CAPTURE OF POWER QUALITY INFORMATION AT THE TIME A DEVICE FAILS

An apparatus for detecting an abnormal event and capturing associated waveforms includes a detection module within a power control device that detects an abnormal condition. The abnormal condition is indicative of an impending failure of the power control device and/or a condition within the power control device indicative of a parameter being outside of a specified limit. The power control device controls power to one or more power devices in a power distribution system. The apparatus includes a signal transmit module that transmits a capture signal to a transient capture meter. The transient capture meter meters transient conditions of a branch of the power distribution system that includes the power control device. The capture signal instructs the transient capture meter to capture current and/or voltage waveforms relevant to a time when the detection module detected the abnormal condition.