Bowdens OMEGA 4 Fault Passage Indicator
Gain clearer visibility of underground cable faults with the Bowdens OMEGA 4 fault passage indicator (FPI). Designed to help engineers identify faulted network sections, the OMEGA 4 combines local alarm indication, programmable detection settings and remote indication facilities in a modular instrument.
Specify a single-channel earth fault indicator or a configuration with three-phase overcurrent and earth fault detection. Directional indication and communications options extend its capabilities, supporting applications from local fault indication to connected network monitoring.
An LCD display and four-button interface provide access to operating data, settings and test functions. PIN-protected programming helps control access to configuration changes, while stored last-fault information supports investigation after an event.
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Bowdens OMEGA 4 Key Features:
- Support fault location: Indication of fault-current passage helps engineers narrow down the affected section of an underground cable network.
- Choose your detection configuration: Earth fault, overcurrent and combined detection modes are available according to the configuration specified.
- Clear local indication: Dedicated earth fault and overcurrent LEDs, a digital flag indicator and an LCD display present alarm and operating information.
- Programmable detection: Set current thresholds and trip delays to match your application and compatible current transformers.
- Directional indication option: Left/right arrows show fault direction when the unit is configured with a suitable voltage reference.
- Remote indication and reset: Standard facilities support operation beyond the front panel, complemented by two sets of isolated volt-free alarm contacts.
- Optional communications: Specify 4G mobile connectivity or Modbus RTU over RS485 to support remote monitoring and system integration.
- Retained fault information: Last-fault data remains stored after power cycling, until the next detected fault replaces it.
Specifications:
| Features | |
| Detection and control |
| Earth fault trip current | Selectable settings from 20 to 120 A; available range depends on CT ratio |
| Overcurrent trip current | Selectable settings from 125 to 750 A on configurations supporting overcurrent detection |
| Earth fault and overcurrent trip delays | Selectable settings from 20 to 200 ms |
| Timed reset | Selectable from 1 to 12 hours |
| Reset methods | Manual, timed and remote; LV reset requires the power supply board |
| Alarm outputs | Two sets of isolated volt-free contacts: normally open, common and normally closed |
| Relay modes | Latched, pulsed or multi-detect, including indication of subsequent faults while an alarm remains active |
| Manual alarm test | ✓ Accessible through the front-panel menu |
| PIN-protected settings | ✓ |
| Power options |
| OMEGA 4 BAT | Integral 3.6 V, 13 Ah lithium thionyl chloride battery |
| Battery life | Up to 10 years, depending on operational usage and environmental temperatures |
| OMEGA 4 LV | 230 V AC mains power with a power supply board; a 3.6 V, 13 Ah battery is still required |
| OMEGA 4 RTU | 12 V or 24 V DC supply from an RTU |
| Communications and construction |
| Mobile communications | Optional 4G connectivity |
| Serial communications | Optional Modbus RTU over RS485 |
| LoRa radio | Supports peer-to-peer and peer-to-relay communication |
| Enclosure material | Polycarbonate |
| Operating temperature | -25°C to +70°C |
Available OMEGA 4 variants
Choose the Bowdens OMEGA 4 configuration that suits your installation, with battery, LV and RTU/DC powered options. LTE variants include 4G communications, while SC variants provide supercapacitor operation without a battery.
| Product code | Power configuration | 4G communications |
| Battery powered and battery-backed variants |
| BOW OM4 BAT | Battery powered | Optional |
| BOW OM4 LV BAT | LV powered with battery | Optional |
| BOW OM4 RTU BAT | RTU/DC powered with battery; PSU included | Optional |
| Variants with 4G communications |
| BOW OM4 BAT LTE | Battery powered | ✓ Included |
| BOW OM4 LV BAT LTE | LV powered with battery | ✓ Included |
| BOW OM4 RTU BAT LTE | RTU/DC powered with battery; PSU included | ✓ Included |
| Battery-free supercapacitor variants |
| BOW OM4 LV SC | LV powered with supercapacitor; no battery | Optional |
| BOW OM4 RTU SC | RTU/DC powered with supercapacitor; no battery | Optional |
Extended communications options include Modbus over RS485 and LoRa or LoRaWAN. Contact AcutestDirect to specify your required power supply and communications configuration.
Selecting your OMEGA 4 configuration
Earth fault-only operation uses a compatible core balance current transformer. Combined overcurrent and earth fault detection requires three individual phase CTs, with a 500:1 CT ratio required for overcurrent detection.
Directional indication requires a suitable LV or VPIS voltage reference and consistent CT orientation and polarity across the installation. Specify your detection functions, power supply, CT arrangement and communications requirements when ordering.
Turn fault indication into useful network information
From local earth fault indication to directional detection and remote reporting, the Bowdens OMEGA 4 offers configurations to suit different network monitoring needs. Give engineers clearer information to support fault location and isolation decisions, with adjustable settings and practical local controls. Contact AcutestDirect to discuss your application and request a quote for the right configuration.