Abstract: In the field of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission networks there is a need for an improved sensor failure detector. A sensor failure detector, for use in HVDC power transmission networks, includes an intelligent electronic device. The intelligent electronic device has a first input to receive in-use a number of first sample values from a first sensor measuring a given operational characteristic, and a second input to receive in-use a number of second sample values from a second sensor measuring the same given operational characteristic. The intelligent electronic device also includes a comparator module that is programmed to compare the first and second sample values with one another, and to establish a sensor failure when the first and second sample values differ from one another by more than a primary threshold for a predetermined first number of samples.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for locating faults on an electrical distribution network. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for locating faults on an electrical distribution network. The method can include monitoring, by one or more smart meters, a plurality of voltage values associated with the electrical distribution network; and when one or more of the plurality of monitored voltage values are detected to be less than or equal to a predetermined voltage for a specified time: storing at least a portion of monitored line voltage values; indicating a detected fault by transmitting one or more messages from the one or more smart meters or line sensors to a central station receiver, and determining a fault location based at least in part on the one or more messages and a topological and electrical model of the electrical distribution network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for locating faults on an electrical distribution network. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for locating faults on an electrical distribution network. The method can include monitoring, by one or more smart meters, a plurality of voltage values associated with the electrical distribution network; and when one or more of the plurality of monitored voltage values are detected to be less than or equal to a predetermined voltage for a specified time: storing at least a portion of monitored line voltage values; indicating a detected fault by transmitting one or more messages from the one or more smart meters or line sensors to a central station receiver, and determining a fault location based at least in part on the one or more messages and a topological and electrical model of the electrical distribution network.

Abstract: A system for providing power substation event data to one or more master stations including: a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) monitoring electrical power systems in a power substation, wherein each IED collects event data regarding conditions of a monitored electrical power system and queues the event data for transmission; a data concentrator in data communication with the IEDs, the concentrator including a database for storing IED event data transmitted from the event data queued in the IEDs and event queues in the concentrator for buffering IED event data from the database, and at least one master station in data communication with the concentrator, wherein the master station reads IED event data from event queues in the concentrator, and further the concentrator clears the event queues after the data is read by the master station.