Field Trials of DAS-Based TPID Systems for the Monitoring of Urban Extra High Voltage Cable Systems

Vienna’s DSO implemented a third-party intrusion detection (TPID) program based on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology. Given the absence of standardized evaluation frameworks for DAS-based TPID systems for power cable monitoring in urban settings, the

DSO developed a proprietary methodology as part of its cable monitoring system prequalification process. This approach includes field trials with background noise assessment, spatial mapping, and artificial stimulation tests by performing real construction activities at varying distances from the cable system. Key performance metrices such as detection probability, false alarm rate, classification accuracy and mean time to detect were used to compare different TPID systems. Three field campaigns revealed significant performance differences, emphasizing the need for tailored system parameterization and an iterative improvement process. The field trials conclude that well-adapted DAS-based TPID systems can significantly enhance cable damage prevention in urban environments. However, their complexity requires interdisciplinary collaboration and clear agreement on evaluation and acceptance criteria between operators and suppliers from the very beginning.