APTP Articles

Managing Information Across Layers of Your Network

As an edge device from the home to the transformer the PowerPilot is more than just a technology revolution, providing critical information that spans your network.

The PowerPilot is designed to cater for an industry facing multiple challenges and provide the backbone in safety and communications across the sector. The attributes of the PowerPilot are:

  • Near real time data on LV network performance and power flows
  • Reliable and cost-effective but low capacity two-way communication system
  • Ability to manage load at multiple levels (Feeder, Zone Sub, Distribution Sub, LV Feeder, Installation and Load)
  • The data can be cloud-based or in-house
  • Handling disruptive network technology such as solar and electric vehicles.

ARCHITECTURE

The PowerPilot system architecture has four basic layers:

  • A physical layer of intelligent sensors and controllers
  • A communications layer provided by LoRaWAN
  • A core services layer comprising the PowerPilot Gateway and deployment data store
  • A capabilities layer of PowerPilot Cloud services.
Core Services Infrastructure

The PowerPilot Gateway performs the protocol and identity translation, providing an interface to your existing ecosystem and the flexibility to connect seamlessly to a range of ADMS suites and visualisation tools. The gateway can be provided as a SaaS or hosted on premises.

The capabilities layer includes data storage and APIs for internal tools and provides the option to develop applications for consumers. New PowerPilot Cloud services are being developed to add further datamining and visualisation options. Early adopters of PowerPilot will have the opportunity to work with our development team to finalise the specification of these cloud products. Your existing supervisory systems can be easily enhanced by adding device monitoring dashboards.

DEVICE FUNCTIONALITY

In summary, the safety functions the PowerPilot can deliver are:

  • 1 – 10 minute interval configurable for reading voltage, current power, quality, power factor and harmonics (3Ph) including identifying a broken neutral
  • Power Quality monitoring (including Loop Impedance (LI))
  • LoS Alarming (Last Gasp)
  • Regulatory Compliance Mark Certified
  • Monitor the ratio of currents in the earth and neutral leads to identify earth theft
  • HV Conductor Down sensing technology
  • Identify HV open-phase conditions
  • IP68-rated enclosure has been specifically designed for fitting inside pillar boxes.

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