	US 7,552,367 B2
	Fault recording and sequence of events recording device capable of recording communication-based signals related to electrical power systems
Bogdan Kasztenny, Markham (Canada); and Jeffrey Mazereeuw, Newmarket (Canada)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Aug. 03, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/710,793.
Prior Publication US 2006/0029105 A1, Feb. 09, 2006
Int. Cl. G06F 11/00 (2006.01); G01R 15/00 (2006.01); G01R 31/00 (2006.01); G01M 19/00 (2006.01); G08B 21/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 714—703 [361/62; 361/86; 361/87; 361/88; 702/57; 702/120; 702/122; 340/635]

43 Claims

43. An apparatus for recording analog signals and digitally encoded information associated with primary devices of an electric power system and secondary devices associated with the electric power system, the apparatus comprising:

a hosting device configured to perform the steps of:

receiving a plurality of analog output signals from corresponding transducers of the electric power system;

receiving a plurality of ON/OFF status signals from the primary and secondary devices of the electric power system;

receiving at least one of a time-synchronization analog signal from a time synchronization source and a time-synchronization data packet from the time synchronization source over a communication medium;

maintaining an internal clock synchronized with the synchronization source for time synchronization;

sampling and digitizing the plurality of analog output signals to generate digitized analog output signals;

monitoring at least one of a status and a change of status of the plurality of ON/OFF status signals;

receiving digitally encoded information signals originating from the primary and secondary devices as incoming data packets from a substation protection and control communication network via a communication port;

decoding and analyzing the incoming data packets;

analyzing both the digitized analog output signals and digitally encoded information signals using a triggering algorithm; and

a non-volatile memory storage medium in operable communication with the hosting device, the non-volatile memory storage medium storing the digitized analog output signals and digitally encoded information signals together with corresponding timing information in a record as fault and sequence of events records.