Method for Predicting Symmetric, Automated, Real-Time Arc Flash Energy Within a Real-Time Monitoring System

Abstract

A system for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system comprises a data acquisition component communicatively connected to a sensor configured to acquire real-time data output from the electrical system; an analytics server communicatively connected to the data acquisition component and comprising a virtual system modeling engine configured to generate predicted data output for the electrical system using a virtual system model of the electrical system, an analytics engine configured to monitor the real-time data output and the predicted data output of the electrical system, and an arc flash simulation engine configured to use the virtual system model updated based in the real-time data to forecast an aspect of the arc flash event.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system, the system comprising:
 a data acquisition component configured to acquire real-time output data from the electrical system; and   an analytics server communicatively connected to the data acquisition component, the analytics server comprising:
 a virtual system modeling engine configured to create a virtual system model reflecting current network topology of the electrical system and generate predicted output data for the electrical system using the virtual system model of the electrical system; wherein the current network topology comprises breakers ON/OFF, generators ON/OFF, uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) in by-pass position. 
 an analytics engine configured to monitor the real-time output data and the predicted output data of the electrical system; and 
 an arc flash simulation engine configured to forecast at least one aspect of arc flash event based on the virtual system model. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a client terminal communicatively connected to the analytics server and configured to communicate the at least one forecasted aspect. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one forecasted aspect is communicated by way of graphics on a display interfaced with the client terminal. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one forecasted aspect is communicated by way of text on a display interfaced with the client terminal. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one forecasted aspect is communicated by way of synthesized speech generated by the client terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one forecasted aspect is communicated by way of a paper report generated by a printing device interfaced with the client terminal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the analytics engine is further configured to initiate a calibration and synchronization operation to update the virtual system model when a difference between the real-time output data and the predicted output data exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the threshold is a Defined Difference Tolerance (DDT) value for at least one of the frequency deviation, voltage deviation, power factor deviation, and other deviations between the real-time output data and simulated output data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the arc flash event is a direct current (DC) arc flash event. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the arc flash event is an alternating current (AC) arc flash event. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the arc flash simulation engine applies Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1584 standards to forecast the aspect. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the arc flash simulation engine applies National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standards to forecast the aspect. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one aspect comprises a worst case arc flash event for a component within the electrical system over a specified time period. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the component is a protective device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the protective device is a switch. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the protective device is a circuit breaker. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the protective device is a fuse. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the protective device is a relay. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the analytics server is further configured to present the worst case arcing energy for any of the significant locations over the last 30 days when requested. 
     
     
         21 . A system for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system, comprising:
 a data acquisition component configured to acquire real-time output data from the electrical system; and   an analytics server communicatively connected to the data acquisition component, the analytics server comprising:
 a virtual system modeling engine configured to generate predicted output data for the electrical system using a virtual system model of the electrical system, 
 an analytics engine configured to monitor the real-time output data and the predicted output data of the electrical system, the analytics engine is further configured to initiate a calibration and synchronization operation to update the virtual system model when a difference between the real-time output data and the predicted output data exceeds a threshold; and 
 an arc flash simulation engine configured to forecast at least one aspect of arc flash event based on the updated virtual system model. 
   wherein all observable motors in the virtual system model are switched to an ON position or OFF position; all uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) equipped with a transfer switch in the virtual system model are transferred to a by-pass position;   wherein arcing energy for all significant locations in the virtual system model is calculated and compared when all unobservable motors in the virtual system model are set to the ON position and OFF position respectively;   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the analytics server is further configured to transfer all the UPS's in the virtual system model back to the correct position, wait a predetermined delay time, and repeat the prediction. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the threshold is a Defined Difference Tolerance (DDT) value for at least one of the frequency deviation, voltage deviation, power factor deviation, and other deviations between the real-time output data and simulated output data.