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 power management and control system having a dynamic data exchange (DDE) server simulator for simulating supervisory management and control of electrical distribution systems is presented. The DDE server simulator is an alternative DDE server which simulates device values rather than acquiring data from real devices. The DDE server simulator generates and calculates device data from user generated electrical property profiles and updates DDE compliant clients. The DDE server simulator accepts the actual topics and item names and power profiles are user configurable with an option to apply white noise to the data, which provides true-to-life values to the user. These simulated measured values are used to calculate derived parameters and pre-set arrays provide wave form data in the proper format. Device events and trips can be interjected by the user and properly interpreted by the simulator. The data is passed to the clients via DDE.

Abstract: A communication bus containing master and slave devices includes a monitor unit for fault tolerant communications. In the event the master is unable to communicate, the monitor automatically assumes the master communication role. When more than one monitor is connected within the communications network, the monitor with the lowest communications address assumes the master communications role. The master includes software implementation that allows an operator to obtain data from any of the slave devices via the monitor.

Abstract: An interface monitor is connected with a LAN that is formatted with an RS-485 protocol and which is interconnected with a plurality of electrical distribution devices. The monitor includes a socket connection for receiving an RS-232 plug from a PC and software logic for interpreting between the RS-232 and RS-485 formats. The PC is enabled for communicating with each one of the electrical distribution devices.

Abstract: The power management control system comprises a computer having standard RS485 interface cards and adapters installed in its I/O slots defining multiple industry standard Modbus RTU networks. The computer contains software for monitoring and controlling selected aspects of power usage/consumption, as described in more detail hereinafter. The Modbus RTU protocol is a well known industry standard. Devices with a Modbus RTU interface can be connected directly to the Modbus and other devices which communicate on the Commnet protocol require a Modbus concentrator. The Modbus concentrator provides an interface between the Modbus RTU protocol and the Commnet protocol, whereby these other devices can communicate through the Modbus concentrator over the Modbus. Alternatively, standard Ethernet interface cards and adapters are installed in the computer's I/O slots defining multiple standard Ethernet TCP/IP networks.

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.