A smart breakaway electrical connector disconnects a powerline at a designed tensile load, detects the break, and wirelessly communicates the precise location of the break to repair dispatchers. Mating male and female housings hold the internal electrical connection points together. Locking arms pivotally connected to the female connector interlock by detent with the male connector and spring force on the locking arms is used to prevent disengagement of the detent until the design tensile force is exceeded. Photovoltaics combined with rechargeable batteries ensure power availability when the line is disconnected and utility power is unavailable.