Abstract: A remote blade closing detector switch is positioned on or near the jaws of an electric power disconnect switch, where proper seating of the blade in the jaws activates a detector switch. An extended conductor lead electrically connects the detector switch an RFID placed in a convenient reading location. The detector switch via the extended conductor is configured to regulate (i.e., switch on and off) a data signal, power to the antenna of the RFID tag, or the power supply to the RFID tag as mechanisms for enabling and disabling the tag to report a status indicator.

Abstract: An instrumented electric power arrester includes a temperature sensor, wireless transmitter, and a visual over-temperature indicator. A disk shaped module, a replacement varister block, or a dummy block containing the sensor/transmitter is placed between varister blocks inside the arrester housing. A strap-on module is attached to the outside of the arrester housing. The sensor/transmitter utilizes a harvesting power supply that draws electric power for the electronics from the power line protected by the arrester. An ambient temperature sensor may be utilized to enhance accuracy. The temperature sensor/transmitter typically sends arrester monitoring data wirelessly to an RTU or handheld unit located outside the arrester, which relays the monitoring data to an operations control center that scheduled replacement of the arrester based on the monitoring data. A surge counter keeps track of the number of equipment and lightening related temperature surges experienced by the arrester.

Abstract: An electric power monitoring and response system using electromagnetic field sensors located remotely beside the phase conductors. The system determines unknown system variables for one or more three-phase power lines based on measured values obtained form the field sensors and, in some cases, known power system values. For a given physical configuration, the field sensors may include a magnetic or electric field sensors, and the known system values as well as the unknown system variables may include phase currents, phase voltages and distances defining the physical configuration of the system. The response equipment may be a display, a circuit interrupting device, a voltage regulator, a voltage sag supporter, a capacitor bank, communication equipment, and reporting system.

Abstract: An electric power interrupter with an internal contactor that is suitable for use as a line and load switch constructed from light weight materials including a fiberglass or composite insulator and aluminum flanges. The light weight design feature allows the power interrupter to be supported above a standard disconnect switch insulator without having to replace or reinforce the insulator. The power interrupter also includes a latch mechanism with a low-force trip action, such as a spring-driven toggle mechanism that accelerates the internal contactor to break the electric power circuit on the opening stroke. This low-force trip action allows the power interrupter to be actuated by a standard disconnect switch operating mechanism without having to upgrade or augment the standard operating mechanism. For these reasons, the power interrupter may be installed as a retrofit upgrade to an existing standard disconnect switch without having to modify the underlying disconnect switch.

Abstract: A current pause device configured to enhance the operation of transmission and distribution line circuit interrupters by delaying the voltage build across the circuit interrupter arc gap for a time period sufficient to allow the dielectric characteristic of the medium within the arc to recover. This allows the circuit interrupter to break the circuit at a lower arc gap voltage than would occur without the current pause device. The current pause device includes a conductive arcing horn and an insulator interposed in the arcing horn to create a conductive gap in the arcing horn and a voltage protection arrangement to limit the voltage across the current pause device and thereby prevent a voltage breakdown across the current pause device. Specifically, the voltage protection arrangement includes a diode connected to the arcing horn in parallel with the insulator and a dielectric spark gap device connected in parallel across the insulator.

Abstract: A capacitor switch including a power contactor and an impedance contactor located within a relatively slender container filled with dielectric gas. The container may be a “dead tank” or an insulator. For the insulator configuration, the switch also includes a conductive cap housing a charging impedance located on the end of the insulator. The power contactor includes a relatively fixed probe contact and a linearly moving socket. The impedance contactor is ring-type butt contactor surrounding the penetrating contactor that includes a retracting (but otherwise fixed) contact that surrounds the fixed probe, and a traveling ring contact that surrounds and moves with the moving socket contact. The impedance contactor closes before the power contactor on the closing stroke to introduce the charging impedance into the circuit. A puffer mechanism retards the expansion of the retracting contact on the opening stroke, which causes the impedance contactor to open before the power contactor.

Abstract: A drive system for a pump/compressor which feeds a pneumatic circuit of a portable waste water sampling device, and comprising individual electric motors (20) each operating at 12 volts and drawing a current no greater the 350 mA at 2.5 w, the motors driving a common pinion (23) with an output shaft (24) for connection to the pump/compressor. The use of a number of low capacity drive motors, which together provide sufficient torque to drive the pump/compressor, avoids the danger of spark generation, particularly in a potentially explosive environment such as may be found below ground. Since the motors are small they may be mounted conveniently within the sampling equipment, taking up no more space than would be occupied by a single motor of larger capacity.