Peer-to-peer modular automation scheme
In one example, an automation controller includes an electronic processor, a memory, a first peer messaging interface configured to connect to a first peer device, a second peer messaging interface configured to connect to a second peer device, and an input/output interface. The electronic processor is configured to receive, via the input/output interface, an interrupter status signal, and to transmit, via the first or second peer messaging interface, a message to a peer device based on the interrupter status signal. The electronic processor is also configured to receive a message from the peer device indicating a status of a peer interrupter, and to update an interrupter status variable in memory based on the status of the peer interrupter and the interrupter status signal. The electronic controller is also configured to transmit a signal to open or close an interrupter based on the updated interrupter status variable.
1 . An automation controller comprising:
an electronic processor;
a memory;
a first peer messaging interface configured to connect to a first peer device;
a second peer messaging interface configured to connect to a second peer device; and,
an input/output interface configured to connect to an interrupter;
wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
receive, via the input/output interface, an interrupter status signal;
transmit, via the first or second peer messaging interface, a message to a peer device based on the interrupter status signal;
receive, via the first or second peer messaging interface, a message from the peer device indicating a status of a peer interrupter;
update an interrupter status variable in memory based on the status of the peer interrupter and the interrupter status signal; and,
transmit a signal, via the input/output interface, to open or close the interrupter based on the updated interrupter status variable.
2 . The automation controller of claim 1 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a loss of voltage message.
3 . The automation controller of claim 1 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a fault pickup indication message.
4 . The automation controller of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes sensor data.
5 . The automation controller of claim 4 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to transmit a signal, via the input/output interface, to open or close the interrupter based on the sensor data.
6 . The automation controller of claim 1 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to message peers based on the updated interrupter status variable.
7 . The automation controller of claim 6 , wherein the interrupter status variable is updated based on one of:
a fault pickup indicator, indicating that the interrupter is experiencing a fault current;
a loss of voltage indicator, indicating that the interrupter is experiencing a loss of voltage;
a loss of voltage isolation indicator, indicating whether the interrupter was opened to isolate a loss of voltage;
a fault isolation indicator, indicating whether the interrupter was opened to isolate a faulted circuit segment;
a fault target, indicating that the interrupter was opened to interrupt a fault current;
a fault lockout indicator, indicating that the interrupter is in a lockout state;
a closed indicator, indicating that the interrupter is closed; and,
a segmentation indicator, indicating that the automation controller received a segmentation message from a peer device.
8 . An interrupter comprising:
a switch; and,
an automation controller including:
an electronic processor;
a memory;
a first peer messaging interface configured to connect to a first peer device; and,
a second peer messaging interface configured to connect to a second peer device;
wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
receive an interrupter status signal from the switch;
transmit, via the first or second peer messaging interface, a message to a peer device based on the interrupter status signal;
receive, via the first or second peer messaging interface, a message from the peer device indicating a status of a peer interrupter;
update an interrupter status variable in memory based on the status of the peer interrupter and the interrupter status signal; and,
open or close the switch based on the updated interrupter status variable.
9 . The interrupter of claim 8 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a loss of voltage message.
10 . The interrupter of claim 8 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a fault pickup indication message.
11 . The interrupter of claim 8 , wherein the memory further includes sensor data.
12 . The interrupter of claim 11 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to transmit a signal, to the switch, to open or close the switch based on the sensor data.
13 . The interrupter of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to message peers based on the updated interrupter status variable.
14 . The interrupter of claim 13 , wherein the interrupter status variable is updated based on one of:
a fault pickup indicator, indicating that the interrupter is experiencing a fault current;
a loss of voltage indicator, indicating that the interrupter is experiencing a loss of voltage;
a loss of voltage isolation indicator, indicating whether the interrupter was opened to isolate a loss of voltage;
a fault isolation indicator, indicating whether the interrupter was opened to isolate a faulted circuit segment;
a fault target, indicating that the interrupter was opened to interrupt a fault current;
a fault lockout indicator, indicating that the interrupter is in a lockout state;
a closed indicator, indicating that the interrupter is closed; and,
a segmentation indicator, indicating that the automation controller received a segmentation message from a peer device.
15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that when executed by an electronic processor of an automation controller in a power distribution system cause the electronic processor to:
receive, via an input/output interface of the automation controller, an interrupter status signal;
transmit, via a first peer messaging interface or a second peer messaging interface of the automation controller, a message to a peer device in the power distribution system based on the interrupter status signal;
receive, via a first or second peer messaging interface of the automation controller, a message from the peer device indicating a status of a peer interrupter;
update an interrupter status variable in a memory of the automation controller based on the status of the peer interrupter and the interrupter status signal; and,
transmit a signal, via the input/output interface of the automation controller, to open or close the interrupter based on the updated interrupter status variable.
16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a loss of voltage message.
17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the message from the peer device includes a fault pickup indication message.
18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to message peers based on the updated interrupter status variable.
19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the memory further includes sensor data.
20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to transmit a signal, via the input/output interface, to open or close the interrupter based on the sensor data.