News articles 09.12.2025

Norwegian Lnett and Aidon have developed an intelligent solution for automated earth fault monitoring

Aidon is introducing a solution for automatic detection and alarming of earth faults. The solution analyses data from smart electricity meters and automates the fault handling process. Developed together with Lnett, one of the largest DSOs in Norway, it improves end-customer safety, delivers significant cost savings to network operators and elevates customer service to a new level.

Because earth faults are intermittent, locating and addressing them with using traditional methods without real-time data has been challenging and time-consuming. To overcome this, Lnett asked Aidon to develop a solution based on household electricity meters and correlate this data with events at distribution transformer stations. The goal was to create an comprehensive overview and understanding of possible earth fault types and automate their handling quickly and efficiently.

In the solution, the data collected into Aidon head-end system is analysed by Aidon One application. By examining power quality data from household meters and from distribution transformer stations, Aidon One’s algorithms determine whether the earth fault is in the house, on the power line, or at the transformer station. The system reacts automatically to earth fault alarms, minimising the need for human intervention. Based on the fault’s type, frequency, and duration, Aidon One initiates an alarm with map details and simultaneously sends a warning message to the end customer.

– This solution, developed through close cooperation between Lnett and Aidon, is an important step toward making the handling of earth faults more efficient and secure. It is an example of how to make full use of the existing investment made when smart meters were installed in every. We evaluated the solution in a six-month pilot, and our experience has been very positive. After the pilot, we are confident that the solution works as intended, says Hans Bø, Lead of Data Quality and Information Security at Lnett.

The solution has saved us 50-60 hours per month

Hans Bø, Lnett

– As a direct result of the pilot, we have detected and sent notifications of earth faults to an average of 27 customers a month. Previously, these cases required on-site troubleshooting and location work. The solution has saved us 50-60 hours per month compared to ow we previously handled these cases. These are saved costs and hours we now allocate to other areas. Many of these faults would likely have remained undetected using traditional methods, Hans concludes.

– Aidon is pleased to have contributed our technology and development expertise to this project. By combining measurements from households and transformer stations, the solution has proven reliable and meets the regulatory requirements for monitoring earth faults. Our long-term cooperation with Lnett has been crucial in understanding all aspects of earth faults. Together we have created a solution that is ready for large-scale deployment, says Hermund Slaatsveen, Managing Director at Aidon Norway.