Merging unit verification using unique identifiers

A merging unit, comprising:

• a sensor subsystem to generate an analog measurement of a parameter associated with an electric power system;
• an analog-to-digital conversion subsystem to convert the analog measurement of the parameter to a digital measurement of the parameter;
• a communication subsystem to:
• generate a first packet comprising the digital measurement of the parameter and encoded according to a first communication protocol;
• and
• encapsulate the first packet within a second packet comprising a unique identifier (“UID”) and encoded according to a second communication protocol;
• and
• an intelligent electronic device (“IED”) interface to communicate the second packet to an IED.

A method of verifying information received from a merging unit, the method comprising:

• initiating a commissioning process;
• receiving, during the commissioning process, a unique identifier (“UID”) associated with the merging unit using a port;
• storing, during the commissioning process, the UID associated with the merging unit;
• associating, during the commissioning process, the UID with the port;
• receiving a plurality of transmissions from the merging unit, each of the transmissions comprising information about an electric power system;
• verifying that the plurality of transmissions originated from the merging unit based on:
• matching the UID stored in the commissioning process with the UID in the plurality of transmissions;
• and
• confirming that the plurality of transmissions is received through the port associated with the UID;
• and
• generating a notification based on failing to verify at least one of the plurality of transmissions.