MXPA01008097A - Method and apparatus for automated reconfiguration of an electric power distribution system with enhanced protection - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling an electric power distribution system including the use and coordination of information conveyed over communications to dynamically modify the protection characteristics of distribution devices (including but not limited to substation breakers, reclosing substation breakers, and line reclosers). In this way, overal protection and reconfigurability of the distribution system or"team"is greatly enhanced. According to additional aspects of the invention, devices within the system recognize the existence of cooperating devices outside of the team's domain of direct control, managing information from these devices such that more intelligent local decision making and inter-team coordination can be performed. This information may include logical status indications, control requests, analog values or other data.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED RECONFIGURATION OF AN ELECTRICAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH PROTECTION IMPROVED BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to improvements in the control of an electric power distribution system, and more specifically to the use of intelligent autonomous nodes to isolate I damaged sections of distribution lines, reconfigure and restore service to end customers (circuit reconfiguration) and improve circuit protection.

Description of Related Art The power distribution systems of this invention are generally low to medium voltage distribution feeders (ranging from about 4 KV to 69 KV) which originate in power distribution substations and which lead to the source of supply for the end customers of a company or power supply agency. Although the electrical principles that govern the operation of these feeders are identical to those that govern the operation of the high voltage transmission and generation systems, the methodologies to build, operate and maintain the low voltage systems are different. These methodologies are dictated by much larger quantities and the geographic dispersion of the distribution equipment, and by much lower amounts of electric power supplied per 1609 meters (mile) of circuit. This creates requirements of lower cost, modular, standardized equipment, which can be installed, operated and maintained with minimal human work and supervision. Faults (breakdowns) of the distribution feeder occur due to derived power lines, underground cable excavation or other causes and are typically detectable by detecting excess current (short circuit / overload) and occasionally by detecting loss of power. voltage. In distribution systems, it is sometimes the case that a voltage loss is detected by a customer's complaint, so the company detects the interruption of the service, responding with the dispatch of a crew to isolate the failure and reconfigure the distribution system. The typical devices to isolate these faults are circuit breakers located mainly in distribution substations and fuses located in diagonals or in transformers of the customer. Circuit breakers are usually provided with reconnect relays that cause the circuit breaker to close several times after the circuit breaker has detected an overload and disjunction condition. If during any of these "reconnections", the fault becomes undetectable, the service is restored and a prolonged interruption of service does not occur. Particularly in aerial distribution lines, temporary arcing due to wind, lightening, etc. They cause many breakdowns. In this way, most faults are eliminated when the circuit breaker is opened and the service is restored with automatic reconnection. Alternatively, after some number of reconnection attempts, if the overload condition is still present, the reconnection goes to a "blocking" state which prevents further attempts to eliminate the fault. Unlike manually operated switches, most distribution feeders have no other means to isolate a fault between the substation and the fuses, so any failure of the feeder results in prolonged, expensive, inconvenient and potentially service interruptions. dangerous. The main exceptions to this involve the use of devices known as "line reconnectors" "switches" and "automatic line disconnectors" or "disconnectors". These are automatically operated devices, well known to those skilled in the art, and are categorically referred to herein as "devices for isolating faults". The reader should be aware that the term "disconnector" refers to a specific family of automatic devices for isolating faults described below, while the terms "section" and "sectionalize" are used to describe the process of isolating a damaged section of the line, which can be effected by all the classes of switches described above. The "line recloser" is typically a pre-packaged version of the substation circuit breaker with reconnect relay. The line reclosers typically consist of a switching device to break faults or breakdowns with integrated current detection, plus a control enclosure containing fault detection equipment, logic control, user interface module and power supply reinforced with batteries When placed on the distribution line between the substation and the customer loads, a line recloser is typically installed with coordinated fault detection arrangements to operate before disbanding the substation and to correspondingly prevent the circuit breaker from operating. Substation make the disjunction. This has the effect of reducing the number of customers affected by terminating the line fault. In very large feeders, more sensitive arrangements can be used to protect the feeder from a very low magnitude to be detected reliably by the substation breaker. Multiple line re-connectors can be placed on a serial distribution line, although it becomes increasingly difficult or impossible to coordinate their arrangements so that only the nearest recloser next to the source of the fault operates. The "switch" is typically a pre-packaged breaker and fault relay with no automatic reconnection capability. The switches are mainly used in underground power distribution systems. The "automatic line disconnector" or "disconnector" is typically a pre-packaged combination of a load interrupter switch used in conjunction with the device known as "line disconnector control". The disconnector detects current (and optionally voltage), so that the operation of the circuit and the protective device on the source side can be verified. The switch is configured to open its switch under certain circumstances when the circuit is de-energized after a number of pre-set voltage losses have occurred within a short time interval. Circumstances vary from product to product, but are always based on the detection of conditions caused by faults briefly due to voltage losses. The disconnectors are designed to coordinate with the operation of circuit protective devices. Typical disconnectors are devices such as the GV or GW Cooper Energy System Disconnector manufactured by Cooper Industries, Ine, or the Model 2801-SC Switching Control from EnergyLine Systems manufactured by EnergyLine Systems. These are well-known devices within the industry, and thus do not need to be described in detail here. Although the acceptance by electricity companies of more sophisticated automated solutions to fault isolation and reconfiguration has been limited, many methods have been developed and marketed. The most primitive methods have typically involved placing control and switching equipment at strategic points in the power distribution network and coordinating their operation entirely with the use of the circuit parameters detected and operated at each local point and independently. An exemplary system of this type is the Kearney FILS system. More sophisticated methods have been developed to isolate / reconfigure those circuits by communicating information detected locally at strategic points to a designated, high-level control entity. Exemplary methods of this type are described in U.S. Patents 5,513,061 and 5,701,226 (Gelbein) and 5,341,268 (Ishiguro). Using distributed, intelligent control methodologies, several methods have been developed to isolate / reconfigure distribution circuits without the need for higher level control entities. In the systems that implement these methods, the information is detected and processed locally, performed as much as possible locally, and then shared with other devices that cooperate to direct or improve their capacity to take action. Examples of such methods can be found in US Patents 3,970,898 (Baumann) and 5,784,237 (Velez), and in an earlier version of the EnergyLine Systems IntelliTEAM product (Reg. TM) and related US patent application 08 / 978,966 (Nelson et al. ). Most of these methods and systems contain significant restrictions on the types of power distribution equipment and supported topologies. For example, Baumann, Velez, and Gelbein describe methodologies designed for switch disconnectors without interruption of breakdowns with circuit breakers or reclosers only at the supply sources. In this way, the methodologies for integrating substation circuit breakers, line reclosers, disconnectors and other equipment in automatic circuit reconfiguration systems, generalized, have been limited. There are many reasons for this, mainly related to the nature of electrical distribution systems: 1. Without communication equipment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate the prediction and fault isolation functions of more than two or three devices. 2. Communication equipment is expensive or limited in capacity, and the techniques to manage the information flow and the sequence of events are primitive. This also adds work to the installation and support of such systems. 3. Charge density / diversity, different sizes of wires or cables and intermingled construction techniques (aerial / underground) and inherently unpredictable load patterns greatly complicate the automation of emergency switching decisions. 4. Generally, there is more than one alternate power source, but the source may have limited capacity to supply the feeder. This requires a more complex decision-making process. 5. Even if there is only an alternate supply, and that supply is randomly placed at the end of the line, limitations on the current carrying capacity of the main feeder may limit the reconfiguration process. 6. Limited training and crews with experience for emergencies require that the equipment be easily operated in both modes of automatic and manual operation. . 7. Relay and protection relay technology has advanced to incorporate microprocessor-based technologies, and existing reconfiguration system solutions incorporating reclosers do not take advantage of the advanced capabilities of microprocessor-controlled devices. Examples of recent improvements in recloser technology include the Form 4c and Form 5c reconnector controls manufactured by Cooper Industries, the SEL 351R Collector Control manufactured by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. and the N, U and W series Reconnector Controls. manufactured by Un-Lec Pt. Ltd. These products are capable of internally maintaining at least two separate sets of protective relay arrays, selected by the customer on the front panel or on communications. These sets of fixes can be loosely referenced, "profiles" of protection features, and can include a wide variety of selections including modes of operation, activated protection features, and arrays or level parameters. In the case of the SEL 351R, there is the ability to modify the arrangements or parameters of the profile based on a procedure language and communication with external devices, although the methodology and specific details to do this are left to the end user. A key attribute of these profiles is the amount of load, and the distance (or "reach") down the distribution line that can be accommodated with reliable detection of the overload fault.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A principal aspect of the present invention is to provide a methodology and a related system apparatus for using and coordinating the use of information conveyed over communications to dynamically modify the protection characteristics of distribution devices (including but not limited to). breakers of substations, circuit breakers of reconnection substations and line reclosers). In this way, the total protection and reconfigurability of the distribution system or "equipment" is greatly improved. In another aspect of the invention, the devices within the system according to the present invention recognize the existence of devices that cooperate outside the domain of the direct control equipment, handling information of those devices, so that a local decision is made more intelligent and inter-team coordination can be carried out. This information may include logical status indications, control requests, analog values or other data as will be presented later. . These and other purposes and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the present detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a conventional distribution system in which nodes have been installed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention up to now. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a node of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing the error verification and simplification routine employed by the embodiment of Figure 2. This routine is claimed by several other portions of the system flowchart and updates the clock and. the counters used to synchronize the system. Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing the status of the synchronization process employed by the embodiment of Figure 2. This routine coordinates the transmission of the database between the nodes.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the integrity verification status employed by the embodiment of Figure 2. This routine verifies the database, error indications and system status to ensure that the node is operating correctly and the data is reliable. Figures 6A and 6B are flow diagrams showing the state of the transfer process employed by the embodiment of Figure 2. These routines close open switches after a failure or breakdown occurs to restore service to as many users as possible. Figures 7A and 7B are flow diagrams showing the status of the return to normal process employed by the embodiment of Figure 2. These routines return the nodes to their normal state once the failure or failure has been eliminated. Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the timer tasks of the completion process employed by the modality of Figure 2. This routine is claimed by any flow diagram of the transfer process status or the flow diagram back to normality and sets a timer to ensure that the operation of those tasks does not exceed a predetermined duration of time.

Figure 9 shows an alternative configuration of a distribution system that places additional restrictions on the ability of the alternate source to supply power, and the flow diagram to support the configuration. Figure 10 shows an alternative configuration of a distribution system with improved fault or fault isolation capabilities, and the flow diagram to support the configuration. Figure 11 shows a logic block diagram of an alternative mode of the mode controller 200, in which the reconfiguration intelligence of the circuit is contained in an additional microprocessor card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The present invention comprises novel improvements to a method and system for controlling an electric power distribution system. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications and their requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the modes shown, but according to the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. • Figure 1 shows a simplified view of a portion of an exemplary electrical power distribution system that can be controlled by a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The distribution system comprises a plurality of electrical power sources 120 connected to a plurality of users 104 (e.g., factories, homes, etc.) through an electrical distribution line 106 such as conventional power lines. The distribution line 106 has a plurality of nodes 108 placed at predetermined points along the line 106. The description of the number of sources, users, lines and nodes in Figure 1 is arbitrary and there may be a different configuration or number of each of those components in any given distribution system. Furthermore, although the system described in US Patent Application 08 / 978,966 is very suitable for making decisions based on the local configuration of, and the conditions detected on the main distribution line, the present invention allows devices within the equipment of the The system recognizes the existence of auxiliary or "secondary" devices (eg, 130A and 130B) outside the domain of the direct control equipment, which actively maintains information from those devices, so that a more intelligent local decision and inter-team coordination can be made. Correspondingly, the devices within the equipment can be configured to provide information on communication channels, (e.g., 131A and 131B) as members of the secondary equipment of other equipment. This information may include logical status indications, control requests, analog values or other data. Figure 2 describes a previously preferred embodiment of a node 200 according to the invention. The distribution line 202 passes through the switch 204 which can open and close the distribution line at this point. In other embodiments of the invention, the switch 204 may be replaced by other devices capable of effecting energy detection, control or conditioning functions such as voltage regulation (voltage regulators), reactive power control, (switched capacitor banks) ), fault or fault detection, etc. It will be appreciated that in a manner consistent with the present invention, node 200 can also be of one type to control two (dual), three or more switches, with custom loads or alternate sources between the switches. In this case, the distribution line 202 would pass through two or more switches 204 which can be opened and closed independently under the control of the single node 200. In this context, the node 200 is a single node, from the point of view of communications, but it is a multiple node from the point of view of the energy system and the control algorithms of the present invention. In these circumstances, the flow of information does not change, but the communication step is simply omitted. The node controller 206 controls the distribution switch 204. The node controller 206 includes a control computer 208, a display device 209, and an associated memory 210. The memory 210 stores the programming to control the node and stores the node. database of node records about each node in the system. A significant feature of the present invention is the addition of information elements 17-18 in the registers of node 210 to reflect the protective characteristics of the node as explained below. A significant feature of the present invention relates to improvements to the operation of the equipment when the node 200 has protective capabilities (protection against overload / interruption of faults or breakdowns). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the distribution switch 204 may have different operating capabilities, which may be improved or degenerated depending on its ability to participate in the reconfiguration of the circuit. For example, the lowest cost switches may not be able to interrupt high currents, or many can not be equipped are voltage and current sensors. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the node 200 can be programmed not to open the switch under high interrupting currents (control of the sectionalizing switch), or alternatively it can be programmed as a "circuit protective device". (recloser or circuit breaker). When programmed with a protective device, the switch opens under overload conditions (fault or fault current) to prevent fire or damage to the customer's circuit or equipment, and also for safety concerns. In its main aspect, the present invention provides methods and apparatuses having generalized algorithms (see generally Figures 3 and 6-8) to use and coordinate the use of information transported over communications to dynamically modify the protection characteristics of electronic devices. distribution (including but not limited to substation breakers, reconnection substation breakers and line reclosers). In this way, the total protection and reconfiguration of the system or distribution "equipment" improves greatly. These modifications would vary in scope depending on the settings in the protection parameters or feature selection for redefining the capabilities of the device. For example, under certain circumstances, the automated control methodology can redefine the role of a line recloser in a line section or in a non-fully automatic switch to reduce problems with coordination between multiple guard devices. Since the algorithms are applied dynamically, there is no need to adapt the operation of the procedure to each circuit configuration. Since each device automatically recognizes its role within the equipment, the coordination of the protective devices is greatly facilitated by detailed improvements later. The control computer 208 is connected to an AC waveform processor (Alternating Current) 212. The AC waveform processor 212 is connected through the field interconnect connector 214 to the distribution line 202. This allows The processor measures several critical parameters of the electricity on the distribution line such as voltage and current, converts them digitally, and sends them to the control computer for processing, communications or memory storage. The 1/0 digital interface or interface 216 is connected to the control computer 208, the switch 204, and the distribution line 202. The 1/0 digital interface 216 allows a computer controller 206 to receive information from detection of the position of the switch and other inputs, and send control outputs to the switch. The communications device 218 is connected to the control computer 208 and allows it to communicate with other nodes on the system through the communications channel 110 of Figure 1. The communications devices can be connected to any communication network that is conveniently available and having the desired characteristics. In a current embodiment of the invention, a Radio Metricom was used. A second, optional communication device 220 may be included in the node, if desired, to be used by systems other than the present invention. An example of this would be the SCADA gate. Energy is supplied to the node through the power supply / battery booster 222. The battery can be charged with solar energy, a potential AC transformer, or energy supplied through voltage sensors. Each of the nodes is connected to a communication channel 110. Any communication channel can be used. In the present invention, for example, the communication channel could be a telephone, radio, the Internet or fiber optic cable. Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a synchronization counter and the state selection process executed by each node according to the preferred mode so far. In this process, the node updates its timer and sequence counter of the database that are used to synchronize the nodes with each other. The nodes then verify error conditions and place error indicators if errors are found and determine from their database what state they are in: synchronization, integrity check or reconfiguration event. An improvement to the synchronization process is the addition of step 315 to provide protective devices with "advance notice" of their protective features before a reconfiguration event so that the initial restoration of a circuit can begin before the adjustment of the device profiles. protector if the above parameters are adequate.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the state of the synchronization process executed by each node according to the preferred mode so far. In this state the nodes build a database of critical control information about the distribution system. All nodes contribute to the construction of a database. Each node stores a copy of the database in a memory. The steps in the construction of the database according to the preferred mode so far are the following: each node receives the database from the previous node, adds this to its information register and passes the database to the next node. This process continues until all the nodes have received a record of each of the other nodes. Once this process is completed, each node then proceeds to the integrity verification state shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flow diagram which illustrates the operation of the integrity verification status process executed by each node according to the preferred modality up to now. When a node executes this process, it checks the records it has received from all other nodes to ensure that the records reflect a timely version of the system's state. Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the transfer process state according to the preferred mode so far. This flow chart describes the process used by each node after the occurrence of a system failure followed by an autonomous sectionalization. This process is also started in a. node when the node receives a message that another node has entered this process. To restore power to as many users as possible after a failure has occurred, each node will use this process to determine if it can close its associated switches. The present invention extends the functionality of the transfer logic to ensure that the protection settings or parameters are equal to the transfer requirements (steps 645-654). Figure 7 describes the logic used by each node to return the distribution system to its normal state once it has been eliminated to failure. The present invention extends the functionality of the back-to-normal logic to ensure that the protection settings or parameters are equal to the requirements of the transition back to normal, particularly when the "closed" transition is used (steps 722 and 750-752). Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a task timer that is used during the transfer process state of Figure 6 and the status of the return to normal process of Figure 7 to ensure that the system Do not take too long to complete the steps required in any of those processes. The present invention extends the functionality of the logic to return to normal to readjust the protection parameters when the transition returns to normal, and in particular when the "closed" transition back to normal is used (steps 830-831). ).

Addendum of the Equipment Database As mentioned above, the memory 210 stores the programming to control the node and stores a database of the node records about each node in the system (computer database). Each record includes a number of fields which include information that allows the node controller to control the switches of the node to alter the characteristics of the distribution line in response to the demands of the distribution system. A major improvement in the present invention is the addition of protective features to the equipment database, facilitating the coordination of the protection parameters during the transfer / restoration of the load. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ordering of the node registers in the database corresponds to the physical rearrangement of the nodes in the distribution system. It would not deviate from the present invention to have the node records in the database sorted in some other way or to include information in each node record of the actual or relative physical position of the node in the distribution system. If the node controller is of a dual or multiple switching type, the position of each switch is represented in the database and can be ordered independently. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single node of dual or multiple switching from the point of view of communications can be used as the sole member of the team. It will be noted that doing so is completely consistent with the preferred embodiment of the invention. A dual switching node can act as the sole member of the team when it is the only physically installed member (other members can be installed later), when the other team members have been temporarily removed from the team, or when errors and other nodes in the team have been removed. The equipment allows the whole team to act on a condition of service interruption. Also, a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to control a cyclic distribution system as in Figure 1 in which there are two sources and a normally open switch (a "connection" switch) in the distribution line between the two sources, or a radial distribution system in which there is a source and no connection switch. It would not deviate from the present invention that the database represents simpler or more complex distribution system topologies and that the invention is capable of working on such topologies. In the preferred embodiment, the connection switch can be closed to restore the load (feedback) from either side, depending on which side the switch has been energized and on which side it has been de-energized. As a convention, the circuit is described as having one "right" side and one "left" side, with the connection switch between the right and left sides. The node of the lowest number was designated as being closed to the source on the left side of the circuit, and the side with the highest number was designated as being closed at the source on the right side. The circuit traversed between each of the two adjacent nodes is referred to as a "transfer segment" or "segment". In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each record of the node database includes: (1) record currently in use the indicator, (2) indication of the type of devices represented by each individual record, (3) the communication address of the node, (4) its normal switching states (open or closed), (5) present communication states, (6) the voltage status (whether the voltage is present on the line or not) (by position if applicable) , (7) the fault state (a fault or fault has been detected) (by position if applicable), (8) the time stamped present, (9) number of data streams, (10) the state of the logical process (which state and step is in the switch), (11) error condition status indicators, (12) state of the automatic / manual mode of operation (by position if applicable), (13) average of the charges detected on each phase (by position if applicable), (14) time stamped at the beginning of the process of ev in, (15) indication of the method of return to normal (open or closed transition), (16) indication of whether the mode was within the affected portion of the circuit, (17) maximum number of circuits that can be adequately protected with the current protection parameters when the circuit is fed from the left side, and (18) number of segments that can be equally protected when the circuit is fed from the right side. For the purposes of this invention, a segment (see points 17 and 18 above) represents the distribution line between two nodes of the adjacent equipment of Figure 1. In the case of a single communication node containing dual or multiple switches, the number of segments together the load between any two switching positions along the main distribution line as an additional segment. The "maximum number of segments" is obtained using a methodology described below. It will be appreciated that in other implementations of the invention different node data may be stored in the database record for each node without departing from the scope of the invention. The local computer registry database (above) allows each node to have enough information about the status of the distribution system to intelligently control its local switch. Additionally, since the database is stored locally in the node, the node does not need to request other nodes for the information or wait to receive operating instructions from the other nodes. It will be appreciated that in a manner consistent with the present invention, the current record with use of the indicator can be used to remove a node from the activities of the coordinated system or allow a node to resume coordinated system activities. The decision to remove or summarize the activity of a node can be taken, but not limited to an external decision making entity, or per node itself.

Protection Profiles and the Equipment Database A significant improvement in the preferred form of the present invention is the representation of additional taxes in the profiles of the protective device. These attributes improve the ability of the protection engineer to transport an intended range or purpose of operation of the parameters for the equipment nodes. In addition, these attributes support a functionality related to the equipment, additional, in other circumstances not represented in the protection parameters of the individual device as will be clarified below. The attributes are: (1) "Profile type" that indicates the intended use of this profile. For the preferred implementation, the possible values are: (a) "Equipment Mode / Normal" to be used when the nodes are in their normal operating state, with the switch open normally open, and all others closed. In the preferred embodiment, there is only one Team Mode / Normal profile, although it would not deviate from the scope of this invention to have multiple profiles, dynamically selected based on operating parameters, such as the season of the year or load-based criteria. . (b) "Equipment / Transfer Mode to be used in circumstances where additional segments or loads must be picked up or transported on this device and the normal profile is inadequate." There may be multiple Team / Transfer mode profiles, selected to be used on the basis of of several selection criteria discussed below, (c) "Autonomous" when the operation of the equipment is not allowed, or is temporarily disabled due to errors or persistent problems (those are referred to below as "Interruption of Transfer" conditions) , (d) "Equipment Mode / Return to Normal" to be used during a "return to normal" equipment operation (see below.) (2) Number of Segments, Distribution from the Left Side "indicating the maximum number of additional segments, starting at the position of the local switch, which can be protected by the profile when power is fed from the side left of the circuit. This number can assume a higher value than the direct scope of the device if the system includes other protective devices with profiles that protect the end of the line. In this case, if the other devices are members of the equipment, one of the features of the present invention is to maintain the consistency between the profiles. (3) "Number of Segments, Distribution from the Right Side": As before, but without feeding energy from the right side. (4) "Maximum Load" which indicates the maximum amount of customer load that the profile is intended to protect. This value is typically predefined by the user and compared against load data in real time to ensure that the profile is not used in circumstances where a false disjunction of the protective device could occur. (5) "Protection Selection Key": This is an index or internal indicator of the actual configuration parameters associated with the profile. This index allows the inputs specified by the user to be linked to a connection of device parameters either preloaded in the device or maintained as a separate database. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other attributes and attribute values that could be used to characterize the configuration of protective device parameters. It is an object of the present invention to allow team members to decide whether or not the protection parameter members of the other team members require adjustment before the additional load is captured towards several open switches. In this way, the fields of "segment numbers" in the local registry must be determined locally and shared among the members of the team. This process takes place periodically during normal operation when the equipment database is exchanged ("sync" process, Figure 3, step 315). A more complex process is involved in determining the values of the fields during error processing and / or transfer events and this is discussed below.

Calculation of the "Number of Segments" Field - Normal Operation The following discussion identifies the way in which the "number of segments" fields are calculated for the currently active profile during the normal operation of the equipment, excluding transfer and return events. normality or error handling. In the preferred embodiment, the protective devices operate without changes invoked by the equipment to their operating profiles unless certain transfer or error conditions are present. It would not deviate from the intended scope of this invention if active profile changes are made and coordinated through the equipment on the basis of seasonal variations, load or other information detected or transported. There are many possible ways to derive the "number of segments" fields in the local registry of the computer database based on the type and capabilities of the device. The preferred modalities use the following methodology based on the inherent switching and control capabilities: Sectionalization switch: After initialization, the number of segments that can be protected is set indefinitely large. When the equipment database or local record is transferred (during synchronization or during a transfer event), the count is reduced from the number of segments protected by the nearest adjacent node to the source side of the disconnector, decreasing the number in one. For example, for the local register that corresponds to the second node, if the first node can protect the three segments on its load side when the energy is distributed from the left (count of the left segment) and the second node is a sectionalization switch , set your count of the distribution segment on the left side in two. The third local node register indicates that it can protect two segments beyond its position when the power is distributed from the right, the sectionalizing switch at node two fixes its count from the right-side segment to one. Special provisions must be made for the first node (distribution from the left) and the last node (distributions from the right), since they do not have lateral nodes of origin. Three options are supported in the preferred mode to transport the source-side segment count to the terminal nodes (preferred and alternate source): (a) the count can be predetermined (configured) based on protection studies leading to the worst case for the circuit according to what is observed by the protective device on the source side, (b) can be predetermined to an arbitrary high value (to denote the prevention of loading of the additional circuit on the basis of a segment count inadequate), or (c) can be acquired over communications from the protective device on the source side (see the functionality of the secondary equipment member below). The above provisions also apply when the terminal nodes are protective devices rather than disconnectors (see below).

Protective Device (Reconnector or Circuit Breaker: Based on the protective parameters of the device and the sophistication of the control, the number of segments can be dynamically configured or calculated based in part on the capabilities of the node as described below. In the preferred embodiment, the attributes of the active profile of the recloser or circuit breaker are used in the deviation of the fields of the "number of segments" in the local register of the node. The number of segments is calculated as the smallest number of segments protected by the adjacent node next to the source (minus one), or the number of segments that can be protected based on the active profile of the local device (the profile currently in use). In the latter case, the most recent load data stored in the local copy of the team's computer database are used to determine whether or not the potential, the calculated load (based on load data in real time), corresponds to the number of segments handled by the profile, exceeds the maximum load configured by the profile. If so, the "number of segments" for the profile is reduced until the load can be handled. The logic for doing this calculation must be sensitive to the locally measured load, as well as the current current flow direction (left or right) and the current measured load of each individual segment on the opposite side of the normally open switch. For example, for the calculation of the number of segments for the distribution from the left, if the count extends the protection of a segment beyond the position of the normally open switch, the measured load of the circuit on the switch to the right of the switch is normally open will be added to the locally measured load for comparison with the profile. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the reduction of the segments on the basis of the load can be defeated if the end user sets an arbitrarily high value of the load current that can be transported through the node with the specified profile .

Selection of Profiles During the Transfer of Load or Error Processing This process is invoked when the number of segments handled by the currently active profile is recalculated during a load transfer, return to normal, or error processing or recovery event. Updating the team database during those events activates a profile search / selection process. The process identified below is a simplified method for selecting the appropriate profile, although it would not deviate from the scope of this invention to use a more elaborate process based on line impedance calculations, line loading or other factors, or to activate the process of selection of the base of different events. In the preferred mode, the events that activate the selection process are: (1) Conclusion of a synchronization interval (see below) without errors and a transition of the "normal" adjusted circuit configuration, with all the switches in their normally closed or open positions correct. This event causes the "Team Mode / Normal" profile to be selected. (2) Transition to a condition of "interruption of the transfer" of the equipment that produces the selection of the "Autonomous" profile, assuming that the last known configuration of the circuit was such that all the counters were in their specified "normal" positions. (Note: Other errors do not alter the selection of the currently active profile). (3) Transition from the "return to normal" state (see below) produces the selection of the "Team Mode / Return to Normal" profile. (4) During a transfer event (see below), the detection that a transfer is in progress, and the maximum number of segments that the local switch will have to handle is greater than the number handled by the currently active profile. In this last circumstance, in the preferred modality, the node explores through the list of "Operation / Transfer of Equipment" profiles searching for the first entry that may contain the maximum number of segments and a previous operating load. failure or breakdown This allows the profile reselection process to occur at most, only once during typical transfers. It would not deviate from the scope of this invention to provide the nodes with additional information during the notification process regarding the location of the fault or fault, so that the selection of the profile could be more closely related to the requirements. Furthermore, it would not deviate from the scope of this invention that the selection process (and associated communications) would be carried out each time a segment was captured. If the above selection process results in the need to change the protection parameters for the actual operating node of the protective device, the change is initial and verified. Only after positive verification the local record in the local base of the equipment is updated. If the verification fails, an error condition is generated, and the logic retries the selection. If a transfer is in progress, this is repeated indefinitely until the transfer process ends.

. Free Running Counter Steps 310 to 318 of Figure 3 comprise a synchronization routine that is frequently claimed by the steps in other processes executed by a node, especially when a node is waiting for a specific event to occur. In step 310, the tenth free-running counter of the node is incremented. A free running counter is used to establish a reference for the stamped time logic. As will be seen briefly, those counters are used to ensure synchronization between the nodes. In step 312 the node checks the free running counter to determine whether it has reached its maximum. When the maximum count is reached, the synchronization interval expires. If the synchronization interval has expired then step 314 is executed and ^ the sequence number for the database registered by the node is incremented and the time stamped in the node database is recorded to aid synchronization. As an improvement provided by the present invention, in step 315 the preferred embodiment also calculates / recalculates the "number of segments" fields for both right and left distributions using the methodology shown above. The database sequence number is incremented one count at each synchronization interval and each node includes the sequence number of the database in its local registry. The sequence number of the database in each node should be the same if all the nodes are functioning properly and synchronized. Therefore, an inclusion of each sequence number in the database of the node in its registry allows the nodes in the present invention to determine that the data is being received from other nodes in time and reliably. In this way, each node can determine for itself if the system is not all working properly. After step 314, or if the synchronization interval has not expired, then the node checks to determine whether communications were allowed. Communications will be prevented in certain situations. An example of when communications are not allowed in a preferred mode is when a node team is being initially configured, all other nodes must remain silent except for the distribution and configuration information of the node. If a communication is not allowed by the node, then the node returns to step 310 and is in effect nothing of its own at the moment.

If the communication is allowed then step 320 is executed. In node it will verify errors and events and will place a flag if an error or event was detected. Then each node determines in which of the three states it is: synchronization, integrity verification or reconfiguration event. Each node determines by itself, independently of the other nodes, in which of the three states it should be based on its own internal sensors and the database records it has received from the other nodes. Typically, all nodes will be in the same state unless the system is transiting from one state to another. However, any particular node can only be in one state at a time.

Synchronization Process Status If the node is in the synchronization process state, then it follows the process illustrated by the flow diagram of Figure 4. In step 412, the node must determine if this is the first active node. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the node just after each source can be configured to be the first active node in the database and the other node would be the last active node in the database. The nodes between them would be ordered in the database to reflect their physical ordering in the distribution system. It would not deviate from the present invention to have the nodes arranged in the database in an order different from their physical order and include data in each node record that allows the absolute or relative physical ordering of the node to be determined. The first node will be processed in step 414 and the process of building the record database for the nodes will begin. The first node will place its local registry in the database and then send the database to the next node listed in the database. This database is the so-called "sphere" since it is sent around the system from node to node. The record added to the database by each node contains the eighteen information points listed above for the current step node. Although there are many possible ways that this database could be constructed and communicated, the present incarnation of the invention constructs the database by sending it to each successive node that has a node record added on the database. The database could be constructed in other ways without deviating from the present invention. For example, each node could simply transmit its record over the communication channels for reception by all other nodes. The first node will then continue in step 418, and since the node has not yet received the sphere twice, it will continue in step 220. In step 420, the node determines whether it is time to exercise its link. A node exercises its link by pointing to another node to point to it again. This allows a node to determine if its communication system is-working. To determine if it is time to exercise its link, a node checks the timing of the synchronization interval to determine whether the synchronization process has taken more than a predetermined period of time used. This prevents the node from locking in this state if there is a communication failure. If it is not time to exercise the link, the node goes to step 422. In this step, the node executes steps 310 to 318 of Figure 3 and verifies errors and events. If an error or event is detected, an indicator is placed and, if necessary, the process that is active is finished. This is known as "synchronization and error verification cycle". Once this is completed, the node returns to the synchronization process and proceeds to step 424 and checks to determine whether it has received the sphere. When the synchronization process is being executed by nodes different from the first node, they go from step 412 directly to step 424. In step 424, if the node has not received the sphere, it will return to step 420 and continue this cycle until the link is exercised or until the sphere has been received. If the sphere is received then the node from step 424 to step 426. In step 426 the node includes its local register with the sphere and sends the sphere to the next device. (The last node listed will send the sphere to the first node listed). The node proceeds to step 418 and checks whether it has received the sphere twice. If not, then the node proceeds to step 420 again and continues in that cycle. When the sphere is received the second time, the node goes from step 424 to 426 to 418 and then to step 428 and schedules a link exercise message for another node to test the communication link to ensure it is working. This is the same step at which the node jumps if the exercise time of the link counter in step 420 expires. After the node has exercised its communications link in step 428, the node goes to step 430 and verifies the integrity check counter to determine whether it is time to enter the integrity verification status as illustrated by the flow diagram of Figure 5. If it is not yet time for the node to enter the integrity verification state, then the node will; will go to step 432 where it performs a cycle of synchronization and error checking. The node then cyclically returns to step 430 and will continue its cycle until an integrity check is made.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the synchronization process occurs once per predetermined interval. The length of the predetermined interval is based on the number of nodes in the system. That interval may be larger or smaller, based on some other number of nodes in the system, without deviation from the present invention. In this way, the synchronization process illustrated by the flowchart in Figure 4 periodically updates the information in each database of the node. This process allows each node to contain information to date on the status of all other nodes.

Integrity Verification Status Figure 5 shows the flow diagram illustrating a process used by the integrity verification status. In this state, each node checks to ensure that the database records contained in its memory appear to be synchronized, that is, there are no error conditions, and that the nodes are in the correct states. In step 512, the node checks the sequence numbers of the database to ensure they are all the same. In this way, the node can ensure that the records in the database of each node are all from the same synchronization process.

If the sequence numbers are not similar, then the node goes to step 514 and an indicator is placed so that the sequence numbers are readjusted to resynchronize them. This error indicator will prevent any coordinated device activity from taking place until another synchronization interval has taken place and the sequence numbers in the database are similar. If the sequence numbers are similar, or after the indicator has been placed in step 514, the node then continues in step 516. In this step, the node verifies each of the records in the database to ensure that everyone had a time stamped within a second with each other. This requirement ensures that the records in the database accurately reflect an image of the system at approximately one point in time. If the registers are not registered within a second of each other, then the node goes to step 518 and places an indicator for a new stamped time. This indicator will not allow synchronized equipment activities if the stamped times are out of synchronization with each other for more than a predetermined amount set by the user. In one mode, if the stamped times are 5 seconds out of synchronization then an error indicator is placed. It will be appreciated that the allowable discrepancy of the stamped times of the parameter dependent on the implementation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this strict implementation of the integrity check could be considered as a "safe mode". It will be appreciated that in a manner consistent with the present invention, there may be other nodes that would allow the continuous operation of equipment activity even with several levels of failures of the integrity check. If the stamped times are not marked as if they were out of synchronization, or after the indicator has been placed in step 518, the node proceeds to step 520. In this step, the node verifies interruption transfer errors, and If there is one, try to determine if the error can be eliminated. Examples of errors are: (1) a synchronization error output in which the database sequence numbers for the nodes are not comparable, and (2) a reconfiguration process occurs and was unable to be fully completed due to external conditions such as a switch with malfunction. If the error can be eliminated then the indicator is placed in step 522 so that the error is eliminated. The node then continues in step 524. In this step, the node determines whether it is fully ready for transfers. After the reconfiguration event, the node must ensure that all nodes are synchronized and that the other necessary conditions are satisfied. For example, in one embodiment, the node verifies its database to determine if all nodes have a phase load average of three that is within a limit defined by a predetermined user. If the node determines that it is fully ready for the transfer, then it will go to step 526 and place a flag indicating that the transfer is completely ready. Next, the node goes to step 528 to determine if it is in the correct ready state. Each node can be ready for a transfer process or ready for a return to normal process and all nodes must be in the same ready state. In this step, the node will compare in which ready state it thinks it should be based on its local information and the state in which other nodes are based on the information in the database. If the node is not in the correct ready state, then it goes to step 530 and determines the correct ready status and changes to it. The node then proceeds to step 532 where it verifies to determine if there is a disparity of the node back to normal. In this step, the node checks to make sure that all nodes are placed on the same node back to normal: open transition, closed transition or function disabled. If all the nodes are not placed in the same node back to normal, then, there is a disparity and in step 534 an error indicator is placed. Next, the node returns to step 310 in Figure 3.

State of the Transfer Process The flow diagram of the transfer process state of Figure 6 will be described with the help of a simple example. Referring to Figure 1, assume that a failure or breakdown in distribution line 106 between nodes 108A and 108B develops. As described above, typical electrical distribution systems will have a circuit breaker or collector (collector circuit breaker) in the supply source for safety and circuit protection. Using the system described in US Patent Application 08 / 978,966, the disconnectors can be placed in switching units 108A-F as shown in Figure 1. The "disconnector" described herein is based on the EnergyLine Model 2801, with additional features added to support the operation under a preferred embodiment of the invention. The standard switch logic will open (unlatch) the switch if: 1) the sectionalization logic is activated and the device is operating, 2) a pre-configured number of voltage losses (typically 1-3) has been counted on all the phases detected within of a short period of time (typically 45 seconds), 3) an overload condition was detected just before the first voltage loss, and 4) the switch is currently closed. An additional option in conventional programs and programming systems allows the switch to disengage if the voltage, detected in all three phases, becomes very unbalanced, and remains unbalanced for a set period of time (typically 30 seconds). It will be appreciated that consistent with the present invention, the "disconnector" described herein can be one of many types, including but not limited to multiple switch operators, fault interruption switches or breakdowns, pneumatic break switches, without deviating from the intent of the present invention. For the purpose of this example, the only switch disconnector described will be used here. An optional feature that can be provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention causes the switch to open over a configured count of voltage losses even if the fault or fault was not detected just prior to the voltage loss. This allows the first isolation step on both sides of the failed section of the line to be executed immediately without communication with other devices. Another optional feature makes the count configured on voltage losses (after the detected faults) to be calculated dynamically locally based on the position of the switch relative to the open connected switch designated hitherto. The configuration parameters will allow this dynamically calculated count interval to be further considered by the user to always fall between a minimum and a maximum number. Another option allows the switch to open after a single extended voltage loss. Finally, the counting of faults or faults followed by voltage losses can be configured to count each event as a failure or failure if: 1) if the first loss of voltage was preceded by a fault or failure, or 2) if all losses of voltage were preceded by faults or faults. Another unique feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention is its one shot capacity for modified blocking. If a switch closes as part of an automatic operation (or is manually closed by a human operator), some switches, including the EnergyLine Model 2801-SC, can be configured to automatically re-open the switch if a mounting loss is detected during a brief interval after the operation (typically 5 seconds). A preferred embodiment of the invention has the additional ability to prevent the opening of the switch until two voltage loss counts have been detected. This becomes a benefit when the reconnect pattern of the circuit breaker includes an initial instantaneous closing operation after a disjunction operation due to a fault or fault. Those skilled in the art will recognize that consistent with the use of automatic line disconnectors at each switching location, the reclosers could also be replaced so that the commutator was opened / operated one or more times under load to eliminate the load or breakdown. Although this would require modifications to commercially available reconnection products, pre-packaged to support the coordination functions of the equipment, functionality comparable to that provided by the disconnector could be achieved. It will also be noted that a variation in the capacity of a blocking shot implemented in the disconnector implementation is available in many reclosers as the "reconnect blocking" option. The challenge with the method of replacing reclosers with disconnectors, as mentioned in the introduction, would be to coordinate the protection parameters of those reclosers to prevent the switching or disjunction / excessive blocking of the wrong device. An object of this invention is to provide means for minimizing or eliminating this possibility. If the power distribution system of Figure 1 contains an automatic disconnecting device, then after the failure occurred between the nodes 108A, 108B on the distribution line 106, the device, depending on how it is configured, would make the switches at any or all of the nodes 108A, 108B and 108C are opened causing all users 104A, 104B and 104C that are in the downstream of an open switch to lose service. In one implementation of the invention, the sectionalization logic will be installed to open all switches between the fault or fault and the normally open connected switch 108G. This allows the present embodiment of the invention to collect the switches one at a time to gradually increase the load observed by the distribution system to assist the system in resuming service to the users. Once any node has completed the sectionalization, the node enters the state of the transfer process illustrated in the flow diagram of Figure 6, in which a node will attempt to close its switch. A node will also enter the transfer process when it receives a communication that another node or nodes team has entered the transfer process. Without departing from the present invention, the state of the transfer process could be initiated by an event other than the completion of the sectionalization.

Depending on the type of distribution system and its needs and characteristics, it may be desirable to have other events trigger the action in the system. For example, it may be desirable to have the system put into action by detecting a serious condition at over or under excessive voltage. Each node continuously updates the record in its database in relation to its own status information. In this way, while the records in the database related to all the other nodes, the sphere, is sent to each node only in the synchronization process state, each node keeps an updated record about its own state. For the purposes of this example, assume that the sectionalization has caused the switches on the nodes 108A, 108B and 108C to open resulting in all the users 104A, 104B and 104C losing the service. Once the sectionalization has been completed, each of the three nodes 108A, 108B and 108C will independently start the transfer process status, because each one has undergone an autonomous sectionalization. When a node enters the state of the transfer process described in a flowchart of Figure 6, the node executes step 612 and begins the task of the final process timer. This timer ensures that the nodes do not spend a lot of time trying to complete the task. If something prevents the node from completing the task in the allotted time, the timer will finish the state of the transfer process. Each node will use the same start time for its timer as the node that started the transfer process first. In this way, all nodes in the transfer process will "end" at the same time. The operation of this timer and the task it invokes are shown in Figure 8 and will be discussed later. The time period of the timer can be set by the system operator to meet the needs of the particular system that is being controlled. For example, to ensure the safety of repair work on the power lines after a fault or fault has occurred, the timer could be set to remove the modes of the transfer process for a known period of time after the fault occurred. failure or breakdown In this way, even if the conditions in the state of the transfer process are satisfied, which would have allowed a switch to close and energize a power line, the repair that has begun to service the system is not endangered due to that the transfer process has finished and the switch will not close.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of these three nodes enters the transfer process itself, activated by its own logic, stored data and sensor readings. The preferred embodiment of the invention so far does not require central control, communication, or approval of any of the nodes to enter this state. Once the timer has started, the node proceeds to step 616 and determines whether the switch it is controlling is closed during normal operation of the distribution network. Referring to Figure 1, switches 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, 108E and 108F are closed during normal operation of the distribution system, and switch 108G, a connected switch, is opened during normal operation of the system. Since the switches 108A, 108B and 108C are normally closed during the operation of the system, those nodes will continue until step 618. In step 618 each of the nodes that has entered the state of the transfer process will transmit its updated record to the next active node listed in the database and the previous active node listed in the database. These two nodes are called the "closest neighbor" nodes. The node 108A will transmit to the node 108B, the node 108B will transmit to the nodes 108A and 108C, and node 108C will transmit to nodes 108B and 108G. In this way each switch that has entered the transfer process status will inform its closest neighbors of its progress. It will be appreciated that, although the preferred mode so far employs communication between the "closest" neighbors, the alternative modes may employ different node-to-node communication patterns, consistent with the invention. Thus, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention so far, each node can inform other nodes of its status regardless of the physical layout of the distribution system or the physical deployment of the nodes. It will be appreciated that if the node is a multiple switch node, for the purpose of the transfer process only, a "nearest neighbor" may be one of the switching positions within the node itself. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a database of the nearest neighbor is noted from the information contained in the equipment database, internal. The transfer logic is then executed using the information in the database of the nearest neighbor. If the node is a node of multiple switches, databases of the nearest neighbors separated by each switching position will be constructed. In the present example, the nearest neighbor database consists of local node information and the two nodes that are physically adjacent to it. When node 108G receives communication from node 108C, node 108G will begin the state of the transfer process. In general, when a node receives a communication from another node that another node has entered the state of the transfer process, the node receiving the communication itself will enter the state and transfer process. This procedure allows the system to self-organize, eventually placing each node in the state of the transfer process without requiring any communication from a central office or any interaction with a human. Furthermore, in the preferred mode so far, there is no need for any centralized control or logical center to decide what appropriate actions should be taken by each node at a given point in the process. Each node of the present invention can operate solely on the basis of its sensors and the information in the database. Due to this simple operation structure, the present invention can easily be expanded or reconfigured simply by rearranging the nodes in the database without changing the programming or logic of the present invention. For example, to add a new node between nodes 108B and 108C of Figure 1, the system operator would physically insert the new node into the system at the appropriate place and program it into the database between nodes 108B and 108C. This is achieved by moving the records for all nodes in the database after node 108B down one space and inserting the record for the new node in this new space created in the database. The node 108G executes step 612, starts the timer of the final transfer process, sets it to end at the same time as the nodes that initiated the transfer process, and then proceeds to step 616. Since node 108G controls a switch that normally it is open, it will go to step 638. In step 638 the node 108G will observe its sensors, the information in its database, and the information sent to it by the node 108C to determine if it can be closed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention up to now, the conditions listed in Table 1 are verified by the node to 'determine whether it can be closed. The conditions used in step 4 in Table 1 are shown in Table 2. Other sets of conditions could be used without departing from the invention.

Table 1 To close the normally open switch associated with a node, a valid closed switch and a valid open switch such as adjacent switches associated with adjacent nodes on either side of the normally open switch must be detected. The following rules define the conditions that must be met by the normally open switch to validate the status of adjacent switches. A switch normally open on the load side of a faulty line section can be closed for the purpose of restoring the load if: 1. there are no error conditions 2. the switch on the adjacent faulty side is open 3. the switch on the faulty side adjacent did not detect a fault, but observed a voltage drop 4. the current level observed by the switch on the adjacent faulty side before the service interruption was within the limits set on the local switch (The conditions used in this step were shown in Table 2.) 5. the switch on the adjacent undamaged side indicates that a voltage and / or damage loss was observed but not closed, or the switch on the adjacent undamaged side is the normally open switch, or the switch on the adjacent unbroken side is a circuit breaker and has reset the voltage (this step is omitted if the local switch is the normally open switch, not ex There are reclosers of the equipment on the alternating feeder, and voltage verification is desirable. 6. The "number of segments" that can be captured is greater than 0. For this test, the local register number of the equipment database corresponding to the undamaged supply address (left or right) was used. 7. A good voltage was detected in its voltage sensors (this test is a configurable option by the user). 3. the adjacent switches are in the appropriate logical operation step.

Table 2 (This Table is elaborated in step 4 in tables 1 and 3) To determine if the load can be restored during a transfer process, the process uses the total load to be transferred compared to the capacity of the alternate circuit. An engineer used three basic reference points to limit the load transferred. They are: Transfer Capacity (total feeder load N / A) Maximum Transfer Capacity Table 2 (continued) Maximum Feeder Nominal Capacity The three reference points have parameters for the left and right feeder. All three also have parameters of summer season and not summer. The transfer process uses, if available, the total load in real time on the associated feeders. This real-time total charge value can prevent communications from any source such as an RTU substation. The two reference points that work with this process are the "Maximum Transfer Capacity" and the "Maximum Nominal Capacity of the Feeder". The capacity Maximum Transfer "is the amount of charge that can be transferred to an alternating feeder when that feeder is lightly loaded.

Feeder Maximum "is used in combination with the load in real time.The difference between these two is the real-time capacity present that the feeder can handle. ^ For a transfer to occur, the reported load that existed before the The reconfiguration event starting with the next open switch must be less than the current real-time capacity and the "Maximum Transfer Capacity".

Table 2 (continued) The real-time load must be sent to the switching controls at least once every 20 minutes. After spending 20 minutes, the last reception and the load value of the real time becomes undefined. An undefined value makes the relapse process take effect. This avoids the occurrence of old load data that allows transfers when the source of this data does not report it. The relapse process uses the "Transfer Capacity (total charge of the N / A feeder)". It is intended that this value be a conservative value. When this value is set, the engineer must take into account the average load, the peak load and the emergency load capacity in the alternating feeder. The engineer should feel comfortable that a transfer of this amount of charge can occur at any time and is still accommodated by the alternate feeder. Note that the process for the two feeders is independent. Real-time load data can be provided to one feeder while the other feeder uses the conservative transfer process.

Assume that all conditions are satisfied to allow the switch in node 108G to be able to close. Through the use of the conditions listed in Tables 1 and 2, the node can determine by itself whether or not it can close its associated switch. Additionally, only one message has been sent to make node 108G act to restore service - the message comes from 1Q8C. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in the case where the equipment includes protective devices such as circuit breakers or collectors, the normally open switch closes in this way with the additional assurance that the protection parameters of all the members of the equipment laterals to the source have been pre-selected to handle the additional load. If the conditions were not satisfied to allow the switch to close, then node 108G would go to step 640 and execute the synchronization and error checking routine. If an error is detected during this time then in step 642 the transfer is recorded and stopped. Otherwise, in step 652 it is checked to see if this is the first iteration of the cycle. If this is the first iteration, the local record is transmitted to the nearest neighbors in step 653. If it is not the first iteration then the process continues in step 638 to determine if the normally open switch can be closed. If the normally open switch is able to close in step 640 (as above) and transmits its local register to its nearest neighbors, the node 108D will receive the notification and enter the state of the transfer process in step 610. The node 108D will continue through the transfer process (steps 612, 616, 618 as established elsewhere) and since it is on the unaffected portion of the circuit it will pass through step 644 and to step 645. In the preferred embodiment , steps 645-651 provide an improvement in accordance with the present invention since those steps are present to notify and allow nodes that in other circumstances were not affected by the transfer event to adjust their 'protection parameters to capture additional load. during the transfer process. It would not deviate from the scope of this invention for them to include other parameters or operations related to banks of switched capacitors, voltage regulators or other devices. If node 108D is the last node of the equipment (there is only one neighbor), it will calculate the segment count allowed in step 647 and transmit its local record, including the new segment count, to its neighbor in step 649. Then , the node 108D will enter step 632 where it will wait for the transfer process to finish, along with the error check in step 634.

If node 108D is not the last member of the team (This has two neighbors), you will enter step 646 to transmit your local record to your nearest neighbors. Before you can continue through the transfer process, you must receive a return notification from node 108E with 108E indicating that you have progressed to step 632 (node 108E has entered the transfer process and followed the same process as the node 108D). Until the indication is received, the node 108E will cycle through the error detection step 650. Once the data is received, the node 108D can proceed to step 647 to calculate a new segment node, step 649 to transmit its local record to its neighbors, and to step 632 and step 634, cycling until the transfer process is complete. The node 108G will receive the updated local register of the node 108D when the node 108D has passed through the step 649 and the step 632. The node 108G can now use this updated record to determine if it can be closed in step 638. If the node 108G is still not allowed to close, it will continue with the error detection cycle which includes step 640. If node 108G is allowed to close, it will continue to step 628 to close its switch. Otherwise, the node will continue to cycle between loops 638, 640 and 650 until the switch can be closed, an error is detected, or the timer of the final transfer process expires. It should be noted that in the case of equipment containing only sectionalizing switches without protective capabilities, the number of segment criteria will always be satisfied without further communication, and the only typical condition that would delay the switch would be that the other affected nodes reach the status of the correct transfer process. This distinction allows the support of profile modification in protective devices to be added before the reconfiguration products are added in a compatible form. Once the node 108G determines that it can be closed, its associated switch will proceed to step 626 and will attempt to close. Typically, such switches will have security devices known as block logic, as detailed above during the sectionalization discussion, which will force the switch to reopen and remain open if a voltage loss was abnormally detected when the switch is turned on. Hill. In step 628, the switch determines whether the closing operation was successful. If it was not then in step 624 an error indicator is placed and the transfer process is stopped. If the closing operation was successful, then power is restored to users 104C and node 108G continues to step 630. In step 630, node 108G sends its updated register to its closest neighbors, nodes 108C and 108D. The node 108E now enters the state of the transfer process, and as the nodes 108A, 108B and 108C did, the node 108D will proceed down the flowchart to step 618 and send its updated register to the nodes 108G and 108E. This will cause the node 108E between the transfer process status and the signal nodes 108D and 108F by having 108F enter the state of the transfer process and the node 108E with its updated record. As can be seen from the present example, a feature of the invention is that from only ordering of the nodes in the database and the rules of the flow diagrams, each node can determine the appropriate actions to be carried out independently of the actions made by other nodes. The nodes do not order other nodes to perform any given action, nor is central control or human intervention needed to coordinate the response of the entire system. The decisions made by each node are based solely on information stored in their databases and sensors attached to them. The nodes 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, 108E and 108F will all proceed to step 644. Since the switches on the nodes 108D, 108E, 108F are normally closed switches and were not affected by the fault or fault, they will be sent to the next step. 632 and step 644 and will wait for the process to finish while performing the synchronization and error checking cycle with steps 634 and 636. Since the switches on nodes 108A, 108B and 108C were affected by the event, each of them proceeds to step 620. In an embodiment of the invention so far preferred, the connections listed in Table 3 are verified by the node to determine if it can be closed again. The conditions used in step 4 in Table 3 are shown in Table 2. Other sets of conditions may be used without departing from the invention. If those switches can not be reconnected, then the nodes will go to step 622 and perform the synchronization and error checking. In the preferred embodiment, if an error is detected, then in step 624 an indicator will be placed, and the status of the transfer process will be stopped. It will be appreciated that in other implementations of the invention the error indicators may cause different results. In one example, error indicators can be prioritized so that lower priority errors could not stop the transfer process. If no error was detected in step 622, in step 654 the number of segments that can be picked up is recalculated using the rules to calculate the number of segment fields during the transfer events. If the result of this recalculation can allow the normally closed switch to reconnect, in step 620 the logic will exit the cycle and reconnect the switch in step 626. Otherwise, each node will cycle through steps 620, 622 and 654 until the switch can be reconnected or the process timer expires.

Table 3 To reconnect the assumed normally closed switch, a valid closed switch and a valid open switch can be detected as the adjacent switches associated with the adjacent nodes on either side of the normally closed switch. The following rules define the conditions that must be satisfied for the normally closed switch to validate the status of adjacent switches.

A switch currently open on the load side that is in the faulty line section can be closed for the purpose of restoring the load if: 1. there are no error conditions 2. the switch on the adjacent faulty side is open 3. the switch on the adjacent faulty side did not detect a fault, but a voltage loss was detected - Table 3 (coued) 4. the current level observed by the switch on the adjacent faulty side before service interruption is within set limits in the -local switch (The conditions used in this step are shown in Table 2). 5. the adjacent non-damaged side switch indicates that it observed a voltage and / or fault or fault loss but is now closed, or the adjacent non-disabled side switch is the normally open switch, or the adjacent non-damaged side switch is a circuit breaker and the voltage has been reset. 6. The "number of segments" that can be captured is greater than zero. For this test, the number of the total record of the total base of the equipment that corresponds to the non-damaged address (from left to right) is used. 7. Adjacent switches are in the proper typical operation step.

A normally closed switch on the source side of a faulty line section can be reconnected if: a. there are no error conditions. the switch on the adjacent damaged side is open Table 3 (coued) c. the adjacent faulty side switch detected a fault d. -the adjacent undamaged side switch indicates that it observed a voltage and / or fault or fault loss but that it is now closed, or the undamaged side is the circuit breaker and the voltage has been reset e. the adjacent switches are in the appropriate logical operation step Through the use of the algorithm of Tables 2 and 3, the node can determine for itself whether or not it can close its associated switch. Assume that all conditions are satisfied to allow the switch in node 108C to be able to reconnect its switch. The switch will then be reconnected in step 626. In step 628, the node 108C will determine if the switch was successfully reconnected. If it was not, then an error indicator is placed and the transfer process is stopped in step 624. If the switch was successfully reconnected, then the node proceeds to step 630 and informs its closest neighbors, nodes 108B and 108G, of your progress by sending you an updated version of your registration. The node 108C then enters the cycle between steps 632 and 634 where it performs the error synchronization and verification routine while waiting for the final transfer process timer to end. If an error is detected, step 632 is executed and an indicator is placed and the transfer process is stopped. An example of an error is if the blocking logic causes a switch to be remapped. As the discussion and the foregoing rules indicate, a benefit of a preferred embodiment of the present inven is its ability to operate by systematically closing only one switch at a time, so that the load to the system is phased in gradually, in one segment. both. This helps ensure that the power source will not be overloaded due to a very rapid increase in demand. When the node 108B receives the node communication 108C, it is assumed that node 108B will have sufficient information to know that according to the conditions listed in Table 3, should not be closed since node 108A detected a failure and node 108B did not. This should mean that the fault was between nodes 108A and 108B. Therefore, node 108B will cycle between states 620 and 622 until an error is detected or until the timer of the final transfer process expires. At node 108A, since a failure or failure has been detected, it will not be allowed to close and will cycle through steps 620 and 622 until an error is detected or the process timer ends. When the task timer of the final transfer process ends, the nodes will return to step 310 of Figure 3 and resume synchronization and error and integrity checks until the original fault or repair is repaired. If the fault is repaired, the system will enter the state of the return to normal process of Figure 7 discussed later. If other failures or failures occur before the previous one has been corrected, it will not deviate from the present invention that the system enters the state of the transfer process again and reconnect the switches back to service to as many users as possible.

State of the Return to Normal Process After a fault has occurred or if for some other reason the switches of the distribution network have been placed in states other than the normal operating states, for example, after it has been completed The transfer process, the process of returning to normality can return the system to its normal operating configuration. This process can also be used to reconfigure the distribution system to any desired system installation of open and closed switches without deviating from the present invention. In the example previously used, once the failure in the distribution line 106 has been repaired or eliminated and the switch 108A has been manually reconnected, the power will be restored to the users 104A. At this point, the node 108B will detect that the normal voltage has been restored to the distribution line between the nodes 108A and 108B and will be activated to enter the state of the process back to normal after the node 108B has detected the voltage Phase 3 stable on the channel for a predetermined time and there are no errors and the normally open switch has not detected a fault or fault. Once any switch in a system has entered the state back to normal, it will signal all other switches to enter a new state back to normal. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a node without voltage sensors on the normal source side of the switch can use neighbor information from the nearest source side to determine if the voltage has been restored. To do this, the nodes assume that the voltage has been restored if the neighboring node on the side of the nearest source has a closed switch and is detecting a new voltage. The local node must see this condition continuously for a predetermined time to validate that the voltage has returned. In another embodiment of the invention, the process of returning to normality can be activated upon request by an external or human device. It will be appreciated that this on demand activation of the return to normality can be used for, but not limited to, initiating the process of returning to normality before the predetermined time has elapsed, or as a method of returning to normality. without manually closing any switch on the computer. The process of returning to normal can occur in one of two methods, an open transition or a closed transition. As is known to those skilled in the art, an open transition is one in which the source of power supply to users is interrupted in the process of switching between alternate sources of supply. For example, in this example, the connected switch 108G was opened before the switch 108B was closed, then the users 104B and 104C would momentarily lose power. This will be an open transition. In a closed transition, the switch 108B closes before the switch 108G is opened and the users 104B and 104C do not lose power. The system operator can configure the system to operate in an open or closed transition mode. During a closed transition, the normally open device must be reopened after the allowed transfer time if it has heard of the normally closed device but is currently open or not. This is done to avoid parallel lines for a prolonged period of time. Also, if the node with the normally open switch detects that there is a previous parallel condition, it restarts the process back to normal, the node will begin the process of returning to normal and opens its switch to break the parallelism. It is well known to those skilled in the art that the reliability of the return sequence to closed transition normality is greatly facilitated if the automated logic can adjust the parameters of the protective devices on the circuit just before and just after executing. the transition closed. These settings include but are not limited to blocking and unlocking the detection of ground fault faults on nodes that act as protective devices. In this wayIt is an object of the present invention to provide means for coordinating those adjustments with the transition back to normal, as described below.

In step 712, the nodes start the timer of the tasks of the final transfer process. Each node will use the same start time for its timer of the final transfer process. This timer ensures that the system does not invest too much or too much time trying to run the process back to normal. The timer is set to operate for a predetermined time set by the system operator. In one mode, this timer is set to run for one minute. The next node executes step 716. Since nodes 108A-F are normally closed switches, each of those nodes continues in step 718. Switches 108D-F are normally closed switches that did not open, so that each will go to step 750, where if the transition method is closed, the nodes will continue until step 751 to perform actions that will prepare them for the closed transition. The nodes then proceed to step 730 and perform a cycle of synchronization and error checking while waiting for the process to finish. If the transition method is open, the node will simply progress from step 750 to step 730 to effect the synchronization and error verification cycle. Switches 108A and 108C are switches normally; closed that were reconnected by the transfer process, so that each of those nodes will also go to step 750, where if the transition method is closed, the nodes will continue to step 751 to perform actions that will prepare them for the closed transition ( as stated above). The nodes then proceed to step 730 and perform a cycle of synchronization and error checking, while waiting for the process to finish. If the transition method is open the nodes will simply progress from step 750 to step 730 to effect the synchronization and error checking cycle. The node 108B is a normally closed switch that opens as it moves to step 720 to determine if it is in an open transition. Assume that the system operator adjusts the system to experience a closed transition. Then, node 108B moves from step 720 to step 752 to perform actions that will prepare it for the closed transition (as stated above), then to step 722. If the normally open switch, 108G, is armed to reopen (see more forward), switching over the supply side of the switch 108B, the switch 108A is closed, and the communication of the process message back to the initial start normality was successful for all members of the equipment, then node 108B will continue in step 724 and it will close its switch. The requirement to respond to the message of the process of return to the initial, initial normality, ensures that all the nodes within the team have prepared themselves for the closed transition state. The normally open switch is armed to reopen when it has entered the process of returning to normal, the method used will be a closed transition, and it has informed all the other nodes in the equipment of its state, as will be observed in more detail ahead. If the normally open switch is not armed, the supply side switch is not closed, or the message of the process of returning to normal, initial, normal has not yet been successfully sent to all team members, then node 108B will perform a cycle of synchronization and error checking and will return to step 722. This cycle will continue until all conditions are met or until the timer of the final transfer process expires. If the switch is closed in step 724, then in step 726 the node checks to see if the switch is closed. The switch could have been reopened with the blocking logic or any other security feature on the switch that could cause it to open again. If the switch is closed then in step 728, the node will inform the nearest neighbors and the normally open switch 108G, sending them an updated version of their registry. The node then passes to node 730 where it performs the synchronization and error checking cycle while keeping the end transfer process timer off. If the switch is not closed in step 726, then in step 732 an error indicator is placed and in step 734 the node informs all other nodes that an error has occurred and the node then goes to step 730. If the system is set to undergo an open transition, then in step 720, the node will go to step 746. If the normally open switch 'is open and the supply side switch, switch 108A, is closed, then the node will continue in step 724. If any of those conditions is not satisfied, then the node will act in a cycle of synchronization and error checking between steps 744 and 746. Switch 108G is a normally open switch so that step 716 will proceed to step 736. If the system is undergoing a closed transition, the node goes to step 753 to perform actions that will prepare it for the closed transition (as stated above), then to step 754 where it will arm itself to open and send its local database record to all other members of the team and then to step 738, where if all the other switches are closed, node 108G will open the switch normally open in the Step 740. The node will verify if the switch is actually open in step 742. If the switch is open it will send its updated record to all the nodes in step 734 and then enter the cycle in step 730 and wait for the process timer finish If the switch is not open in step 742, then an error indicator will be registered in step 732 and the node will proceed to step 734. In step 738, if all the other switches were not closed, then it will cycle to step 744 and will perform the synchronization and error checking and you will see step 738 again. This cycle continues until all switches are closed, an error is logged or the timer expires. If the system were programmed to experience an open transition, then in step 736 node 108G would not search to see if other switches were closed and would skip to step 740, open the switch and continue the flowchart from that step.

Final Process Timer Tasks When a node enters the transfer process or the process returns to normal, the node begins the timer tasks of the final process. The flow chart for this task is shown in Figure 8. In step 812 the node cycles until the timer ends. The timer is started when the node enters the task and from the information sent to the node by the other nodes, each node will know the time at which the first node that entered the task in question, begins the task. In this way, all the nodes can adjust their timers of the final process to expire at the same time. It would not deviate from the invention to cause the timer of the tasks of the final process to be of different duration for the transfer process and the process of returning to normality. Once the timer expires, the node will stop the process being in step 814. In step 830, if the process that was stopped was an event of return to closed transition normality, the node will continue to step 831 to return the parameters that changed to prepare the closed transition (for example, by unlocking the grounding relay if applicable). It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that readjusting closed transition parameters could also be performed after step 734 or at any time when the normally open switch has been verified to reopen successfully. From both steps 830 and 831, the node will continue to step 816 and will see to see if the switch is in the proper position for the end of the process that was stopped. For example, if the switch is in its normal position at the end of the return to normal state. If the switch is in the correct position, then execute step 818 and an error indicator is placed and the node returns to the synchronization process in step 820. If the node switch is in the correct position, then in step 816, the node goes to step 822 and checks to see if the circuits are in the normal configuration. If so, then the node proceeds to step 820. If it is not in the normal configuration, then the node proceeds to step 824 and checks whether a return to normality is allowed. If the system has not been allowed to return to normal, it will go to step 826 and change its operating status to no operation and wait for additional instructions before it is ready again to enter the transfer status. In step 826, the system will go to 820. If it is allowed to return to normal then in step 828, the node changes its operational status to be ready to return to normal and then proceeds to step 820.

Secondary Equipment Nodes As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the use of the secondary equipment node according to the present invention expands the ability of the method and apparatus to operate more complex circuit topologies and more diverse data sources. The secondary node of the equipment can be distinguished from the active nodes of the equipment mentioned above in two ways; 1) the secondary node of the equipment is not active within the integrity synchronization and verification process, 2) the secondary node of the equipment does not directly execute a process associated with the reconfiguration process described above. Instead, the secondary node of the equipment is used by an active node of the equipment to acquire additional data about the environment around the equipment. These data can then be used to alter the process within the team. This will be clarified with the use of two examples later. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the method for acquiring additional data will usually involve data communications. This can be achieved by using several communication technologies for point-to-point communications or it can be achieved by sharing the same communication infrastructure used by the communication channel of the equipment, 110. In addition, in the case of dual or multiple switching nodes, the communication step it can be omitted completely.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each active node of the equipment may be responsible for a secondary node of the equipment. The secondary addressing of the nodes of the equipment is contained within a table similar to the database of the node registers. The address data for the secondary node of the equipment is contained in the record with the same device number as the record in the database of the node registers for the active node of the equipment that is responsible for the secondary node. Other means for directing the drive of the secondary mode of the equipment are also possible without deviating from what was intended of the present invention. For example, it would also be consistent with the present invention that the table storing the information of the secondary node includes identifiers that would be specifically associated with a secondary node of the equipment with an active node of the equipment, thereby allowing the number of secondary members of the equipment per active node is greater than one. Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, the following two examples of the secondary node of the equipment are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that Sl-3 (901, 902, 904, 1001, 1002) are all sources for circuit supply. The nodes 903A, 903C, 1003A, 1003C, 1003D and 1003E are all normally closed switches. The nodes 903B, 903D and 1008B are all normally open switches. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that those simple examples were chosen with the purpose of illustrating the possible uses of secondary nodes of the equipment, and that they are possible much more complex applications. For example, it would be consistent with the present invention to use secondary mode communications of the equipment to allow multiple computers to interact to reconfigure circuits with more than two possible sources. The data available from the secondary team members could also be more complex. The data could include protection data such as current charge readings, maximum charge current available, etc., to prevent an impermissible amount of charge being captured, energy quality data such as voltage or harmonic content that could also be used to block the transfer if they had a negative impact on the clients or on the alternate source, or other device-specific data such as abnormal conditions on the secondary controller of the node. The first example refers to a secondary node 903C and the equipment nodes 903A and 903B in Figure 9. The equipment node 903B is responsible for the data collection of the secondary node 903C, and use data to make deons about the operation of the equipment. In this example, the nodes of the equipment containing circuits 903A and 903B are normally powered from the source 901, and use the supply of the midpoint of the source circuit 902 as their alternate source so that if 903A were opened by an event of reconfiguration, and 903B closed, the load served between nodes 903A and 903B would be powered from the alternate source 902. It is important to note that the purpose of this example is that the 904 source is not able to handle the additional load between 903A and 903B if node 903D was closed and 913 was open, and a reconfiguration event occurred. For this reason, the data that 903B retrieves from 903C is used to determine the alternate source that is currently available. If 903B finds that 903C is closed, source 902 must be the current alternate source, therefore, the load between 903A and 903B could be transferred to the alternate source if necessary. If 903B finds that 903C is open, source 904 would be the current alternate source, therefore a reconfiguration event would not be allowed. This logic is illustrated in the flow chart in Figure 9. The steps in this flow chart are executed in parallel to, but without connecting with, the integrity synchronization and verification process running on node 903B. It is assumed that after the start of the execution of the node logic that a secondary node has been configured in the secondary table in node 903B. The node 903B begins voting on the secondary node in step 921. With the data retrieved the node 903B verifies whether the secondary node is closed in step 922. If the secondary node is not closed, or the closed state of the 903C can not be positively verified for some reason, the logic proceeds to step 923 to place an indicator to prevent the automatic reconfiguration of the circuit from occurring. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the voting circuit, 921-926 could be replaced by a spontaneous report by an exception scheme and other means to acquire the state of 903C, subject to the restriction that the data must be acquired. and validated within a period of time comparable to the configurable voting delay referred to in 926. If in step 922 it is found that the secondary node is closed, the node 903B continues to step 924 where if the indicator is placed to prevent reconfigurations, they can be cleaned in step 925, otherwise no additional actions are required. In all cases, node 903B will proceed to step 926 to wait a pre-configured amount of time before returning to step 921 to begin the voting cycle again.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if nodes 913 and 903D were themselves a switch equipment, node 903B could be used as a secondary node off of either node 903C or node 903D. In this way, each one of the three computers could prevent another computer from automatically reconfiguring its circuit if the equipment was already in a reconfigured state. It can also be appreciated that as equipment grows in the nodes, many more possible interactions arise, each being consistent with the present invention. The second example relates to Figure 10, with nodes 1003A, 1003B and 1003C and 1003D comprising a set of switches that are being powered from sources 1001 and 1002. Additionally, node 1003E is a secondary node (an operable switch). SCADA, simple, with fault or fault detectors) installed on a diagonal that feeds a dead end. In secondary node 1003E is contained in the secondary table of node 1003D, so that node 1003D is responsible for recovering data from node 1003E and using the data to improve the operation of the equipment. In the present example, the parameters of the circuit breaker in the source 1002 are configured so that the circuit breaker will move to the block on the third operation. It is also desirable to prevent any switches from opening in the first operation of the circuit breaker in order to allow faults or temporary faults to be eliminated. This implies that nodes 1003C and 1003D must open their switches before the second operation so that faults or faults are eliminated, to begin a reconfiguration, and to load as much load as possible. If a permanent fault occurs on the line between 1003E and the end of the line, the circuit breaker of source 1002 will operate twice, after which nodes 1003C and 1003D will open to restart the reconfiguration process. As described at the beginning. The node 1003B would be closed in the open node 1003C, the circuit breaker would be closed in the open node 1003D, leaving the apparently isolated fault between the nodes 1003C and 1003D. In this example, the execution of the logic associated with the secondary node is performed after the transfer event has been completed. After the transfer event, node 1003D will vote secondary node 1003E for data. This data will include the indicator of a failure or failure along the secondary node 1003E. By working the normal configuration of the circuit, and the more specific location of the fault, the node 1003D can further isolate the fault by sending an order to the secondary node 1003C to open its switch. Upon verification that the switch of the secondary node is open, the node 1003D can automatically start the process back to normal, restoring the load to the clients bordered by the three nodes 1003C, 1003D and the new node 1003E now open. This logic is illustrated in the flow chart in Figure 10. As stated above, logic is only executed after the end of a reconfiguration event, and before an event returns to normal. After the reconfiguration event the node enters the logic and votes the secondary node in step 1021. If the recovered data indicates that a failure or failure was not detected by the secondary node in step 1022, or any other abnormal condition is detected , so that the location of the failure or failure can not be verified on the load side of 1003E, the node proceeds to 1023 to finish the logic. If a failure or failure was detected in step 1022, the node then determines if the secondary node is currently open in step 1024. If the secondary node is not currently open, the node proceeds to step 1025 where it sends a command to open the secondary node. The node then checks again if the secondary node is open in step 1026 and if it can not stop the logic in step 1027, or optionally retrieve the order to open. If the secondary node is now open in step 1026, it will continue to step 1028 where it will signal the start of the logic back to normal. If the node would find the secondary node 1003E initially opened in step 1024, it would immediately continue to step 1028 to signal the logic back to normal. In both cases, this logic ends at step 1029 after the logic of returning to normality has been signaled. It can be observed by those skilled in the art that numerous other possible circuit configurations are possible using this form of secondary node logic while still being consistent with the present invention. Neither the number of nodes in a computer nor the complexity of the circuit affect the use of this logic. For example, it will be appreciated that the node 1003E may be associated with an automatic disconnector, contained in other equipment, or responsible for an alternate source without deviating from the present invention.

Additional Protective Device Tablet In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method described above is incorporated into the operating instructions by the stored program of the device node controller 200. Alternative modes in the form of additional microprocessor-based cards support the reconversion of products configured according to substation circuit breakers and pre-packaged, existing recloser controls.

A block diagram of the connector version of the additional card is shown in Figure 11. The card consists of a circuit board based on a small electronic microprocessor, which can be provided to be mounted inside a reconnect control cabinet existing, or in a nearby auxiliary cabinet. The energy of the board is supplied by the power supply / backup battery system of the 1104 recloser. The reconfiguration logic of the equipment is completely contained in the memory 1105 and the CPU 1106 of the additional card, while the protection logic of the circuit and the active switching functions remain in the control of the recloser. In this way, the addition of the reconfiguration logic of the equipment described here can be carried out without modification of the logic or functionality of the recloser. The interface between the additional card and the recloser is entirely based on digital communications. It is well known to those skilled in the art that many of the modern microprocessor-based reconfiguration controls (including those mentioned in the background section) support well-defined digital communication protocols such as DNP 3.0 and Pacific Gas and the Electric Protocol in such a way that they allow the functions of the recloser to be selected, controlled and verified on a communication port. This port is provided as part of the recloser control. The specific data values, status points and control outputs that can be exchanged over communications are typically provided as "point lists" predefined by the designer or supplier of the recloser. In light of the functionality provided by the recloser and its communication interface, the functions of the controller of the node of Figure 2 can be distributed between the additional card and the control of the reconversion reconnector as follows: The communication functions of the equipment 110 , 218, 220 are provided by one or two of the communication channels 1101 and 1102 on the additional card. The third channel, 1103 is used to communicate with the recloser. The logic of coordination of the equipment carried out by 208 and 210, including the maintenance of the database of the equipment 210 is effected by the processor 1106 and the memory 1105 of the additional card. The user interface of the device functions node 209 remains with the additional card 1107, while the recloser user interface can still be used to access its standard functions. All protection features of the recloser, including overload fault detection 1212, verification and control of switch 1216 are used, with the additional card receiving the status of all those communications features. The supervision control over the associated switch (circuit breaker) with the recloser is provided to the additional card via the communication protocol. Power management and battery reinforcement 1104 must be provided separately from the additional card / communication equipment, although this may in some circumstances be shared with the power supply of the recloser 222. In circumstances where the logic of the equipment requires interaction With the database stored or processed in the recloser, it is used to list the recloser points. The presence of overload faults, the voltage of the line and other parameters detected or derived are all easily obtainable in this way. For example, the load data required to support the load captured in steps 620 and 638 can be sampled periodically by a recloser, transferred to the additional card using the list of points and averaged within the additional card. An additional benefit of the additional card is its ability to extend the capabilities of the basic functions of the recloser. For example, the Cooper Form 4C recloser supports only two protection profiles. Due to the additional storage and processing capabilities of the add-in card, additional profiles can be stored on the add-in card and charged to the recloser when necessary. In addition, the extensions to the representations of protection profiles presented in this invention can be uniformly applied to all reconversion retractors regardless of the capabilities of the individual device. An additional mode of the add-on card is provided including the optional 1/0 analog and digital 1108 block. This mode could be used to interconnect to a station circuit breaker that lacks adequate digital communication capability to support the functions of the equipment. The digital I / O would then be connected to the state of the circuit breaker and the control points canceled. The analog I / O will be connected to the detection devices. of current and voltage to allow the node to provide the verification, recharge and voltage functions of a team member. The protection profile of the circuit breaker would be dictated by parameters independent of the circuit breaker and configured in the memory 1105 of the additional card. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many possibilities to support the functionality of the equipment in legal or reconverted devices.

Claims (31)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for controlling the configuration of an electric power distribution system having a plurality of distribution devices, including functions that open and close the circuit, at least one of the plurality of distribution devices is a protective device of the circuit having selectable protection characteristic profiles, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: responding to the detected conditions that require reconfiguration of the system and opening one or more of the distribution devices to isolate the detected condition; communicating information between each of the plurality of distribution devices and at least one of the plurality of distribution devices that include the required protection features; selecting one of the selectable protection characteristic profiles of at least one circuit protection device; and controlling the operation of the plurality of distribution devices to reconfigure the electric power distribution system. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of resetting the distribution system to a normal configuration based on the detection of the predetermined conditions representing a resolution of the detected condition requiring reconfiguration, the The reset step includes the selection of one of the selectable protective characteristic profiles of at least one circuit protective device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the control step includes reconfiguration based on the available protection characteristics. 4. A system for controlling the configuration of an electrical power distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of distribution devices having functions to open and close the circuit, at least one of the plurality of distribution devices is a device circuit protector that has modifiable protection characteristics; and control means that respond to the detected conditions that require configuration of the system, communicate information between each of the plurality of distribution devices and at least one of the plurality of distribution devices to facilitate the coordination of the protection characteristics of the devices. modifiable protection features, and control the operation of the plurality of distribution devices to reconfigure the electric power distribution system. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means coordinates the control characteristics before operating the distribution devices to reconfigure the system. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means reconfigure the system on the basis of the available protection characteristics. 7. A system for controlling the configuration of an electrical power distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of distribution devices arranged in the distribution system that includes at least one circuit protective device having modifiable protection characteristics, the distribution devices include devices for opening and closing circuit trajectories in the distribution system; and control means that respond to the first detected conditions to coordinate a reconfiguration of the distribution system via the plurality of distribution devices, the control means comprise means for odifying the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protective device on the basis of the communication of protection characteristics required of one or more of the distribution devices. 8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means further comprise means communicating with the protective device of the circuit to communicate modified protection characteristics to one or more of the distribution devices and means of the distribution device, to reconfigure the distribution system after reception of modified protection features that satisfy the default reconfiguration protection. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means comprise first means for selectively operating the appropriate ones of a first type of distribution devices to open upon detection of the first detected conditions and second means for operating selectively the appropriate ones of a second type of distribution devices to close, to reconfigure the distribution system, the respective respective first-order distribution devices being closed after the respective respective distribution devices of the second type are closed on the basis of the predetermined conditions that are satisfied by the reconfiguration. 10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the first conditions detected for the reconfiguration correspond to a fault or fault condition and the first and second means operate to reconfigure the distribution system to isolate the fault or fault condition. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means respond to the second detected conditions representing a resolution of the first detected conditions to reset the distribution system to a normal configuration. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means modify the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protection device to a normal configuration when the distribution system is restored to a normal configuration. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means, during reconfiguration, modify the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protective device to a second protection characteristic of a first protection feature of normal configuration, and during the restoration of the distribution system to the normal modification first modifies the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protector to a third protection characteristic before reaching the normal configuration and modifying the protection characteristic of at least one protection device of the circuit. circuit to the first protection characteristic of normal configuration. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means comprise communication means for coordinating protection features with protection devices that are not affected by the first detected conditions. 15. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication of the required protection characteristics is represented by a measured load current. 16. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication of the required protection characteristics is represented by a number of segments, each of which corresponds to the circuit section between the adjacent distribution devices. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the communication of the required protection characteristics additionally includes the number of segments of each current flow detection in the distribution system. 18. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication of the required protection characteristics is represented by the charging current estimated in each of the distribution devices. 19. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication of the required protection characteristics is represented by the maximum load current in each of the distribution devices. 20. A system for controlling the configuration of an electric power distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of distribution devices arranged in the distribution system that includes at least one circuit protection device having modifiable protection characteristics, distribution devices include devices for opening and closing circuit trajectories in the distribution system; and control means for coordinating the changes in the configuration of the distribution system via the operation of the distribution devices, the control means comprising first means for selectively modifying the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protective device on the basis of the communication of protection characteristics required of one or more of the distribution devices. . 21. The system in accordance with the claim 20, characterized in that the control means operates one or more of the plurality of distribution devices to provide isolation of the fault or failure in the reconfiguration of the distribution system in response to predetermined, predetermined conditions, and to provide restoration of the distribution system in a normal reconfiguration in response to a second condition detected, predetermined, the first means during restoration to a normal configuration modifies the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protective device both before and after restoration of the configuration normal. 22. The system in accordance with the claim 21, characterized in that the modification of the protection characteristic of the at least one circuit protective device comprises blocking a ground fault or earth fault characteristic prior to restoration and unlocking the earth fault or ground fault protection characteristics after restoration. 23. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the first means selectively modify the protection characteristics of at least one circuit protection device, each time that the control measures coordinate changes in the configuration of the distribution system. 24. A method for controlling the configuration of an electric power distribution system having a plurality of distribution devices including functions for opening and closing the circuit, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: responding to the detected conditions that they require reconfiguration of the system and open one or more of the distribution devices to isolate the detected condition; communicating information between each of the plurality of distribution devices and at least all of the plurality of distribution devices; at least one of the plurality of distribution devices communicates with at least one device external to the plurality of switching controllers to obtain additional information about the condition of the system that is used to control the reconfiguration, and to control the operation of the plurality of distribution devices to reconfigure the electric power distribution system. 25. A system for the automated reconfiguration of a distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a first plurality of switches, all the switches in the first mode of switches are located in the distribution system; a first plurality of switching controllers; and the switching controllers in the first plurality of switching switches control the respective switches in the first plurality of switches and include resources which verify the distribution system, which communicate information with at least one other switching controller in the first plurality of switches. switching controllers that control the operation of their respective switches to effect the isolation of the fault or fault or the reconfiguration based on the detection and conditions that require the isolation of the fault or fault and the information communicated, at least one of The communication controllers also communicate with at least one external device, external to the first plurality of switching controllers to obtain additional information about the condition of the system that was used to control the reconfiguration. 26. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one of the switching controllers communicates with at least one external device to continue the operation thereof. 27. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one external device is at least one of a second plurality of switches located in the distribution system. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one external device also communicates with at least a second plurality of switching controllers. 29. A system for controlling the configuration of a distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of switches that are arranged in a predetermined configuration in a distribution system; and a plurality of switching controllers that are arranged to control respective switches in the plurality of switches, each of the switching controllers responds to conditions sent from the distribution system and comprises means for communicating information to one or more of the others of the plurality of switching controllers for transmitting the communicated information about the state of one or more switching controllers, each of the switching controllers in the plurality of switching controllers process the detected conditions and the information communicated to determine whether they should operate their switches respective according to the first predetermined conditions to effect the isolation of the fault or failure, subsequently to determine if it should operate their respective switches according to second predetermined conditions to carry out the reconfiguration of the distribution system and subsequently determining whether to return to the normal configuration based on a resolution of the conditions requiring fault isolation and reconfiguration, at least one of the switching controllers communicates with at least one external device to the plurality of switching controllers for receiving information about the system condition of a control operation of at least one device for performing reconfiguration functions and / or a return to normal configuration. 30. A system for controlling the configuration of an electrical power distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of distribution devices that have functions to open and close the circuit; and control means responsive to detected conditions that require a reconfiguration of the system communicating with at least one external device, external to the plurality of distribution devices to obtain information about the condition of the system that is used to control a reconfiguration, communicating information between each of the plurality of distribution devices and at least one of the plurality of distribution devices, and controlling the operation of the plurality of distribution devices to reconfigure the electric power distribution system. 31. A method for controlling the configuration of an electrical power distribution system, characterized in that it is substantially as shown and described.