State Grid Huai'an Develops Intelligent Monitoring Device for Underground Cables

Recently, the intelligent cable monitoring platform of State Grid Huai'an Power Supply Company issued an alarm, indicating that an intelligent ground spike previously deployed had detected abnormal vibrations. The company immediately organized personnel to the site, preventing a potential safety hazard where underground cables could have been damaged by impact drilling.

The current visualization monitoring systems for transmission channels do not cover underground cable areas, and traditional methods like manual inspections are insufficient to prevent external risks to cables. For years, State Grid Huai'an Power Supply has continuously explored mechanisms to prevent external damage to transmission lines, deploying visual monitoring systems for transmission lines to prevent hazards such as crane lifting and excavator operations that could threaten the safety of overhead lines.

Intelligent Ground Spike

In March 2024, State Grid Huai'an Power Supply Company developed an intelligent ground spike capable of real-time monitoring of ground vibrations, along with a corresponding intelligent cable monitoring platform. The intelligent ground spike is equipped with devices such as vibration sensors, locators, and signal transmitters, allowing it to autonomously assess whether there is large-scale construction activity near underground cables based on vibration frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, and to issue timely alarms.

The intelligent ground spike device uses intelligent sensing and wireless communication technologies. It continuously monitors surrounding vibrations through built-in sensors, automatically issuing an alarm if the vibration amplitude exceeds 5%. The alarm information, including the location and name of the ground spike, is then sent to the intelligent cable monitoring platform and the maintenance personnel's corporate WeChat. The maintenance personnel can quickly reach the site using the built-in navigation function.

To avoid affecting road traffic, the research team designed the top of the ground spike to be flat, which does not damage the road surface while still sensitively collecting vibration data.