The present invention relates in general to the switchgears. The present invention in particular relates a communication system for monitoring and controlling multiple switchgear devices.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In the prior-art, auxiliaries for circuit-breakers are available. But such a sophisticated yet systematic system was not available for collecting and transferring the data of auxiliaries to some central building management system. Prior-art systems were comparatively complex.
[003] US 2003/0205938A1 discloses integrated protection, monitoring, and control system wherein a method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The System includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The System also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital Signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational State of the power distribution System from the digital signal, and transmitting digital Signals to the plurality of node electronic units Such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.
[004] However, the system in the above prior art does not have auxiliaries of circuit-breakers mounted adjacent to the circuit-breakers and which are electrically isolated from circuit-breakers and coupled with them mechanically only. Further, there is no mediator channel between CCPU and node electronic units; information from CCPU is sent to each node electronic unit and acted upon by the appropriately addressed node electronic unit.

[005] This way a large number of circuit-breaker-auxiliary combinations cannot be connected to a central control system in a simplified and systematic manner. Another disadvantage is that different communicating means cannot be used for connecting central system to auxiliaries (wireless and wired both).
[006] WO/2002/086639 discloses a switchgear cabinet monitoring system that is designed for monitoring functions, which pertain to the switchgear cabinet itself, including temperature control, and has a centralized monitoring unit as well as at least one decentralized unit (2 to 7), which is in data transmission contact with or can be brought into data transmission contact with the monitoring unit via a data transmission link (DU) and which is assigned to a respective function or function group having similar functions. This system is meant for monitoring functions related to cabinet. It is not related to monitoring and control of switchgear devices/ circuit-breakers via their auxiliaries. Further, the system in the above prior art does not have auxiliaries of circuit-breakers mounted adjacent to the circuit-breakers and which are electrically isolated from circuit-breakers and coupled with them mechanically only. Further, there is no mediator channel between CCPU and node electronic units; information from CCPU is sent to each node electronic unit and acted upon by the appropriately addressed node electronic unit.
[007] This way a large number of circuit-breaker-auxiliary combinations cannot be connected to a central control system in a simplified and systematic manner. Another disadvantage is that different communicating means cannot be used for connecting central system to auxiliaries (wireless and wired both).
[008] We propose a communicating device which connects both to central building management systems and to multiple switchgears through their auxiliaries. It can systematically collect the data of these multiple auxiliaries. Furthermore, multiple such communicating devices can be connected in a system. Thus the range of the system can be increased to a great extent, without much complexity.

[009] These communicating devices are connected to a number of circuit-breaker auxiliaries. The command from central computer is decoded and transferred to the correctly addressed auxiliary for subsequent action.
[0010] Our system is further improved as we have provided a provision to optimize the use of wireless or wired communication between this communicating device and central building management system, without affecting the performance in any way.
[0011] We propose to use limited number of communication devices that can wirelessly share information with central computer. Multiple other communication devices that lie in short range can now be wired to these above wireless communicating devices. Using multiple means of communication will save on cost also (cost of laying down physical wires for long distance communication lines as well as cost of multiple wireless communication ports).
[0012] When a command is sent by the central computer in the form of data packets, it is broadcasted to all the communicating devices, but only the correctly addressed communicating device will act upon it. Similarly when an information is transferred from the communicating device to the central computer, the first main wireless communicating device will act as a mediator.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0013] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a communication system for monitoring and controlling multiple switchgear devices.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system for monitoring and controlling multiple switchgear devices remotely.
[0015] At the outset of the description that follows, it is to be understood that the ensuing description only illustrates a particular form of this invention. However, such a particular form is only an exemplary embodiment and is not

intended to be taken restrictively to imply any limitation on the scope of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0016] The present invention proposes a device that enables multiple conventional switchgears to communicate, to be monitored and controlled from a remote location. The proposed device connects to and acts as a slave for a master computer. It further connects the switchgears from other nodes through their corresponding auxiliaries and hence enables their monitoring and control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0017] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0018] Fig. 1 - Flowchart of the working of system according to the present invention
[0019] Fig. 2 - Working of wireless communicating device as a mediator
[0020] Fig. 3 - Block diagram of communicating device according to the present invention
[0021] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from

the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment as shown in the drawing.
[0023] According to the present invention, a communication system which enables multiple switchgear devices to be remotely monitored or controlled from a master application via their auxiliaries is disclosed.
[0024] We propose a communicating device, which has a multiple of nodes through which it connects to switchgear auxiliaries, energy meter etc. This way it can communicate with these switchgears and energy meters.
[0025] This communication device also communicates with any building management systems. Thus it acts as a mediator between the two.
[0026] As a multiple of auxiliaries can be connected to communicating device and a multiple of communicating devices can be used in a system so the system is easily manageable, even for large sized buildings.
[0027] The communication port on wireless device also helps other wired devices to connect wirelessly to the master computer, which simplifies the system and reduces cost.
[0028] The device according to the present invention has integrated addressing switches, which enable them to be connected in multiple numbers to a single master.
[0029] Referring to Fig. 1, the flowchart of the working of the system according to the present invention is disclosed.

[0030] The device according to the present invention is part of a system, which may contain a plurality of devices of this kind. Each device is addressed differently, herein represented by device 1, device 2... device 'n'. These devices can further be connected to auxiliaries.
[0031] For example device 1 has provision to connect 'p' auxiliaries; device 2 has
provision to connect 'q' auxiliaries device 'n' has provision to connect 'r'
auxiliaries.
[0032] The above mentioned devices are slaves which are controlled by a master which may be a computer application or any kind of human-machine interface etc. A communicating network is formed between them via the proposed system, for remote monitoring and control of switchgears (MCB/ RCCB/ RCBO/ Isolator/ Contactor/ Energy meter/ SPD etc.)
[0033] Referring to Fig. 2, there are multiple communicating devices installed in a vicinity (a, b, c...,z) within a short range. Each communicating device connects to their own group of auxiliaries (l,2...,r) and switchgears. And a master computer functioning for remote building management system is located at a distant site. In this case, user needs to use only one wireless communicating device (z). Other communicating devices can be relatively less expensive - wired communicating devices (a,b,c). They are physically wired in parallel to this communicating device z rather than wiring them to remote master computer.
[0034] Dotted lines in figure show wireless communication while solid line shows wired communication. When a command is sent by the central computer in the form of data packets, it is broadcasted to all the communicating devices (as all are connected in parallel), but only the correctly addressed communicating device will act upon it. Similarly when information is transferred from the communicating device to the central computer, the first main wireless communicating device z will act as a mediator.

[0035] The device according to the present invention comprises of several components as disclosed in Fig. 3.
[0036] Power Supply Module: This part controls the power supplied to the device, and provides safety from conditions like under voltage, over voltage, overload, short circuit, thermal burn off, wrong connections, etc. It provides isolated supply to the internal hardware, keeping it safe from outer disturbances. It regulates the incoming voltage which is then supplied to remaining modules for their working. Similarly it regulates current as well.
[0037] Addressing Module: Through this part user can give a unique address to the device in a network. Each communicating device in the system will have a particular digital address. (The device has addressing switches on its front, accessible to user). Further each auxiliary in the system will also have a particular digital address (this address will be according to which node of which communicating device, the auxiliary is connected to).
[0038] Communication Module: T This module in proposed communicating device helps in establishing secure connection to the controlling master system say a computer. (The communicating device acts as slave to this master). The mode of communication can be RS485, RS232, RS422 etc. The medium of data transfer can be either wired or wireless.
[0039] The feature of wireless communicating device, i.e. an additional hybrid connectivity option means that we can use a wirelessly connected slave device with other wired connected slave devices in parallel, such that these other devices also become a part of the same wireless network. The hybrid connectivity option is provided via an internal circuitry in communication module that converts wireless signal, e.g. RF signal to serial data communication for e.g. EUART which is then transferred to the communication port of addressed device.
[0040] Processing Unit: This unit is the brain of the device according to the present invention: all calculations, control, and sensing are done by this part, and

decisions are taken accordingly. The communication module brings in the data from the system master and forwards that data to this unit for further processing. This unit decodes the received data, executes the command, and replies back accordingly. It provides control signals for controlling various auxiliaries connected to the device and takes their feedback too. For this purpose the same command received from master is forwarded to that exact auxiliary in a system of auxiliaries. Processing unit is connected to every module, so it takes actions to operate them in safe conditions, indicate their respective conditions, communicates to master system, provides commands to the connected auxiliaries, and save the data in non-volatile memory.
[0041] Memory Block: This part consists of a non-volatile memory, used for saving the data say, configurations, addressing, etc.
[0042] Control and Feedback Blocks: Via these blocks the device can connect and communicate to the auxiliaries and thus monitor and/or control the working state of attached switchgear. The device may connect to a large number of auxiliaries, as designated by 'm', each addressed differently. For each auxiliary it has a separate control & feedback block, all of them have same circuit and are interchangeable and all of them work independently.
[0043] Indication Module: This part helps in indicating running mode of device to the user, or the cause of fault, if any, for quick troubleshooting of the problem. For example, the device can have a number of windows on its facia (local indication) where operating mode is indicated by means of patterns of blinking light. Other visual or audio indications may also be used. Various kind of information may be indicated such as faults in power supply, status of processing unit, status of communication module, data exchange in connected devices, wireless connectivity status and signal strength etc. Indication module takes input from various other modules for this purpose.

[0044] The auxiliary is physically wired to communicating device. It receives its controlled power supply as well as control and feedback signal from the device according to the present invention.
[0045] Wireless type of communicating device have an added advantage that they can be used as a mediator for data transfer between wired type of communicating devices and remote building management system.
[0046] The mode of data transfer between master and the device can either be wired or wireless depending upon the type of device used in the network. The wireless system offers advantages as the cost of wiring, manpower required to lay it down can be avoided. Wiring cost would be quite high as the master computer located at some control room can be very far away from the switchgear devices located in premises.
[0047] However wireless compatible device will be costly as it would need additional hardware. There may be issues of network congestion if too many wireless devices are used in a small range. To solve this, in our proposed system, one wireless device can itself make several nearby wired devices function wirelessly (w.r.t master computer), if they are connected through it.
[0048] For this one wireless device is needed and we connect the other wired ones to it through the communication port, with each having a unique ID in the network, and in this way every device can communicate through wireless channel.
[0049] Using the device according to the present invention, a large number of switchgear devices can be remotely monitored or controlled. Such a system helps in quick fault diagnosis, faster and pro-active maintenance, analysis of energy consumption pattern/ faults/ user habits, smart decision making etc. and is a tool for building management systems.
[0050] Advantages of the system according to the present invention:

a. A large number of switchgear devices can be remotely monitored or
controlled in a systematic and optimized manner.
b. The use of a combination of wireless and wired devices makes the system
more efficient and optimized in terms of resources, labour and cost.
c. There is local indication of several useful information on the device itself
(faults in power supply, status of processing unit, status of communication
module, data exchange in connected devices, wireless connectivity status and
signal strength etc.) which also helps in faster commissioning, set-up, testing and
maintenance.
[0051] The inventive system can be used in modern buildings, offices, industries etc where it is required to have a continuous monitoring of switchgear device status. Various advantages can be achieved by using such communicating system with management applications, such as field condition monitoring, quick fault diagnosis, faster and pro-active maintenance, data analysis, smart decision making etc.
[0052] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various assembly that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation,

together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0053] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0054] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of "comprising" or "including" also contemplates embodiments that "consist essentially of or "consist of the recited feature.
[0055] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present

subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

WE CLAIM:

1.A communication system (100) for monitoring and controlling multiple
switchgear devices, comprising:
A communicating device (10); and
A master controlling system (90);
Characterized in that the communicating device (10) further comprises:
A power supply module (20) configured to control the power supplied to the device (10), and provide safety from conditions like under voltage, over voltage, overload, short circuit, thermal burn off, wrong connections, to provide isolated supply to the internal hardware to keep it safe from outer disturbances and to regulate the incoming voltage and current;
An addressing module (30) configured to give a unique address to the device (10) in a network;
A communication module (40) configured to establish secure connection of the device (10) to a controlling master system (90) and receiving input from the controlling master system (90);
A processing unit (50) configured to process the input received from controlling master system (90);
A memory block (60) configured to store the data;
A control & feedback block (70) configured to communicatively connect the device (10) to the auxiliaries (al-an) to monitor and/or control the working state of auxiliary; and
An indication module (80) configured to indicate the running mode of the device (10) to a user.

2. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each auxiliary has a unique digital address.
3. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein mode of communication can be RS485, RS232, RS422, wired or wireless.
4. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (50) decodes the received data, executes the command, and replies back accordingly.
5. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory block (60) is a non-volatile memory and stores data like configuration of the auxiliary, addresses or each auxiliary.
6. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device (10) has multiple modules to communicatively connect to plurality of auxiliaries (al-an).
7. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary is MCB, RCCB, RCBO, Isolator, Contactor, Energy meter, SPD.
8. The communicating device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each auxiliary has a different control & feedback block (70).
9. The master controlling system (90) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the master controlling system (90) is a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA or any hand-held device.
10. A method for monitoring and controlling multiple switchgear devices using the communicating device (10), the method comprising of:
Receiving control inputs from the controlling master system (90);
Processing the received input to identify control actions along with address of auxiliary;

Sending control actions to identified auxiliary to processing unit (50) to control the auxiliary device;
Monitoring the working of the auxiliary device based on control action; and
Sending the monitored data to the master system (90).