What is DRC-003?
VP.Start has developed the DRC-003 to modernize the aging COOPER Auto Recloser to a digitally operated system on medium voltage distribution lines (22kV& 35kV). This state-of-art device changed the way to manage and solve the problems of distribution lines that operated with COOPER Auto Recloser, streamlined the operations, minimized outages, and has made the entire grid management more efficient and reliable.
The standouts of the DRC-003 are its ability to remote control the ACR switchgear, monitor real-time data that is crucial for reports and analysis, its quick fault detection occurred on the powerlines, and abnormal detection when the controller of COOPER encounters any errors, ensuring quick response to potential issues.
Cooper Auto Recloser
The COOPER Auto Recloser is a self-contained switching device designed to automatically detect, interrupt, and restore power in overhead medium-voltage distribution systems.
The DRC-003 is a data-driven solution designed to enhance grid operations by simplifying management, improving efficiency, and shifting from manual to fully digital operations.
Integrating DRC-003 with COOPER Auto Recloser
The DRC-003 serves as a smart grid IoT controller that connects with existing reclosers. This smart device communicates with the recloser, collects diverse data from the powerline, and transmits that data into VP.Start’s control system, PLUM app, or SCADA system (RPM Grid).
Getting to Know How the DRC-003 Works
When a power outage occurs, the Auto Recloser (ACR) automatically recloses the switchgear 3 to 5 times, depending on its preset parameters. The DRC-003 instantly detects this sequence and sends an alert to the operator’s smartphone through the PLUM App or to the RPM Grid System, informing them of the power interruption. This accurate, real-time notification allows operators to respond quickly, helping to minimize outage time and improve network reliability.
Key parameters—such as current, voltage, power (P, Q, S), and power factor—provide valuable insights for system analysis. These analytics help reduce energy losses, phase unbalancing, voltage drops, and other performance issues, strengthening grid stability and efficiency.
Beyond its monitoring capability, the DRC-003 also prioritizes security. All transmitted and stored data is fully encrypted, ensuring that every communication between devices and systems remains safe and protected.
RPM Grid
RPM Grid system provides extensive information from the ACR, offering a wide range of data collection and reports for power grid analysis.
PLUM App
PLUM (Power Line Utility Management) is a mobile ecosystem application designed to optimize grid management. With PLUM, the entire status of electrical grid networks is in the palm of your hand. Utilities can monitor and control remotely, receive instant alarm notifications, and access real-time data for fast decision-making—anywhere and at any time.
Getting to Know How the DRC-003 Works
When a power outage occurs, the Auto Recloser (ACR) automatically recloses the switchgear 3 to 5 times, depending on its preset parameters. The DRC-003 instantly detects this sequence and sends an alert to the operator’s smartphone through the PLUM App or to the RPM Grid System, informing them of the power interruption. This accurate, real-time notification allows operators to respond quickly, helping to minimize outage time and improve network reliability.
Key parameters—such as current, voltage, power (P, Q, S), and power factor—provide valuable insights for system analysis. These analytics help reduce energy losses, phase unbalancing, voltage drops, and other performance issues, strengthening grid stability and efficiency.
Beyond its monitoring capability, the DRC-003 also prioritizes security. All transmitted and stored data is fully encrypted, ensuring that every communication between devices and systems remains safe and protected.
RPM Grid
RPM Grid system provides extensive information from the ACR, offering a wide range of data collection and reports for power grid analysis.
PLUM App
PLUM (Power Line Utility Management) is a mobile ecosystem application designed to optimize grid management. With PLUM, the entire status of electrical grid networks is in the palm of your hand. Utilities can monitor and control remotely, receive instant alarm notifications, and access real-time data for fast decision-making—anywhere and at any time.
Take a look at our DRC-003. With the length of 122mm, height of 88mm, and width of 30mm cover in a silver box. Down here are the side functions of our DRC-003.
Features & Applicability
1. Remote Control Capability
With the Controls function, operators can quickly and efficiently manage the Trip/Close operations of Auto Recloser from a distance, using a PLUM App or the RPM Grid System. This remote-control capability helps minimize downtime and keeps the energy reliable to customers.
2. Alarm Notifications
Outage frequently occurs on the power lines. When there is no technological device, that will be a prolonged outage duration that brings a huge impact to the consumers. With the Alarm function of DRC-003, operators will receive prompt information when faults happen.
3. Abnormal Detection
Abnormal feature is another groundbreaking solution that VP.Start created to solve the problems that occurred with the controller of COOPER. This will detect the issues and transmit those issues to the operator rapidly.
4. Measurement
Measurement is a vital feature for monitoring and evaluating the electrical distribution network. It gives operators real-time information into important parameters, such as current, voltage source, apparent power, real power, reactive power, and power factor. With this information, operators can effectively track the network’s performance and make informed decisions to ensure everything runs smoothly.
5. User Events
User Events provides operators with the history of their activities. This is an essential part of daily operational security, allowing identification of who operated or changed settings in case of any issues.
6. Reports
The reports in DRC-003 capture all the key information from the COOPER Auto Recloser. This essential feature will be a must-have document for analyzing and enhancing grid management.
7. Map
Operators can now pinpoint the actual location of DRC-003 in Google Maps. They also can identify the fault in the impacted area when any disruption happens.
8. Single Diagram
The Single Diagram feature lets operators quickly see where DRC-003 is located on a simple schematic layout. This makes it quick and easy to identify any fault location as well.
Compared to Your Traditional Methods
What does the DRC-003 do in the event of faults?
Faults often occur on power lines due to human mistakes or natural events, leading to interruptions that impact both consumers and energy providers. These issues are more frequent when grid operations depend on conventional management methods. Without the use of smart technologies, power outages tend to last longer, causing inconvenience and economic losses for energy companies and the public.
The DRC-003 quickly detects any faults on the power line and immediately transmits detailed information about the fault type to operators through smartphones or the RPM Grid System. This instant alert allows for fast fault identification and timely resolution.
With its real-time alarm notifications, the DRC-003 functions as a reliable and intelligent guardian of the power network—continuously monitoring line conditions, reducing outage duration, and ensuring overall system stability and reliability.
5x Times Faster
Plug and Play Solution
Digitizing the existing Auto Recloser is no longer time-consuming right now. Utilities do not need to replace their in-use electrical equipment (ACR), they can simply integrate our DRC 003, and the whole system becomes digital instantly. The installation is fast, taking approximately 40 minutes, which makes it a very cost-effective solution for utilities - not only require minimal time for modernization, but also reduce capital investment while delivering transformative benefits.
5x Times Faster
User-Friendly System
At VP.Start, we prioritized the user experience, ensuring that managing our solution is not only effective but also convenient, making utilities feel comfortable and confident in their operations.
The management of ACR with the DRC-003 can be done in three simple ways: using our RPM Grid System, using our PLUM app on your smartphone, and simply making a call to control or monitor the status of your distribution grid networks. That’s so convenient for utilities.
User-Friendly
Return on Investment
The innovative idea of VP.Start is to create solution that makes an impact for utilities. Based on the assessment of one of the utilities in Cambodia, we observed that the potential business revenue loss from managing only 7 Auto Reclosers (ACRs) locations before implementing technology is $159,445.5 per year. This includes annual sale energy loss due to outages, and total annual operational expense when faults occur and data collection operations. After adopting VP.Start’s DRC-001 for those 7 locations, the potential total business revenue loss minimizes to only $48,610.4 per year that saved $110,835.1 for annual revenue of the utility company.
2 Months
Guaranteed Benefit
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