Sensing apparatus, system and method for reducing electromagnetic interference in electric utility grid monitoring system

A method for reducing electromagnetic interference in a sensing apparatus installed on an electrical pole of an electric utility grid, the method comprising:

• identifying at least one magnetic noise source located within a housing of the sensing apparatus or outside the housing of the sensing apparatus;
• determining a direction of minimum magnetic field sensitivity of each magnetic field sensor device within the housing;
• orienting the at least one magnetic field sensor device relative to the at least one magnetic noise source such that a direction of minimum magnetic field sensitivity of the at least one magnetic field sensor device is aligned toward the at least one magnetic noise source;
• and
• sensing magnetic fields generated by electrical overhead lines while reducing electromagnetic interference from the magnetic noise source.

A method for installing a sensing apparatus in an electric utility grid, comprising:

• arranging at least one magnetic field sensor device, at least one magnetic noise source including at least one internal magnetic noise source or at least one external magnetic noise source, and at least one processor of the sensing apparatus in a housing when the housing is arranged on an electrical pole;
• obtaining information regarding a configuration of electrical overhead lines with respect to the electrical pole;
• and
• arranging the sensing apparatus based on the configuration of the electrical overhead lines, such that:
• the sensing apparatus is arranged horizontally with respect to the electrical pole, when the configuration of the electrical overhead lines with respect to the electrical pole is a vertical configuration;
• the sensing apparatus is arranged vertically with respect to the electrical pole, when the configuration of the electrical overhead lines with respect to the electrical pole is a horizontal configuration;
• the sensing apparatus is arranged to be suspended from one or more of the electrical overhead lines;
• or
• the sensing apparatus is arranged to be suspended from one or more of the electrical overhead lines, such that the sensing apparatus is powered by the electrical overhead lines.

A system for reducing electromagnetic interference in a sensing apparatus installed on an electrical pole of an electric utility grid and for monitoring and managing events and faults in an electric utility grid, the system comprising:

• at least one sensing apparatus comprising:
• at least one magnetic field sensor device that, in operation, senses magnetic field in close proximity to electrical overhead lines of an electric utility grid to generate a first sensor data, wherein at least a portion of the sensing apparatus is arranged on an electrical pole of the electric utility grid;
• at least one magnetic noise source including at least one internal magnetic noise source arranged within a housing of the sensing apparatus or at least one external magnetic noise source located outside the housing;
• at least one processor communicably coupled to the at least one magnetic field sensor device;
• wherein the at least one magnetic field sensor device is oriented relative to the at least one magnetic noise source such that a direction of minimum magnetic field sensitivity of the at least one magnetic field sensor device is aligned toward the at least one magnetic noise source;
• and
• wherein the at least one processor in operation:
• identifies the at least one magnetic noise source of the sensing apparatus to determine a direction of minimum magnetic field sensitivity of at least one magnetic field sensor for orienting the magnetic field sensor such that the direction of minimum magnetic field sensitivity is aligned toward the magnetic noise source;
• pre-processes the first sensor data to generate measurement data, the measurement data comprising values of magnetic field produced by electrical currents flowing through the electrical overhead lines;
• utilizes the measurement data and the first sensor data to reproduce overhead line phase currents, to detect, classify and locate an event or a fault that has occurred in the electric utility grid;
• and/or
• predicts when and where an event or a fault is likely to occur in the electric utility grid;
• and
• alerts a network operator of the detected or predicted event or fault and its location.

A method for monitoring and managing events and faults in an electric utility grid, the method comprising:

• sensing, using at least one magnetic field sensor device of a sensing apparatus, a magnetic field in close proximity to electrical overhead lines of the electric utility grid for generating a first sensor data, wherein the sensing apparatus being at least partially arranged on an electrical pole;
• processing, by at least one processor of the sensing apparatus, the first sensor data to generate measurement data, the measurement data comprising values of magnetic field produced by electrical currents flowing through the electrical overhead lines;
• utilizing the measurement data and the first sensor data to reproduce overhead line phase currents;
• and
• processing the measurement data to:
• detect and locate an event or a fault that has occurred in the electric utility grid;
• and/or
• predict when and where an event or a fault is likely to occur in the electric utility grid.