach could help utilities improve their grid resilience and reduce the impact of power outages on customers.