In this category, it should be possible to expand specialist knowledge. These include topics such as new standards, new products on the market, etc.

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Innovative firmware update

The SINEAX AM1000/AM2000/AM3000/DM5000, CENTRAX CU3000/CU5000 as well as LINAX PQ3000/PQ5000/PQ5000-MOBILE series of measuring instruments receive an innovative firmware update. Despite the already state-of-the-art HMI as well as the latest in measurement technology, the measuring devices have been further improved. Including impressive cyber security.

Innovative firmware update: EasyUpdater

EasyUpdater

Often, instruments are updated using a web browser via the instrument’s internal web page. This can sometimes lead to operating errors that cause the user distress (e.g. sudden abortion of the update, caching of data on the website, etc.). To make the innovative firmware update as smooth and easy as possible for you, the EasyUpdater is introduced. Due to the automated process, EasyUpdater avoids software-based operating errors as far as possible. After the update, you can bring the devices back into the necessary measuring operation virtually without any problems.

The EasyUpdater is part of the innovative firmware update. You can download these free of charge from the Camille Bauer website in the respective device section. The EasyUpdater does not require any installation. Thus, you are able to run the application directly and without barriers.

Headaches with “CSV files” – no longer a problem with the innovative firmware update

You know the problem, too? A data export in the form of CSV and readout via Microsoft Excel! The import wizard of Excel takes care of the formatting. Suddenly, formats appear that seem cryptic to you as a user. Nur mit hohem Aufwand lassen sich diese “dekodieren”. Why is this?

A CSV file, from the English “comma separated values“, describes the structure of a text file for storing or exchanging simply structured data. This ends in the data format with csv. If you now use the MS Excel format, you will notice that Excel translates the files according to the Excel settings. This leads to changed terms and representations. And thus inevitably to conflicts. It virtually assumes expertise for a seemingly simple data export.

To simplify the data export to an Excel format, a new function has been integrated in the innovative firmware update. To get a correct data representation, the decimal separator for the number representation must match the country setting of the operating system. A point is defined in the factory settings of the Camille Bauer measuring instruments (e.g. 123.45). This is correct, for example, for German-speaking Switzerland or the USA. In Germany or France, where a comma representation (e.g. 123.45) is common, you would get problems in the representation. To avoid this, you can now simply set a comma as separator in the CSV settings of the data exporter. Furthermore, you can also set up the date formats according to your needs right away. All CSV files created afterwards can then be conveniently opened and further processed via Excel.

Innovative firmware update: connection to the Dran-View 7 software

Dran-View software is a very popular PQ analysis software. It can evaluate power quality data from PQIs of different manufacturers. You can now also import the data of the LINAX PQ devices into Dran-View 7. As a result, you analyze the data and present this in any reports. The interface to this is provided by the manufacturer-independent PQDIF files, which the LINAX devices can now generate with even more variance. These PQDIF files contain either one or seven days of data. Generated daily or weekly, divided into three files (statistics, histograms, events) or with all information in only one file. For interaction with Dran-View 7, PQDIF files for 7 days, with all information in one file, are optimal. Als Ergebnis werten Sie die Daten aus und stellen diese in beliebigen Berichten dar.

Comprehensive cyber security in innovative firmware update

Due to the steadily growing digitization and the associated connectivity, the risk of intentional as well as unintentional misuse is also increasing. For this reason, you get a comprehensive security system included with the innovative firmware update. This security system meets the highest requirements according to GSTQ901 of the ENEL Group. Read here details about the problemas well as the optimal solution.

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Current version of PQDiffractor

“The latest version PQDiffractor is now available for download online.”

But what is actually the current version of the PQDiffractor?

Power Quality software, such as PQView 4 or DranView 7, provides you with a smooth interface for viewing PQDIF and COMTRADE files. In addition, the software solutions offer a wealth of other functions, for example for monitoring and analyzing power quality. But what if you are afraid to invest in software because you only need a view for rough analysis? There are two possible solutions for this. First, the latest version of PQDiffractor and second, a multifunctional web interface.

The current version of PQDiffractor works as a PQDIF and COMTRADE viewer for viewing, searching, diagnosing and converting PQDIF and COMTRADE files. And this free of charge.

Option 1: The viewing and analysis of the data using the current version of PQDiffractor.

PQDIFFRACTOR

If you only need one viewer, PQDiffractor® the free PQDIF and COMTRADE viewer is just what you need.

Main functions of current version PQDiffractor:

  • Reading binary PQDIF files using IEEE Std 1159.3-2003 specifications
  • Reading of ASCII or binary COMTRADE files using the specifications of IEEE Std C37.111-1991 or C37.111-1999
  • View lists of the data source records in each PQDIF file.
  • Displaying lists of analog and digital channels from COMTRADE configuration files
  • Create interactive graphs from PQDIF observations with channels of any size type.
  • Displaying samples from analog COMTRADE waveforms and digital status channels
  • Exporting the displayed observations to Microsoft Excel as CSV files

And you have read correctly. The current version PQDiffractor is free of charge and connects you to the latest MAVOWATT, HDPQ, LINAX PQ3000, LINAX PQ5000, LINAX PQ1000 and LINAX PQ5000-MOBILE devices without any problems.

Option 2: The viewing and analysis of the recorded PQ data via integrated web-browser.

Web Browser

No external software is required for parameterization of the measuring device or evaluation of the measurement results. Das Webinterface stellt alle notwendigen Funktionen zur Verfügung. These functions can be accessed via end devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, server via LAN or WLAN interface) using an IP address. A responsible WebGui guides the user through the menus. The simplicity of operation is to be emphasised. Because the advantage is obvious: There is no need for external software that causes additional headaches for administrators. And this for mobile as well as stationary applications. And it’s Cyber Secure.

Fields of application for the current version of the PQDiffractor as well as the integrated web browser

  • Smaller distribution grid systems
  • Municipal utilities
  • Energy generators (e.g. large PV plants, wind farms, hydropower, coal and gas, nuclear, etc.)
  • Industry (e.g. semiconductor, steel, automotive, pharmaceutical, aviation, etc.)
  • Infrastructure (e.g. rail, metro, airport, etc.)
  • Data centres
  • Clinics
  • Laboratories
  • Institutes
  • Higher education institutions
  • Universities
  • Authorities
  • Military
  • Applications to be reached remotely via VPN
  • etc.
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Cyber security is essential

The topic of cyber security is becoming increasingly important due to the constantly growing level of networking. Especially in the areas of energy and SmartGrid. Due to the threat situation, effective cyber security is essential there.

Cyber security is essential

Cyber security is essential

Potential risks (data theft & data manipulation)

  • Hacking & Cracking
  • Listening
  • Datamining
  • Theft of passwords and other information
  • Unauthorized access (intranet, end devices, servers, …)
  • Modification of data & data telegrams
  • Delete data
  • Changing configurations
  • etc.
Data flow in the context of the 7 network layer
The seven network layers

The seven network layers

  • Electrical interconnections must communicate with each other
  • Integration into the World Wide Web (www)
  • Integration of more measuring points
  • Users on grid level 7 (local distribution grid <1kV) become (app) specialists (e.g. SmartHome, energy procurement, …)
  • SmartGrid applications are becoming popular and also demanded
  • Planning with simulation and trends are becoming increasingly important for the networks
  • Dynamic load management (e.g. Redispatch, …)

The basic problem of cyber security

Risks cyber attacks

Risks in the energy infrastructure during cyber attacks

  • Individual approaches take up only partial aspects of essential cyber security
  • IT experts mostly have a technical focus and less on the overall context
  • ISO/IEC27001 on cyber security provides a complete, holistic management system and is very complex
  • IEC62443 on cyber security is in principle only applicable to the subarea of industrial automation
  • There is still no IT security standard according to IEC for power quality instruments as well as power monitoring devices at device level. This is currently in the committees of EC TC 85 / WG 20 – Equipment for measuring and monitoring of steady state and dynamic quantities in Power Distribution Systems under the project title: “Cybersecurity aspects of devices used for power metering and monitoring, power quality monitoring, data collection and analysis “is discussed.

Potential solutions on cyber security

Cyber security is essential - and here are the solutions

Cyber security is essential and here possible solutions are presented

In this blog, solution approaches are to be found at the level of measuring devices, which are also used in sub-areas of software solutions. From this, approaches from ISO/IEC27001 (Annex A; Reference measure objectives and measures) can be found, such as. For instance:

  • Access control for systems and applications
  • Cryptographic measures
  • Physical and environmental security
  • Protection from malware
  • Data backup
  • Logging and monitoring
The following approaches should make a significant contribution to a significant increase in safety at the level of measuring instruments:

Learn more while klicking.

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Infrastructure from the manager’s perspective

Would you like to see energy infrastructure from a manager’s perspective? This is how you might want it to be as a business manager or even as an overall responsible manager. In fact, this allows you to monitor specific individual performance indicators of a factory, a single plant, an entire complex, etc. Last but not least, to possible benchmark with other comparable companies or locations.

The Areal View: The interactive & areal view from the manager’s perspective

 

Interactive Areal View

The Areal View of the SmartCollect SC² offers you an interactive display from different perspectives. For this purpose, you can define photos, graphics, floor drawings, renderings, infographics, and much more as backgrounds. Depending on your needs and available budget, you can store the views both in a 2D format and in an interactive 3D model.

 

Floor plan data center

Example floor plan of a data center for visualization from the manager’s perspective

 

Floor plan

Example floor plan of a single floor from the manager’s perspective

The advantage of interactivity

In the overall view of the Areal View, you keep the overview from the bird’s eye view. However, if you want to take a closer look at individual objects or even analyze them, click on the area and open the details. There, the complete measuring point is grouped in various panels, just as it was set up for you. You can view real-time data in a trend history. In addition, you will be able to define historical time periods and contextualize the measurement data to each other. This allows you to perform meaningful and beneficial comparisons and analyses. Synchronized zoom functions and various selection options of individual data support you. This makes it possible to keep the full overview in a simple way.

Full Dashboard

Dashboard of a measuring point with trend and analysis functions

And if you are no longer satisfied with your individual display in the course of the application, then simply adapt it again to your new circumstances. Because flexibility in visualization is part of the SmartCollect SC² as an easy-to-use HMI. And if you want to align yourself according to ISO 50001, then the energy monitoring system of the SmartCollect SC² will help you advantageously.

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Single Line Diagram (SLD)

For the visualisation of infrastructures, a so-called “interactive single line diagram” (SLD) is an excellent tool. Various options in the interactive single-line diagram of the SmartCollect SC² are recommended for this purpose:

  • Overview of the actual infrastructure

    “I want to create transparency of my plant. Today I am blind.” This is often the reason why companies are generally interested in visualisation. The first challenge is then usually to present the system in a fundamental way.

    Single Line Diagram (SLD)

    Interactive single-line diagram with additional display of performance data, power quality events and alarms

  • Designation of the individual system components

    Over the years, you will notice that the infrastructure has changed. You replace old equipment, new equipment is added, designations change, and so on. The overall documentation, however, has not adapted to the changes. In this way, you can pick up the dynamics of the system in the systemic single-line diagram of the SmartCollect SC² and display them always updated. Switching devices, relays, fuses, measuring objects, measuring points, consumers, feeders, etc. suddenly become visible. For group properties, we are also happy to go beyond regional borders.

  • Display of the relevant measured values

    Measurement data

    Here it is important to remember: “Less is more”. Show only the essential values relevant to this view (e.g. I, U, PF, P). Too many values impair the overview and cannot be resolved by the viewer. In addition, the performance of the software is impaired due to the large amount of data. And finally, much will be of little use to you.

  • Interactive call-up of a measuring point

    For a more in-depth view or even analysis of individual measuring points, you can click to look deeper into the measuring point. This either

    • on a pop-up window of the meter,

      Pop-Up WebGui

      Pop-up integration of a measuring device

    • by calling up an individually defined dashboard with trend and analysis function

      Full Dashboard

      Dashboard of a measuring point with trend and analysis functions

    • or even deep at the web GUI level.
      WebGUI-Integration

      Level WebGUI of a measuring device. In this case, it is advisable to have a distinctive cyber security, such as that available with Camille Bauer devices.

      All depending on the functionality of the measuring devices, of course.

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Energy Monitoring System of the SmartCollect SC²

The SmartCollect SC² energy monitoring system, known as EMS for short, gives you full transparency of energy data in accordance with ISO50001. For analytical purposes (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions, increase of energy efficiency and evaluation of savings potential as well as energy audits), the EMS supports you with relevant panel views within the EMS dashboard. Various manual or automatic reporting functions help you with your individual business analytics.

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Dashboard SmartCollect SC²

In the SmartCollect SC² dashboard, all the information you need is displayed reliably and in a structured way. In doing so, you keep an eye on all critical measured values. The data design is tailored to your individual application and user needs. In addition, the measured values are automatically synchronised with each other by the system and can be used by you for analysis by means of a sophisticated zoom.

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Single Node or Distributed Installation

With its hardware and software network components, an IT infrastructure represents a complex and sometimes very complicated system. Especially if you want to map and optimize the energy infrastructure across companies.

SmartCollect®SC², with its web-based architecture, can help overcome a lot of headaches while still providing the highest level of security. In this blog you will find two main types of installation. On the one hand, the so-called “Single Node Installation” (single node connection) and on the other hand, the so-called “Distributed Installation” (distributed connection).

SIngle Node Installation of SmartCollect SC2

Single Node Installation of SmartCollect SC²

 

Distributed Installation of SmartCollect SC²

Distributed Installation of SmartCollect SC²

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Role-based access control on the basis of measuring instruments

In order to reduce threats such as data theft, data manipulation and operating errors, appropriate protection mechanisms are indispensable. These include role-based access rights (RBAC), which are intended to prevent unauthorised access to functions, views and data.

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