ABB will supply Saudi Electric Company (SEC) with medium-voltage surge protection outdoor equipment, including fuse cutouts and sectionalisers, as part of an upgrade of the distribution network in the Kingdom
According to a press statement, SEC is also upgrading the capacity of its distribution network by installing new substations throughout Saudi Arabia that will supply power along overhead distribution lines.
Bruno Melles, managing director of Medium Voltage Products business, said, ?The upgrade will securely and reliably deliver electricity to both households and the growing industrial and commercial sectors in the region.?
ABB?s state-of-the-art fuse cutout is installed at regular intervals along primary overhead feeder lines. The device combines a fuse with a switch to protect distribution transformers from damage due to current surges and overloads. This is a technique used by electrical distribution utilities to keep the energy supply flowing safely and reliably.
More conventional tubes shrink in extreme temperatures and need replacing rapidly to reduce risks to the system. ABB?s fuse cutouts have moisture-proof tubes, which are ideal in extreme temperatures.
The sectionaliser is a protection device that automatically isolates a faulty section of line from the rest of the distribution system so that healthy branches remain operational. By automating the isolation of faulty sections, SEC will be able to avoid the emergency dispatch of crews to the field and schedule fault repair work along with other routine maintenance activities, especially when working in remote locations.
As it expands its power grid, SEC also aims to provide a selective, automated and safe means to protect the overhead networks within this vast territory. It will focus on the areas where loads may be affected by temporary faults, ensuring that power will reach its consumers more reliably.
