Method and system for conditionally triggered system data capture

An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network;
• at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network;
• and
• a data capture module, wherein said module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, said module configured to collect data in said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer, and said module configured to activate in response to an event.

An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network;
• at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network;
• and
• a data capture module, said module configured to collect data from said node electronics units and said CCPU, and said module configured to activate in response to an event, said module comprising:
• an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module, said DM comprises at least two circular buffers that include a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, each said buffers include a predetermined collection interval wherein said DM is configured to:
• determine a capture interval length;
• freeze said data capture buffer one capture interval time period after said event is received;
• and
• transfer said captured data to said DVEP wherein said DVEP is configured to determine at least one parameter that describes said initiated event trigger, and to automatically display said parameter based on a predetermined format.