A protective relaying system and a data collection method thereof capable of enhancing a data collection efficiency and effectiveness is provided. The protective relaying system may include a plurality of protective relaying modules respectively connected to a switch to control the operation of the switch; a server module coupled to one of the plurality of protective relaying modules, and connected to the plurality of protective relaying modules, respectively, to sequentially collect and store data of the plurality of protective relaying modules; and a remote monitoring unit connected to the server module to collectively receive and collect the stored data of the plurality of protective relaying modules from the server module.

EMarker and associated cable and method. The cable includes a CC (configuration channel) wire, the eMarker includes an active trigger circuit and a protection circuit coupled to the active trigger circuit and the CC wire. When a second port connects a first port via the cable, if a predefined event happens, the active trigger circuit triggers the protection circuit to change an electric characteristic of the CC wire, such that the first port detects a detachment of the second port.

An eMarker device is used in a cable electrically connected between a first port and a second port, wherein the cable includes a configuration channel communication wire. The eMarker device comprises: a first eMarker disposed near the first port and including a first active protection module coupled to the configuration channel communication wire, wherein the first eMarker is electrically connected to a first power pin of the first port and a second power pin of the second port; and a second eMarker disposed near the second port and including a second active protection module coupled to the configuration channel communication wire, wherein either of the first active protection module and the second active protection module changes an electric characteristic of the configuration channel communication wire to have the first port detect a disconnecting status of the second port when a specified event happens.

Provided is a system for synchronizing time sources within a protection zone of a digital power substation. The system includes a global time source, a processing communication network, an electronic, and a process unit. The process unit includes a time source configured to receive and process data packets, which include a first time signal and first time quality from the global time source and the second time signal and second time quality from the electronic device. A time source of the process unit synchronizes with a protection zone master clock within the electronic device where the first time signal is unavailable or the first time quality of the global time source is degraded below a predetermined threshold. The embodiments also include a method for synchronizing time sources within a protection zone of a digital power substation.

Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes monitoring a status of a communicative connection between a ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device and a ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device with a ZSI monitor of the first circuit protection device, detecting whether the ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device is coupled to the ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device, and indicating the status of the communicative connection.

A control signal protection device protects a current-receiving field device from an undesirable interruption in a control signal provided to the field device. The control signal protection device includes a first terminal to connect the signal protection device to a control system and a second terminal that connects the control signal protection device to a field device. The control signal device further includes a power storing element for temporary accumulation of electric energy and a switching circuit for controlling operational mode of the signal protection device. Electric energy is stored in the power storing element in a first operational mode. Electric energy stored in the power storing element is supplied to a positive terminal in the second terminal pair in a second operational mode.

In a method, operation of an electric power system which has a power utility automation system (1981-1984, 1991-1994) is monitored. The power utility automation system (1981-1984, 1991-1994) comprises a plurality of electronic devices, such as intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) (1981-1984, 1991-1994) and further communication and control devices communicating via a communication network. From each electronic device a corresponding data model and corresponding technical properties are retrieved and incorporated into configuration information (16). During operation of the electric power system, properties of the electric power system are monitored, the monitored properties compressing monitored data messages which are transmitted by the plurality of electronic devices (1981-1984, 1991-1994) over the communication network. The monitored data messages are evaluated based on the configuration information for the power utility automation system (1981-1984, 1991-1994) to detect a critical event. An alert signal is generated in response to detection of the critical event.