OPTCL Deploys Advanced Cable Fault Detection System to Boost Power Supply Reliability

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has strengthened its power transmission infrastructure with the launch of an advanced underground cable fault detection system, a move aimed at ensuring quicker restoration of electricity supply and improving the overall reliability of the state’s transmission network.

Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Friday inaugurated the Megger R30 Van-Mounted Cable Fault Locator and Testing System of the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) at Kharavel Bhavan. Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Kumar Dev and OPTCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma were present.

Describing the initiative as a significant technological upgrade, Singh Deo said the advanced equipment would substantially reduce the time required to detect and repair underground cable faults, enabling faster restoration of power supply and enhancing the efficiency and stability of Odisha’s transmission network.

Procured at a cost of ₹9.8 crore, the Megger R30 is a world-class, van-mounted system designed to quickly and accurately identify faults in underground high-voltage power cables. The system is equipped with advanced technologies such as Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), Arc Reflection Method (ARM), Surge Pinpointing and Sheath Fault Testing, allowing engineers to precisely locate faults and speed up repair operations.

OPTCL officials said the deployment of the new system reflects the corporation’s focus on adopting modern testing and diagnostic technologies to improve operational efficiency and minimise power disruptions. The technology is expected to strengthen maintenance capabilities while ensuring safer and more reliable transmission services.

The corporation said the initiative forms part of its broader vision of developing a smart, resilient and future-ready power transmission network capable of delivering high-quality and uninterrupted electricity to consumers across Odisha.