Abstract: A utility for rapid development of three dimensional representations of electrical distribution switchgear is provided. These switchgear elevations have logical connections to the switchgear devices. An elevation can be modified to any dimensions with an infinite number of combinations and arrangements of meters and protection devices to quickly and accurately represent a customer's switchgear. Also, an event logger utility is provided for viewing, organizing and analyzing unusual behavior in a power system. The event logger utility passes a received message as an un-acknowledgeable or acknowledgeable alarm or as an event based upon the contents of a initialization file. A utility for the waveform capture is provided for viewing and analysis of waveforms (e.g., Fourier, frequency and/or harmonic analysis) captured by sophisticated metering devices. Waveforms from a device may be super-imposed for analysis. Processing of the collected waveform data to display any one of the eight waveform parameters (i.e.

Abstract: A dynamic data exchange (DDE) server which allows external programs to access power management data is presented. The DDE server provides a mnemonic cross reference between register items and standardized, alphanumeric parameter names. This mnemonic interface allows the user to retrieve data from a device without knowledge of the actual device register item number. Also, the DDE server automatically performs time synchronizing for all supported devices and provides a consistent waveform and event interface. The DDE server is optimized for either the Modbus RTU or Ethernet protocol. The DDE server includes toolkit functions which are used to maintain DDE communication and protocol timers and to maintain active topic and item lists. The DDE server acts as a link between a client requesting device data and a field device which can provide the data. The DDE server communicates to the field device through communication ports and to the client via DDE message link.