Digital relay device and control method for digital relay device

Abstract

To facilitate contact to a client and perform version-up work of software for control of a compound type digital relay device easily on a client system side in accordance with convenience of facility operation on a client side.SOLUTION: A digital relay device comprises: a reception section which receives a version-up notification of software for control via a communication network; a notification section which notifies a user about the reception of the version-up notification; an input section to which a start instruction of version-up corresponding to the version-up notification is inputted; a protection / monitor processing section which performs protection and monitor processing corresponding to a relay group of a control target; and a processing section which performs version-up processing by receiving version-up information corresponding to the version-up notification via the communication network in parallel with the processing of the protection / monitor processing section in a case where the start instruction of version-up is inputted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a digital relay device and a control method for a digital relay device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to perform monitoring and protection in a power system, a composite digital relay device is known. In a composite digital relay device, in order to add functions or improve functions, the version of the control software is upgraded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When it is necessary to upgrade the control software, it has been necessary to contact the client, who is the user of the composite digital relay device, from the manufacturer each time.

[0005] Also, in the work of upgrading the control software, since the composite digital relay device and the personal computer are connected by a communication cable and the control software is transferred and installed, specialized knowledge is required and it cannot be entrusted to the client's staff, so it is necessary to dispatch technicians, resulting in a problem of high personnel costs.

[0006] Furthermore, during the control software version upgrade, it was necessary to disconnect the control power supply's circuit breaker (MCCB), and the work took about an hour, which meant that there would be a period of time when the equipment operation would be affected. Therefore, it was necessary to coordinate the work schedule with the client in advance, for example, by scheduling the work to coincide with maintenance inspection days.

[0007] Therefore, there was a need to shorten the time required for upgrading the control software and to automate the process.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a digital relay device and a control method for a digital relay device that facilitates communication with the client and allows the client to easily perform software upgrade work on the control of the composite digital relay device in accordance with the client's equipment operation needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The digital relay device of this embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives a version upgrade notification for control software via a communication network, a notification unit that notifies that a version upgrade notification has been received, an input unit that receives an input for a version upgrade start instruction corresponding to the version upgrade notification, a protection / monitoring processing unit that performs protection and monitoring processing corresponding to the group of relays to be controlled, and a processing unit that, when a version upgrade start instruction is input, receives version upgrade information corresponding to the version upgrade notification via a communication network in parallel with the processing of the protection / monitoring processing unit and performs the version upgrade processing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the combined digital relay device management system of an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a combined digital relay device. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a processing flowchart of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the combined digital relay device when a notification is displayed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Next, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the combined digital relay device management system of an embodiment.

[0012] The combined digital relay device management system 10 comprises a management server 11 that manages the combined digital relay device management system 10, a router 13 configured to communicate with the management server 11 via a communication network 12, a number of combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C (three in Figure 1) that can communicate with the router 13 and the management server 11 via the router 13 via a local area network (LAN) 14, a protected / monitored power system 16A which is protected / monitored by the combined digital relay device 15A, a protected / monitored power system 16B which is protected / monitored by the combined digital relay device 15B, and a protected / monitored power system 16C which is protected / monitored by the combined digital relay device 15C.

[0013] In the above configuration, the router 13, LAN 14, composite digital relay devices 15A, 15B, 15C, and protected / monitored power systems 16A, 16B, 16C constitute the client system 17.

[0014] Next, we will explain the configuration of the combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C. Here, since the combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C have similar configurations, we will explain using the combined digital relay device 15A as an example.

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a combined digital relay device. The composite digital relay device 15A includes an analog input unit 21 to which various analog sensors such as a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and an acceleration sensor are connected to perform filtering, sampling, selection processing, and analog / digital conversion processing of an input analog signal, a sequence controller 22 that performs sequence control of a relay to be controlled, a display unit that displays information regarding a protection / monitoring state to a maintenance operator, and a display / operation unit 23 that receives various operations by the maintenance operator.

[0016] Further, the composite digital relay device 15A includes a setting unit 24 that reads, stores, reads out the setting values of the relay, determines the consistency between the set setting values, etc., functions as a trip circuit under the control of the sequence controller 22, closes the main contact, flows current through the trip coil, and trips a circuit breaker (for example, MCCB) that constitutes the protected / monitored power system 16A, and an input / output unit 25 to which state data of the protected / monitored power system 16A is input, and a communication interface (IF) unit 26 that performs a communication interface operation.

[0017] In the above configuration, the analog input unit 21, the sequence controller 22, the display / operation unit 23, the setting unit 24, the input / output unit 25, and the communication interface (IF) unit 26 are communicably connected to each other via a system bus 27 and operate in cooperation. Further, the sequence controller 22 also functions as a controller that controls the entire composite digital relay device 15A.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of the embodiment. In this case, it is assumed that the sequence controller 22 is in a state where the normal monitoring / protection function can be executed based on the monitoring / protection program already installed.

[0019] The sequence controller 22 functions as a receiving unit in cooperation with the communication IF unit 26, and determines whether it has received an updated version of the monitoring / protection program (whether there has been a distribution of an update program) from the management server 11 at every predetermined timing (for example, every 30 minutes) via the communication IF unit 26, the LAN 14, the router 13, and the communication network 12 (step S11).

[0020] In the determination of step S11, if an updated version of the monitoring / protection program has not been distributed yet (step S11; No), the sequence controller 22 functions as a protection / monitoring processing unit, enters a standby state until the next determination timing, and executes the normal monitoring / protection function based on the monitoring / protection program that has already been installed (step S18).

[0021] More specifically, the analog input units 21 of the composite digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C perform filtering, sampling, selection processing, analog / digital conversion processing, etc. on the input analog signals from various analog sensors such as current sensors, voltage sensors, and acceleration sensors, and output them as digital input data to the sequence controller 22.

[0022] Based on the input digital input data and the relay setting values stored in the setting unit 24, the sequence controller 22 determines whether an event that becomes a protection target has occurred in the protection / monitoring target power systems 16A, 16B, 16C that it is corresponding to among the protection / monitoring target power systems.

[0023] In this determination, if an event that becomes a protection target has occurred, the sequence controller 22 controls the input / output unit 25 to trip the circuit breaker (for example, MCCB) that constitutes the protection / monitoring target power system that it is corresponding to, thereby performing protection. Also, in this determination, if an event that becomes a protection target has not occurred, the sequence controller 22 enters a standby state.

[0024] On the other hand, in the determination in step S11, if an updated version of the monitoring / protection program is available (step S11; Yes), the sequence controller 22 receives the updated version of the monitoring / protection program from the management server 11 via the communication IF unit 26, LAN 14, router 13, and communication network 12 (step S12).

[0025] Next, the sequence controller 22 determines whether or not an instruction has been given to "update the monitoring / protection program at a later date" (step S13). If, in the decision made in step S13, an instruction to "update the monitoring / protection program later" has not yet been given, the sequence controller 22 functions as a notification unit in cooperation with the touch panel display unit 36 ​​(described later) and displays a notification prompting the user to input an instruction on whether or not to upgrade the program (step S14).

[0026] Figure 4 is a front view of the combined digital relay device when a notification is displayed. The front panel of the combined digital relay device 15A includes an ON switch 31 for operating the combined digital relay device 15A, an OFF switch 32 for deactivating the combined digital relay device 15A, a Verified switch 33 for checking various information, a Remote / Direct Switching Indicator 34 for indicating whether the combined digital relay device 15A is in remote operation mode or direct operation mode, and an Open / Close Circuit Position Indicator 35 for indicating whether the open / closed circuit position is in a disconnected state or a connected state.

[0027] Furthermore, the front panel of the combined digital relay device 15A includes a touch panel display unit 36 ​​that displays various information and functions as a display / operation unit 23 for performing various operations, a first item changeover switch 37 that switches the selected item on the touch panel display unit 36 ​​to the previous candidate, a second item changeover switch 38 that switches the selected item on the touch panel display unit 36 ​​to the next candidate, and a reset switch 39 that returns the touch panel display unit 36 ​​to its initial state.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 4, the version upgrade instruction input screen 40 of the touch panel display unit 36 ​​receives the updated version of the monitoring / protection program from the management server 11. The software displays a message asking the operator whether to immediately perform the version upgrade of the monitoring / protection program, a version upgrade instruction operation button 41, and a "delay" instruction operation button 42 to indicate that the version upgrade will be performed later.

[0029] Therefore, when the operator touches the instruction button 41, an instruction to immediately perform a version upgrade of the monitoring / protection program is entered. Furthermore, if the operator later touches the instruction button 42, the execution of the monitoring / protection program version upgrade will be suspended.

[0030] Returning to Figure 3, the sequence controller 22 then functions as an input unit in cooperation with the touch panel display unit 36, and determines whether or not a version upgrade instruction operation has been performed when the instruction operation button 41 is operated (step S15). In the determination in step S15, if the instruction button 41 has not yet been operated and no version upgrade instruction operation has been performed (step S15; No), the sequence controller 22 proceeds back to step S13.

[0031] In the determination in step S15, if the instruction operation button 41 is operated and a version upgrade instruction operation is performed (step S15; Yes), the sequence controller 22 functions as a processing unit and performs a version upgrade process to deploy and install the received upgraded version of the monitoring / protection program (step S16).

[0032] Since the normal monitoring and protection functions will continue to operate in parallel with this version upgrade process, they will not be interrupted during the upgrade, allowing for normal operation. Once the version upgrade process is complete, the sequence controller 22 restarts the composite digital relay device 15A and terminates the process (step S19).

[0033] When performing this restart, the sequence controller 22 determines whether or not the system is operating normally before proceeding with the actual restart, so the monitoring / protection functions are not interfered with.

[0034] Furthermore, in the process of stopping the monitoring / protection functions, lower-priority monitoring / protection functions are stopped first, so that the sequence controller 22 can continue to provide minimum monitoring / protection functions until just before restarting.

[0035] On the other hand, if the decision in step S13 indicates that the monitoring / protection program version upgrade will be performed "later" (step S13; Yes), then it is determined whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the confirmation of the input status regarding the feasibility of the previous version upgrade (step S17).

[0036] In the decision made in step S17, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the confirmation of the input status of the instruction regarding whether or not to perform the previous version upgrade (step S17; No), the sequence controller 22 proceeds back to step S13, repeats the above process, and effectively enters a standby state.

[0037] In the decision made in step S17, if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the confirmation of the input status of the instruction to enable or disable the previous version upgrade (step S17; Yes), the sequence controller 22 proceeds to step S14 again, displays a notification prompting the user to input an instruction to enable or disable the version upgrade again (step S14), and repeats the process described above.

[0038] Therefore, if an instruction is given to perform the version upgrade at a later date (Step S13; Yes), a notification will be displayed at predetermined intervals until the operator gives an instruction to perform the version upgrade immediately, allowing the operator to perform the version upgrade at the desired time.

[0039] Therefore, according to this embodiment, there is no need for the manufacturer to contact the client, who is the user of the composite digital relay device, each time, and there is no need to dispatch a technical staff member or require the client's representative to have specialized knowledge. The client can then perform the control software version upgrade at their desired timing. In other words, the control software can be upgraded according to the operational needs of the client system 17.

[0040] Furthermore, since the monitoring and protection functions of the composite digital relays continue during the control software upgrade, the effective downtime is reduced, and the impact on system operation due to the control software upgrade can be minimized.

[0041] On the other hand, the only tasks required on the client system side are selection and instruction operation on the notification display screen, so there is no need to dispatch technical personnel from the management side.

[0042] In the above explanation, pull-type information distribution was used for the distribution of updated control software versions, with queries being sent from the combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C to the management server 11. However, it is also possible to configure the system so that, once the updated control software version is registered with the management server 11, the management server 11 sends a push notification to the combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C at an appropriate time to inform them that distribution is possible.

[0043] In this case, if permission is granted on the side of the combined digital relay devices 15A, 15B, and 15C, it is also possible to configure the system to automatically distribute updated versions of the control software.

[0044] The above explanation focused on the case of a wired LAN, but it is also possible to set up a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi. This configuration allows for greater flexibility in building the client system 17.

[0045] Furthermore, while the above explanation assumed a configuration where version upgrade notifications are received automatically, it is also possible to configure the system to send version upgrade notifications based on operator instructions.

[0046] The digital relay device of this embodiment includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD or CD drive, a display device such as a display unit, and an input device such as a touch panel or keyboard, and has a hardware configuration that utilizes a normal computer.

[0047] The program executed by the digital relay device of this embodiment is provided as an installable or executable file, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory stick, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0048] Furthermore, the program executed by the digital relay device of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. Alternatively, the program executed by the digital relay device of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0049] The program executed in the digital relay device of this embodiment has a modular configuration that includes the above-mentioned parts (receiving unit, notification unit, input unit, protection / monitoring processing unit, and processing unit). In actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads the program from the storage medium and executes it, loading the above-mentioned parts onto the main memory, and creating the (receiving unit, notification unit, input unit, protection / monitoring processing unit, and processing unit) on the main memory.

[0050] Alternatively, the program of this embodiment may be provided pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0051] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10. Integrated Digital Relay Device Management System 11 Management Server 12 Communication Networks 13 Routers 14 LAN 15A~15C Combined Digital Relay Device 16A~16C Power Systems under Monitoring 17 Client System 21 Analog Input Unit 22 Sequence Controllers 23. Operating Unit 24 Setting Units 25 Input / Output Units 26 Communication IF Unit 27 System bus 31 On switch 32 Off switch 33 Confirmation switch 34 Far-direction switching display section 35 Switching circuit position indicator 36 Touch panel display section 37. Item 1 Changeover Switch 38. Second item changeover switch 39. Recovery Switch 40 Version Upgrade Instruction Input Screen 41 Instruction / Operation Buttons 42. Instructions and operation buttons

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives notifications of version updates for control software via a communication network, A notification unit that notifies that the aforementioned version upgrade notification has been received, An input unit into which an instruction to start a version upgrade corresponding to the aforementioned version upgrade notification is entered, A protection / monitoring processing unit performs protection and monitoring processing corresponding to the group of relays to be controlled, When the aforementioned instruction to start the version upgrade is input, the processing unit receives version upgrade information corresponding to the version upgrade notification via the communication network in parallel with the processing of the protection / monitoring processing unit, performs the version upgrade processing, stops the operation of the protection / monitoring processing unit, starting with the operation of the protection / monitoring processing unit with lower priority, and then restarts the digital relay device. A digital relay device equipped with [a specific feature / ability].

2. The aforementioned communication network is configured as a wireless communication network. The receiving unit is equipped with a wireless communication function. The digital relay device according to claim 1.

3. The protection / monitoring processing unit controls the trip circuit to trip the circuit breaker under control and protect it. The digital relay device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. If the notification unit receives an instruction to process the version upgrade later, instead of the instruction to start the version upgrade, it will send another notification after a predetermined time. A digital relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The steps include receiving a notification of a version update for the control software via a communication network, The steps include notifying that the aforementioned version upgrade notification has been received, A step of receiving input for a command to start a version upgrade corresponding to the aforementioned version upgrade notification, The steps include: performing protection processing and monitoring processing corresponding to the group of relays to be controlled; When the instruction to start the version upgrade is received, the following steps are taken: receiving version upgrade information corresponding to the version upgrade notification via the communication network in parallel with the protection and monitoring processes, performing the version upgrade process, stopping the protection and monitoring processes starting with those of lower priority, and then restarting the digital relay device; A control method for a digital relay device equipped with the following features.

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