DNV enhances real-time cable monitoring in challenging outdoor environments with Smart Cable Guard

Detecting and locating faults and partial discharges in real-time now tailored to the North American market

DNV’s Smart Cable Guard, the leading online cable monitoring tool, has further innovated its system design, to meet the needs of power grids and critical infrastructures in North America. The third generation of the online cable monitoring tool allows for rapid installation in outdoor environments.

Smart Cable Guard locates cable faults, identifies current cable condition and predicts future issues. Its sensors feed real-time data into the Smart Cable Guard analytics platform powered by machine learning and AI that sends alerts to network operators.

Yet, in outdoor environments, such as manholes or overhead cables or in locations without access to low-voltage power, installation has been a challenge. DNV has meticulously designed its third-generation cutting-edge monitoring tool, focusing on conquering this challenge and tailoring it to the North American market.


DNV’s Smart Cable Guard is now equipped with:

  • A more robust design that facilitates simpler installation in outdoor cable environments that are prone to flooding, such as manholes.
  • The system’s Partial Discharge (PD) location function is strengthened by adding phase-resolved PD measurements. Recognizing the phase relation is essential for differentiating PD signals from background noise, especially in noisy environments.
  • A 12V inlet connector to enable alternative power solutions such as solar panels or other energy harvesters providing low-voltage power supply.

This third generation of DNV’s Smart Cable Guard not only expedites installation but also provides an improved economical solution to boost grid reliability in electrical grids, industrial sites, wind farms and other power grid environments.

With over 3,100 systems installed across six continents and rapidly expanding operations in North America, DNV Smart Cable Guard is enabling power grids to innovate amid the ongoing energy transition worldwide.


About DNV

DNV is the independent expert in risk management and assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions.   

Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence.   

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In the energy industry

DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.