Preventing Forest Fires, One Sensor at a Time

A major West Coast utility needed a reliable way to monitor the temperature of power line transformers located in remote regions of Northern California.

When the transformers overheat, they can ignite the pole and start forest fires. As part of a trial involving several companies, we were tasked with deploying test sensors to see which performed best.

Our solution stood out. The sensors delivered accurate, consistent temperature readings, while the magnetic mounting system enabled fast, secure installation. This minimized time in the field and simplified deployment in hard-to-reach locations.

The ideal solar power system provides unlimited energy, eliminating the need for battery replacements or expensive power connections to the power lines. Replacing batteries on these remote units would otherwise require a cherry picker and field personnel, which costs far more than the sensors themselves.

Beyond temperature monitoring, each unit includes an embedded 3-axis accelerometer capable of detecting pole direction, tilt, sway, and vibration. This allows the system to deliver valuable health conditions periodically, with problem alerts and alarms sent in near real-time.