VECTO System – PMU+

Are you looking for a phasor measurement solution but can’t find a device that does what you need it to?  

You may be looking for the VECTO System

The power grid is changing at an unprecedented pace. The change from synchronous, carbon-based generation to a grid powered by renewables poses significant challenges. To meet them, a new approach to grid monitoring is needed, with new thinking in how we gather data and deliver it.

At VECTO, we believe in engineers and the art and science of engineering. The foundation of great engineering is high quality, relevant information delivered on time. Without it, engineers are flying blind.

What is a PMU (Phasor Measurement Unit)?

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) are a technology that is used to monitor and control the power grid. PMUs measure the phasor — phase angle and magnitude of electrical signals. These measurements are used to track the flow of power across the grid. The data that PMUs collect is used to check the stability of the electric power system, find and fix problems, and improve planning and operation of the power system. 

PMUs are put in place at key points in the power system, like electrical substations (transmission substations, distribution substations, collector substations, converter substations and switching stations), so that electrical signals can be measured in real time. These measurements are timed to a common time source, which lets the PMUs measure the electrical signals across the power system at the same time. This time synchronized data is used to make a phasor diagram, which shows how power moves across the grid and lets operators quickly spot and fix problems in the power system. 

The way power systems are monitored and controlled has changed a lot because of PMU technology. By measuring the electrical signals in an accurate and synchronized way, PMUs allow operators to quickly respond to problems in the power system. This makes the power system more reliable and efficient. PMUs are an important tool for power utilities, power transmission companies, factories, and other places that need reliable and efficient power delivery.

What is Waveform Analytics and how is it different from PMU technology?

With waveform analytics, electrical signals in power distribution systems can be analyzed. It involves using mathematical algorithms and techniques to get information like voltage and current from the waveforms of the signals. 

Waveform analytics can be used to make electric distribution feeders more aware of their surroundings. By looking at the waveforms of the electrical signals, it is possible to find and fix problems in the system, as well as figure out why things aren’t working as they should and predict future failures. This can help make the power distribution system more reliable and efficient, as well as cut down on the time it needs to be fixed and the money it costs to do so. 

Waveform analytics can be used for more than just finding faults and knowing what’s going on. For example, it can be used to monitor load, analyze power quality, and check the condition of equipment. It is a powerful tool for analyzing and controlling power systems, and its importance is growing as power systems become more complex and linked.

Synchronized Waveform Analytics as an addition or replacement of traditional PMU technology

  1. Synchronized Waveform Analytics is a technology that can be used with traditional PMU technology or instead of it. While PMUs measure phasors, Synchronized Waveform Analytics looks at the whole waveform of the electrical signals to get a more complete picture of the power system. 
  2. Synchronized Waveform Analytics can give more information about how the power system works. This is one of its benefits. By looking at the shape of the signals’ waves, it’s possible to find and fix problems, figure out what’s wrong, and predict possible failures. This can help make the power system more reliable and efficient and cut down on the time it needs to be fixed and the money it costs to do so. 
  3. Synchronized Waveform Analytics has another benefit in that it can give more accurate and reliable measurements than PMUs. Noise and sampling that doesn’t happen at the same time can cause errors and inaccuracies in PMUs. Synchronized Waveform Analytics, on the other hand, uses techniques like synchronized sampling and waveform correlation to get more accurate measurements. 
  4. Synchronized Waveform Analytics can do more than just give more accurate and detailed information about the power system. It can also be used for things like load monitoring, power quality analysis, and monitoring the condition of equipment. It is a powerful tool for analyzing and controlling power systems, and it could change the way we keep track of and run power systems.

Both PMU streaming and Synchronized Waveform Analytics are core features of the VECTO System — we call this PMU+

The VECTO System is a complete power monitoring and grid power management system that combines GPS ~100ms time synchronized PMU streaming and Waveform Analytics into a single platform. This mix of technologies we call PMU PLUS, makes a powerful tool for analyzing and controlling power systems. 

The highly accurate time synchronized PMU streaming gives real-time phasor measurement data from all over the power system. This data can be used to check the performance of the system, find and fix problems. Make the flow of power as efficient as possible. By streaming data from multiple VECTO 3 multifunction PMUs across the power system, the VECTO System can give a detailed and complete view of the power system in real time. 

The VECTO 3 GPS time synchronized Waveform Analytics, on the other hand, gives a more detailed analysis of the waveform of the electrical signals. This is used to find and identify faults, trigger consolidated events, find abnormal conditions, and predict possible failures (using the local ML & VECTO System A.I. capabilities). By analyzing waveform data locally  in real time, the VECTO System can give a more accurate and reliable view of the power system and let operators take proactive steps to keep the system reliable and efficient. 

When PMU streaming and Synchronized Waveform Analytics are used together in the VECTO System, they provide power engineers, power system operators, AI researchers and analysts a powerful tool for analyzing and controlling the power system. By giving operators real-time, GPS ~100ms time synchronized phasor measurement data and synchronized detailed waveform analysis data, the system can help them quickly find, identify and fix problems, improve power flow, and make the system work better overall. Because of this, the VECTO System is an essential tool for power transmission, utilities, industrial facilities, and railways.

A phasor measurement unit (PMU) with so much more (+)

 As a Phasor Measurement Unit, VECTO 3 delivers these benefits:
  • Accurately detects correct frequency
  • High resolution data
  • Dynamic & static class performance in one device
  • Lightweight software available on any smart device
  • Manage events with high-resolution recording from the moment an anomaly is detected
  • Higher time sync (±100ns intervals currently, sub 1ns coming soon)
  • Highly-flexible, cross-discipline system that integrates power quality and other disciplines 
  • VECTO Grid OS, our user-friendly grid management platform, lets the user compare, contrast and even animate data to deliver incredible insight.

The five primary functions of the world’s most advanced edge-computing solution for the power grid, the VECTO 3

The VECTO System offers solutions in five key areas: 

  • Power Quality PLUS
  • Phasor Measurement — PMU PLUS
  • Automation PLUS
  • Billing & Tariffs PLUS
  • Grid performance research

Table of Contents

Related Posts

VECTO Grid OS - Graphing toolkit

VECTO Grid OS Updates March 2023

The newest software upgrades for the VECTO Grid OS – our comprehensive platform for advanced grid monitoring and control – are now available. Our most

VECTO-System_Fast-Trends-Campaign

VECTO System adds FCAS Features

The VECTO Grid OS monitoring platform has taken a major step forward in supporting the latest and planned requirements for Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS)

Old style power generation power plant. Source: Pavel Neznanov (Unsplash)

Years, Months and Milliseconds

How long have we got to get our act together for renewable electricity? By Phil Kreveld One could be reassured by the leisurely acceptance with