Introducing Device Configuration Manager

Australian switchgear engineering firm NOJA Power today confirms the release of Device Configuration Manager (DCM) – their next generation software for managing settings for NOJA Power devices.

DCM is an evolution of our recloser settings management, providing a platform for cybersecurity, easier device interoperability and simplified workflows.

DCM helps engineers get the right settings into the right NOJA Power Recloser, automating the steps to capture the “as built” state of the Recloser at commissioning.

NOJA Power RC-10’s with Relay-04 cores now carry settings metadata, which allows decoupling of RC Series Control firmware versions from DCM versions. As Relay-04’s become “self-describing”, each update to firmware does not always require an update to DCM software, and vice versa.

“Our relay 04 and relay 20 hardware combined with our DCM configuration software lays the platform for NOJA Power’s next generation of controls for the next decade,” says NOJA Power Group Managing Director Neil O'Sullivan.

“The hardware has on board encryption to provide IEEE1686 cyber security capability and the DCM moves to a browser based product that then significantly enhances security and connectivity.”

What Recloser Controllers are Compatible with DCM?

NOJA Power RC-20’s are compatible with DCM through a simple firmware upgrade (version 3.1 and above firmware coming soon).

NOJA Power DCM is for Relay-04 powered RC-10 and RC-15.

Older RC-10’s with a Relay-01 or Relay-02 core can be upgraded by ordering a Relay-04 module, which can be retrofitted.

Retired Relay-02 hardware can be committed as spares stock, available to service devices which are not upgraded.

Can I migrate settings from my CMS system to DCM?

Yes. NOJA Power is releasing a 3.17 version of CMS which will allow exporting of configurations to DCM templates. These templates can be loaded into DCM, or direct loaded through USB Flash Drive into the Relay-04.

Settings configuration from flash drive is only available if enabled by your RC-10 device cybersecurity controls.

Will DCM be difficult for field crews to learn?

No – DCM reduces the steps required to load a template into a controller. In CMS, technicians import a settings file, create a local settings file, copy the settings across, then execute a “download” to put settings from an approved file into a device. Then they execute an upload, and a compare, to see if any errors occur.

In DCM, the technician imports the approved template, connects a Recloser Control, and pushes “Load Template To Device”.

Job done, then protection testing starts (if that is your works practice).

DCM automatically keeps a record of the last state of the device, so engineers always have proof of what the device was configured as. Any minor settings edits can be done live, rather than needing a whole new saved configuration template.

Will there be further versions of CMS Software?

Version 3.17 will be the last version of CMS Software. It is a minor update to allow export of CMS settings into the DCM environment.

Can I upgrade my old RC-10 to be compatible with DCM?

Yes. The upgrade path is to order a replacement Relay-04 protection relay which can be installed into the RC-10.

Will new features be added to the RC-10?

Yes, but only with Relay-04 hardware.

Where can I get a copy of DCM?

DCM is available as a download from NOJA Power’s Recloser Controller Resources and Specifications page here: www.nojapower.com/product/rc-10-15/resources

What are the biggest differences between DCM and CMS?

The Device Configuration Manager ecosystem for NOJA Power Reclosers offers extensive new features. These include a web server on the Relay, storing of protection globals in settings files, and the direct control of live device settings through DCM without having to save and load an entirely new configuration file.

A basic comparison is available here:

Are there changes to terminology?

Yes. Driven by customer feedback, we’ve updated some of our action terminology from the CMS-era to the DCM-era, to allow us to be more specific on file and device interactions.

Here is a simple table of the key changes.

Next Steps:

NOJA Power Customers are welcome to download a copy of DCM software for your own introduction and trial.

Any NOJA Power Reclosers ordered with Relay-04 hardware will be compatible with this system.

For more technical information, contact your local NOJA Power Distributor or visit www.nojapower.com