Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

Abstract: A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

Abstract: MEMS-based switching module, as may be electrically connected to other such modules in a series circuit, to achieve a desired voltage rating is provided. A switching array may be made up of a plurality of such switching modules (e.g., used as building blocks of the switching array) with circuitry configured so that any number of modules can be connected in series to achieve the desired voltage rating (e.g., voltage scalability).

Abstract: A fault current limiter (FCL) comprises: an air core flat clock spiral inductor comprising wound electrically conductive material and insulated turns; and two terminations configured for attaching the spiral inductor in series with a power carrying conductor.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker. A control processing unit can determine a dynamic delay time for opening a first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in the circuit. The control processing unit delays opening the first circuit breaker until after the dynamic delay time has elapsed to provide an opportunity for the nearest circuit breaker to clear the fault.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.

Abstract: A method for locating a ground fault in an electrical power distribution system includes providing a plurality of current sensors at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system. The method further includes detecting a ground fault in the electrical power distribution system. Current is monitored at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system via the current sensors and a test signal is introduced into the electrical power distribution system via a test signal generating device. The plurality of locations are monitored to locate the ground fault between a location at which the test signal is detected and a downstream location at which the test signal is not detected.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmitting the sampled current signals to a central control processing unit, determining a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units, and isolating the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault. The apparatus is configured to sample an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmit the sampled current signals associated with each circuit breaker to a central control processing unit, determine a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units in the power distribution system, and isolate the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a plurality of processors within a computer system is provided. The computer system includes a plurality of processors that are each communicatively coupled to a respective network wherein each network is independent of each other network. The method includes receiving a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmitting the input signals to a reference object, and transforming the input signal to a known temporal reference. The apparatus is configured to receive a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmit the input signals to a reference object, and transform the input signal to a known temporal reference.

Abstract: A method for communicating information bundled in digital message packets via a digital network communication system is provided. The digital network communication system a sample source and each packet includes a header and a communication payload area. The method includes sampling the source at a first sample rate, selecting at least one decimation of the samples based on at least one of a plurality of algorithmic data rates and a channel bandwidth, determining a packet rate based on a plurality of algorithmic latency requirements, and transmitting the digital message packet containing decimated data on the digital network.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for anti-islanding protection of a distributed generation with respect to a feeder connected to an electrical grid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to generate a voltage signal representative of an output voltage and/or a current signal representative of an output current at the distributed generation, and a controller responsive to the signals from the sensor. The controller is productive of a control signal directed to the distributed generation to drive an operating characteristic of the distributed generation out of a nominal range in response to the electrical grid being disconnected from the feeder.

Abstract: A method of performing energy calculations in a power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling a first voltage at a first module in the power distribution system; communicating the first voltage from the first module to a central controller; performing an energy calculation in the central controller based at least in part on the first voltage; and applying the energy calculation to a second module in the power distribution system. In some embodiments, the energy calculation is also based upon a second current from the second module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting power distribution system data is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network, communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network, executing a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, and activating the data capture module in response to a triggering event. The apparatus includes a plurality of node electronic units, at least one central control processing unit (CCPU), and a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer wherein the module is configured to collect data in the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer, and the module is configured to activate in response to a triggering event.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A fault current limiter (FCL) comprises: an air core flat clock spiral inductor comprising wound electrically conductive material and insulated turns; and two terminations configured for attaching the spiral inductor in series with a power carrying conductor.

Abstract: A method of performing energy calculations in a power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling a first voltage at a first module in the power distribution system; communicating the first voltage from the first module to a central controller; performing an energy calculation in the central controller based at least in part on the first voltage; and applying the energy calculation to a second module in the power distribution system. In some embodiments, the energy calculation is also based upon a second current from the second module.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.