Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit for harvesting energy from a medium voltage power line. The energy harvesting circuit includes an input capacitor electrically coupled to the power line and storing power therefrom, and a flyback converter including a primary coil and a secondary coil. The harvesting circuit further includes a switching circuit electrically coupled in series with the primary coil and being operable to electrically connect and disconnect the input capacitor to and from the primary coil, where the switching circuit includes an input voltage regulation feedback circuit for regulating an input voltage provided to the switching circuit from the input capacitor. The harvesting circuit also includes an output capacitor electrically coupled to the secondary coil and the actuator, where the output capacitor is charged by the secondary coil when the switching circuit is closed to provide power to an actuator to close a vacuum interrupter.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly detecting fault current on a power line in an electrical power distribution network. A switch assembly includes a detecting circuit for quickly detecting the fault current on the power line. The circuit includes a Rogowski coil wrapped around the power line that provides an output measurement signal that is proportional to a change in the current flow on the line, and a passive integrator responsive to the output measurement signal from the Rogowski coil that integrates the output measurement signal over time. The circuit also includes an amplifier responsive to and amplifying the integrated output measurement signal and a microcontroller responsive to the amplified output measurement signal that calculates the current flow on the line using the amplified output measurement signal. A current transformer harvests energy from the power line to power the circuit when the fault current is occurring.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices to optimize operation of the power electronic system. Further, electrically isolated power supplies to individual control stages for high-voltage, series-connected switch devices/power electronic devices.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated or shorted power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by detecting whether or not any switch is shorted in the series-connected stack of switch stages.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices to optimize operation of the power electronic system. Further, electrically isolated power supplies to individual control stages for high-voltage, series-connected switch devices/power electronic devices.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated or shorted power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by detecting whether or not any switch is shorted in the series-connected stack of switch stages.

Abstract: An arrangement provides a power supply for low voltage circuits that is connected to receive and store energy from a power electronics switch that is connected to an alternating current supply. The power supply is operative over a wide range of input and regardless of the operating status of the power electronics switch. For each half cycle of the alternating current which the power electronic switch is to be rendered conductive, the arrangement delays for a predetermined time duration the control of the power electronic switch at the zero crossing of the half cycle. During the predetermined time duration, the power supply charges an energy storage device with sufficient energy to supply the low voltage circuit until the next half cycle.

Abstract: A voltage sensing arrangement is provided that facilitates accurately measuring a sensed voltage while also providing isolation to a sensing path during a test mode of an associated indicator arrangement. The voltage sensing arrangement includes a voltage sensor that is arranged to sense the voltage on an associated power distribution line. A first arrangement is responsive to the voltage sensor for providing an output representing the voltage on the associated power distribution line. The voltage sensing arrangement includes a second arrangement that is responsive to the voltage sensor for isolating the first arrangement from the voltage sensor whenever voltage is not present on the associated power distribution line. In a preferred embodiment, a third arrangement is provided that is responsive to the presence of voltage on the associated power distribution line for isolating a test path from the voltage sensor.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus is provided for assembly with separable insulated connector components on power cables for power distribution systems. The coupling apparatus provides either direct or indirect coupling, e.g. to provide interconnection to the connector components or to provide a sensing point. In one illustrative embodiment, the coupling apparatus is installed in place of a conventional double-ended plug that is required to piggyback T-body elbows, i.e. where multiple elbows are to be connected. In one specific arrangement, the coupling apparatus includes a desired connector interface. In another specific arrangement, a sensed voltage output is provided using components such as capacitive coupling components, capacitors, resistors or transformers. In another embodiment, the coupling apparatus is used in place of a conventional insulating plug that is used to attach a T-body elbow to a bushing, e.g. on switchgear assemblies or the like.

Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.

Abstract: A power operator for switchgear and the like is provided that is capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any decoupling or mode selection. The power operator is compact and easily affixed over a manual operating shaft of switchgear. The manual drive capabilities are always coupled for operation without any backdriving of the power source. The power operator includes a drive output affixed to the switchgear operating shaft, a manual operating shaft, and an arrangement for selectively coupling a power-driven input to the switchgear operating shaft. In a specific arrangement, the control arrangement of the power operator senses the position of the drive output and also senses the current drawn by the drive source. When controlling switchgear having a stored energy mechanism, operating positions are detected by sensing the tripping of the stored energy mechanism via the sensed current through the drive source.