Precision timing is essential for modern data centre power systems. In complex electrical networks, state changes can occur in a quarter-cycle or less, and so system-wide clock synchronization is needed for meaningful analysis.
Understand
Use as a forensics tool to gain knowledge
- Perform root-cause analysis based on reliable data.
- View current and voltage waveforms captured with each event.
- Determine if the initial source was internal or external.
Respond
Verify that systems operated as designed
- Evaluate control sequences, timing, and operator actions.
- Confirm protective device time-current coordination.
- Restore service quickly if an outage does occur.
Prevent
Implement corrective actions to prevent problems
- Resolve or mitigate persistent problems.
- Provide documentation for the electric utility, legal, insurance, etc.
- Identify slow breakers before they can cause an arc flash hazard.
Know what happened & when to 1 ms
Sequence of Events Recording (SER) systems record the exact time of all events in chronological order. Some events are bad because they cannot be anticipated, and even worse if they cannot be explained.
Other events are planned responses (breaker trips, control system actions, etc.). It is equally important to know that these events happened on time as designed – or know if they didn’t and why.
