In short. Remote monitoring shows the state of generators, breakers and protection to operators who are not on site. A good design chooses meaningful points, uses open protocols, builds in cybersecurity and alarm discipline, and keeps local control working if the link fails.
What to monitor
| Group | Typical points |
|---|---|
| Generator | Running status, mode, voltage, current, kW, kVAr, frequency, fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, battery voltage, run hours, alarms |
| Switchgear | Breaker positions, trip and alarm status, protection operations, DC supply status, temperatures |
| Power quality | Voltage, THD, unbalance, power factor |
| Environment | Room temperature, smoke, fuel leak, door status |
| Energy | Consumption, fuel usage, load profile |
Communication
- Protocols: Modbus, IEC 61850, DNP3 and BACnet are common. See communications and remote monitoring.
- Gateways convert between protocols and aggregate data.
- Links: wired Ethernet, fibre, cellular. Provide redundancy for critical sites.
Alarm philosophy
- Prioritise alarms, with clear action instructions.
- Separate warnings from trips.
- Avoid nuisance alarms that train operators to ignore them.
Cybersecurity
- Segment control networks from office networks and the internet.
- Use authenticated, encrypted remote access.
- Manage passwords and user rights; remove defaults.
- Log remote actions and keep devices patched where possible.
- Keep protection functions independent of the monitoring network; a failure or attack on SCADA must not disable protection.
Design steps
- Define what decisions the data supports.
- List points and update rates.
- Choose protocols and gateways.
- Design the network and security.
- Define alarms and responses.
- Test points end to end and document.
Illustrative example
A multi-site operator monitors 20 generator sets from a central room. Alarms cover low fuel, failed start, battery fault and breaker status. Trend data shows a battery voltage slowly falling at one site, and a technician replaces the battery before a failed start. The remote link is cellular with a backup path, while local control continues regardless of the link.
What remote monitoring adds
Remote electrical monitoring brings relay data, breaker state, power measurements and generator status to a control room or mobile dashboard. It supports faster response, trend analysis and unattended sites.
Typical architecture
| Layer | Elements |
|---|---|
| Field devices | Relays, meters, generator controllers, ATS controllers |
| Communication | Modbus RTU or TCP, IEC 61850 on larger systems, serial and Ethernet links |
| Gateway or PLC | Protocol conversion and data collection |
| SCADA or BMS | Display, alarms, logging |
| Remote access | Secure link to mobile or central office |
Which signals to bring
- Breaker status and trip alarms.
- Source availability and ATS position.
- Load kW, kVA, power factor, current, voltage, frequency.
- Generator engine data: oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel level, battery voltage.
- Run hours and maintenance counters.
Cyber and access safety
- Remote control of breakers should be limited, logged and protected.
- Use secured networks, strong credentials and updates.
- Keep protection functions local; monitoring must not be required for protection to work.
Value in practice
Trending fuel use, battery voltage and temperature reveals problems days before a failure. See alarms and records.
Common mistakes
- Monitoring everything and understanding nothing.
- Default passwords on remote devices.
- Protection dependent on the network.
What to send us
Send equipment lists and monitoring goals. Send your application details.
Questions engineers ask
Is remote control safe?
It can be, with authentication, interlocks, logging and clear procedures. Many sites allow monitoring only.
Which protocol is best?
The one your devices support well and your team can maintain. Open protocols give flexibility.
What if the link fails?
Local control and protection must continue, with data buffered where possible.
How many alarms are too many?
If operators cannot respond to each one, there are too many.
This guide gives general principles. Cybersecurity needs specialist review.