Multi-Meter Node Outage Detection With Consolidated Mesh Reporting
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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 detection function by separating the communication module from individual meters and placing it at the multi-meter node level. The node contains a processor that divides the detection task by identifying which specific meters are impacted by power outages, allowing centralized communication functionality to serve multiple meters without requiring each meter to have its own communication module.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module at the multi-meter node performs multiple functions: it detects power outages for multiple meters, identifies which specific meters are impacted, generates consolidated messages, and transmits information to the headend system. This single multi-functional module replaces what would otherwise require separate communication capabilities in each individual meter.
2Measurement precision
If multiple power outage messages are sent for each impacted meter, then detection accuracy is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple individual power outage messages into a single consolidated message at the multi-meter node. The processor combines information about all impacted meters within the node and transmits one unified message to the headend system, reducing network traffic while preserving complete detection information about which specific meters are affected.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-meter node performs preliminary processing of power outage information before transmission to the headend system. It proactively identifies impacted meters, consolidates the data, and prepares the consolidated message in advance, reducing the need for follow-up queries and minimizing overall network communication requirements.
3Device complexity
If existing cabinet meters are used without phase-specific detection, then device complexity is reduced, but power outage detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by detecting power outages at the phase level rather than treating the entire multi-meter node as a single unit. The processor identifies which specific phases have power outages and determines which meters are connected to those phases, providing localized, precise detection information for each affected meter rather than generic node-level detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor at the multi-meter node acts as an intermediary between the power supply phases and the headend system. It receives power status information from the phases, processes this information to identify impacted meters based on phase connections, and generates appropriate detection messages, thereby enabling accurate detection without requiring complex individual meter capabilities.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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.