Abstract: A device for monitoring and alerting for contact of an object with a line strung between two upright posts includes a housing having a body and a mounting portion extending from the body. A mount is positioned in the mounting portion. A camera is positioned on the mounting portion for downward viewing of the line. A processor is positioned in the housing and an accelerometer is positioned in the housing in operable communication with the processor. The device includes a power supply operably connected to the processor. When the device is positioned on the line and the accelerometer senses movement of the device, the accelerometer generates and transmits a signal to the processor. The processor analyses the signal to determine whether the signal meets a threshold and, if the threshold is met, the processor generates and transmits an alarm signal to a receiving device.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a wire safely above ground in an overhead power distribution system that also prevents damage to a support structure caused by an object falling on the wire is disclosed herein. The apparatus may comprise a mounting base configured to be affixed to a support structure and a bracket arm configured to support a wire and rotatably engage the mounting base. The mounting base and the bracket arm may each include a set of apertures configured to receive a pivoting pin and a set of apertures configured to receive a shear pin. The bracket arm may be affixed to the mounting base in a horizontal position relative to the mounting base when the pivoting pin and shear pin are inserted into their corresponding apertures. The bracket arm rotates downward, pivoting around the pivoting pin, when the shear pin breaks due to impact on the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing cables in overhead transmission and distribution systems and a corresponding method of use are disclosed herein. The apparatus described herein may comprise a dual messenger rolling cable spacer used to install cables in overhead transmission and distribution systems. In various embodiments, the method of using the dual messenger rolling cable spacer may include installing a carrier messenger wire across a span between utility structures. One or more rolling spacers may then be hung from the carrier messenger wire via a roller such that the roller is in contact with the carrier messenger wire. A set of cables and a circuit messenger wire may be affixed to the one or more rolling spacers. The circuit messenger wire may then be pulled across the span causing the one or more rolling spacers to roll along the carrier messenger wire, thereby pulling the set of cables across the span.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed herein that is configured to utilize a distributed sensing system to monitor both a cable and cable accessories included within a cable circuit. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a distributed sensing system and one or more cable accessory wrap assemblies. The distributed sensing system may include a distributed sensing fiber following (or integrated into) the cable and connected to a cable accessory wrap assembly for each of the one or more cable accessories in-line with cable. In various embodiments, each cable accessory wrap assembly may comprise a cable wrap embedded with a distributed sensing fiber. The distributing sensing fiber of a cable accessory wrap assembly may be configured to provide measurements to distributed sensing system indicating that an anomaly event occurred at a given cable accessory.

Abstract: A cable spacer includes first and second angle arms each having a cable engaging end at one end and a flat tab portion at an opposite end having a connecting tab and an aperture to connect the arms to each other. An insulator extends between and connects the angle arms at their respective connecting tabs. The insulator has a non-conductive core. The angle arms and insulator mounted to each other define a spacer plane. A bottom arm is mounted to and depends from insulator. The bottom arm is mounted to the insulator to sway into and out of the spacer plane. A clamp secures the cable spacer to a messenger and includes upper and lower clamp portions. The upper clamp portion mounts to the messenger and the lower clamp portion mounts to cable spacer angle arms. The lower clamp portion is rotatable relative to the upper clamp portion.

Abstract: A cable spacer includes first and second angle arms each having a cable engaging end at one end and a flat tab portion at an opposite end having a connecting tab and an aperture to connect the arms to each other. An insulator extends between and connects the angle arms at their respective connecting tabs. The insulator has a non-conductive core. The angle arms and insulator mounted to each other define a spacer plane. A bottom arm is mounted to and depends from insulator. The bottom arm is mounted to the insulator to sway into and out of the spacer plane. A clamp secures the cable spacer to a messenger and includes upper and lower clamp portions. The upper clamp portion mounts to the messenger and the lower clamp portion mounts to cable spacer angle arms. The lower clamp portion is rotatable relative to the upper clamp portion.

Abstract: High voltage insulators are disclosed, along with related methods of manufacture and use. The disclosed high voltage insulators include a core strength member joined to one or more end fittings and secured with one or more elastomeric members. A plastic body surrounds the core strength member, the elastomeric member, and at least a portion of the end fitting. In particular, the plastic body is molded over the elastomeric member(s) and, upon cooling, the plastic body exerts a radial compressive force on the underlying elastomeric member(s) to seal the joint of the high voltage insulator and protect it from moisture, even throughout temperature fluctuations in the field.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed herein that is configured to utilize a distributed sensing system to monitor both a cable and cable accessories included within a cable circuit. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a distributed sensing system and one or more cable accessory wrap assemblies. The distributed sensing system may include a distributed sensing fiber following (or integrated into) the cable and connected to a cable accessory wrap assembly for each of the one or more cable accessories in-line with cable. In various embodiments, each cable accessory wrap assembly may comprise a cable wrap embedded with a distributed sensing fiber. The distributing sensing fiber of a cable accessory wrap assembly may be configured to provide measurements to distributed sensing system indicating that an anomaly event occurred at a given cable accessory.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed herein that is configured to utilize a distributed sensing system to monitor both a cable and cable accessories included within a cable circuit. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a distributed sensing system and one or more cable accessory wrap assemblies. The distributed sensing system may include a distributed sensing fiber following (or integrated into) the cable and connected to a cable accessory wrap assembly for each of the one or more cable accessories in-line with cable. In various embodiments, each cable accessory wrap assembly may comprise a cable wrap embedded with a distributed sensing fiber. The distributing sensing fiber of a cable accessory wrap assembly may be configured to provide measurements to distributed sensing system indicating that an anomaly event occurred at a given cable accessory.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed herein that is configured to utilize a distributed sensing system to monitor both a cable and cable accessories included within a cable circuit. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a distributed sensing system and one or more cable accessory wrap assemblies. The distributed sensing system may include a distributed sensing fiber following (or integrated into) the cable and connected to a cable accessory wrap assembly for each of the one or more cable accessories in-line with cable. In various embodiments, each cable accessory wrap assembly may comprise a cable wrap embedded with a distributed sensing fiber. The distributing sensing fiber of a cable accessory wrap assembly may be configured to provide measurements to distributed sensing system indicating that an anomaly event occurred at a given cable accessory.

Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to electrical cables and, in particular, to a cable with electromagnetic and/or anti-ballistic shielding. According to one aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; a continuous metallic sheath surrounding the conductor; and a supplemental sheath layer surrounding the metallic sheath. According to another aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; an armor layer surrounding the conductor; a fabric layer surrounding the conductor; and a polymer layer surrounding the conductor. According to yet another aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; an inner synthetic strength member surrounding the conductor; a polymer compound positioned between the conductor and the inner synthetic strength member; a polymer layer surrounding the inner synthetic strength member; an armor layer surrounding the polymer layer; an outer synthetic strength member surrounding the armor layer; and a polyolefin layer surrounding the outer synthetic strength member.

Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to electrical cables and, in particular, to a cable with electromagnetic and/or anti-ballistic shielding. According to one aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; a continuous metallic sheath surrounding the conductor; and a supplemental sheath layer surrounding the metallic sheath. According to another aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; an armor layer surrounding the conductor; a fabric layer surrounding the conductor; and a polymer layer surrounding the conductor. According to yet another aspect, a cable may comprise: a conductor; an inner synthetic strength member surrounding the conductor; a polymer compound positioned between the conductor and the inner synthetic strength member; a polymer layer surrounding the inner synthetic strength member; an armor layer surrounding the polymer layer; an outer synthetic strength member surrounding the armor layer; and a polyolefin layer surrounding the outer synthetic strength member.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing wire and/or cable fixture, system, and related methods are disclosed. The impact-absorbing wire fixture apparatus includes a substantially rigid bracket having at least a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm is connectable to a utility support structure. A twisted portion is positioned within the second arm, wherein the twisted portion is at least a 90° rotation of the second arm, wherein the twisted portion of the second arm has a width that exceeds a thickness. A fixturing portion is positioned at a distal end of the second arm.

Abstract: A stringing angle clamp device and methods associated therewith are provided. The stringing angle clamp device has a pulley wheel rotatable about an axle. A connecting structure has at least a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably affixed to the axle and the second end sized to connect to a utility pole. A first guide arm is rotatably affixed to the axle, wherein the first guide arm further comprises a first arm half and a second arm half, wherein the first arm half is mechanically fastened to the second arm half with at least one removable mechanical fastener positioned through each of the first and second arm halves. A first wire clamping structure is affixed to the first guide arm.

Abstract: A new cross linked polyolefin material combination that is designed to replace current high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) materials for use with molded or over-molded electrical transmission products. Such molded or over-molded electrical transmission products include, for example, vise-top pin insulators, line post insulators, F-neck, C-neck, and J-neck pin insulators of classes ANSI 55-3, 55-4, and 55-5, Spacer cable spacers, Brackets, hangers, Line post sensors, cable restraint insulators, and transmission style insulators.

Abstract: Power line current fed power supplies producing stable load currents and related methods are described. The power supplies may include a current transformer coupled to an inductive network. In some embodiments, the current transformer operates in saturation mode. In some embodiments, a substantially constant DC current is generated having a magnitude that remains substantially constant despite variations of the magnitude of AC current in the power line.

Abstract: A new cross linked polyolefin material combination that is designed to replace current high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) materials for use with molded or over-molded electrical transmission products. Such molded or over-molded electrical transmission products include, for example, vise-top pin insulators, line post insulators, F-neck, C-neck, and J-neck pin insulators of classes ANSI 55-3, 55-4, and 55-5, Spacer cable spacers, Brackets, hangers, Line post sensors, cable restraint insulators, and transmission style insulators.

Abstract: An electric street light controller apparatus and monitoring method allows automatic street light turn-on and turn-off characteristics to be field programmable using RFID technology, lamp current magnitude recording, auxiliary sensor input, diagnostic alarming and data storage for later retrieval in a remote electric street lighting monitoring system. The apparatus and method includes, from a remotely located exciter apparatus using an antenna to transmit a specific frequency and code key to the antenna of an electric street light control and monitoring apparatus associated with the electric street light allowing remote wireless field programming of turn-on fight levels, turn-off light levels, rate of change of light levels, specific turn-on, turn-off, and turn back on sequences during dark hours, and specific remote wireless sensors or internal sensor inputs useful for radiological, biological, chemical, or environmental sensing and alarming.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of (1) providing continuous monitoring of various operating and environmental characteristics using RFID technology or similar wireless technology and (2) capturing data on historical events that have occurred on the circuits used for the transmission and distribution of electric power. The invention has the additional capability to communicate the information to operators at the site, in remote locations, or to other equipment (peer to peer). The invention provides a low cost method and apparatus to monitor and store operating characteristics and events on the electric power distribution circuit. The information can be used to reduce the duration of outages, for improving system reliability, to study the impact on the power grid of various environmental factors, to enhance the ability to react to operating conditions such as overloads, etc.

Abstract: Cable support hanger insulators are provided herein that generally have a ratchet locking mechanism to secure an electrical conductor to the insulator. Cable support hanger insulators are provided that have an insulator body, a locking base connected to the insulator body, and a retaining clamp pivotally connected to the insulator body. The insulator body has a seat adapted to receive a conductor cable, a front end, a back end, a first side, and a second side. The locking base has a front plate having a plurality of ratchet teeth. The retaining clamp comprising a first retaining arm, a second retaining arm, and a locking blade.