Abstract: There is described a device, such as a wireholder, for measuring a load of an elongate member, such as a power line. The device includes a body, a load-bearing member, and a first sensor operable to measure a load applied to the load-bearing member in a first direction, for example a direction of sensitivity defined by the first sensor. The load-bearing member is movably coupled to the body such that the load-bearing member is displaced from a reference position as a function of a load applied to the load-bearing member in a second direction, such as a direction normal to the first direction. The device may further include a second sensor for measuring a displacement of the load-bearing member.

Abstract: A method for identifying a system anomaly in a power distribution system is described herein. The system anomaly may indicate a non-technical loss or a topology error, including schematic entry errors and component modelling errors in the power distribution system. The method includes a) selecting a common coupling point in the power distribution system, wherein downstream branches are connected to the common coupling point; b) determining voltage estimates of the common coupling point according to electrical measurements from the downstream branches; and c) identifying the system anomaly by determining whether a detection criterion is satisfied using the voltage estimates.

Abstract: A cross arm is provided, for use in a support structure for conductors within an electrical grid. The cross arm is made of a cementitious composite and has a rough “C” cross sectional shape. Pairs of the cross arms are attached to utility poles in a parallel position on opposite sides of the utility pole. Alternatively, a single cross arm may be attached to a utility pole. Embedded metal or glass fiber reinforced polymer bars extend along the length of the cross arms.

Abstract: A method for identifying a system anomaly in a power distribution system is described herein. The system anomaly may indicate a non-technical loss or a topology error, including schematic entry errors and component modelling errors in the power distribution system. The method includes a) selecting a common coupling point in the power distribution system, wherein downstream branches are connected to the common coupling point; b) determining voltage estimates of the common coupling point according to electrical measurements from the downstream branches; and c) identifying the system anomaly by determining whether a detection criterion is satisfied using the voltage estimates.

Abstract: A cross arm is provided, for use in a support structure for conductors within an electrical grid. The cross arm is made of a cementitious composite and has a rough “C” cross sectional shape. Pairs of the cross arms are attached to utility poles in a parallel position on opposite sides of the utility pole. Alternatively, a single cross arm may be attached to a utility pole. Embedded metal or glass fibre reinforced polymer bars extend along the length of the cross arms.

Abstract: A cross arm is provided, for use in a support structure for conductors within an electrical grid. The cross arm is made of weather resistant glass fibre reinforced two component polyurethane based polymers and has a “C” cross sectional shape typically arranged in a double configuration. Pairs of the cross arms are attached to utility poles in a parallel position on opposite sides of the utility pole to meet predefined design conditions. Alternatively, a single cross arm may be attached to a utility pole.

Abstract: A cross arm is provided, for use in a support structure for conductors within an electrical grid. The cross arm is made of weather resistant glass fiber reinforced two component polyurethane based polymers and has a “C” cross sectional shape typically arranged in a double configuration. Pairs of the cross arms are attached to utility poles in a parallel position on opposite sides of the utility pole to meet predefined design conditions. Alternatively, a single cross arm may be attached to a utility pole.

Abstract: An electric power generator is particularly suitable for providing back-up power to sites with multiple power requirements. This generator comprises a rack having multiple module bays; at least one power conversion module is mounted in one of the bays and is electrically coupled to a fuel cell stack also mounted in the rack or located remote from the rack. The power conversion module converts the voltage level and/or current type of some of the electricity produced by the stack such that the generator can simultaneously output electricity at multiple voltage levels and/or current types. The rack can be a standardized nineteen relay rack, making the generator relatively compact and compatible with sites configured accept such racks.

Abstract: An electric power generator is particularly suitable for providing back-up power to sites with multiple power requirements. This generator comprises a rack having multiple module bays; at least one power conversion module is mounted in one of the bays and is electrically coupled to a fuel cell stack also mounted in the rack or located remote from the rack. The power conversion module converts the voltage level and/or current type of some of the electricity produced by the stack such that the generator can simultaneously output electricity at multiple voltage levels and/or current types. The rack can be a standardized nineteen relay rack, making the generator relatively compact and compatible with sites configured accept such racks.

Abstract: An electric power generator is particularly suitable for providing back-up power to sites with multiple power requirements. This generator comprises a rack having multiple module bays; at least one power conversion module is mounted in one of the bays and is electrically coupled to a fuel cell stack also mounted in the rack or located remote from the rack. The power conversion module converts the voltage level and/or current type of some of the electricity produced by the stack such that the generator can simultaneously output electricity at multiple voltage levels and/or current types. The rack can be a standardized nineteen relay rack, making the generator relatively compact and compatible with sites configured accept such racks.

Abstract: A method of state estimation is provided, including: (a) acquiring a plurality of positive sequence voltage and current phasor measurements; (b) designating a reference positive sequence voltage phasor measurement from the acquired phasor measurements; (c) correcting the acquired phasor measurements to account for the reference phasor measurement; (d) calculating complex power having a real component and an imaginary component, using the corrected positive sequence voltage and current phasor measurement; (e) using the real component of said complex power as a calculated mega-watt and the imaginary component of the complex power as a calculated mega-volt-ampere; and (f) using the mega-watt and mega volt-ampere calculations in a state estimation algorithm.

Abstract: A method of identifying voltage instability in a power system via identification of a weakest line and bus that contribute to the collapse of the system is provided. The method includes periodically calculating an extended line stability index for the transmission lines monitored in the power system; and using the extended line stability index to determine the distance of an operation state in the power system from a collapse point of the system caused by voltage instability.

Abstract: An electric power generator is particularly suitable for providing back-up power to sites with multiple power requirements. This generator comprises a rack having multiple module bays; at least one power conversion module is mounted in one of the bays and is electrically coupled to a fuel cell stack also mounted in the rack or located remote from the rack. The power conversion module converts the voltage level and/or current type of some of the electricity produced by the stack such that the generator can simultaneously output electricity at multiple voltage levels and/or current types. The rack can be a standardized nineteen relay rack, making the generator relatively compact and compatible with sites configured accept such racks.

Abstract: A gapped ground safety device is provided to protect workers on de-energized underground distribution cable from ground faults or accidental energization. The device comprises a combination precision gap and an MOV surge arrester.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus used for cleaning equipment including extremely high voltage energized electrical equipment using a dry ice blasting stream as the cleaning agent. The apparatus comprises a cleaning wand and a heating mechanism for impeding the formation of condensation and/or frost on the outer surface of the wand, thereby enabling the wand to operate for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus used for cleaning equipment including extremely high voltage energized electrical equipment using a dry ice blasting stream as the cleaning agent. The apparatus comprises a cleaning wand and a heating mechanism for impeding the formation of condensation and/or frost on the outer surface of the wand, thereby enabling the wand to operate for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A gapped ground safety device is provided to protect workers on de-energized underground distribution cable from ground faults or accidental energization. The device comprises a combination precision gap and an MOV surge arrester.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of live testing of the hardness of a target electrical distribution wire having a known gauge, and a tool for same, the method comprising: a) providing a hardness testing tool at the operating end of an insulated tool for manipulating live distribution lines, wherein the hardness testing tool comprises a testing surface of known hardness; b) forcing the testing surface against the target wire; and c) comparing the resultant degree of deformation or lack of deformation on the testing surface with the expected degree of deformation which would occur for wire of that gauge having a specific hardness.

Abstract: In the past, in electrical power networks, the effects on the system of particular contingencies, such as a given power line being interrupted, have been modelled off-line, so that the proper response to that contingency can be planned ahead of time and acted upon quickly in the event of such contingency. Such models have generally been overly conservative adding considerable cost to power systems.