A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to timers and particularly to selective relay timers used for testing meters and switching devices like circuit breakers. The present invention more particularly relates to the remote monitoring and programming of microcontroller based selective relay timers using personal computers.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The circuit breakers constitute an important and critical component in the electric power system. The circuit breakers play a key role in protecting the equipment and personnel from damage due to unwanted heavy current passing through the circuit. There are many reasons to maintain and test a circuit breaker. Friction and wear can affect the performance and the efficiency of the moving contact elements in the circuit breaker. Leaks may occur in the valves and in the seals used in the arc extinguishing chambers, damping devices and in pneumatic and hydraulic operating mechanisms. The fault may occur in electrical control circuits thereby deteriorating the contact surfaces in interrupters and bus bar joints to increase the risk of excessive heat generation.

[0003] Because of their key role, the circuit breakers are periodically tested. One of the earliest and most successful test methods is the timing test, which consists of measuring the mechanical operation time of the circuit breakers contacts. Timing tests are always important to prevent damages of circuit breaker. Incorrect operation of circuit breaker can have of disastrous consequences on the equipment or the substation personnel.

[0004] Different measuring devices are used to measure the operation time of the circuit breakers. The first generation testing devices are based on oscillographic mode of recording curves and currently not in use. The second generation testing methods are based on digital timers with time pulse conversion. Generally the commercially produced timers for testing the circuit breakers or meters are expensive.

[0005] The testing of circuit breakers and meters is very important operation. The circuit breaker or meter has to be tested and maintained regularly to improve their performance. The best way to ensure the safe operation of the circuit breakers is through the correct selection and setting of the relays that control them. A correct coordination ensures during the generation of problems that the right circuit breaker is opened to correct the problem. The testing of a circuit breaker or a meter involves injecting signals into relay circuit that simulate various kinds of faults and checking the circuit breaker operation. This procedure may include testing of the relays after establishing the setting adjustments. Most of the protective relays are analog devices. However, several manufacturers have developed microprocessor based protective relays that include the tripping functions required to protect the interconnection. In the past, to fulfill most of these requirements, the relays and the associated timers are necessary to protect the circuit breakers.

[0006] The timer relay has been provided to allow emergency shut-down in the event of failure of the pressure switches. The microprocessor based relays are well known. It is a mini computer with preset programming which uses inputs from the analog-digital cards, digital inputs, communications, and other external devices. The digital signals are analyzed by microprocessor using algorithms to determine the operational parameters, pick up, and timing based on settings provided by the user. All these tasks are controlled by the algorithms, and each task can be represented by one line of computer code.
[0007] The analog timers are currently used for load changeover and control in protection units. The earlier timers used for programming the ON and OFF time cannot be used for selecting the number of relays required to energize and test the contacts in the circuit breakers. Moreover none of the prior art devices provide a simple method of selecting the timers during the testing of the circuit breakers. Hence there is a need to develop an automatic system and method to select the number of relays during the testing of the circuit breakers. As a result, a programmable or a microcontroller based selective relay timer is used. Even in the programmable relay timers or the microcontroller based selective relay timer, the user has to go to the location of the programmable device or the microcontroller to program the device thereby spending the precious time and energy of the user during the testing of the circuit breakers.

[0008] Hence there is a need to develop a programmable system to select the number of relays, load ON time, load OFF time and profile, easily and quickly. Also there is a need to program the timer remotely or from a particular distance, and to monitor and control the operation of the timers remotely.

[0009] The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The primary object of the present invention is to develop a system to remotely program and monitor the operation of a selective relay timer thereby saving the energy and time of the operating personnel.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a Personal Computer (PC) integrated Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT) for testing the circuit breakers and the meters.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a PC integrated MC-SRT to enable a user to quickly, easily and efficiently program the microcontroller remotely or at a distant place thereby avoiding the time consumed for programming the MC-SRT.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a PC integrated MC-SRT to enable the user to program the microcontroller remotely or at a distant place to perform multiple tasks in the MC-SRT easily, quickly and efficiently.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a PC integrated MC-SRT to enable the user to program the microcontroller remotely or at a distant place thereby eliminating the need of human physical interface for programming and monitoring of the MC-SRT.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a PC integrated microcontroller based Three Phase Selective Line Switching (TPSLS) for testing the meters.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a PC integrated Micro-Controller based Meter Functionality Tester (MC-MFT) for testing the meter functions.

[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for programming and monitoring a microcontroller based selective relay timer used for testing the circuit breakers or the meters remotely or from a far off place using a personal computer thereby saving the energy, resources and time of the operating personnel.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer integrated microcontroller based selective relay timer device has a microcontroller connected to pluralities of relays and light emitting diodes. A personal computer is communicatively connected to the microcontroller through wired or wireless communication network. The personal computer is loaded with software to program the microcontroller remotely to select and operate the relays in a selected profile. The software is executed in the personnel computer to receive the inputs for the programming parameters including the number of relays to be operated, load ON time for relays, load OFF time for relays and operating profile for the relays. The software is executed in the personal computer to select and operate the relays under the input operating profile continuously based on the input programming parameters to test the electrical devices. The personal computer programs, controls and monitors the operation of the microcontroller to select and operate the relays to test the electrical devices.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a Personal Computer (PC) is interfaced to a Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT) through a communication link to program and monitor the operation of the MC-SRT. The communication link is either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The PC is interfaced to the MC-SRT through a wireless communication link such like a modulator-demodulator (MODEM) device or through a wired communication such like a Recommended Standard-232 (RS-232) serial communication interface cable. The PC is loaded with software dedicatedly developed for remote communication, monitoring and programming of the MC-SRT remotely. A user programs the operating parameters of the MC-SRT and monitors the MC-SRT using the PC having software.

[0021] Thus the remote monitoring and control of the MC- SRT enable the user to program and monitor the MC-SRT remotely or at a distance or from a far off place thereby eliminating the need for the operating personnel to move to the location of the MC-SRT for programming, and saving the time, energy, and resources of the operating personnel.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a Personal Computer (PC) integrated Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated MC-SRT with a wired communication link according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated MC-SRT with a wireless communication link according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated microcontroller based Three Phase Selective Line Switching (TPSLS) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated Micro Controller based Meter Functionality Tester (MC-MFT) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0030] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system to remotely program and monitor the operation of a microcontroller based selective relay timer thereby saving the energy and time of the operating personnel.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer integrated microcontroller based selective relay timer device has a microcontroller connected to pluralities of relays and light emitting diodes. A personal computer is communicatively connected to the microcontroller through wired or wireless communication network. The personal computer is loaded with software to program the microcontroller remotely to select and operate the relays in a selected profile. The software is executed in the personnel computer to receive the inputs for the programming parameters including the number of relays to be operated, load ON time for relays, load OFF time for relays and operating profile for the relays. The software is executed in the personal computer to select and operate the relays under the input operating profile continuously based on the input programming parameters to test the electrical devices. The personal computer programs, controls and monitors the operation of the microcontroller to select and operate the relays to test the electrical devices. The light emitting diodes are connected in parallel to the relays to indicate the operating status of the relays.

[0032] According to one embodiment, a Personal Computer (PC) is connected to a Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT) through a communication link to program and monitor the operation of the MC-SRT remotely. The communication link is either a wired communication link such as a Recommended Standard-232 (RS-232) cable which is a serial communication interface or wireless communication link such like a modulator-demodulator (MODEM) device. The PC is installed with software which is dedicatedly developed for remote communication, monitoring and programming of the MC-SRT. A user programs the operating parameters of the MC-SRT and monitors the MC-SRT using the PC loaded with dedicated software remotely. The MC-SRT is also designed such that the MC-SRT is restarted for setting configuration to avoid any programmed data/parameter conflicts, when the programming of the MC-SRT is done through the remote communication.

[0033] In the wired communication link, the MC-SRT and the PC are interfaced through a physical wire such as the RS-232 serial communication interface to establish the communication between the PC and the MC-SRT. The RS-232 card is used as a voltage level converter for changing the voltage level of the PC to a voltage level corresponding to that of a Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) gate circuit. At the PC side, COM port DB9 is used as a communication port. In the wireless communication link, the communication MODEM is selected and used for establishing communication link between the PC and the MC-SRT.

[0034] In order to establish the communication link between the PC and the MC-SRT, the user initially checks for communication, for example by sending a code/symbol/character such as "/". When the user receives an acknowledgment by receiving a code/symbol/character such as "♠" from the MC-SRT, then the MC-SRT is ready and available for communication. Once the MC-SRT is ready and available for communication, then the user sends software commands from the PC to the MC-SRT to program and to monitor the MC-SRT.

[0035] The software used for the remote communication has several features. The software enables the user to provide a plurality of login Identities (IDs) such as an administrator login ID and a guest login ID. The administrator login provides full MC-SRT access right to the user. The administrator login enables the user to change any of the operating parameters mentioned in a memory map. The operating parameters include programming status, profile selection, ON time, OFF time, relay count (number of relays), programming count, hardware based MC-SRT initialization process, software based MC-SRT initialization process, power failure count, etc. The administrator login enables the user to clear all the memory location as mentioned in the memory map using the MC-SRT initialization process.

[0036] The guest login provides the user with limited accessibility of the MC-SRT. The guest login enables the user to access only the following parameters such as the programming status, profile selection, ON Time, OFF time, and relay count. By using the guest login, the users have the right to initialize the MC-SRT but can clear only the parameters such as the programming status, profile selection, ON Time, OFF time, and relay count.

[0037] The software has the additional feature of having a log file for storing entire activities of monitoring and control of the MC-SRT so that the stored data from the log file may be downloaded. The software is used to perform the online monitoring of the MC-SRT. The software is executed on the PC to enable the user to collect data from the MC-SRT and to monitor the status of the MC-SRT. The data collection interval in the online mode can be defined and may have limitation. The data are collected within a minute range, i.e., with in l sec to 60sec. The user also assigns a date for collecting the status. The software is used to capture the PC date and time running on the PC. The PC date and time are used as the reference date and time for data collected from the MC-SRT.

[0038] The software is used for setting/programming a specific parameter. The software is also used to prevent the user from feeding the wrong data to the MC-SRT. The software has built-in features to identify the limitations. The limitation and programming range of the MC-SRT can also be read from the MC-SRT by using the PC having software. The limitation and programming range of the MC-SRT are read and stored in the log file by the software so that the stored data help the software to justify the input given by the user to the MC-SRT.

[0039] Thus the remote monitoring and control of the MC- SRT using the PC have several advantages. The remote monitoring and control of the MC- SRT enable the user to program and monitor the MC-SRT remotely or at a distance or from a far off place thereby eliminating the need for the operating personnel to move to the location of the MC-SRT for programming thereby saving the time, energy and resources of the operating personnel. The usage of MC-SRT is dependent on the type of user like administrator or guest so that no other works are affected. By using a wireless communication link such like the MODEM communication, the user is able to access the MC-SRT even from a far away location. The invention eliminates the need of the human physical interface with the MC-SRT for programming and monitoring the MC-SRT. Using the remote communication link and the PC integrated MC-SRT, the user manages the task/work by residing at one place thereby saving the cost and the time, when the person need to spend time to go to the location of the MC-SRT for programming. Thus the system helps the user to execute multiple tasks including the MC-SRT programming at a time.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer integrated microcontroller based Three Phase Selective Line Switching (TPSLS) system is provided for testing the meter automatically. The system has a microcontroller connected to pluralities of relays and light emitting diodes. A PC is communicatively connected to the microcontroller through a wired communication link such as a RS-232 cable or a wireless communication link such like a MODEM device to program and monitor the operation of the TPSLS remotely. The PC is loaded with software which is dedicatedly developed for remote communication, monitoring and programming of the TPSLS. The TPSLS includes an electrical device such as a meter to be tested and a three phase power source. A user programs the operating parameters of the TPSLS and monitors the TPSLS using the PC loaded with dedicated software remotely to automate the testing of the meters. The software is executed in the PC to receive the inputs for the programming parameters including the number of relays to be operated, load ON time for relays, load OFF time for relays, phase line selection and operating profile for the relays. The software is executed in the personal computer to select and operate the relays under the input operating profile continuously based on the input programming parameters to test the electrical devices like meters. The personal computer programs, controls and monitors the operation of the microcontroller to select and operate the relays to test the electrical devices. The light emitting diodes are connected in parallel to the relays to indicate the operating status of the relays.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the TPSLS is provided with 4 relays. A combination of 4 phase lines such as R phase line, Y phase line, B phase line and neutral line are fed to the meter for the testing the operation of the meter by selecting a relay or the combination of relays. The individual phase line is fed by selecting a corresponding relay. The different combinations of relays are used to feed the different combinations of phase voltages and currents to the meter. All the relays are selected to connect all the 4 phase voltages and currents to the meter. Thus, the meter is tested for various combinations of the phase lines and load ON and OFF timings remotely by using the PC integrated TPSLS. When there is a power failure during the test operation, the TPSLS stores the user input data into the internal memory such as Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). The TPSLS reads the input data from the internal memory and starts the test operation, when the power is restored subsequently.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer integrated Micro-Controller based Meter Functionality Tester (MC-MFT) is provided for testing the meter functions automatically. The MC-MFT has a microcontroller connected to pluralities of relays and light emitting diodes. A PC is communicatively connected to the microcontroller through a wired communication link such as a RS-232 cable or a wireless communication link such like a MODEM device to program and monitor the operation of the MC-MFT remotely. The PC is loaded with software which is dedicatedly developed for remote communication, monitoring and programming of the MC-MFT. The MC-MFT includes an electrical device such as a meter to be tested, a three phase power source and a signal generator. The MC-MFT creates various test conditions such like power failure, phase wise voltage failure and current failure (all phase or phase wise) to test functionality of the meter. The MC-MFT produces various signal interferences during the normal test operation by using the signal generator. Further the MC-MFT enables the user to define the injection period of external signals into the meter which is under test. For example, when a high frequency signal is needed to be injected in to the meter during the progress of a preset test process, the MC-MFT produces the required high signal frequency for the defined time period using the signal generator.

[0043] The user programs the operating parameters of the MC-MFT such as all phase voltage failure time, phase wise voltage failure time, all phase current failure time, phase wise current failure time, all phase current reversal time, phase wise current reversal time, all phase voltage switching time and count, phase wise voltage switching time and count, voltage phase sequence changeover and external signal interference time and count, etc. The user monitors the MC-MFT remotely through the PC loaded with dedicated software to test the meters automatically. The software is executed in the PC to receive the input programming parameters including the number of relays to be operated, load ON time for relays, load OFF time for relays, phase line selection and operating profile for the relays. The software is executed in the personal computer to select and operate the relays under the input operating profile continuously based on the input programming parameters to test the electrical devices like meters. The personal computer programs, controls and monitors the operation of the microcontroller to select and operate the relays to test the electrical devices. The light emitting diodes are connected in parallel to the relays to indicate the operating status of the relays.

[0044] When there is a power failure during the test operation, the MC-MFT stores the user input data into the internal memory. When the power is recovered subsequently, the test process is not started by the MC-MFT automatically. Rather the MC-MFT waits for the confirmation of the user for the input test set up. When the user is satisfied with the established test set up and interested in continuing the test, the remaining test processes are conducted by the MC-MFT. When the test is to be continued after the recovery from the power failure, the MC-MFT reads the input data from the internal memory and starts the test operation from the point where the test was stopped. Otherwise the MC-MFT waits for new inputs from the user for continuing the test operation after the recovery from the power failure.

[0045] FIG. I illustrates a functional block diagram of a Personal Computer (PC) integrated Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT). With respect to FIG. 1, a Personal Computer (PC) 102 is interfaced to a Microcontroller based Selective Relay Timer (MC-SRT) 104 through a communication link 106. The PC 102 is loaded with software dedicatedly developed to control, monitor and program the MC-SRT 104 remotely. In order to establish the communication link 106 between the PC 102 and the MC-SRT 104, the user initially checks availability of the MC-SRT 104 for the data communication, for example by sending a code like "/" from the PC 102. When the user receives an acknowledgment by receiving a code such as "♠" from the MC-SRT 104, then the MC-SRT 104 is ready and available for the communication. When the MC-SRT 104 is ready and available for communication, the user sends software commands from the PC 102 having the software to the MC-SRT 104 for programming and monitoring the MC-SRT 104.

[0046] Thus a user programs the operating parameters of the MC-SRT 104 such as programming status, profile selection, load ON time, toad OFF time, relay count and programming count, and monitors the MC-SRT 104 using the software installed in the PC 102 remotely thereby eliminating the need of human physical interface for programming and monitoring the MC-SRT 104.

[0047] The MC-SRT includes a microcontroller 108 connected to pluralities of relays 112 and light emitting diodes (LED) 114 through a driver for relays and LEDs 110. The microcontroller 108 is programmed remotely using the personal computer 102 to control and monitor the operations of relays 112 in the selected profile to perform the testing operation of the electrical devices such as switching devices, energy meter, etc. The operating status of the relays 112 and the results of the test operation are displayed on the personal computer 102 and stored in the memory of the personal computer 102 for future reference.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a PC integrated MC-SRT with a wired communication link according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, a PC 102 and a MC-SRT 104 are installed separately at different locations and communicatively connected through a RS-232 level converter 202 which is a serial communication link. The RS-232 level converter 202 establishes the wired communication link between the PC 102 and the MC-SRT 104. The RS-232 level converter 202 is used as a voltage level converter for changing the voltage level of the PC 102 to a voltage level corresponding to that of Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) gate circuit. The RS-232 level converter 202 provides a transmission line and a receiving line between the PC 102 and the MC-SRT 104 to enable a bidirectional data transmission between the PC and the MC-SRT. At the PC 102 terminal, the COM port DB9 is used as a communication port for the RS-232 lever converter 202.

[0049] When the MC-SRT 104 is ready and available for communication, a user inputs data for programming and monitoring the operating parameters of the MC-SRT 104, into the PC 102 having the software. The operating parameters are such as programming status, profile selection, load ON time, load OFF time, relay count and programming count. The PC 102 sends the data provided by the user to the RS-232 level converter 202. The RS-232 level converter 202 receives the data and transmits the data to the MC-SRT 104. Further, the MC-SRT 104 sends back data related to the monitoring and controlling the operation of the MC-SRT 104 to the PC 102 for storing in a log file and for online monitoring, through the RS-232 level converter 202.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a PC integrated MC-SRT with a wireless communication link according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 3, a PC 102 and a MC-SRT 104 are displaced separately at far away locations. The PC 102 is coupled to a MODEM 302 and the MC-SRT 104 is coupled to a MODEM 304. The MODEM 302 and the MODEM 304 establish a wireless communication link for transferring data between the PC 102 and the MC-SRT 104.

[0051] When the MC-SRT 104 is ready and available for communication, a user inputs data for programming and monitoring the operating parameters of the MC-SRT 104, into the PC 102 having the software. The operating parameters are such as programming status, profile selection, load ON time, load OFF time, relay count and programming count. The PC 102 sends the data provided by the user to the MODEM 302. The MODEM 302 receives and transmits the data to the MODEM 304 using the established wireless communication link. The MODEM 304 receives the data sent by the MODEM 302 and feeds the data to the MC-SRT 104 for execution of the MC-SRT 104. Also, the MC-SRT 104 sends back data related to the monitoring and controlling the operation of the MC-SRT 104 to the PC 102 for storing in a log file and for online monitoring, through the MODEM 304 and the MODEM 302.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated microcontroller based three phase selective line switching (TPSLS) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, the PC 102 is interfaced to a microcontroller based TPSLS 402 through the communication link 106. The PC 102 is loaded with software dedicatedly developed to control, monitor and program the TPSLS 402 remotely. In order to establish the communication link 106 between the PC 102 and the TPSLS 402, the user initially checks the availability of the TPSLS 402 for the data communication, for example by sending a code like"/" from the PC 102. When the user receives an acknowledgment by receiving a code such as "4" from the TPSLS 402, then the TPSLS 402 is ready and available for the communication. When the TPSLS 402 is ready and available for communication, the user sends software commands from the PC 102 having the software to the TPSLS 402 for programming and monitoring the TPSLS 402.

[0053] A user programs the operating parameters of the TPSLS 402 such as programming status, profile selection, phase line selection, load ON time, load OFF time, relay count and programming count, and monitors the TPSLS 402 using the software installed in the PC 102 remotely thereby eliminating the need of human physical interface for programming and monitoring the TPSLS 402.

[0054] The TPSLS 402 includes the microcontroller 108 connected to the pluralities of relays 112 and the LEDs 114 through the driver for relays and LEDs 110. The microcontroller 108 is programmed remotely using the personal computer 102 to control and monitor the operations of relays \ 12 in the selected profile to perform the testing operation of the electrical devices such as switching devices, energy meter, etc. The operating status of the relays 112 and the results of the test operation are displayed on the personal computer 102 and stored in the memory of the personal computer 102 for future reference.

[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of a PC integrated Micro-Controller based Meter Functionality Tester (MC-MFT) device according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 5, the PC 102 is interfaced to a MC-MFT 502 through a communication link 106. The PC 102 is loaded with software dedicatedly developed to control, monitor and program the MC-MFT 502 remotely. In order to establish the communication link 106 between the PC 102 and the MC-MFT 502, the user initially checks availability of the MC-MFT 502 for the data communication, for example by sending a code like 7" from the PC 102. When the user receives an acknowledgment by receiving a code such as "*" from the MC-MFT 502, then the MC-MFT 502 is ready and available for the communication. When the MC-MFT 502 is ready and available for communication, the user sends software commands from the PC 102 to the MC-MFT 502 for programming and monitoring the MC-MFT 502.

[0056] A user programs the operating parameters of the MC-MFT 502 such as all phase voltage failure time, phase wise voltage failure time, all phase current failure time, phase wise current failure time, all phase current reversal time, phase wise current reversal time, all phase voltage switching time and count, phase wise voltage switching time and count, voltage phase sequence changeover, external signal interference time, programming status, profile selection, phase line selection, load ON time, load OFF time, relay count and programming count, and monitors the MC-MFT 502 using the software installed in the PC 102 remotely thereby eliminating the need of human physical interface for programming and monitoring the MC-MFT 502.

[0057] The MC-MFT 502 includes the microcontroller 108 connected to the pluralities of relays 112 and the LEDs 114 through the driver for relays and LEDs 110. The microcontroller 108 is programmed remotely using the personal computer 102 to control and monitor the operations of relays 112 in the selected profile to perform the testing operation of the electrical devices such as switching devices, energy meter, etc. The operating status of the relays 112 and the results of the test operation are displayed on the personal computer 102 and stored in the memory of the personal computer 102 for future reference.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0058] A computer based system has several advantages compared to a conventional monitoring and control system. The computer based monitoring is more reliable and requires less maintenance. The PC integrated MC-SRT is more flexible due to the ability to modify the software to changing needs and the ability to incorporate new signals easily. The remote monitoring and control enable the user to program and monitor the MC-SRT remotely or at a distance or from a far off place thereby eliminating the need for the operating personnel to move to the location of the MC-SRT for programming and saving the time, energy and resources of the operating personnel.

[0059] In the present invention, the usage of the MC-SRT is dependent on the type of user like an administrator or a guest so that no other works are affected. By establishing a wireless communication link like the MODEM communication, the user is able to access the MC-SRT even from a far away location. The present invention eliminates the need of the human physical interface with the MC-SRT for programming, control and monitoring. Using the remote communication link and the PC integrated MC-SRT, the user manages the task/work by residing at one place thereby saving the cost and time when the person need to spend time to go to the location of the MC-SRT for programming. Thus the PC integrated MC-SRT helps the user to execute multiple tasks including the MC-SRT programming at a time.

[0060] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0061] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A personal computer integrated microcontroller based selective relay timer
device comprising:

a microcontroller connected to pluralities of relays and light emitting diodes;
and

a personal computer communicatively connected to the microcontroller;
wherein the personal computer is loaded with software to program the
microcontroller remotely to select and operate the relays in a selected profile.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein software is executed in the personnel computer to receive the inputs for the programming parameters.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the programming parameters include number of relays to be operated, load ON time for relays, load OFF time for relays, operating profile for the relays, programming status, programming count and power failure count.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the software is executed in the personal computer to select and operate the relays under the input operating profile continuously based on the input programming parameters to test the electrical devices.

5. The device according to claim I, wherein the software is executed on the personal computer to perform the hardware based initialization process of the microcontroller and the software based initialization process of the microcontroller.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the software is windows based software.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer is connected to the microcontroller through wired communication system.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer is connected to the microcontroller through wireless communication system.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer is connected to the microcontroller through network.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer programs, controls and monitors the operation of the microcontroller to select and operate the relays to test the electrical devices.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer provides two login modes.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the two login modes includes administrator login mode and guest login mode.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer provides the administrator login mode to provide the user with full access right with respect to the microcontroller to enable the user to change any one of the operating parameters.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer provides the administrator login mode to enable the user to clear all the memory location in the microcontroller using the MC-SRT initialization process.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer provides guest log in mode to provide the user with limited accessibility to enable the user to access the parameters such as programming status, profile, load ON time, load OFF time and relay count only.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer provides guest log in mode to enable the user to initialize the microcontroller to clear only the parameters such as Programming Status, Profile, ON Time, OFF time, Relay Count.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the personal is provided with software to perform online monitoring by collecting data including reference date and time from the microcontroller within an adjustable time interval.