The changing world of power monitoring

The technology of power monitoring has evolved over the last decade from simple failure notification to the delivery of data about a wide range of different conditions. Today, the number of unmanned, remote telecommunications sites has increased from ten to 100 fold. The answer to these challenges is a networked power monitoring system which can integrate and carry out a variety of power and facility alarms. This system should include three elements: (1) a proactive power monitoring system at the unmanned site which collects data and directs reports and alarms to multiple locations; (2) a data transport system, compatible with the service provider's telecommunications network, which communicates data between unmanned sites, the alarm center and maintenance personnel; and (3) an intelligent alarm center which automatically collects and correlates data from all of the sites, and redirects alarms to responsible personnel. This paper provides an insight into some of the challenges and solutions for providing networked power monitoring systems.