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Reducing Earth Fault Outages with Fast, Accurate Detection

Company	Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta
Location	Finland
Timeline	2023-2024
Project Overview	Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta deployed Safegrid’s Intelligent Grid System® to improve fault detection speed and reduce outage durations. Following a successful pilot installation, the cooperative expanded the solution across its network. The system proved critical during multiple simultaneous earth faults, enabling rapid response and significantly minimizing downtime.
Products	Safegrid Intelligent Grid System®

earth faults This is a Safegrid Case Study.

Background

Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta sought to enhance reliability across its distribution network by reducing outage times and improving fault detection accuracy. Traditional methods often required time-consuming inspections, leading to longer service interruptions.

In 2023, the utility began deploying Safegrid sensors across its network to gain real-time visibility and precise fault location capabilities. Early results demonstrated clear value, prompting expansion across additional areas the same year.

Challenge

The utility faced several operational challenges:

Slow fault detection leading to extended outage durations
Difficulty locating faults accurately in distributed network areas
High reliance on manual inspection and patrols
Increased risk from weather-related incidents, such as fallen trees
Potential for larger-scale hazards, including wildfire risks

These challenges made it essential to adopt a faster, more precise detection solution.

Solution

Safegrid’s Intelligent Grid System® was implemented across the network, providing real-time fault detection and precise localization.

Key capabilities:

Fault location accuracy within approximately 50 meters
Continuous monitoring and real-time alerts
Rapid identification of multiple simultaneous faults

Critical incident:

In October 2024, three separate earth faults occurred within two hours. Safegrid:

Precisely identified each fault location
Enabled immediate dispatch of field crews
Supported targeted intervention for faster restoration

The faults were caused by fallen trees, which were quickly cleared.

Benefits

The Safegrid solution delivered significant advantages:

Faster fault detection and response times
Reduced need for trial-and-error inspections
Improved operational efficiency and resource allocation
Enhanced ability to manage multiple fault events simultaneously
Increased grid safety and risk prevention

Results

With Safegrid’s Intelligent Grid System®, Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta achieved:

Precise fault location within 50 meters
Rapid response to three faults within two hours
Significant reduction in outage duration
Time and cost savings from efficient operations
Reduced risk of larger incidents, such as wildfires

“These sensors are the best advancement in our network in a long time—what a great solution you have developed!”
— Marko Taivainen, Operations Manager, Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta

Conclusion

By adopting Safegrid’s Intelligent Grid System®, Jylhän Sähköosuuskunta transformed its fault detection capabilities and significantly improved outage response times. The ability to detect and locate faults with high precision (especially during multiple simultaneous events) has strengthened both operational efficiency and grid reliability.

This case highlights how advanced monitoring technology not only reduces downtime and costs but also helps prevent larger-scale incidents, ensuring safer and more resilient power distribution.