Abstract: A relay and metering test instrument includes an application processor circuitry to control functional operation of the relay and metering test instrument. The application processor circuitry may receive a user selected source code state program, and operational parameters input by the user. The application processor circuitry may compile the source code state program and the operational parameters into a test routine for storage in a memory circuitry with other test routines. The relay and metering instrument may also include a real time processor circuitry and an input/output processor circuitry. The real time processor circuitry may selectively and independently execute the test routine or one of the other test routines to perform one or more respective testing stages. The input/output processor circuitry may cooperatively operate with the real time processor circuitry to output test signals and monitor for receipt of input test signals according to execution of the test routine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for optimizing transformer exciting current and loss test results by dynamically managing core magnetic state. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes injecting a direct current (DC) offset voltage; adjusting at least one of a polarity and a magnitude of the DC offset voltage while monitoring a test current for one or more criteria; and bypassing a source of the DC offset voltage when the test current has satisfied the one or more criteria, whereby residual magnetism, if any, of a core of the transformer is minimized.

Abstract: A relay and metering test instrument includes an application processor circuitry to control functional operation of the relay and metering test instrument. The application processor circuitry may receive a user selected source code state program, and operational parameters input by the user. The application processor circuitry may compile the source code state program and the operational parameters into a test routine for storage in a memory circuitry with other test routines. The relay and metering instrument may also include a real time processor circuitry and an input/output processor circuitry. The real time processor circuitry may selectively and independently execute the test routine or one of the other test routines to perform one or more respective testing stages. The input/output processor circuitry may cooperatively operate with the real time processor circuitry to output test signals and monitor for receipt of input test signals according to execution of the test routine.

Abstract: A relay and metering test instrument includes an application processor circuitry to control functional operation of the relay and metering test instrument. The application processor circuitry may receive a user selected source code state program, and operational parameters input by the user. The application processor circuitry may compile the source code state program and the operational parameters into a test routine for storage in a memory circuitry with other test routines. The relay and metering instrument may also include a real time processor circuitry and an input/output processor circuitry. The real time processor circuitry may selectively and independently execute the test routine or one of the other test routines to perform one or more respective testing stages. The input/output processor circuitry may cooperatively operate with the real time processor circuitry to output test signals and monitor for receipt of input test signals according to execution of the test routine.

Abstract: A diagnostic test instrument for testing power system equipment may include a chassis having a number of bays capable of receiving test circuitry modules, which may be field inserted by a user desiring to perform a particular test. The instrument may include controller circuitry that may sense in each of the bays whether a respective test circuitry module is inserted therein, and then interrogate respective test circuitry modules in each respective bay to identify a type of the respective test circuitry module. Available testing capabilities may be identified according to the type of each of the respective test circuitry modules identified in respective bays. The controller circuitry may output configuration instructions to test circuitry modules, and respective test ports included in each of the respective test circuitry modules may be selectively illuminated as a configuration instruction to visually identify an assigned functionality of the respective test ports.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics on a target transformer includes applying a voltage output of a voltage generator to a winding or phase of the target transformer; controlling the voltage generator to output an AC voltage at a first frequency and then a second frequency and measuring first and second excitation currents flowing into the target transformer associated with the first frequency and second frequency, respectively. The method further includes determining an actual excitation current of the target transformer as a function of both the first and second excitation currents, and comparing the actual excitation current of the target transformer to excitation currents associated with one or more benchmark transformers having known electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A method for protecting a mobile terminal device from cyber security threats, including the steps of: detecting that the mobile terminal device is successfully connected only through one or both of a selected physical serial interface connected to a device for facilitating the testing or a wired network interface, which is connected to an electrical utility device. Prior to executing a test routine by the mobile terminal device, switching the mobile terminal device to a test state by: disabling an internal firewall, disabling one or more remaining network interfaces and serial interfaces, such that existing communications or connections are terminated and new communications and connections are prevented. Enabling communication to one or both of the selected physical serial interface and the wired network interface, performing the testing on the at least one electrical utility device according to the executed test routines under control of the mobile terminal device until completion.

Abstract: A method for protecting a mobile terminal device from cyber security threats, including the steps of: detecting that the mobile terminal device is successfully connected only through one or both of a selected physical serial interface connected to a device for facilitating the testing or a wired network interface, which is connected to an electrical utility device. Prior to executing a test routine by the mobile terminal device, switching the mobile terminal device to a test state by: disabling an internal firewall, disabling one or more remaining network interfaces and serial interfaces, such that existing communications or connections are terminated and new communications and connections are prevented. Enabling communication to one or both of the selected physical serial interface and the wired network interface, performing the testing on the at least one electrical utility device according to the executed test routines under control of the mobile terminal device until completion.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics on a target transformer includes applying a voltage output of a voltage generator to a winding or phase of the target transformer; controlling the voltage generator to output an AC voltage at a first frequency and then a second frequency and measuring first and second excitation currents flowing into the target transformer associated with the first frequency and second frequency, respectively. The method further includes determining an actual excitation current of the target transformer as a function of both the first and second excitation currents, and comparing the actual excitation current of the target transformer to excitation currents associated with one or more benchmark transformers having known electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A method for protecting a mobile terminal device from cyber security threats, including the steps of: detecting that the mobile terminal device is successfully connected only through one or both of a selected physical serial interface connected to a device for facilitating the testing or a wired network interface, which is connected to an electrical utility device. Prior to executing a test routine by the mobile terminal device, switching the mobile terminal device to a test state by: disabling an internal firewall, disabling one or more remaining network interfaces and serial interfaces, such that existing communications or connections are terminated and new communications and connections are prevented. Enabling communication to one or both of the selected physical serial interface and the wired network interface, performing the testing on the at least one electrical utility device according to the executed test routines under control of the mobile terminal device until completion.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics on a target transformer includes applying a voltage output of a voltage generator to a winding or phase of the target transformer; controlling the voltage generator to output an AC voltage at a first frequency and then a second frequency and measuring first and second excitation currents flowing into the target transformer associated with the first frequency and second frequency, respectively. The method further includes determining an actual excitation current of the target transformer as a function of both the first and second excitation currents, and comparing the actual excitation current of the target transformer to excitation currents associated with one or more benchmark transformers having known electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Test measurements on a utility power device by a switch matrix apparatus and a common voltage source as separate devices is performed. Through the switch matrix apparatus, the common voltage source selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the switch matrix apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the first lead and the second lead of the switch matrix apparatus remain electrically coupled to the first and the second terminal of the utility power device, a second high voltage signal is selectively sent via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and a second corresponding signal returned from the first terminal of the utility power device via the first lead of the switch matrix apparatus is measured.

Abstract: A method for protecting a mobile terminal device from cyber security threats, including the steps of: detecting that the mobile terminal device is successfully connected only through one or both of a selected physical serial interface connected to a device for facilitating the testing or a wired network interface, which is connected to an electrical utility device. Prior to executing a test routine by the mobile terminal device, switching the mobile terminal device to a test state by: disabling an internal firewall, disabling one or more remaining network interfaces and serial interfaces, such that existing communications or connections are terminated and new communications and connections are prevented. Enabling communication to one or both of the selected physical serial interface and the wired network interface, performing the testing on the at least one electrical utility device according to the executed test routines under control of the mobile terminal device until completion.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics on a transformer includes generating, by a voltage generator, an AC voltage and applying the AC voltage to a winding or phase of the transformer. Current flowing from the generator to the winding or phase is decomposed into a plurality of harmonic components. Respective magnitudes of the plurality of harmonic components are compared with corresponding magnitudes of harmonic components associated with one or more benchmark transformers of a known condition to determine whether the condition of the transformer matches the condition of one or more benchmark transformers.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements on a utility power device that shares a common ground with the apparatus selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the corresponding first lead and the second lead of the apparatus remain electrically coupled to the corresponding first and the second terminal of the utility power device. The apparatus selectively sends a second high voltage signal via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and measures a second corresponding signal returned via the first lead of the apparatus from the first terminal of the utility power device.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements on a utility power device that shares a common ground with the apparatus selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the corresponding first lead and the second lead of the apparatus remain electrically coupled to the corresponding first and the second terminal of the utility power device. The apparatus selectively sends a second high voltage signal via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and measures a second corresponding signal returned via the first lead of the apparatus from the first terminal of the utility power device.

Abstract: A method for mitigating voltage stress on a PCB includes applying AC voltage to a multi-terminal condenser structure of a multi-layered PCB. The terminal condenser structure is formed by overlapping a plurality of conductive traces between board layers of the multi-layered PCB. A corresponding dielectric layer is disposed between the overlapping conductive traces of the board layers. The overlapping conductive traces include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The first terminal and the third terminal are disposed on a first layer of the multi-layered PCB, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal are disposed on a bottom layer of the multi-layered PCB. The first terminal and the second terminal are connected to a ground point, and the third terminal and the fourth terminal are connected to the AC voltage. Voltage stresses on the PCB are mitigated utilizing the multi-terminal condenser structure.

Abstract: A method for mitigating voltage stress on a PCB includes applying AC voltage to a multi-terminal condenser structure of a multi-layered PCB. The terminal condenser structure is formed by overlapping a plurality of conductive traces between board layers of the multi-layered PCB. A corresponding dielectric layer is disposed between the overlapping conductive traces of the board layers. The overlapping conductive traces include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The first terminal and the third terminal are disposed on a first layer of the multi-layered PCB, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal are disposed on a bottom layer of the multi-layered PCB. The first terminal and the second terminal are connected to a ground point, and the third terminal and the fourth terminal are connected to the AC voltage. Voltage stresses on the PCB are mitigated utilizing the multi-terminal condenser structure.