Claims:1. A system for sensing faults and telemetering distribution automation data in a High Tension (HT) underground distribution network, said system comprising:
an IoT based field device with a microprocessor positioned at a Ring Main Unit (RMU) configured to sense, process and transmit RMU signals from plurality of RMUs located at random positions in the HT underground distribution network to a Gateway Server application over Internet through a cloud based MQTT Broker;
wherein the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through a corporate LAN configured to receive the RMU signals wirelessly from the IoT based field device and to process and transmit the received RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) server/Distribution Management System (DMS) server; and
wherein the transmission of the RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Distribution Management System (DMS) is done over an optical fiber based Communication Network dedicated for Operational Technology (OT) traffic using standard IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through corporate LAN via a firewall.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the SCADA /DMS is stored in a user terminal.

4. An IoT based field device in a RMU of a system for sensing faults and telemetering distribution automation data in a High Tension (HT) underground distribution network as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, said device comprising:
at least one microcontroller configured to receive optically isolated digital inputs from the IoT based field device for sensing RMU signals, said microcontroller comprising:
at least one RAM;
at least one flash memory configured to store an IoT Gateway Server Application;
at least one flash memory configured to store configuration and logging of runtime data;
at least one the DC voltage regulator configured to feed the microcontroller;
wherein the IoT based field device receives power from at least one DC voltage power adopter through at least one fuse and at least one diode protection and comprises at least one integrated GPRS/EDGE/HSPA (2G/3G) module configured to communicate with a SCADA System via a IoT Gateway Server Application.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising at least one switching regulator configured to produce DC voltage for the integrated 2G/3G module.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the integrated 2G/3G module comprises an antenna configured to communicate with the SCADA system.

7. The device as claimed in claim 4 optionally comprising at least one Lithium-Ion Battery Pack with a built-in protected Circuit Module (PCM) configured to provide power backup.

8. The device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising at least one SIM slot with 2G/3G module configured to insert SIM.
, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a system for sensing fault passage indication signals from HT RMUs (High Tension Ring Main Unit) and telemetering the RMU data, and more particularly the invention relates to a system comprising an IoT device for sensing fault passage indication signals from the HT RMUs and telemetering the distribution automation data to a Gateway that supports data communication with existing SCADA/DMS system using standard (IEC-60870-5-104) protocol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation, CESC has over 6000 Ring Main Units (RMUs) installed in their HT (6kV/11kV) Distribution Network for achieving higher availability of the supply to the consumers. RMUs used in CESC are mostly with either 3 or 4 way non-extensible SF6 Gas insulated isolators. These Isolators can break load current and make on faults but in the event of a downstream fault the upstream Circuit Breaker at the feeding Distribution Station trips and all the Fault Passage Indicators (“FPI”s - one fitted with each Isolator) through which fault current flows operate. CESC planned to automate these RMUs for achieving further improvement of the availability to the consumers’ supply. The conventional method of RMU automation is a very costly venture. It involves deployment of Field Remote Terminal Units (FRTUs) at each RMU site) for telemetering of digital status inputs such as Leg Isolator ON/OFF status, FPIs status of each leg, analog measurands such as Leg Current to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at the Control Centre. It also involves motorisation of each Isolator to enable remote operation of the Isolators through the SCADA System.

Reference has been made to US9819196 that discloses a power distribution system capable of automatic fault detection. An analyzing module is coupled to said at least one power distribution control module, and configured to make an analysis at the fault location, and to generate an analysis result that indicates whether or not the fault at the fault location has been fixed. A control module is further coupled to said analyzing module for receiving the analysis result therefrom, and configured to, when the analysis result indicates that the fault at the fault location has been fixed, control said first FTU to cause said two of said first sub-switch units that are located most adjacent to the fault location to permit power transmission therethrough, and to cause said second sub-switch unit to disable power transmission therethrough.

Reference has also been made to document EP2963771A1, which discloses a tele-driving device is adapted to monitor the MV network at a processing station and optionally in the order of the elements in the event of default. The equipment comprises means for also monitoring the BT network. Preferably, the equipment comprises a BT monitoring module, a power supply module, a communication module and a monitoring module MT (300 i) per channel to be monitored. The various modules components are optimized to suit the network on which the device is implemented, and to allow for updates.

Reference has further been made to CN106713425A that discloses a distribution network communication optimization method based on extended IEC60870-5-104 protocol.

Yet another reference has been made to CN103245862A that relates to a condition monitoring system used for a ring main unit of an intelligent power distribution network.

The cost of FRTUs and the SCADA system are very high as very few multinational Companies (MNCs) manufacture these things based on standard communication protocol IEC-60870-5-104, de-facto communication protocol for SCADA Systems used in India. CESC has already deployed one bought out SCADA System from Siemens (AG) at their Control Centre for control and monitoring of all the 115 Distribution Stations (at 33kV to 11kV/6kV level) using IEC-60870-5-104 protocol over optical fiber based corporate communication network. The above SCADA system has the capacity to get integrated with all the above 6000 RMUs provided a rugged communication link is established between the Control Centre and the FRTUs.

Though CESC has completed automation of about 500 RMUs at strategic locations by integrating with the above SCADA System using FRTUs from different OEMs (MNCs) communicating over optical fiber network, laying of optical fiber up to the last mile for all the RMUs is not viable in a city like Kolkata.

Wireless communication technologies such as Mobile Technologies was thought to be the last mile Communication solution - The initial deployment of RMU Automation using M2M technology over GPRS/CDMA based communication network failed due to poor availability of the communication links.

Wireless RF Mesh Technology may be used as an alternative last mile communication medium. It is apparent from the pilot roll-out of communication canopy using RF-Mesh technology that a whole hog mesh network is required to be formed to create multiple paths & benefit from the said network to be accepted as a last mile communication for RMU Automation. Moreover, the capital expenses required for preparing the communication infrastructure is vehemently high.

Wired communication technology based on Power Line Carrier (PLC) was once thought to be an alternative solution for both the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) purposes in any power utility. This technology is also proven unsuitable for the purpose as experienced in the pilot project for AMI in CESC.

The conventional process of Feeder (RMU) Automation as shown in Figure.1 is a very costly venture. It involves incorporation of an FRTU for telemetering of RMU Signals such as Digital Status Inputs (Leg Isolator ON/OFF status, FPI status of each leg,) analog measurands available such as Leg Current, Remote reset command for FPIs and remote operation (Open/Close) of isolators. It is also possible to retrofit 24V Motors to each Isolator to enable remote operation of the Isolators. These FRTUs communicate with the Master Control Centre (MCC) over IEC 60870-5-104 protocol. Data Communication in this project is primarily done over Optical Fiber based network to achieve high availability of communication.

All the above Digital Signals of the RMU are interfaced as potential free contacts and finally drawn to the FRTU physically using wired connectivity. The analog measurands are interfaced with the FRTU through wires either in the form of milliamp current loop or in the form of data over serial port with RS232/RS485 interfaces. The FRTU which is a microprocessor based intelligent device then processes these signals and sends the information to the SCADA/DMS Server at the Master Control Centre (MCC) as programmed (such as on change of status, scheduled information, on demand information etc.) through Optical Fiber based communication network dedicated for OT services using standard communication protocol (IEC 60870-5-104) . Operators at the MCC interact with the SCADA system through SCADA Terminal which has a display unit for showing the status of the network equipment, audible alarm system for alerting the operators during any abnormality in the field, keyboard & mouse set for taking control commands from the operators.

In all the above patent references, none of the document uses the low cost IoT technology based solution. Also, the idea of separation of communication into two parts instead of direct communication from the field to the MCC over IEC 60870-5-104 has not been improvised in any project as referred in the above cited references. In the present disclosure, the hardware and software duo developed in line with this philosophy helped to mitigate the wireless communication issues related to conventional transmission of data over standard protocol. With the invention of the present disclosure, communications from the field device to the head-end system covering the major distance could be done over an easily available wireless communication technology ( 2G/3G) using a low cost, light weight yet secured and standard state-of-the- art IoT technology.

Thus in view of the above mentioned drawbacks of the conventional systems, there exists a dire need to provide a low cost and yet rugged last mile communication solution for integrating the remaining 5500 RMUs with the SCADA system using standard IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol and a low cost alternative to the FRTU.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following disclosure presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system for low cost and rugged last mile communication solution for integrating the RMU with the SCADA system using standard IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol.

An object of the present invention is to provide a low cost alternative for Field Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU).

An object of the present invention is to provide a suitable communication architecture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system which provides availability of improvement of the availability factor due to reduction of communication failures.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which provides improvement of efficiency due to reduction in downtime.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system which provides customer satisfaction by providing quality services through proactive maintenance with reduced downtime.

One aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a low cost and rugged system involving development of both hardware and software in the field of HT Feeder Automation in an underground power distribution network. A microprocessor based Field Device has been disclosed that senses, processes and transmits signals such as Fault Passage Indications (FPI) etc. from the Ring Main Units (RMU) located at different locations in the High Tension (HT) underground Distribution Network to a currently developed IoT Gateway Server Application via Internet cloud using state-of-the-art Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The IoT Gateway Server connected with the Internet through Corporate LAN via Firewall has been provided for receiving the RMU signals wirelessly from the above IoT based field devices and transmitting the same to the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/ Distribution Management System (DMS) over optical fiber based Communication Network dedicated for OT (Operational Technology) traffic using standard protocol, IEC-60870-5-104.

The system of the present invention achieved novelty by providing a low cost yet efficient solution in place of the conventional costly feeder automation solutions involving usage of Field Remote Terminal unit (FRTU) at the RMU site that processes and communicates field data directly to the SCADA/DMS system over IEC-60870-5-104 or equivalent heavy duty connection oriented protocol requiring higher bandwidth always on network.

In one implementation, the present invention provides a system for sensing faults and telemetering distribution automation data in a High Tension (HT) underground distribution network comprising an IoT based field device with a microprocessor positioned at a Ring Main Unit (RMU) configured to sense, process and transmit RMU signals from plurality of RMUs located at random positions in the HT underground distribution network to a Gateway Server application over Internet through a cloud based MQTT Broker.

In one implementation of the present invention, the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through a corporate LAN configured to receive the RMU signals wirelessly from the IoT based field device and to process and transmit the received RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) server/ Distribution Management System (DMS) server.

In one implementation of the present invention, the transmission of the RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Distribution Management System (DMS) is done over an optical fiber based Communication Network dedicated for Operational Technology (OT) traffic using standard IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol.

In one implementation of the present invention, the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through corporate LAN via a firewall and the SCADA /DMS User Terminal through optical fiber based communication network dedicated for OT traffic via another firewall for SCADA/DMS.

In another implementation, the present invention provides an IoT based field device in a RMU comprising at least one microcontroller configured to receive optically isolated digital inputs from the IoT based field device for sensing RMU signals, said microcontroller comprising at least one RAM, at least one flash memory configured to store an IoT Gateway Server Application, at least one flash memory configured to store configuration and logging of runtime data, at least one the DC voltage regulator configured to feed the microcontroller wherein the IoT based field device receives power from at least one DC voltage power adopter through at least one fuse and at least one diode protection and comprises at least one integrated GPRS/EDGE/HSPA module configured to communicate with a SCADA System via an IoT Gateway Server Application.

In one implementation of the present invention, the integrated GPRS/EDGE/HSPA module comprises an antenna configured to communicate with the SCADA system and optionally comprises at least one Lithium-Ion Battery Pack with a built-in Protected Circuit Module (PCM) configured to provide power backup.

Some of the noteworthy novel features of the present disclosure are:

• Development and deployment of a custom-made IoT based device for Distribution Automation Purposes is a unique venture.
• Development of the IoT Gateway Server that receives RMU signals through cloud based Broker using MQTT Protocol and transmits the data to the existing SCADA/DMS system using standard (IEC-60870-5-104) protocol over optical fiber based communication network dedicated for OT services.
• The lightweight MQTT protocol for data transport is chosen to establish a flexible data bridge to the head-end to improve over the conventional connection-oriented time-critical IEC-60870-5-104 protocol for wireless communication between the field equipment and the head-end system.
• The modular IoT based field device enables us need based deployment for balancing the cost.
• Works satisfactorily in 2G/3G (GPRS/EDGE/HSPA) network which failed to perform earlier for the same purpose.
• Working in 2G/3G network enables to run the system with lower operational expenses due to low tariff cost.
• Support of 4G communication can be obtained with an incremental change in the circuit of the IoT device. Such changes in the circuit IoT devices will still be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to contemplate such incremental changes in the IoT circuit for 4G communication.
• Alerts for appearance of FPIs are sent to the stakeholders through SMS.
• The status of the FPIs can also be seen on the move through Android Apps on a Smartphone. This on-the-go feature is not supported in the existing DMS system.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 Shows the block diagram of the conventional feeder automation process, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 Shows the block diagram of the architecture of the feeder automation process, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 3 Shows the functional block diagram of the field device hardware, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may not have been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component surface" includes a reference to one or more of such surfaces.

All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which various embodiments belong. Further, the meaning of terms or words used in the specification and the claims should not be limited to the literal or commonly employed sense, but should be construed in accordance with the spirit of the disclosure to most properly describe the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of various embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, members, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, members, components, and/or groups thereof. Also, Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

The present invention provides an embedded software for converting a low cost Control Module (ECU 1911 from M/s Advantech) into a device which serves all the functionalities what a standard FRTU supports including the transmission of field data to SCADA system using IEC60870-5-104 communication protocol. In the process, the cost of the automation reduced substantially but it works fine only on optical fiber based communication.

Deployment of RMU automation has been hindered due to non-availability of healthy and techno commercially viable solutions for FRTU and last mile communication.

In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a low cost Micro-controller based device for replacing the costly FRTU at the field. The device is built with integrated GPRS/EDGE/HSPA based wireless technology for communicating with the SCADA System via a PC based Gateway using Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Reference has been made to Figure 2, where Gateway is physically connected with the internet through the corporate LAN via firewall and receives field data through an IoT device over the Internet through a cloud based MQTT Broker and transfers the same to the existing SCADA System using IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol over optical fiber based communication network dedicated for OT traffic.

The device can be used for both semi-automation (monitoring only) and full-automation (control and monitoring) of RMU purposes. The base module as referred in Figure 3 may be used for Semi-automation through which FPI status of each leg of the RMUs are monitored, helps to identify the faulty location from remote thus reducing the downtime. Resetting of FPI from remote is also possible through the device disclosed in the present invention. The base module may also be used integrating with a micro PLC based controller over RS485 port for full-automation of the RMUs in strategic places, where both control and monitoring is required.

Development and deployment of the custom-made IoT based devices for Distribution Automation Purposes is a unique venture that utilizes the Gateway supporting data communication with the existing SCADA/DMS system using standard (IEC-60870-5-104) protocol for communicating. Moreover, the modular IoT based field device facilitates need based deployment for balancing the cost. This invention works satisfactorily in 2G/3G (GPRS/EDGE/HSPA) network where a fully loaded FRTU failed to perform earlier.

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the Conventional Feeder Automation Process depicts flow of data from the RMU sites to the MCC. Sensors (FPI etc.) in the existing RMUs are integrated with the FRTU which processes and communicates the sensor data with the SCADA Server at the MCC over optical fiber based OT communication network dedicated for OT services.

The block diagram in Figure 2 depicts the flow of data from RMU to the MCC via IoT Gateway in the invention project. The IoT Device receives the RMU signals and send it to the gateway server wirelessly using IoT technology. The Gateway server residing at the Corporate Intranet in turn processes the received data from IoT device and sends the same to the existing SCADA /DMS Server through optical fiber based communication network dedicated for OT traffic using IEC-60870-5-104 standard protocol.

Figure 3 shows the detail architecture and functional blocks within the IoT based Field Device, specifically developed for the purpose. The 32 Bit ARM based Microcontroller with 64KB RAM and 512MB Flash Memory is responsible for the core functions of the IoT Device. The Microcontroller runs on a regulated 3.3 V DC. The developed Software Application is kept in the above internal 512MB Flash Memory of the Microcontroller. A separate Flash Memory module has been integrated with it for keeping configuration data as well as logging of runtime data. The IoT Device receives the power from a 12 V DC Power Adopter through required fuse and diode protection. One 11.1 V Lithium- Ion Battery pack with built-in Protected Circuit Module (PCM) has been used as a backup for running the device during outage of external power supply.

Further, a switching regulator is there to produce required voltage for the integrated 2G/3G (GPRS/EDGE/HSPA) module and the 3.3V DC regulator feeding the Microcontroller. The microcontroller receives optically isolated digital inputs from the field equipment for sensing signals such as FPIs etc. It supports relay isolated Digital Outputs for sending control commands (FPI reset etc.) to the field equipment (RMU). The Microcontroller communicates to the head end system through the 2G/3G module using MQTT protocol. Provision for inserting SIM has been incorporated by integrating one SIM slot with the 2G/3G module.

In one implementation, the present invention provides a system for sensing faults and telemetering distribution automation data in a High Tension (HT) underground distribution network comprising an IoT based field device with a microprocessor positioned at a Ring Main Unit (RMU) configured to sense, process and transmit RMU signals from plurality of RMUs located at random positions in the HT underground distribution network to a Gateway Server application over Internet through a cloud based MQTT Broker.

In one implementation of the present invention, the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through a corporate LAN configured to receive the RMU signals wirelessly from the IoT based field device and to process and transmit the received RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) server/Distribution Management System (DMS) server

In one implementation of the present invention, the transmission of the RMU signals to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Distribution Management System (DMS) is done over an optical fiber based Communication Network dedicated for Operational Technology (OT) traffic using standard IEC-60870-5-104 communication protocol.

In one implementation of the present invention, the IoT Gateway Server Application is connected with the internet through corporate LAN via a firewall and the SCADA /DMS is stored in a user terminal.

In another implementation, the present invention provides an IoT based field device in a RMU comprising at least one microcontroller configured to receive optically isolated digital inputs from the IoT based field device for sensing RMU signals, said microcontroller comprising at least one RAM, at least one flash memory configured to store an IoT Gateway Server Application, at least one flash memory configured to store configuration and logging of runtime data, at least one the DC voltage regulator configured to feed the microcontroller wherein the IoT based field device receives power from at least one DC voltage power adopter through at least one fuse and at least one diode protection and comprises at least one integrated GSM/GPRS module configured to communicate with a SCADA System via a IoT Gateway Server Application.

In one implementation of the present invention, the integrated 2G/3G module comprises an antenna configured to communicate with the SCADA system and optionally comprises at least one Lithium-Ion Battery Pack with a built-in protected Circuit Module (PCM) configured to provide power backup.

Stages of Development:
Deployment of RMU automation has been hindered by the non-availability of healthy, techno commercially viable solutions on the last mile communication and a FRTU. The invention has been undergone following stages of developments and trials before coming to the present system.

1. Last mile Communication solutions
a. Wireless communication technologies such as Mobile Technologies - Our initial deployment of RMU Automation using M2M technology over GPRS/CDMA based communication network failed due to poor availability of the communication links.
b. Wireless RF Mesh Technology – It may be used as an alternative last mile communication medium. It is apparent from the pilot roll-out of communication canopy using RF-Mesh technology requires formation of intense mesh network with multiple nodes for creation of multiple paths. Moreover, the capital expenses required for preparing the communication infrastructure is vehemently high.
c. Wired communication technology based on Power Line Carrier (PLC) – It was once thought to be an alternative solution for both the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) purposes in any power utility. The technology is also proven unsuitable for the purpose as experienced in the pilot project for AMI in CESC.

2. Low cost alternative of the FRTU
We have developed one embedded software for converting a low cost Control Module (ECU 1911 from M/s Advantech) into a device which serves all the functionalities that a standard FRTU supports including the transmission of field data to SCADA system using IEC -60870-5-104 communication protocol. In the process, the cost of the automation reduced substantially but it works fine only on optical fiber based wireline communication. It failed to perform satisfactorily on GPRS/CDMA based wireless communication as IEC-60870-5-104 protocol is based on connection-oriented communication which is inherently very time critical in nature, requires always-on higher bandwidth communication network.

3. Suitable Communication Architecture
The conventional protocol for communication between the Field Device (FRTU) and the Head-end System (SCADA) in India follows IEC -60870-5-104 standard protocol. This protocol is based on a connection-oriented communication protocol which is inherently very time-critical in nature with tightly bonded heavy-duty data packet. A SMS based Solution was tried with unsatisfactory results. The solution comprises of a field device that sends alarm signals from the RMU to the Gateway server through SMS. The Gateway Server in turn sends the data to the SCADA after processing the SMS messages and converting the same into IEC 104 based packet data.
-A standard protocol with lightweight data packets for communication may help to improve the availability factor for feeder automation

Some of the non-limiting advantages of the present invention are as follows:
• The solution uses very low cost and rugged state-of the art technology.
• Satisfies one of the prime requirements of ongoing Smart Grid regime by providing a low cost solution for RMU automation.
• Supports faster and hassle free deployment.
• The developed device and the system as a whole is scalable and future compatible.
• Reduction of loss due to saving of outage time.
• Helps in better governance/maintenance of the HT Distribution Network.
• The battery backed power supply used in the IoT Device assures data communication during local LT supply failure.
• Customer Satisfaction.
• Development of Head-end software (Gateway Server) enabled us to waive operational expenses due to the tariff for SaaS/ cloud

The system is suitable to be used in the field where low bandwidth data communication is required. The present invention is not suitable for applications requiring high bandwidth data communication such as big file transfer, video streaming etc.

One of the best mode of working that can be achieved through the Semi automation of RMU predominantly requiring only monitoring functions with minimum control/operations. However, remote operations of non-critical equipment which does not demand time critical operations can be done through this invention. The system disclosed in the present disclosure comprising state-of-the-art technologies and requiring 2-way always-on mode of communication infrastructure performs well with 2G/3G based wireless communication medium which failed to perform to our satisfaction in earlier trials on HT RMU full automation with a similar communication architecture.

The system has undergone a good number of developmental stages before reaching into the final one. It is expected that the present system is quite matured to be deployed in large scale roll out. Moreover, as the head-end software has been developed in-house and finally hosted into a company’s on-premise server, the manipulation of the system as the need arises can be done comfortably. It also helps to reduce operational expenses due to cloud hiring.

Although a system utilizing an IoT device for telemetering the distribution automation data have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the IoT device.

Those skilled in the art will recognize other use cases, improvements, and modification to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and other use-cases are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.