Control system for synchronizing multiple vacuum contactors

摘要

A control system for controlling and synchronizing a plurality of medium-voltage vacuum contactors (12) comprises a two-level network structure. A dedicated network (48) includes a plurality of servant control units (50) operably coupled to the vacuum contactors and configured to ascertain a plurality of different data and conditions thereof. In addition, the dedicated network includes a master control unit (46) in serial communication with the servant control units and configured to send and receive communications therewith. The master control unit is operably coupled to a control network (44) including a plurality of various control devices. The master control unit is configured to send predetermined data received from the servant control units to the control network. The two-level network structure enables relatively jitter free communication on the dedicated network while not overwhelming the control network with unnecessary data. The system is further configured to diagnose and prevent a variety of different vacuum contactor failures.