Methods and apparatus for determining power distribution system topology using disturbance detection

摘要

A disturbance, for example, a frequency variation, is generated in at least a portion of the power distribution network. The disturbance may be generated, for example, by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or some other component of the power distribution network, such as a switch. At least one node of the network experiencing the disturbance is identified and a topology of the power distribution network is determined responsive to identifying the at least one node. The at least one node may be identified by detecting a voltage-related artifact corresponding to the disturbance. A phase-locked loop (PLL)—based circuit may be used for fast artifact detection. Groups of devices in the network may be identified from the artifacts, and combinatorial optimization techniques may be used to determine connectivity within such groups.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring a power distribution network, the method comprising:
operating a component of the power distribution network to generate a disturbance; detecting artifacts in voltages at a plurality of nodes of the power distribution network associated with respective component devices of the power distribution network; determining a correlation of the detected artifacts with the disturbance to identify at least one group of the devices of the power distribution network; and determining a topology of the power distribution network responsive to the identification of the at least one group.