Enhanced switchgear monitoring and diagnostics in protective relays

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for monitoring and diagnosing power system assets. Examples of power system assets can include individual circuit breakers, switchgear that can include multiple circuit breakers, or any other asset that can be included in a power system. A system for monitoring and diagnosing these power system assets can include one or more intelligent protective relays and switchgear monitor device(s) that can be communicatively coupled in a master-slave or peer-to-peer configuration in a time-synchronized operational manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing enhanced switchgear monitoring and diagnostics in protective relays. Background Art

[0002] The utility sector is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Electric utilities, which include investor-owned and public cooperatives, as well as nationalized entities, are the primary providers of electricity in most countries around the world. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of laws supporting reliable, uninterrupted power supply in regions such as North America and Europe is driving the market for switchgear monitoring systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a set of technical solutions, as follows.

[0004] Technical Solution 1. A system comprising:

[0005] a monitor device in communication with the switchgear; and

[0006] a protection relay in communication with the monitor device and configured to use a processor:

[0007] capturing a first set of data associated with the protective relay during a baseline mode;

[0008] Detecting that a switchgear operation event has occurred;

[0009] sending, based on detecting that the switchgear operation event has occurred, an instruction to the monitoring device to provide a second set of data related to an input parameter of the monitoring device and a third set of data related to an output parameter of the monitoring device;

[0010] generating a data dependency model using said first set of data and said third set of data;

[0011] determining an operating baseline for the switchgear based on the data dependency model;

[0012] transitioning to a monitoring mode after a threshold number of data samples have been captured;

[0013] determining an estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter based on the data dependency model;

[0014] measuring an actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter;

[0015] comparing the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter with the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter;

[0016] determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a threshold amount; and

[0017] A warning is generated regarding the deviation being greater than the threshold amount, wherein the warning precedes a control action by the protection relay.

[0018] Technical Solution 2. A system as described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the first set of data includes protection function data, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of the fault, arcing current or energy within the relay, partial discharge (PD) level, temperature, humidity, operating time of the relay, and service life of the relay.

[0019] Technical Solution 3. The system according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the input parameters include peak fault current, fault duration, arcing energy, humidity, and arc duration.

[0020] Technical Solution 4. The system according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the output parameters include switching device operation duration, partial discharge (PD) level and rise, and temperature rise with set values.

[0021] Technical Solution 5. The system as described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the processor is further configured to periodically determine the first circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured partial discharge (PD) level rise, a threshold PD level rise, a measured temperature rise with a set value, and a threshold temperature rise with a set value.

[0022] Technical Solution 6. A system as described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a second circuit breaker health indicator based on measured circuit breaker operation time, threshold circuit breaker operation time, measured partial discharge (PD) level rise, threshold PD level rise, measured temperature rise with a set value, and threshold temperature rise with a set value at the time of a trip event.

[0023] Technical Solution 7. A system as described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a circuit breaker degradation indicator based on the difference between the estimated circuit breaker operation time and the threshold circuit breaker operation time and the difference between the measured circuit breaker operation time and the threshold circuit breaker operation time, the difference between the estimated partial discharge (PD) level rise and the threshold PD level rise and the difference between the measured PD level rise and the threshold PD level rise, and the difference between the estimated temperature rise with a set value and the threshold temperature rise with the set value, and the difference between the measured temperature rise with the set value and the threshold temperature rise with the set value at the time of a tripping event.

[0024] Technical Solution 8. The system of Technical Solution 1, wherein the relay is configured to communicate with the monitor device in a peer-to-peer or master and slave configuration.

[0025] Technical Solution 9. The system according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0026] determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a second threshold amount, wherein the second threshold amount is greater than the threshold amount; and

[0027] An alarm is initiated, the alarm indicating that the deviation is greater than the second threshold amount.

[0028] Technical Solution 10. A system as described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the switchgear operation event includes at least one of the following: type of fault, fault duration, total switchgear operation, average opening time and average closing time, failure to open / close alarm, arc time for individual phases, arc energy for individual phases, spring charging time, alarm counter for relay operation, PD level, temperature or humidity level.

[0029] Technical Solution 11. A method comprising:

[0030] capturing a first set of data associated with the protective relay during a baseline mode;

[0031] Detecting that a switchgear operation event has occurred;

[0032] sending instructions to a monitoring device based on detection of the switchgear operation event to provide a second set of data related to an input parameter of the monitoring device and a third set of data related to an output parameter of the monitoring device;

[0033] generating a data dependency model using said first set of data and said third set of data;

[0034] determining an operating baseline for the switchgear based on the data dependency model;

[0035] transitioning to a monitoring mode after a threshold number of data samples have been captured;

[0036] determining an estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter based on the data dependency model;

[0037] measuring an actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter;

[0038] comparing the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter with the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter;

[0039] determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a threshold amount; and

[0040] A warning is generated regarding the deviation being greater than the threshold amount, wherein the warning precedes a control action by the protection relay.

[0041] Technical Solution 12. A method as described in Technical Solution 11, wherein the first set of data includes protection function data, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of the fault, arcing current or energy in the relay, partial discharge (PD) level, temperature, humidity, operating time of the relay, and service life of the relay.

[0042] Technical Solution 13. The method as described in Technical Solution 11, wherein the input parameters include peak fault current, fault duration, arcing energy, humidity and arc duration.

[0043] Technical Solution 14. The method of Technical Solution 11, wherein the output parameters include switching device operation duration, partial discharge (PD) level and rise, and temperature rise with set values.

[0044] Technical Solution 15. The method of Technical Solution 11 further includes periodically determining a first circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured partial discharge (PD) level rise, a threshold PD level rise, a measured temperature rise with a set value, and a threshold temperature rise with a set value.

[0045] Technical Solution 16. The method as described in Technical Solution 11 further includes determining a second circuit breaker health indicator based on measured circuit breaker operation time, threshold circuit breaker operation time, measured partial discharge (PD) level rise, threshold PD level rise, measured temperature rise with set value, and threshold temperature rise with set value during a tripping event.

[0046] Technical Solution 17. The method as described in Technical Solution 11 further includes determining a circuit breaker degradation index based on the difference between the estimated circuit breaker operation time and the threshold circuit breaker operation time and the difference between the measured circuit breaker operation time and the threshold circuit breaker operation time, the difference between the estimated partial discharge (PD) level rise and the threshold PD level rise and the difference between the measured PD level rise and the threshold PD level rise, and the difference between the estimated temperature rise with a set value and the threshold temperature rise with the set value and the difference between the measured temperature rise with the set value and the threshold temperature rise with the set value at the time of a tripping event.

[0047] Technical Solution 18. The method of Technical Solution 11, wherein the relay is configured to communicate with the monitor device in a peer-to-peer or master and slave configuration.

[0048] Technical Solution 19. The method according to Technical Solution 11 further comprises:

[0049] determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a second threshold amount, wherein the second threshold amount is greater than the threshold amount; and

[0050] An alarm is initiated, the alarm indicating that the deviation is greater than the second threshold amount.

[0051] Technical Solution 20. A method as described in Technical Solution 11, wherein the switchgear operation event includes at least one of the following: type of fault, fault duration, total switchgear operation, average opening time and average closing time, failure to open / close alarm, arc time for individual phases, arc energy for individual phases, spring charging time, alarm counter for relay operation, PD level, temperature or humidity level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] A detailed description is presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and depict only example embodiments of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and should not be considered to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, the leftmost (one or more) digits of a reference number may identify the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numerals indicates similar, but not necessarily identical or similar, components. However, different reference numerals may also be used to identify similar components. Various embodiments may utilize elements or components in addition to those illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. Depending on the context, a singular term used to describe a component or element may include a plural number of such components or elements, and vice versa.

[0053] Figure 1 A schematic diagram depicting an example system according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 2 Example methods are described in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 3 Another example method is depicted in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 4 Yet another example method is described in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 5 Schematic diagram depicting an example computing system and device architecture according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The present disclosure may also relate, among other things, to systems and methods for providing enhanced switchgear monitoring and diagnostics in protection relays. In certain embodiments, systems and methods for monitoring and diagnosing power system assets can be provided. Examples of power system assets may include individual circuit breakers, switchgear devices that may include multiple circuit breakers, or any other assets that may be included in a power system. A system for monitoring and diagnosing these power system assets may include one or more intelligent protection relays and (one or more) switchgear monitor devices, which may be communicatively coupled in a master-slave or peer-to-peer configuration in a time-synchronized manner. For example, a protection relay may act as a master device and may provide instructions to the switchgear monitor (e.g., the protection relay may request data from the switchgear monitor). Intelligent protection relays may provide high-performance protection, high-density input and output (I / O), extensive programmable logic, and flexible configuration capabilities. Utilizing protection and control logic, such protection relays may allow for simplified coordination with upstream and downstream disconnect devices (e.g., one or more circuit breakers in a power system). The protection relays themselves may also have the capability to monitor switchgear in a power system that may accommodate one or more circuit breakers. For example, a protection relay may allow electrical characteristics to be monitored during a trip event. Certain switchgear monitor devices may also be capable of providing additional information, such as partial discharge data, temperature, and humidity data, to name a few examples. Combining protection relays and switchgear monitors in this manner may allow for enhanced monitoring of switchgear (in some cases, reference may be made herein to only "circuit breakers" or "switchgear," but the systems and methods described herein may also be similarly applicable to either circuit breakers or switchgear, or any other power system asset).

[0059] In some embodiments, the algorithms employed by the protection relays in this configuration may include at least two operating modes: a baselining mode and a monitoring mode. The baselining mode may occur when the switchgear is in healthy operation and / or is being recommissioned. The baselining mode may involve initial data collection, which may be used to establish baseline operating data (e.g., "healthy" operating data) for the switchgear. The baselining mode may also involve establishing a data correlation model that may subsequently be used to estimate certain parameters of the switchgear to predict future issues with the switchgear, such as asset degradation and / or the likelihood of a fault event, such as a circuit breaker trip.

[0060] During the benchmark mode, some data can be continuously captured, while some data can be captured at specific instances, such as at a circuit breaker trip event. For example, protection function data triggered by an event (where the event can be any abnormal condition, such as a fault in a power system, e.g., overload, short circuit, overcurrent, overvoltage, etc.), peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of fault, arcing current and / or energy within the protection relay, partial discharge (PD) levels, temperature, humidity, and / or operating time of the circuit breaker are examples of data that can be continuously captured. In addition, for some or all circuit breaker trip events, peak fault current, duration of fault, arcing energy, humidity levels, and / or duration of fault can also be obtained. Based on this data captured during some or all of the circuit breaker trip events, the circuit breaker operating time, partial discharge levels, and rise and / or over ambient temperature rise can be determined. Once a given number of data samples have been captured, a data correlation model can be established. The data correlation model can be a model that, once established, can be used subsequently to estimate the circuit breaker operating time, partial discharge levels, and / or rise, and over ambient temperature rise for any provided data inputs (e.g., peak fault current, duration of fault, arcing energy, humidity levels, and / or duration of fault as inputs). The data correlation model can be established using, for example, artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, etc., and can be based on the data samples obtained during the benchmark mode. In addition, based on the data obtained during the benchmark mode, operating thresholds can be extracted (e.g., using methods such as statistical theory, clustering techniques, etc.) for the operation of the circuit breaker (and / or switchgear as a whole). For example, the thresholds can be used to determine the time at which a circuit breaker failure or performance degradation has occurred or is likely to occur in the near future. The thresholds can be extracted that are specific to each circuit breaker based on the design, rating, type, etc. of the circuit breaker.

[0061] In some embodiments, once baseline data is obtained and a data correlation model is established, the protection relay algorithm can automatically transition to monitoring mode. During monitoring mode, the protection relay can continue to collect (and / or instruct the switchgear monitor to collect and provide) the same or similar types of data collected during baseline mode. That is, the protection relay can continue to obtain data related to, for example, peak fault current, fault duration, arcing energy, arcing current, humidity level data for events (trips), and any other data described herein. In addition, based on this data, estimates of switchgear operating time, PD level, and temperature rise with the environment can be determined using the data correlation model and stored in a memory (which can be local memory of the protection relay). At the same time, actual measured data for switchgear operating time, PD level, and temperature rise with the environment can also be obtained. Because estimated and measured data are collected and stored during this monitoring mode, the protection relay can calculate deviations between different data sets. For example, measured circuit breaker operating time data can be compared with expected circuit breaker operating time data, and measured circuit breaker operating time data can be compared with threshold levels. In addition, the measured temperature rise data with the environment can be compared with the expected temperature rise data with the environment, and the measured temperature rise data with the environment can be compared with a threshold level. Finally, the measured partial discharge level rise data can be compared with the expected partial discharge level rise data, and the measured partial discharge level rise data can be compared with a threshold level. These comparisons can then be used to detect circuit breaker anomalies and / or predict circuit breaker failure / degradation. In some cases, a continuous circuit breaker health index, an event-based (e.g., circuit breaker tripping) circuit breaker health index, and a circuit breaker degradation index can also be determined. For example, these values ​​can be calculated using equations (1)-(3) set forth below. Based on these data comparisons and calculations, the system can generate one or more alarms or warnings. Alarms, warnings, and / or indications can be provided to indicate that the circuit breaker is experiencing a problem and / or may potentially encounter a problem in the future. For example, if the stored deviation is greater than a threshold as indicated by the continuous circuit breaker health index value, a maintenance notification can be provided to the user. At the same time, the trip event circuit breaker health indicator and the circuit breaker degradation indicator value completed after the circuit breaker trip event can be used to indicate the circuit breaker performance during each circuit breaker trip event (and possible degradation, incipient mechanical failure, mechanical failure progression, and / or mechanical failure occurrence). The circuit breaker degradation indicator can provide an indication of whether the circuit breaker has degraded to a certain extent, even if the other two indicators indicate that the circuit breaker is healthy. Warnings, alarms, and / or other types of indications can also be provided for any other reasons.

[0062] Employing a master / slave configuration of protective relays and switchgear monitors as described herein can provide several benefits. For example, the system can operate in real time and can also operate without the need for external communication and storage infrastructure. As another example, baseline operation for switchgear can be automatically established without technician intervention. As a third example, the system can employ predictive maintenance, as opposed to (or in addition to) reactive and preventive maintenance. That is, the algorithm can be used to predict circuit breaker failures and / or circuit breaker degradations before they occur.

[0063] See the attached picture, Figure 1 An example system 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system may include at least a switchgear 102, a switchgear monitor 104, a protection relay 120, and / or a visualization system 140.

[0064] In some embodiments, switchgear 102 may be a type of power system asset that may be desirably monitored using the systems and methods described herein (although it should be noted that the systems and methods described herein may also be applicable to monitoring any other type of power system asset). More particularly, switchgear may be a power system asset in a power system that may house one or more circuit breakers.

[0065] In some embodiments, the switchgear monitor 104 can be a device that is specifically configured to monitor the switchgear 102 (or any other power system asset), including at least obtaining any type of data from the switchgear 102, such as, for example, partial discharge data, temperature, and humidity data. In some cases, the switchgear monitor 104 can provide this data to the protection relay 120. The protection relay 120 can provide instructions to the switchgear monitor 104 in a master / slave and / or peer-to-peer configuration between the protection relay 120 and the switchgear monitor 104 (although in some cases, the switchgear monitor 104 can also automatically capture and provide data without instructions from the protection relay 120). For example, the switchgear monitor 104 can include an optional current transformer / voltage transformer (CT / VT) 106, one or more light sensors 108, one or more temperature monitors 110, and / or one or more partial discharge (PD) and humidity monitors 112. In some cases, the CT / VT 106, the light sensor(s) 108, and / or the temperature sensor 110 may be connected to the protection relay 120, or they may be connected to the switchgear monitor 104 in a mutually exclusive or redundant manner. The partial discharge and humidity sensors 112 may be an integral part of the switchgear monitor 104 in most typical installations. However, other combinations are possible.

[0066] In some embodiments, the protection relay 120 may be an intelligent device that can be used to control the operation of the switchgear monitor 104 in a master / slave and / or peer-to-peer configuration as described above. The protection relay 120 itself may also be capable of capturing data from the switchgear 102. The protection relay 120 may include a Modbus master data collector 126 (which can use the Modbus master-slave communication protocol to collect data from one or more downstream slave devices, such as monitoring and diagnostic devices), a protection event and trigger mechanism 128 (which can detect abnormal conditions, such as the occurrence of a fault in the power system, and can trigger a control mechanism to operate or trip a circuit breaker), a data integrator 130, and / or a baseline storage element 132. The data integrator 130 may receive one or more data inputs from various sources (e.g., the switchgear monitor 104) and provide the data to an M&D pattern and threshold module 135. For example, the data integrator 130 may receive voltage and / or current measurement data 122 from the CT / VT 106, light intensity measurement data 124 from the light sensor 108, and / or any data received by the Modbus master data collector 126. The baseline storage element 132 may be a local (or remote) storage device that can be used to store certain data captured by the protection relay 120 and / or the switchgear monitor 104 (e.g., any data described herein as data captured by any of these devices) or by calculation (e.g., for Figure 3The M&D mode and threshold module 135 may receive data from the protection event and trigger mechanism 128 and the data integrator 134. The M&D mode and threshold module 135 may detect the current mode of circuit breaker operation (e.g., baseline or monitoring mode) and use the collected data accordingly. In baseline mode, the collected data may be used to establish health behavior characteristics, construct data correlation model(s) and threshold calculations using statistical or clustering-based techniques. In monitoring mode, the collected data may be used to estimate parameters, compare against thresholds, calculate circuit breaker metrics, and assess degradation levels for possible maintenance actions, or check readiness for the next tripping operation or execute any component repair or replacement plans. The M&D mode and threshold module 135 may store any captured and / or calculated data and / or any other information in the baseline storage device 132. The M&D mode and threshold module 135 may cause the control action execution module 136 to take control actions to indicate alarms / warnings related to circuit breaker conditions to the user. The control action execution module 136 may also send one or more control signals to a switchgear (e.g., switchgear 102) during or after a fault event for tripping / closing operations. In some embodiments, the control action may include, but is not limited to, tripping a circuit breaker or otherwise opening an electrical connection or circuit associated with the protection relay 120.

[0067] In some embodiments, visualization system 140 can be, for example, a local human-machine interface (HMI) within relay hardware, standalone relay software, a substation HMI, enterprise software, or cloud-based system software that can be used to display circuit breaker data / analysis / models to a user or operator. A digital twin can be a 3D CAD-based visualization model of a circuit breaker or switchgear device through software that presents an analysis of the circuit breaker or switchgear subsystem conditions in a user-friendly or attractive manner, or in a manner that is easier for the operator. A digital twin can provide a visually rich way to analyze circuit breaker conditions (e.g., an orange code on any subsystem or portion of a circuit breaker 3D model can indicate a high temperature condition for that subsystem or portion in the actual field, or a red code on any subsystem or portion of a circuit breaker 3D model can indicate a degraded health condition for that subsystem or portion in the actual field) rather than viewing large data sets. Visualization system 140 can include digital twin 142 and / or circuit breaker health indicators 144.

[0068] Figure 2An example method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted by flowchart 200. Flowchart 200 may illustrate one or more operations performed during a baseline mode 202, which may be performed when a circuit breaker is initially commissioned and / or undergoes "healthy operation" (which may represent an operating period during which the circuit breaker is not tripped). During the baseline period, data related to the operation of the circuit breaker may be collected. Figure 1 The data may be collected by the protection relay 120 and / or switchgear monitor 104. The data may include a first set of data that may be continuously captured during this reference period and a second set of data that may be captured upon detection of a circuit breaker trip. Examples of the types of data that may be captured are outlined in more detail below with respect to specific operations of the flowchart 200. Once a given number of data samples have been obtained, a data correlation model may be created. The data correlation model may be established using artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, or the like to identify trends between the data inputs captured during the reference mode and the data outputs generated based on those inputs. The data correlation model may then be used to generate a correlation model for the reference mode. Figure 3 During the monitoring mode, the circuit breaker is monitored to estimate data output based on the resulting data input. Additionally, the reference mode may involve establishing thresholds for different types of data that may be monitored to identify when a circuit breaker failure may occur and / or has occurred.

[0069] Flowchart 200 can begin at operation 203. Operation 203 can involve performing data capture. For example, the data capture in operation 203 can be similar to the data capture in operation 208 and any other data capture described herein. Flowchart 203 can then enter condition 204. Condition 204 can determine whether a breaker event has occurred (e.g., a breaker trip). Flowchart 200 can then enter operation 206. Operation 206 can involve determining the type of event that has occurred. For example, the event can be any abnormal condition, such as a fault in a power system, for example, an overload, a short circuit, an overcurrent, an overvoltage, or any other type of event. Flowchart can then enter operation 208, which can involve capturing data. For example, the following data (as well as any other type of data) can be captured: protection function data that triggered the event, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of the fault, arcing current and / or energy within the protection relay, partial discharge (PD) levels, temperature, humidity, and / or breaker operating time. In some cases, some or all of this data can be captured during each switching device operating event. For example, for each switching device operating event (which can include, for example, a breaker trip), the peak fault current, duration of the fault, arcing energy, humidity levels, and / or duration of the fault can be obtained. Additionally, the breaker operating time, partial discharge levels, and / or rise and temperature rise with ambient temperature can be obtained from the above-mentioned data that can be captured during the same switching device operating event. Once a given number of data samples have been captured by operation 208, a data correlation model can be established in operation 210. The data correlation model can then be used to estimate certain parameters of the breaker to predict future problems with the breaker. The data correlation model can be a model that, once established, can then be used to estimate the breaker operating time, partial discharge levels, and / or rise and temperature rise with ambient temperature for any provided data input (e.g., peak fault current, duration of the fault, arcing energy, humidity levels, and / or duration of the fault). The data correlation model can be established using, for example, artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, etc., and can be based on the data samples obtained during the benchmarking session. Finally, after the data correlation model is established in operation 210, flowchart 200 can enter operation 212, which can involve threshold extraction. Thresholds specific to each breaker can be extracted based on the design, rating, type, etc. of the breaker.

[0070] Figure 3 Another example method in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted by flowchart 300. More particularly, Figure 3One or more operations performed during the monitoring mode 302 can be illustrated. The monitoring mode can involve monitoring data associated with the switchgear once a baseline has been established in order to identify times when different types of faults can occur in the switchgear. As with the baseline mode described above Figure 2 The monitoring mode can be performed by the protection relay (although in some cases, the monitoring mode can also be performed by any other element described herein). As described above, the monitoring mode can occur after the baseline mode (e.g., the baseline mode described above or any other baseline mode described herein). Figure 2

[0071] The monitoring mode 302 can begin at operation 303. Operation 303 can involve performing data capture. For example, the data capture in operation 303 can be similar to the data capture in operation 308 and any other data capture described herein. In some cases, data can also be provided to the digital twin model 310 (similar to the data captured in operation 308). The flowchart 303 can then enter condition 304, which can involve determining whether a circuit breaker event has occurred. For example, the circuit breaker event can represent a circuit breaker trip. The flowchart 300 can then enter operation 306. Operation 306 can involve determining the type of event that has occurred. The flowchart 300 can enter operation 308, which can involve data capture. In some cases, the data captured during the monitoring mode 302 depicted in the flowchart 300 can be the same or similar type of data captured during the baseline mode depicted in Figure 2 For example, the types of data that can be captured can include protection type, peak fault V / I, duration of fault, arcing current / time / energy, service life of the circuit breaker, partial discharge level, temperature, humidity, and / or circuit breaker operation time. In some cases, data can be continuously captured during this monitoring mode 302 illustrated in the flowchart 300. In some cases, data can be captured at periodic intervals. At operation 310, the data captured in operation 308 can be provided to the digital twin model of the power system, from which the data can be derived. The digital twin model can be used to provide a visualization of any associated data of the power system. At operation 312, the data captured in operation 308 can be provided to the data correlation model, which can be the data correlation model established in the baseline mode as described above. The data correlation model can be used to determine one or more estimated data outputs based on the input data provided to the data correlation model. In some cases, the one or more output values can include the partial discharge level, temperature rise with the environment, and / or circuit operation time. In some cases, these same data outputs estimated by the data correlation model can also be actually measured. That is, both an estimated and actual value can be obtained for the partial discharge level, temperature rise with the environment, and / or circuit operation time.​

[0072] In some embodiments, once estimated and actual values ​​are available for at least the partial discharge level, temperature rise with the environment, and / or circuit breaker operation time, flowchart 300 may proceed to operation 314. At operation 314, measured data, estimated data, and threshold values ​​may be compared. For example, measured circuit breaker operation time data may be compared with expected circuit breaker operation time data, and measured circuit breaker operation time data may be compared with threshold levels. Additionally, measured temperature rise with the environment data may be compared with expected temperature rise with the environment data, and measured temperature rise with the environment data may be compared with threshold levels. Finally, measured partial discharge level rise data may be compared with expected partial discharge level rise data, and measured partial discharge level rise data may be compared with threshold levels.

[0073] In some embodiments, once the comparison is performed, the flowchart 300 may proceed to operation 316. Operation 316 may involve calculating various indicator values. For example, these indicator values ​​may include a continuous circuit breaker health indicator, a trip event circuit breaker health indicator, and a circuit breaker degradation indicator. The continuous circuit breaker health indicator may be calculated continuously or at given periodic intervals, and the trip event circuit breaker health indicator and the circuit breaker degradation indicator may be calculated during each circuit breaker trip event. These indicators may be calculated using equations (1)-(3) set forth below.

[0074] Circuit breaker health indicator (continuous) = (Equation 1)

[0075] Here, m and n may be less than 1.0, and m+n may be equal to 1.0.

[0076] Circuit breaker health indicator (trip) = (Equation 2)

[0077] Here, x, y, and z may be less than 1.0, and x+y+z may be equal to 1.0.

[0078] Circuit breaker degradation index (trip) = (Equation 3)

[0079] Where x, y, and z may be less than 1.0, and x+y+z may equal 1.0. Values ​​associated with variables A1-A3, B1-B3, and C1-C3 may be provided in Table 1 below.

[0080] Parameter Type Circuit breaker operation time Increased PD levels As the ambient temperature rises Measurement A1 B1 C1 estimate A2 B2 C2 Threshold A3 B3 C3

[0081] Table 1

[0082] After these values are calculated in operation 316, flowchart 300 can enter condition 318. Condition 318 can involve a determination as to whether the circuit breaker is ready for subsequent use. If it is determined that the circuit breaker is ready for subsequent use, flowchart 300 again enters the start and begins again at condition 304. However, if it is determined that there is an issue with the circuit breaker, flowchart enters operation 320. At operation 320, an alert, warning, and / or indication is provided that the circuit breaker is experiencing an issue and / or can potentially experience an issue in the future. For example, if the stored deviation is greater than a threshold value as indicated by the continuous circuit breaker health indicator value, a maintenance notification can be provided to a user. Meanwhile, the trip event circuit breaker health indicator as well as the circuit breaker degradation indicator value completed after a circuit breaker trip event can be used to indicate circuit breaker performance during each circuit breaker trip event (and possibly degradation, incipient mechanical failure, mechanical failure progression, and / or mechanical failure occurrence). The circuit breaker degradation indicator can provide an indication of whether the circuit breaker has degraded to a certain extent, even if the other two indicators indicate that the circuit breaker is healthy. A warning, alert, and / or other type of indication can also be provided for any other reason.

[0083] Figure 4 Another example method 400 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. In Figure 4At block 402 of the method 400, the method 400 can include capturing a first set of data associated with a protective relay during a baseline mode. At block 404, the method 400 can include detecting that a switching device operating event has occurred. At block 406, the method 400 can include sending an instruction to a switching device monitor to provide a second set of data related to an input parameter of the switching device monitor and a third set of data related to an output parameter of the switching device monitor based on the determination that the switching device operating event has occurred. At block 408, the method 400 can include generating a data correlation model using the first set of data and the third set of data. At block 410, the method 400 can include determining an operating baseline for the switching device based on the data correlation model. At block 412, the method 400 can include transitioning to a monitoring mode after a threshold number of data samples have been captured. At block 414, the method 400 can include determining an estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter based on the data correlation model. At block 416, the method 400 can include measuring an actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter. At block 418, the method 400 can include comparing the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter to the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter. At block 420, the method 400 can include determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a threshold amount. At block 422, the method 400 can include generating a warning that the deviation is greater than the threshold amount, wherein the warning precedes a control action by the protective relay. In some embodiments, the method 400 can enable, indicate, or otherwise facilitate the control action by the protective relay. Example control actions can include, but are not limited to, tripping a circuit breaker or otherwise disconnecting an electrical connection or circuit associated with the protective relay.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first set of data includes protective function data, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of fault, arcing current or energy within the relay, partial discharge (PD) levels, temperature, humidity, operating time of the relay, and age of the relay. In some embodiments, the input parameter includes peak fault current, duration of fault, arcing energy, humidity, and duration of arc. In some embodiments, the relay is configured to communicate with the switching device monitor in a peer-to-peer or master and slave configuration. In some embodiments, the switching device operating event includes at least one of: type of fault, duration of fault, total switching device operations, average open time and average close time, failure to open / close alarm, arc time for individual phases, arc energy for individual phases, spring charge time, alarm counter for relay operations, partial discharge (PD) levels, temperature, or humidity levels.

[0085] Method 400 may also include determining a second circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured circuit breaker operating time, a threshold circuit breaker operating time, a measured partial discharge (PD) level rise, a threshold PD level rise, a measured temperature rise over a set value, and a threshold temperature rise over a set value at the time of a trip event. The method may also include determining a circuit breaker degradation indicator based on a difference between an estimated circuit breaker operating time and a threshold circuit breaker operating time, a difference between the measured circuit breaker operating time and a threshold circuit breaker operating time, a difference between an estimated partial discharge (PD) level rise and a threshold PD level rise, a difference between the measured PD level rise and a threshold PD level rise, a difference between an estimated temperature rise over a set value and a threshold temperature rise over a set value, and a difference between the measured temperature rise over a set value and a threshold temperature rise over a set value at the time of a trip event. The method may also include determining that a deviation between an estimated output of a switchgear associated with an output parameter and an actual output of the switchgear associated with the output parameter is greater than a second threshold amount, wherein the second threshold amount is greater than the threshold amount. Method 400 may also include initiating an alarm indicating that the deviation is greater than the second threshold amount.

[0086] Figure 4 The operations described and depicted in the illustrative process flows may be performed in any suitable order as desired in the various example embodiments of the present disclosure. or In addition, in some example embodiments, at least a portion of the operations may be performed in parallel. In addition, in some example embodiments, the operations may be performed in parallel. Figure 4 , or different operations than those depicted in .

[0087] Figure 5An example computing system and device 500 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The computing device 500 may represent any number of elements described herein, such as the protection relay 120, the switchgear monitor 104, the visualization system 140, or any other element described herein. The computing device 500 may include one or more processors 502 that execute instructions stored in one or more memory devices (referred to as memory 504). The instructions may be, for example, instructions for implementing the functionality described as being performed by one or more modules and systems disclosed above, or instructions for implementing one or more of the methods disclosed above. The one or more processors 502 may be embodied, for example, as a CPU, multiple CPUs, a GPU, multiple GPUs, a TPU, multiple TPUs, a multi-core processor, a combination thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 502 may be arranged in a single processing device. In other embodiments, the one or more processors 502 may be distributed across two or more processing devices (e.g., multiple CPUs, multiple GPUs, a combination thereof, or the like). The processors may be implemented as a combination of processing circuitry or computational processing units (e.g., a CPU, a GPU, or a combination thereof). Therefore, for ease of description, a processor can represent a single-core processor, a single processor with software multi-threaded execution capability, a multi-core processor, a multi-core processor with software multi-threaded execution capability, a multi-core processor with hardware multi-threading technology, a parallel processing (or computing) platform, and a parallel computing platform with distributed shared memory. Additionally or as another example, a processor can represent an integrated circuit (IC), an ASIC, a digital signal processor (DSP), an FPGA, a PLC, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed or otherwise configured (e.g., manufactured) to perform the functions described herein.

[0088] The one or more processors 502 can access the memory 504 via a communication architecture 506 (e.g., a system bus). The communication architecture 506 can be adapted to the specific arrangement (localized or distributed) and type of the one or more processors 502. In some embodiments, the communication architecture 506 can include one or more bus architectures, such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processor or local bus, a combination thereof, and the like. By way of illustration, such architectures can include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) bus, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), and the like.

[0089] The memory components or memory devices disclosed herein can be embodied as volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. In addition, the memory components or memory devices can be removable or non-removable and / or internal or external to the computing device or component. Examples of various types of non-transitory storage media can include hard drives, zip drives, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs) or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards or other types of memory cards, magnetic cassettes, or any other non-transitory media suitable for holding the desired information and accessible by the computing device.

[0090] As an illustration, non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM, electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) acting as an external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms, such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The disclosed memory devices or memories of the operating or computing environment described herein are expected to include one or more of these and / or any other suitable types of memories. In addition to storing executable instructions, memory 504 can also hold data.

[0091] Each computing device 500 can also include a mass storage device 508 accessible by one or more processors 502 via the communication architecture 506. The mass storage device 508 can include machine-accessible instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions and / or computer-executable instructions). In some embodiments, the machine-accessible instructions can be encoded in the mass storage device 508 and can be arranged in components that can be constructed (e.g., linked and compiled) and maintained in computer-executable form in the mass storage device 508 or in one or more other machine-readable non-transitory storage media included in the computing device 500. Such components can embody or constitute one or more of the various modules disclosed herein. Such a module is illustrated as the asset monitoring and diagnostics module 514. In addition, protocols such as Modbus, DNP, IEC 60870, IEC 61850, Profibus, Fieldbus, etc. can be used in conjunction with the systems and methods described herein.

[0092] Execution of the asset monitoring and diagnostics modules 514, alone or in combination, by the one or more processors 502 can cause the computing device 500 to perform any of the operations described herein (e.g., for Figure 5 described above and any other actions).

[0093] Each computing device 500 can also include one or more input / output interface devices 510 (referred to as I / O interfaces 510) that can permit or otherwise facilitate communication between external devices and the computing device 500. For example, the I / O interfaces 510 can be used to receive and send data and / or instructions to and from external computing devices.

[0094] The computing device 500 also includes one or more network interface devices 512 (referred to as (one or more) network interfaces 512) that can permit or otherwise facilitate functional coupling of the computing device 500 with one or more external devices. Functionally coupling the computing device 500 to an external device can include establishing a wired or wireless connection between the computing device 500 and the external device. The network interface device 512 can include one or more antennas and a communication processing device that can permit wireless communication between the computing device 500 and another external device. For example, between a vehicle and an intelligent infrastructure system, between two intelligent infrastructure systems, etc. Such a communication processing device can process data according to defined protocols of one or more radio technologies. Radio technologies can include, for example, 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, 5G, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth, ZigBee, near-field communication (NFC), etc. The communication processing device can also process data according to other protocols such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, etc. The network interface(s) 512 may also be used to facilitate peer-to-peer ad hoc network connections as described herein.

[0095] As used in this application, the terms "environment," "system," "unit," "module," "architecture," "interface," "component," and the like refer to computer-related entities or entities associated with operating devices having one or more defined functionalities. The terms "environment," "system," "module," "component," "architecture," "interface," and "unit" can be used interchangeably and can be collectively referred to as functional elements. Such entities can be hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. As an example, a module can be embodied as a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable portion of software, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computing device. As another example, a software application and a computing device executing on a computing device can both embody a module. As yet another example, one or more modules can reside within a process and / or thread of execution. A module can be located on one computing device or distributed between two or more computing devices. As disclosed herein, a module can be executed from various computer-readable non-transitory storage media (the computer-readable non-transitory storage media having various data structures stored thereon). Modules are capable of communicating via local and / or remote processes in accordance with signals (analog or digital), for example, having one or more data packets (e.g., data from a component interacting with a local system, another component in a distributed system, and / or other systems via signals across a network such as a wide area network).

[0096] As yet another example, a module can be embodied in or can include a device having defined functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electrical or electronic circuitry, the circuitry being controlled by a software application or firmware application executed by a processor. Such a processor can be internal or external to the device and can execute at least a portion of the software or firmware application. In yet another example, a module can be embodied in or can include a device having defined functionality provided by electronic components and not by mechanical parts. The electronic components can include a processor that executes software or firmware that at least partially enables or otherwise facilitates the functionality of the electronic components.

[0097] In some embodiments, modules can communicate via local and / or remote processes in accordance with signals (analog or digital), for example, having one or more data packets (e.g., data from a component interacting with other systems via signals with a local system, another component in a distributed system, and / or across a network such as a wide area network). Additionally or in other embodiments, modules can communicate or otherwise couple via thermal, mechanical, electrical, and / or electromechanical coupling mechanisms (e.g., conduits, connectors, combinations thereof, etc.). An interface can include input / output (I / O) components and associated processors, applications, and / or other programming components.

[0098] Furthermore, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, terms such as "storage," "storage device," "data storage," "data storage device," "memory," "repository," and substantially any other information storage component related to the operation and functionality of the components of the present disclosure refer to memory components, entities embodied in one or more memory devices, or components forming a memory device. Note that the memory components or memory devices described herein embody or include non-transitory computer storage media that can be readable or otherwise accessible by a computing device. Such media can be implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as machine-accessible instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions), information structures, program modules, or other information objects.

[0099] Unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context in which it is used, conditional language such as "can," "may," "might," or "may," among others, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations may include, while other implementations do not, certain features, elements, and / or operations. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that features, elements, and / or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include means for determining, with or without user input or prompting, whether such features, elements, and / or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

[0100] The content described herein in this specification and the accompanying drawings includes examples of systems, devices, techniques and computer program products that allow for the automatic provision of updates to vehicle profile packages, both individually and in combination. For the purpose of describing the various elements of the present disclosure, it is certainly impossible to describe every conceivable combination of components and / or methods, but it is understood that many other combinations and permutations of the disclosed elements are possible. Accordingly, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally or as an alternative, other embodiments of the present disclosure may be understood by considering the specification and the accompanying drawings and the implementation of the present disclosure as proposed herein. It is intended that the examples proposed in this specification and the accompanying drawings are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A system for providing enhanced switchgear monitoring and diagnostics in a protective relay, comprising: a monitor device communicating with the switchgear; as well as a protection relay in communication with the monitor device and configured to use a processor: capturing a first set of data associated with the protective relay during a baseline mode; Detecting that a switchgear operation event has occurred; sending an instruction to the monitoring device based on detecting that the switchgear operation event has occurred to provide a second set of data related to an input parameter of the monitoring device and a third set of data related to an output parameter of the monitoring device; generating a data dependency model using said first set of data and said third set of data; determining an operating baseline for the switchgear based on the data dependency model; transitioning to a monitoring mode after a threshold number of data samples have been captured; determining an estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter based on the data dependency model; measuring an actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter; comparing the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter with the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter; determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a threshold amount; as well as A warning is generated regarding the deviation being greater than the threshold amount, wherein the warning precedes a control action by the protection relay.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first set of data includes protection function data, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of fault, arcing current or energy within the relay, partial discharge level, temperature, humidity, operating time of the relay, and age of the relay.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The input parameters include peak fault current, fault duration, arcing energy, humidity, and arc duration.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The output parameters include switching device operation duration, partial discharge level rise, and temperature rise exceeding a set value.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to periodically determine a first circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured partial discharge level rise, a threshold partial discharge level rise, a measured temperature rise exceeding a set value, and a threshold temperature rise exceeding a set value.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to determine a second circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured circuit breaker operating time, a threshold circuit breaker operating time, a measured partial discharge level rise, a threshold partial discharge level rise, a measured temperature rise exceeding a set value, and a threshold temperature rise exceeding a set value at the time of the trip event.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to determine, at a trip event, a circuit breaker degradation indicator based on: a difference between an estimated circuit breaker operating time and a threshold circuit breaker operating time and a difference between a measured circuit breaker operating time and the threshold circuit breaker operating time, a difference between an estimated partial discharge level rise and a threshold partial discharge level rise and a difference between a measured partial discharge level rise and the threshold partial discharge level rise, and a difference between an estimated temperature rise exceeding a set value and a threshold temperature rise exceeding the set value and a difference between a measured temperature rise exceeding the set value and the threshold temperature rise exceeding the set value.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein: The relay is configured to communicate with the monitor device in a peer-to-peer or master and slave configuration.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a second threshold amount, wherein the second threshold amount is greater than the threshold amount; as well as An alarm is initiated, the alarm indicating that the deviation is greater than the second threshold amount.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: Switchgear operation events include at least one of the following: type of fault, fault duration, total switchgear operations, average opening time and average closing time, fail to open / close alarm, arc time for individual phases, arc energy for individual phases, spring charging time, alarm counter for relay operation, partial discharge level, temperature or humidity level.

11. A method for providing enhanced switchgear monitoring and diagnostics in a protective relay, comprising: capturing a first set of data associated with the protective relay during a baseline mode; Detecting that a switchgear operation event has occurred; sending an instruction to a monitoring device based on detecting the switchgear operation event to provide a second set of data related to an input parameter of the monitoring device and a third set of data related to an output parameter of the monitoring device; generating a data dependency model using said first set of data and said third set of data; determining an operating baseline for the switchgear based on the data dependency model; transitioning to a monitoring mode after a threshold number of data samples have been captured; determining an estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter based on the data dependency model; measuring an actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter; comparing the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter with the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter; determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a threshold amount; as well as A warning is generated regarding the deviation being greater than the threshold amount, wherein the warning precedes a control action by the protection relay.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The first set of data includes protection function data, peak fault current, peak voltage, duration of fault, arcing current or energy within the relay, partial discharge level, temperature, humidity, operating time of the relay, and age of the relay.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein: The input parameters include peak fault current, fault duration, arcing energy, humidity, and arc duration.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein: The output parameters include switching device operation duration, partial discharge level rise, and temperature rise exceeding a set value.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising periodically determining a first circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured partial discharge level rise, a threshold partial discharge level rise, a measured temperature rise exceeding a set value, and a threshold temperature rise exceeding a set value.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a second circuit breaker health indicator based on a measured circuit breaker operating time, a threshold circuit breaker operating time, a measured partial discharge level rise, a threshold partial discharge level rise, a measured temperature rise exceeding a set value, and a threshold temperature rise exceeding a set value at the time of the trip event.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining, at a trip event, a circuit breaker degradation indicator based on: a difference between an estimated circuit breaker operating time and a threshold circuit breaker operating time and a difference between a measured circuit breaker operating time and the threshold circuit breaker operating time, a difference between an estimated partial discharge level rise and a threshold partial discharge level rise and a difference between a measured partial discharge level rise and the threshold partial discharge level rise, and a difference between an estimated temperature rise exceeding a set value and a threshold temperature rise exceeding the set value and a difference between a measured temperature rise exceeding the set value and the threshold temperature rise exceeding the set value.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein: The relay is configured to communicate with the monitor device in a peer-to-peer or master and slave configuration.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining that a deviation between the estimated output of the switching device associated with the output parameter and the actual output of the switching device associated with the output parameter is greater than a second threshold amount, wherein the second threshold amount is greater than the threshold amount; as well as An alarm is initiated, the alarm indicating that the deviation is greater than the second threshold amount.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein: Switchgear operation events include at least one of the following: type of fault, fault duration, total switchgear operations, average opening time and average closing time, fail to open / close alarm, arc time for individual phases, arc energy for individual phases, spring charging time, alarm counter for relay operation, partial discharge level, temperature or humidity level.

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