F-LINK
Market’s Challenge
Utilities often only find out a fuse switch has opened when a customer calls in — or when a crew happens to pass by the location.
On most networks, monitoring of conventional fuse switches still depends on visual inspection or customer complaints. Without remote sensing, the utility has no way of knowing whether the switch opened due to a temporary or permanent fault, has no real-time status of the fuse link’s current, and ends up sending crews to locations that aren’t the actual problem — increasing average service time and operational risk.
INTELLIGENT SENSING OF FUSE SWITCHES
A connected smart grid solution that monitors fuse switch opening, closing, and current in real time
The Solution
F-Link® is an IoT sensor for electrical distribution networks (15 kV and 36 kV), developed in partnership with NEPEN and Instituto Constanta de Inovação. Installed directly on the fuse switch, it monitors fuse link opening/closing, current presence and absence, tilt, and location — sending this information in real time to the operations center via IoT networks (LoRa, NB-IoT, or satellite/NTN).
F-Link® is compatible with Neo Energia standard fuse switches and offers native integration with the openMDX system.
About F-Link
In this video, we present F-Link’s main differentials and how it reduces the utility’s response time to network faults.
Click the image to watch the video.
Smart Grid Solution
Advantages Product
Monitoring, security, and communication in a single sensor
Developed in partnership with NEPEN and Instituto Constanta de Inovação,, F-Link® combines event detection, secure communication, and geolocation in a single device — installed directly on the existing fuse switch, with no need to replace the equipment.
Detection of Opening/Closing
F-Link® detects fuse switch opening and closing in real time, reporting the event to the Operations Center.
Current Monitoring
Monitors presence and absence of current in the fuse link, helping distinguish a temporary fault from a permanent one.
Complete Alarms and Reports
Sends sensor status, signal level (RSRP/SNR), GNSS location, temperature, and network identifiers (TAC/Cell ID/IMSI/IMEI/ICCID) for continuous supervision.
Installation and Operation
A compact sensor, installed directly on the existing fuse switch
F-Link® attaches to standard Neo Energia fuse switches, with no special tools or equipment replacement required.
Normal Mode
Sends a daily heartbeat and reports opening/closing events in real time.
Alarm Mode
Triggers an immediate report upon detecting fuse link opening, current presence/absence changes, or abnormal tilt.
Technical Specifications
Main technical specifications of F-Link®
Solar-powered, no battery maintenance required
F-Link® is powered by an integrated solar panel and offers 7 days of autonomy without sunlight, sending one daily status message.
Service life of 10 years or more (including accumulator/battery) — with no preventive maintenance required.
Multiple communication networks, for any field scenario
IoT – NTN (Rel.17) — S-band, (B23/B256) and L-Band (B255)
LoRa — LoRaWAN protocol, LoRa - Chirp Spread Spectrum, AES 128 encryption, 902–928 MHz carrier, maximum radiated power +20 dBm
Cat-M1(Rel.14)/NB- IoT (Rel.14) — public and private operating bands, B1/B3/B5/B8/B20/B28 and private, B28/B31/B87, maximum radiated power: +23 dBm
Bluetooth — BLE 5.3 protocol, GFSK modulation, 2.4GHz ISM (2402 - 2480 Hz) operating frequency, maximum radiated power: +9.5 dBm
End-to-end security, from authentication to firmware
Authentication via physical SIM (3FF) and eSIM (MFF2, eUICC compatible)
Secure credential storage
Digitally signed firmware with Secure Boot
Remote updates via FOTA (OTA)
Sensors that support predictive network maintenance
Monitors device tilt, current presence/absence in the fuse link, and temperature — indicators that help distinguish a temporary fault from a permanent one and support network maintenance planning.
Onboard GNSS location
With onboard GNSS, F-Link® dynamically reports the exact location of the event to the system — with no manual configuration required, speeding up the dispatch of the field crew.
Check out all the technical features of F-Link®. Download the brochure now.
Legacy System Integration
Direct integration with the openMDX system (Neo Energia)
F-Link® offers native integration with the openMDX system, allowing sensor events and alarms to reach the utility’s legacy systems directly, with no need for additional protocol-conversion layers.
Cost x Benefit
End-to-End Benefits
Look at the measurable benefits that provide greater reliability and better results for the Utility’s operation.
Additional Information
Learn more about F-Link
Obtain additional product information! Browse the tabs to watch videos or download the brochure.
If you prefer, contact our sales team. We’re ready to assist you!
Brochure
Certifications
Testing and
certification in progress
In compliance with the standards applicable to field devices used in distribution networks, the F-Link is currently undergoing Anatel type approval, with the relevant tests presently underway. Highlighting the following:
Anatel: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX in process.
(Expected: February 2026)
Tests: IP rating, EMC, accelerated aging, withstand voltage impulse/60 Hz dry and wet, water absorption, dielectric strength. (Expected: February 2026)
