Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for integrating an intelligent electronic device (IED) in a network management system. The IED may be configured to communicate using the network management protocol of the network management system. IED variables may be mapped to associated network management protocol variables to allow the network management system to access the IED variables using the network management protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the automated discovery of devices on a network, such as a TCP/IP network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”) and Domain Name System (“DNS”) servers. Devices on the network may be discovered, identified, and tracked by a monitoring server. Communications with the monitoring server may include identification information for each device. The identification information may be stored in DHCP option fields, transmitted with DHCP messages, and used to identify whether the device is new to the network.

Abstract: A method, system and device for synchronizing a time period over which energy measurements are accumulated for an energy monitoring system including a plurality of energy monitoring devices is described. The method comprises transmitting a first radio frequency packet from a time reference device via at least a first and a second of the plurality of energy monitoring devices to a third of the plurality of energy monitoring devices. The method further comprises adjusting a time register within the third energy monitoring device based on the reception of the packet. The method further comprises accumulating a measure of energy consumption by the third energy monitoring device of a load coupled with the third energy monitoring device. The method further comprises transmitting the measure of energy consumption from the third energy monitoring device via at least a fourth and a fifth of the plurality of energy monitoring devices to a data aggregation device.

Abstract: A power meter having fault tolerance enhances the monitoring of electrical power by increasing the reliability of data output by the power meter having fault tolerance. The power meter having fault tolerance may enhance the monitoring process by transitioning from a faulty power monitoring device to a non-faulty power monitoring device without losing or corrupting power management data.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a load model (120) that utilizes a measurement from a second monitor (140) to estimate a value taken by a first monitor (150). A base load value associated with a load (160) is collected. The load model (120) is applied to the base load value, yielding an estimated load value. The estimated load value is representative of at least one measured load value for the load (160).

Abstract: An electric power meter is disclosed which includes an analog to digital converter for converting sensed voltage and/or current signals to digital signals corresponding thereto. The meter further comprises storage for storing the digital signals. The meter further comprises a processor for performing power calculations upon the digital signals, and converting the calculations and the digital signals into at least one network protocol. The meter further comprises a network interface for interfacing with an external network. A system for modifying the functionality of the electric power meter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power meter for measuring power parameters on one or more electrical power lines/loads is configured to include a revenue class metering module and a power quality metering module. The revenue class metering module and the power quality metering module may use the same measured voltage and current signals to generate revenue accurate power consumption information and power quality information, respectively. The power meter may also include a plurality of filters configured to attenuate high frequency signals included in the voltage and current signals. Each of the filters may be configured with a corner frequency, gain and signal propagation delay that is substantially equal. The filtered current and voltage signals may be received and processed by the revenue class metering module, and the power quality metering module to generate revenue accurate power consumption information and power quality information, respectively.

Abstract: An electric power meter is disclosed. The meter comprises means for digitally sampling voltage and current. The meter further comprises means for storing the digitally sampled voltage and current. The meter further comprises means for performing power calculations upon the digitally sampled voltage and current, and converting the calculations and the digitally sampled voltage and current into at least one network protocol. The meter further comprises means for interfacing with an external network. A system for modifying the functionality of the electric power meter is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.

Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system, or portion thereof, is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple intelligent electronic devices (“IED's”) distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system. The IED's are linked via a network to back-end servers. Security mechanisms are further provided which protect and otherwise ensure the authenticity of communications transmitted via the network in furtherance of the management of the distribution and consumption of electrical power by the architecture. In particular, public key cryptography is employed to identify components of the architecture and provide for secure communication of power management data among those components. Further, certificates and certificate authorities are utilized to further ensure integrity of the security mechanism.

Abstract: A system and methods for automatically configuring a monitoring device that is attachable to a network coupled to a data collection system. The network has associated network parameters. The monitoring device is coupled to an energy distribution system. The monitoring device measures a characteristic of energy supplied by the energy distribution system and stores data representative of the measured characteristics. A first network communications link is automatically established between the monitoring device and the network, and a host server is contacted to identify network parameters including an address of the data collection system. A second network communications link is automatically established between the monitoring device and the data collection system based on the address of the data collection system. Nameplate and configuration information associated with the monitoring device is communicated from the monitoring device over the network to the data collection system.

Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system, or portion thereof, is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple intelligent electronic devices (“IED's”) distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system using real time communications. Power management application software and/or hardware components operate on the IED's and the back-end servers and inter-operate via the network to implement a power management application. The architecture provides a scalable and cost effective framework of hardware and software upon which such power management applications can operate to manage the distribution and consumption of electrical power by one or more utilities/suppliers and/or customers which provide and utilize the power distribution system.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and responding to device tampering in an Energy Management (“EM”) device is disclosed. The EM device is provided with mechanisms to detect and indicate unauthorized tampering with the device. Further, in response to detected unauthorized tampering, the device may take actions to protect the integrity of data generated by the device as well as protect any confidential data stored within the device. Such actions may include preventing further device operation, generating warnings to the device owner/user, marking subsequently generated data as suspect, destroying stored confidential data, etc.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for measuring power parameters on a power conductor, such as a high voltage transmission line may include a corona structure, an electronics assembly and a conductor mountable device. The corona structure may define an outer boundary surrounding the electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device. The corona structure may shield the electronic assembly and conductor mountable device from a corona produceable with the power conductor. The conductor mountable device may be a power parameter measurement device, such as a current sensor assembly. The current sensor assembly may be a split-core design that includes multiple transformer cores. The electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device may powered from a line voltage suppliable on the power conductor. Data may be wirelessly transmitted and received with the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for integrating an intelligent electronic device (IED) in a network management system. The IED may be configured to communicate using the network management protocol of the network management system. IED variables may be mapped to associated network management protocol variables to allow the network management system to access the IED variables using the network management protocol.

Abstract: An alarm management system includes an alarm management system server (“alarm server”), one or more data sources, and one or more system users (and associated user devices), all of which can be communicably connected through a communications network. The system can be configured by defining the data sources and users, defining attributes, assigning and associating attribute values with the data sources and users, and defining alarm conditions in terms of attribute values and measurements. The data sources generate measurement data which is provided to the alarm server, and the alarm server evaluates the data to determine whether the alarm conditions have been met. A data set of data sources matching alarm conditions can be generated and reported to one or more of the users.

Abstract: A branch circuit monitoring system includes a plurality of current sensor modules that are installable in a panelboard. Each of the current sensor modules may be associated with a respective one of a plurality of branch circuits included in the panelboard. Each of the current sensor modules may include a current sensor, operating logic and a communication module. The current sensor may measure a power parameter of the respective branch circuit associated therewith. The operating logic may be coupled with the current sensor and the communication module, and may direct the overall functionality of the current sensor module. The communication module may be operable to communicate with a device external to the current sensor module.

Abstract: A system for modifying the functionality of intelligent electronic devices installed and operating in the field is disclosed. Each of the intelligent electronic devices operates with a software configuration to monitor electrical energy. A copy of the software configurations may be maintained in a database. Changes to the operation of one or more of the intelligent electronic devices may be made as a function of modifications to the database.

Abstract: Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) for monitoring at least one power parameter in a power system is disclosed. The IED comprises at least one voltage input operative to be coupled with at least one power line in the power system and operative to sense at least one voltage in the power system. The IED further comprises at least one current input operative to be coupled with the at least one power line and operative to sense a current flowing through the at least one power line. The IED further comprises at least one analog to digital converter coupled to the voltage input and the current input and operative to produce digital samples indicative of the voltage and current. The IED further comprises a processor coupled with the at least one analog to digital converter and operative to calculate the at least one power parameter. The IED further comprises a power supply operative to supply power to the IED.