Multi-Meter Node Outage Detection With Phase-Level Message Consolidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-meter nodes in power distribution networks are inefficient in detecting and communicating power outages and restorations, particularly in scenarios where multiple meters are deployed at the same location, as they cannot identify impacted meters unless all phases of the power supply lose power, leading to unnecessary complexity and bandwidth consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multi-meter node with a communication module that determines the power status of each phase and generates a consolidated message for impacted meters, reducing the number of messages sent over the mesh network and improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a communication module is added to each meter in a multi-meter node, then power outage detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power supply monitoring function by phase, with the communication module detecting power status changes on each individual phase (A, B, C) separately. This allows identification of which specific phase caused the power outage, enabling precise detection without requiring separate communication modules for each meter.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module acts as an intermediary that monitors the power supply phases and determines which meters are affected based on the phase-to-meter mapping. Instead of placing communication modules in each meter, a single communication module mediates the detection process by analyzing power status changes and identifying impacted meters through logical deduction.
2Measurement precision
If multiple power outage messages are sent for each impacted meter, then detection accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple power outage notifications into a single consolidated message. When a power outage occurs, the communication module generates one message that contains the identifiers of all affected meters, rather than sending separate messages for each meter. This combines multiple information units into one transmission, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining complete detection information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the mapping relationship between power supply phases and meters in the multi-meter node. This pre-configured knowledge allows the communication module to quickly determine which meters are affected by a phase power change and include them all in a single consolidated message, eliminating the need for multiple sequential transmissions.
3Device complexity
If a single communication module is used for multiple meters, then device complexity is reduced, but power outage detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented by phase rather than by meter. The single communication module monitors each phase (A, B, C) independently and can identify power outages on specific phases. This phase-level segmentation enables precise detection of which phase caused the outage, allowing the system to accurately identify affected meters even with a single communication module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring parameter from individual meter status to phase power status. Instead of checking whether each meter is powered, the communication module monitors the power status of each phase. This parameter change simplifies the monitoring architecture while maintaining detection accuracy, as the phase power status directly determines which meters are affected.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting power status changes, such as power outages or power restorations, at a multi-meter node associated with a power distribution network is provided. For example, a multi-meter node associated with a power distribution network can be configured to detect the power status change event occurred at the node, such as a power outage event or a power restoration event. Based on the type of the event, the communication module of the multi-meter node identifies meters contained in the multi-meter node that are impacted by the event, such as meters that become unpowered due to a power outage event or meters that become powered due to a power restoration event. The communication module generates a consolidated power status change message for the impacted meters and transmits the message to a headend system over a mesh network.