Abstract: A sensor and a method of measuring an electrical characteristic of a conductor is provided. The sensor includes a first and second housings slidably coupled to move from a first to a second position. A first set of magnetic field sensors are coupled to the first housing. Each of the first magnetic field sensors having a different sensing axis and output a first signal in response to power flowing through the conductor. A second set of magnetic field sensors are coupled to the second housing. Each of the second magnetic field sensors having a different sensing axis and output a second signal in response to power flowing through the conductor. A circuit is coupled to receive signals from the first and second magnetic field sensors. The circuit is configured to generate a low energy signal in response to receiving the first and second signals.

Abstract: A fall protection system for a substation transformer is provided where the substation transformer has a top surface with a lip extending about at least a portion of its periphery. The fall protection system includes a corner mounting assembly configured to couple at or adjacent to a corner of the substation transformer, the corner mounting assembly including a corner mounting element sized to receive a corner post from a rail assembly. A side mounting assembly having a u-shaped bracket is sized to engage the lip, the side mounting assembly having a first clamp positioned to engage the lip, the side mounting assembly further having a side mounting element sized to receive a side post from the rail assembly. The rail assembly includes a plurality of horizontal posts configured to couple with at least one on the corner post or the side post.

Abstract: A system and method for ventilating a utility structure enclosed by a vented cover is provided. The system includes at least one air movement device coupled to the cover. A first induction loop is electrically coupled to the at least one air movement device, the first induction loop being coupled to the cover. A second induction loop is disposed in the utility structure, the second induction loop being inductively coupled to the first induction loop. A gas sensor is operably coupled to the second induction loop to direct electrical power to the second induction loop in response to a gas level being equal to or exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A hook knife, a method of using the hook knife, and a guard body are provided. The hook knife includes a handle and a blade extending from the handle. A guard body is coupled to the handle and disposed about the blade, the guard body defining a first u-shaped channel extending perpendicular to the blade, the blade being at least partially disposed within the first u-shaped channel.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a tube panel with a plurality of pipes system and a method of performing the alignment is provided. The alignment device is used in a panel comprising a plurality of tubes having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The alignment device includes a cylindrical first portion sized to fit within the tube inner diameter. A tapered second portion is provided opposite the cylindrical first portion, the tapered second end having a first end diameter that is substantially the same size as the outer diameter.

Abstract: A valve system includes a housing that houses a fluid path having an inlet side and an outlet side, and a fluid purge port disposed at and in fluid communication with the outlet side of the fluid path. The housing includes: an inlet valve disposed in fluid communication with the fluid path at the inlet side and in operable communication with an inlet gear; an outlet valve disposed in fluid communication with the fluid path at the outlet side and in operable communication with an outlet gear; and a control gear disposed in operable communication with both the inlet gear and the outlet gear.

Abstract: A system and method for use in environment with electrical equipment is provided. The system including a housing and at least one light source located on an exterior of the housing. The light source being activated when the system is in a switching mode of operation. At least one sensor is operably coupled to the housing and configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the electrical equipment. A computing device is disposed within the housing and coupled to communicate with the at least one light source and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a parameter level is provided. The system including an electricity meter, the meter having an electricity measurement sensor having a source side and a load side. A socket and a collar are provided. The collar being electrically connected between the socket and the electricity meter, the collar having at least one first connector for a first phase of electricity and at least one second connector for a second phase of electricity, the first connector and second connector being electrically coupled to the load side, and a sensor electrically connected to at least one of the at least one first connector and the at least one second connector.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and storing different types of electrical cable is provided. The system includes a first cable reel comprising: a first wheel member; a second wheel member spaced apart from the first wheel member; a first inner wheel member disposed between the first wheel member and the second wheel member; a plurality of first gear members disposed on a first outer surface of the first wheel member; and a plurality of second gear members disposed on a second outer surface of the second wheel member.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system includes one or more objects coupled to respective portions of a transformer tank. The one or more objects are configured to corrode before the respective portions of the transformer tank. At least one optical sensor is coupled to each of the objects. The at least one optical sensor has an optical output that changes in response to strain of the object. An analyzer is coupled to the at least one optical sensor. The analyzer is configured to perform one or more of detecting and predicting corrosion of the transformer tank based on the output of the at least one optical sensor.

Abstract: An approach to detecting partial discharge events involves retrofitting an electrical system to include a capacitive sensor configured to capacitively sense partial discharge events of a component of the electrical system. The capacitive sensor has a first electrical conductor that forms a first terminal of the capacitive sensor, a second electrical conductor that forms a second terminal of the capacitive sensor, and a dielectric that separates the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The capacitive sensor generates an electrical sensor signal at an output of the capacitive sensor in response to the partial discharge event. The electrical sensor signal is converted to an optical signal and the optical signal is processed to detect an occurrence of the partial discharge event.

Abstract: An electrolyte level measuring device for a vented lead acid battery and a method of monitoring an electrolyte level is provided. The measuring device includes an elongated body. A stop member extends outwardly from the elongated body, the stop member being sized larger than an opening in the vented lead acid battery. At least one projection extends orthogonally from the elongated body.

Abstract: A system for servicing cable includes a field-end assembly and a live-end assembly, each mounted on a support structure having at least one drive mechanism operable to cause relative linear movement between the field-end assembly and the live-end assembly. A drilling-and-shorting assembly can create a short circuit in a field-end of the cable, and a continuity tester can test the integrity of the short-circuit. The field end of the cable can then be ejected from the system, and an end-cap-cradle assembly can position an end cap on a live end of an electrical cable and test its installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting event energy in an underground structure having free space includes: an inner layer configured to envelope and seal an interior volume; an outer layer configured to envelope the inner layer; and, wherein the interior volume includes a volume-occupying material, having a solid material, a semi-solid material, a gaseous material, or any combination of the solid, the semi-solid, and the gaseous material.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure a steam trap system and a method of operation is provided. The steam trap system includes a steam trap body and a disk operably coupled to the steam trap body, the disk being made from a magnetic material. A cap is coupled to the steam trap body adjacent the disk, the cap being made from a nonmagnetic material. A hall effect sensor operably coupled to the cap, the hall effect sensor being configured to generate a signal in response to movement of the disk.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a structures containing utility components is provided. The system includes a sensing devices, each being disposed within a structure and distributed within a geographic region, each of the sensing devices measuring parameters within the structure. A display is coupled to the sensing devices and is positioned remotely therefrom. One or more processors communicate with the sensing devices and the display. Wherein the processors perform a method comprising: receiving the measured parameters; comparing the measured parameters to thresholds; displaying on the display device elements, each device element representing one of the sensing devices, each of the device elements being geometrically arranged on the geographic distribution of the sensing devices; displaying on the display a plurality of elements, each associated with one of the device elements; and changing at least one of the elements when a measured parameter crossing one of the thresholds.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an underground valve is provided. The system includes a valve having an actuator operable to open and close the valve. The system includes a first housing having a recess, the recess being sized to fit at least partially over the actuator. A second housing is removably coupled to the first housing, the second housing having a hollow interior disposed to have an open end enclosed by the first housing, the second housing further having a handle feature opposite the open end. A sensor is disposed in the hollow interior, the sensor generating a first signal in operation in response to a movement of the second housing.

Abstract: A partition cover for a switchgear enclosure includes a main cover with a lip arranged along a first edge of the partition cover, a sliding cover with a second lip arranged along a second edge of the sliding cover, and a locking mechanism. The sliding cover is slidably supported on the main cover. The locking mechanism is fixed to the main cover and operably connected to the sliding cover, the locking mechanism is arranged to lock position of the sliding cover relative to the main cover to fix the partition cover within an interior of a switchgear enclosure. Switchgear enclosures and methods of emplacing and removing partition covers from within switchgear enclosures are also described.

Abstract: A system and method of performing maintenance on a wing cock valve coupled to a pressurized gas delivery pipe is provided. The method removing a plug from a port on the valve. A threaded portion of a grease tool is coupled to the port, the grease tool having a body coupled to the threaded portion and a fitting on an opposite end, the fitting, body and threaded portion defining a flow path. A hose is coupled on a grease gun to the fitting; and actuating the grease gun to flow a grease from a reservoir through the flow path and into the valve.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system includes one or more objects coupled to respective portions of a transformer tank. The one or more objects are configured to corrode before the respective portions of the transformer tank. At least one optical sensor is coupled to each of the objects. The at least one optical sensor has an optical output that changes in response to strain of the object. An analyzer is coupled to the at least one optical sensor. The analyzer is configured to perform one or more of detecting and predicting corrosion of the transformer tank based on the output of the at least one optical sensor.