Abstract: An electrical arc detector for switchgear includes a fiber-optic cable configured to receive light emitted from switchgear at a first end and transport the light to a second end. The detector further includes a sensor arranged adjacent the second end of the fiber-optic cable configured to sense the light and generate an electrical signal, and analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the electrical signal to a digital signal, and a processor configured to monitor the digital signal and at least one of transmit information related to the digital signal, store information related to the digital signal, and take action based on the digital signal.

Abstract: A system and a process for detecting early stage electrical components problems with an analysis system is disclosed. The system process includes determining an oil quality of the oil of an electrical component using the analysis system. The system the process further including determining dissolved gases in the oil of the electrical component using the analysis system, processing and analyzing the oil quality and the dissolved gases using the analysis system, and determining whether there are problems in the electrical component using the analysis system.

Abstract: A method of making a dry type insulation is provided. The method includes combining a base fiber having a first outer surface with a binder material wherein the base fiber has a first melting point and the binder material has a second melting point which is different from the first melting point, heating the base fiber and binder material to a temperature above the second melting point, but below the first melting point using a double-belt press to form a resultant dry type insulation, compressing the base fiber and binder material using the double-belt press to form the resultant dry type insulation and cooling the resultant dry type insulation using the double-belt press.

Abstract: A power transformer is provided that includes a first transformer component, a second transformer component; and an electrical insulator. The electrical insulator is disposed between the first transformer component and the second transformer component. The electrical insulator includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a binder fiber. The binder fiber is a staple fiber coated with a binder material. The second layer has an uncoated staple fiber. The first layer and the second layer are bound together with the binder material.

Abstract: A dry type electrical insulation is provided. The insulation includes a base fiber having an outer surface and a first melting point and a binder material, coated onto the outer surface of the base fiber, having a second melting point. In this insulation, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point. A dry type insulation matrix is also provided. The insulation matrix includes a plurality of composite fibers having a base fiber having a first melting point and a binder material co-extruded therewith, having a second melting point. In this insulation matrix, the second melting point is lower than the first.

Abstract: A dehydrator for dehydrating air supplied to a power related or mechanical device includes a first container configured to hold a desiccant, a first heater arranged with the first container configured to heat the desiccant in the first container, a second container configured to hold a desiccant, and a second heater arranged with the second container configured to heat the desiccant in the second container. The dehydrator further includes a conduit configured to selectively connect one of the first container and the second container to the power related or mechanical device and a controller configured to selectively operate one of the first heater and the second heater.

Abstract: A recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components includes a desiccant chamber configured to hold desiccant and a heating element configured to heat the desiccant held in the desiccant chamber to at least partially eliminate water. The device further includes a housing configured to hold the desiccant chamber and the heating element, an outlet configured to provide an outlet to guide the water away from the housing, and the outlet configured to be heated by the heating element. A process of configuring a recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dehydrator for dehydrating air supplied to a power related or mechanical device includes a first container configured to hold a desiccant, a first heater arranged with the first container configured to heat the desiccant in the first container, a second container configured to hold a desiccant, and a second heater arranged with the second container configured to heat the desiccant in the second container. The dehydrator further includes a conduit configured to selectively connect one of the first container and the second container to the power related or mechanical device and a controller configured to selectively operate one of the first heater and the second heater.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring displacement of energized components within a tap changer compartment. A fiber optic sensor assembly is provided within a transformer compartment. The sensor assembly monitors displacement of one or more energized components within the transformer compartment. The sensor assembly transmits information to a control box assembly that uses the information to output analog or digital signals, control signals, voltage and/or ampere measurements or other information.

Abstract: An oil filtration system for a load tap changer includes a filter configured to filter oil, a pump fluidly coupled to an oil tank and configured to pump the oil from the oil tank through the filter and to return the oil to the oil tank, and a control system, electrically coupled to the pump. The control system monitors ambient air temperature and controls an operation of the pump in accordance therewith. Additionally or alternatively, the control system monitors at least one of a high-pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a leak sensor, and a low flow sensor and controls an operation of the pump in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components includes a desiccant chamber configured to hold desiccant and a heating element configured to heat the desiccant held in the desiccant chamber to at least partially eliminate water. The device further includes a housing configured to hold the desiccant chamber and the heating element, an outlet configured to provide an outlet to guide the water away from the housing, and the outlet configured to be heated by the heating element. A process of configuring a recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a panel for a transformer radiator includes a pair of substantially-rectangular panel sheets joined together to form a plurality of internal fluid channels, each fluid channel including an inlet and an outlet, and a plurality of pin fins disposed on at least a portion of at least one external surface of the panel sheets.

Abstract: A power transformer is provided that includes a first transformer component, a second transformer component, and a composite structure positioned between the first transformer component and the second transformer component. The composite structure includes a first composite fiber having at least one base fiber, a sheath of binder material, and nanoclay particles, and a second composite fiber, having at least one base fiber, bound to the first composite fiber by at least a portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A method of making a dry type insulation is provided. The method includes combining a base fiber having a first outer surface with a binder material wherein the base fiber has a first melting point and the binder material has a second melting point which is different from the first melting point, heating the base fiber and binder material to a temperature above the second melting point, but below the first melting point using a double-belt press to form a resultant dry type insulation, compressing the base fiber and binder material using the double-belt press to form the resultant dry type insulation and cooling the resultant dry type insulation using the double-belt press.

Abstract: A dry type electrical insulation is provided. The insulation includes a base fiber having an outer surface and a first melting point and a binder material, coated onto the outer surface of the base fiber, having a second melting point. In this insulation, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point. A dry type insulation matrix is also provided. The insulation matrix includes a plurality of composite fibers having a base fiber having a first melting point and a binder material co-extruded therewith, having a second melting point. In this insulation matrix, the second melting point is lower than the first.

Abstract: A reinforced diverter switch is molded with a flange having a reinforcing material embedded therein. A shaft of a diverter switch is wrapped with a reinforcing material. The shaft of the diverter switch may be wrapped by first removing a portion of the epoxy resin to expose a conductor of the diverter switch, machining a portion of the epoxy resin, and then filament winding the reinforcing material over the portion of the epoxy resin machined.

Abstract: A movable fixture onto which core laminates may be stacked in a manner such that the laminates are secure and easily accessible, and the fixture may be used to transport the laminates. The fixture consists of, among other things, a stacking table that has at least one pivot arm extending therefrom and a base plate that has at least one appendage extending therefrom. The pivot arm is movably and removably attached to the appendage in order to permit the stacking table to move between a transporting position and an assembling position.

Abstract: A probe cell monitors conditions within electrical power transmission and switchgear apparatus to detect degradation of stressed components. The probe cell is a hardware simulation of components of a specific unit of electrical power apparatus, including electrodes between which an electric field gradient is established. The probe cell electrodes accumulate contamination at a rate related to accumulation rate on components of working apparatus. In a typical embodiment, a probe cell installed within an enclosure shares the insulating, hydrocarbon-based immersion fluid of the apparatus. Because the probe cell can be invasively tested and results recorded as often as desired without deenergizing the actual apparatus, degradation of the apparatus can be predicted with high confidence, avoiding unnecessary maintenance as well as unexpected catastrophic failure. Potential reduction in unproductive preventive maintenance while avoiding emergency repairs can offset probe cell cost.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.