Abstract: An emergency wayfinding device includes a lighting circuit constructed and arranged to change at least one property of a light emitted from a light emitting element, and an electrical conduit including a plug. The plug of the electrical conduit is constructed configured to be received in a socket and to draw electricity from the socket to power the lighting circuit via the electrical conduit.

Abstract: A faulty meter socket detection system configured to detect faulty sockets as evidenced by series arcs in an input current waveform or an increased temperature of the meter is disclosed. The system includes a metering circuit configured to receive an input current waveform, and a controller including a power monitoring module. The meter may also include a temperature sensor. The power monitoring module is configured detect series arc currents input current waveform data by filtering the input current waveform data to produce filtered data, performing feature recognition on the filtered data, classifying the features of the filtered data, performing temporal processing on the filtered data, (optionally) scaling the temporal processing of the filtered data, and, scoring the input current waveform based on the temporal processing of the filtered data. The temperature sensor may detect an increased temperature of the meter, which may indicate a faulty socket.

Abstract: Techniques for determining conditions of power lines in a power distribution system based on data collected by a plurality of sensor units deployed in the power distribution system. The techniques include obtaining data associated with measurements collected by at least two sensor units in the plurality of sensor units, and determining, by using at least one processor, at least one condition of at least one power line in the power distribution system by using the data obtained by the at least two sensor units.

Abstract: An optimized, energy-sensitive system and method for fulfilling various data needs of gas utilities. In particular, the disclosure relates to optimized methods for discovering and reacting to an alarm. In one aspect, when an alarm is triggered a telemetry unit automatically alters its operating mode to begin transmitting live pressure reads every minute instead of every hour, as typically performed. This variance in operation eliminates the need for a user to monitor a pipeline system for an incoming alarm and manually request data by initiating a live communication session.

Abstract: An improvement to a utility (U) meter's (M) meter reading schema. The improvement includes a device (D) responsive to a native language with which a meter is programmed to convert communications to and from the meter from that native language into a neutral language. The neutral language is convertible by other meters programmed with different native languages into the native language of a particular meter for meters programmed with different native languages can communicate with each other. This allows facilities within a localized area of a utility's power grid (G) to form into a micro-grid (MG) in which meters programmed with the same or different native languages can communicate with each other without having communications between them routed through a central location of the utility.

Abstract: A node in a power distribution system is described. The node includes an electrical connection to a single-phase power signal from an AC mains power source, a wireless communication interface configured to receive a first phase synchronization message, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the first phase synchronization message is acceptable and detect a zero-crossing event on the single phase power signal subsequent to the receipt of the first phase synchronization message in response to determining that the first phase synchronization message is acceptable. The controller is further configured to calculate a time difference between the receipt of the first phase synchronization signal and the detected zero-crossing event, determine a local phase angle based on the time difference, and establish an identity of the single phase power signal based on the local phase angle.

Abstract: An electrical meter including a housing including a socket interface operable to connect to a facility. The meter further including a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the electrical meter. The meter further including a controller having an electronic processor and a memory. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the sensor, a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic, determine, based on the signal, presence of a hot socket, and output an alert based on determining presence of the hot socket.

Abstract: Improved power line management is provided by the systems and methods disclosed herein that accurately measures voltage in a power distribution system. In various embodiments, the system may include one or more sensor units, each coupled to the power lines using a capacitive or resistive voltage divider to yield a voltage at a sensor unit that is within a measurable range. In one aspect, this voltage may also be used to power the sensor unit and/or other devices coupled to it.

Abstract: A system includes at least one processor to receive a second public key, a first random number, and a second random number, and store the second public key, the first random number, and the second random number in an installation record, perform key agreement with a first private key and the second public key to determine a MasterSecret, perform key expansion with the MasterSecret, the first random number, and the second random number to generate a client authentication key, a server authentication key, a client encryption key, and a server encryption key, and store the client authentication key, the server authentication key, the client encryption key, and the server encryption key and delete the MasterSecret.

Abstract: A power line sensor including a housing and a near field sensor. The housing is configured to couple to a power line. The near field sensor is configured to sense a leakage current on the power line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and/or protecting state-of-charge of one or more batteries. One method comprises determining, via a controller, location information associated with the battery. The method includes determining, via the controller, one or more battery parameters. The method includes calculating, based on the one or more battery parameters and the location information, a state of charge of the battery. The method includes controlling, via the controller and based on the state of charge, a mode of the battery.

Abstract: Systems for determining a phase of a device coupled to an electrical distribution system. The system includes a number of gateway devices configured to transmit a synchronization signal. The gateway device receives a node response message from a first node device that includes a duration value indicating a time between a receipt of the transmitted synchronization signal and a detected zero crossing. The gateway device compares the duration value against duration values received from node devices with a known phase connection and determines a phase of the first node device based on the comparison.

Abstract: A light dimming system includes one or more lights and includes a local light controller that includes a dimming controller and a processing circuit, the dimming controller configured to provide an output to the one or more light drivers. One or more electronic processors are configured to receive a dimming input value indicating a desired dimming level for the one or more lights. The processors are further configured to determine a configuration of the one or more light drivers, wherein the configuration defines whether the one or more light drivers utilize a non-linear dimming curve or a linear dimming curve, and provides the dimming controller a dimming level to output a dimming control signal to the one or more light drivers equivalent to the received dimming input value based on a non-linear or linear calculation.

Abstract: A method of adaptably allowing an upgrade to firmware or a configuration of target endpoint hardware to be at least one of replaced or modified by way of instructions generated by a patch generator and executed by target endpoint hardware to generate an upgrade file, install the upgrade file, and audit the installation of the upgrade file is disclosed.

Abstract: A switched capacitor bank assembly including a first capacitor, a first switch selectively connected between the first capacitor and a first phase line, and a first voltage sensor integrated within a housing of the first switch and configured to sense a voltage of the first phase line. The assembly further includes a controller including an electronic processor, the controller operably coupled to the first voltage sensor and the first switch. The first capacitor, the first switch, the first voltage sensor, and the controller are physically supported by a frame of the switched capacitor bank assembly.

Abstract: An electrical grid system including a phase conductor, a neutral conductor, and a neutral-to-ground conductor configured to conduct current flow between the neutral conductor and a ground. The electrical grid system further includes a fault detection sensor including a current sensor configured to sense current flowing along the neutral-to-ground conductor. The fault detection sensor further includes a controller having an electronic processor that is configured to receive signals indicative of the current flowing through the neutral-to-ground conductor from the current sensor, monitor the received signals for an occurrence of an event associated with the current flowing along the neutral-to-ground conductor; and output an occurrence of a fault in the electrical grid system based on detecting occurrence of the event.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device (CTH) installed in an electrical distribution system (EDS) for powering ancillary electrical devices (AD) used in the distribution system. The device includes a first voltage regulator circuit (CC) configured to produce a voltage matched to a power curve of a current transformer (CT) to which the device is electrically coupled. The device also includes a second and separate voltage regulator circuit (SVR) which continuously operates to maximize the amount of electrical energy recovered from the current transformer.

Abstract: An electric utility meter including a Hall Effect sensor configured to sense a magnetic field proximate the electric utility meter. The electric utility meter also includes a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a magnitude of the magnetic field proximate the electric utility meter from the sensor, determine whether the magnitude of the magnetic field exceeds a first magnitude threshold and whether a threshold flag has been set, set the threshold flag when the threshold flag has not been set and the magnitude exceeds the first magnitude threshold, determine an amount of time for which the magnitude has exceeded the first magnitude threshold when the threshold flag has been set, and generate an alert indicative of a magnetic tamper event when the amount of time exceeds a time threshold.

Abstract: A contaminant detector is capable of sending a signal or alert when a contaminant is detected within a housing of a utility meter, a meter transmission unit (MTU), or other associated equipment. Circuitry enclosed within the housing is capable of detecting utility usage, transmitting information between one or more utility meters and a utility provider, and/or otherwise monitoring or tracking utility usage. The contaminant detector includes a resistive voltage divider network having a resistance that varies when in contact with a contaminant such as a form of water or metal. The variable resistor has a serpentine structure comprising a plurality of detective fingers that are formed from conductive material and separated by a non-conductive substance.

Abstract: An electric utility distribution system in which power is supplied by a distribution transformer through an electric utility meter including an apparatus for detecting the presence of a back-feed voltage source connected to the load. The apparatus includes a virtual neutral established in the electric utility meter at ground potential and a remote switch that is opened to interrupt electric power flow from the distribution transformer to the load. The apparatus further includes a balanced voltage divider circuit including a connection point established between a pair of series connected resistive elements. In addition, the apparatus includes a detection circuit configured to monitor a voltage signal at the connection point to detect a back-feed voltage source connected between a neutral conductor of the electric utility distribution system and one of a first or second power line at the load.