Accessory Device for Electronic Protection Relay Internet Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for monitoring the operating status of low voltage electric power distribution grids are complex and expensive, limiting the full exploitation of data collected by electronic protection relays and hindering advanced monitoring services, especially in providing easy and efficient remote access at low costs without requiring significant modifications to the communication structure.
Innovation Solution
An accessory device for electronic protection relays that acts as an Internet gateway, enabling direct connection to the Internet and collecting grid data from various devices within the distribution grid, which are then transmitted for processing in a cloud computing environment, using communication protocols like CAN, ETHERNET, MODBUS, and PROFIBUS, and allowing for 'plug & play' installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complex and expensive monitoring solutions are adopted to make data sets available at remote level, then data transmission capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device serves as an intermediary gateway between the electronic protection relay and the Internet. It connects to the relay's existing communication bus (CAN, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus) and translates/forwards data to remote servers via Internet protocols, enabling remote data access without modifying the relay's internal architecture or requiring complex dedicated communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus) simultaneously. It can extract data from different types of electronic protection relays and transmit to various remote platforms, making it a universal solution applicable across different grid monitoring scenarios without requiring protocol-specific customizations.
2Ease of operation
If existing communication structures are modified to enable remote data access, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but intervention complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device is installed as an external add-on that interfaces with the existing communication bus of the electronic protection relay. It acts as a mediator that captures data from the relay through the existing bus structure and forwards it via Internet protocols to remote servers, enabling remote access without any modification to the relay's internal communication architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into independent functional modules: the existing electronic protection relay remains unchanged, the accessory gateway device handles protocol translation and Internet connectivity, and remote servers perform data analysis. This segmentation allows the accessory device to be installed and configured independently without affecting the relay or requiring system-wide modifications.
3Reliability
If advanced monitoring services are implemented, then monitoring capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory gateway device is designed as a cost-effective, standardized product that can be deployed in large numbers across multiple locations. Rather than investing in expensive custom-built monitoring systems for each relay, the solution uses affordable, mass-producible gateway units that provide reliable Internet connectivity and data transmission capabilities at low unit cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device and remote servers operate autonomously to collect, transmit, and analyze grid data without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically establishes Internet connections, formats data according to remote server requirements, and maintains continuous monitoring, reducing operational costs while providing advanced monitoring services.
Data Source
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AI summary
An accessory device (1) for an electronic protection relay (2) characterised in that it comprises: - a first communication port (11) for communication with one or more electronic devices (21, 22, 23, 24, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) of said electronic protection relay or operatively connected with said electronic protection relay; - a second communication port (12) for communication with one or more computerized units (30, 40, 50) through the Internet; - first processing means (13) to manage the operation of said accessory device, said first processing means being operatively coupled with said first and second communication ports. The accessory device is configured to execute a data-gathering procedure (DGP), in which said accessory device polls one or more electronic devices (21, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), which are in communication with said accessory device through said first communication port (11), and receives grid data (D), which are related to the operation of an electric power distribution grid (250) including said electronic protection relay, from said electronic devices in response to said polling. The accessory device is configured to execute a data-publishing procedure (DPP), in which said accessory device transmits said grid data (D) to a publishing computerized unit (30), which is in communication with said accessory device through said second communication port (12).