Eaton Unveils HiZ Protect for Advanced Wildfire Prevention & Grid Safety
Eaton, a leader in intelligent power management, has unveiled a cutting-edge solution aimed at enhancing wildfire prevention on utility distribution systems. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) research division, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and several North American utilities, the new Eaton HiZ ProtectTM technology addresses a long-standing challenge for electric utilities: the rapid and accurate detection of high-impedance (HiZ) powerline faults that pose a wildfire risk. Pilot programs are currently in progress with multiple utilities to further refine this innovation, which is anticipated to be initially integrated into Eaton’s Form 7 recloser controls.
Traditional grid protection systems have struggled to reliably identify and prevent HiZ faults, often leading utilities to implement public safety power shutoffs in high-risk conditions. Eaton’s HiZ Protect technology enhances wildfire prevention by automatically detecting and isolating these faults with remarkable precision. In controlled laboratory environments and using real-world grid data from multiple utilities, the system successfully identified and de-energized HiZ faults with over 90% accuracy.
“The need to reinforce the electric grid against wildfire threats has never been greater. At Eaton, we are committed to accelerating these efforts through extensive research, development, and innovative solutions,” said Chris Herbst, PhD, vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “We collaborate with numerous utilities across North America and recognize that wildfire prevention is a top priority. Through our partnerships with USACE ERDC, NREL, and leading utilities, we are pushing the boundaries of electrical system capabilities to help safeguard communities and the environment.”
High-impedance faults, which are commonly caused by fallen trees or damaged insulators, have historically been difficult to detect due to their low fault currents and distinctive characteristics. Eaton’s approach to addressing these challenges integrates three key components: advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms, and edge-based implementation. This technology can be deployed in grid-edge monitoring and control devices such as Eaton’s Form 7 recloser controls, ensuring high-fidelity data collection. This capability is especially crucial in remote regions where communication infrastructure is limited, and quick response times are essential.
“Detecting faults and de-energizing affected power lines is critical to mitigating wildfire risks and protecting both civilian and military infrastructure,” said Nathan Peterson, an electrical engineer at the USACE ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). “Eaton’s research, development, and commercialization of high-impedance fault detection technology present a significant opportunity to enhance grid resilience by rapidly and reliably delivering data necessary for wildfire prevention.”
The development of this solution involved extensive research into the unique characteristics of high-impedance faults, as well as precise analysis of factors such as tree species, soil composition, and environmental conditions. Hundreds of simulations and field tests were conducted at Eaton’s Thomas A. Edison Test Center in Franksville, Wisconsin. The data collected was used to create an advanced machine learning algorithm designed to predict and reduce the likelihood of powerline faults sparking wildfires. Currently, Eaton is conducting pilot tests across different geographic conditions to refine and validate the technology.
At the upcoming 2025 DistribuTECH conference in March, Souvik Chandra, PhD, a senior specialist engineer at Eaton’s Research Labs, will participate in a panel discussion on utility strategies for wildfire risk mitigation, including Eaton’s pioneering fault detection technology.
For more information on Eaton’s wildfire prevention initiatives and to access the white paper on utilizing artificial intelligence for high-impedance fault detection, visit their website.
Eaton is dedicated to intelligent power management, environmental stewardship, and improving quality of life through sustainable business practices. Serving a wide range of industries, including data centers, utilities, industrial and commercial sectors, aerospace, and residential markets, Eaton is committed to helping customers efficiently manage power today and in the future. By leveraging trends in electrification and digitalization, Eaton is addressing critical power management challenges to create a more sustainable world.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its stakeholders. With nearly $25 billion in revenue in 2024, the company operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
Click here to know more.
Traditional grid protection systems have struggled to reliably identify and prevent HiZ faults, often leading utilities to implement public safety power shutoffs in high-risk conditions. Eaton’s HiZ Protect technology enhances wildfire prevention by automatically detecting and isolating these faults with remarkable precision. In controlled laboratory environments and using real-world grid data from multiple utilities, the system successfully identified and de-energized HiZ faults with over 90% accuracy.
“The need to reinforce the electric grid against wildfire threats has never been greater. At Eaton, we are committed to accelerating these efforts through extensive research, development, and innovative solutions,” said Chris Herbst, PhD, vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “We collaborate with numerous utilities across North America and recognize that wildfire prevention is a top priority. Through our partnerships with USACE ERDC, NREL, and leading utilities, we are pushing the boundaries of electrical system capabilities to help safeguard communities and the environment.”
High-impedance faults, which are commonly caused by fallen trees or damaged insulators, have historically been difficult to detect due to their low fault currents and distinctive characteristics. Eaton’s approach to addressing these challenges integrates three key components: advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms, and edge-based implementation. This technology can be deployed in grid-edge monitoring and control devices such as Eaton’s Form 7 recloser controls, ensuring high-fidelity data collection. This capability is especially crucial in remote regions where communication infrastructure is limited, and quick response times are essential.
“Detecting faults and de-energizing affected power lines is critical to mitigating wildfire risks and protecting both civilian and military infrastructure,” said Nathan Peterson, an electrical engineer at the USACE ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). “Eaton’s research, development, and commercialization of high-impedance fault detection technology present a significant opportunity to enhance grid resilience by rapidly and reliably delivering data necessary for wildfire prevention.”
The development of this solution involved extensive research into the unique characteristics of high-impedance faults, as well as precise analysis of factors such as tree species, soil composition, and environmental conditions. Hundreds of simulations and field tests were conducted at Eaton’s Thomas A. Edison Test Center in Franksville, Wisconsin. The data collected was used to create an advanced machine learning algorithm designed to predict and reduce the likelihood of powerline faults sparking wildfires. Currently, Eaton is conducting pilot tests across different geographic conditions to refine and validate the technology.
At the upcoming 2025 DistribuTECH conference in March, Souvik Chandra, PhD, a senior specialist engineer at Eaton’s Research Labs, will participate in a panel discussion on utility strategies for wildfire risk mitigation, including Eaton’s pioneering fault detection technology.
For more information on Eaton’s wildfire prevention initiatives and to access the white paper on utilizing artificial intelligence for high-impedance fault detection, visit their website.
Eaton is dedicated to intelligent power management, environmental stewardship, and improving quality of life through sustainable business practices. Serving a wide range of industries, including data centers, utilities, industrial and commercial sectors, aerospace, and residential markets, Eaton is committed to helping customers efficiently manage power today and in the future. By leveraging trends in electrification and digitalization, Eaton is addressing critical power management challenges to create a more sustainable world.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its stakeholders. With nearly $25 billion in revenue in 2024, the company operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
Click here to know more.
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