Understanding PZM Protection Device Alerts

Protection Devices are essential components of a substation's infrastructure, playing a critical role in maintaining the reliability, safety, and stability of the electrical grid. They are instrumental in preventing widespread outages, protecting equipment, and ensuring the safety of both the grid and personnel.

Operations High Alarm:

This alert is because there has been an excessive number of breaker or recloser operations between inspections. PZM calculates the average number of operations per month based on a 30-day calculation period. The alarm point can be adjusted based on the reliability expectations of the feeder (PZM's default is 5). High operations alert should trigger the need for a patrol to look for common causes such as sagging spans, insulators floating or tracking, bird nesting, etc.

PZM Alert Types

  • Inspection Alerts instantly tell you what and where inspections are past due or due within the next 7 days.
  • Deficiency Alerts tell you instantly what and where your highest risk deficiencies are.
  • System Voltage Alerts instantly tell you where the highest and lowest voltage levels are on your transmission and distribution system.
  • Reg Ops Alerts tell you your most active regulators on the system and enable you to prevent worn contacts and premature failure of the regulator.
  • Breaker Ops Alerts identifies which breaker or recloser is experiencing the most faults on the system, and the user-defined impact of those faults, based on any combination of meter counts, load at risk, or revenue at risk.
PZM Alerts are designed to get the most out of your inspection program. We save hours and hours of grueling analysis and deliver quality, actionable information that will improve your utility's electrical system with a click of a button.

PZM Alert Definitions

Additional Reading