Abstract: Methods/systems employ randomly jittered under-sampling to reduce a sampling rate required to estimate the amplitude of high-frequency signals in circuit breakers, power meters, and other digital signal processing applications. The methods/systems can greatly reduce the nominal sampling rate for applications where RMS, peak and mean estimates of the signal are desired for both the entire band-limited signal and separate estimates for each frequency component. This can in turn result in large cost savings, as less complex and thus less expensive controllers and related components may be used to perform the sampling. As well, the methods/systems herein can provide reasonably accurate waveform estimates that allow additional cost savings in bill of materials (BOM) and printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) footprint and real-estate by eliminating the need for certain analog components, such as signal conditioning components.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for interrupting power to a branch circuit and connected load. The device includes a first ground fault (GF) sensor for monitoring a first leakage current across line conductor(s) and grounding conductor of the branch, which ignores leakage current across the grounding conductor, and a second GF sensor for monitoring a second leakage current of the load from the line conductor(s), which takes into account leakage current across the grounding conductor. A processor(s) detects for a GF on the branch circuit based on the first leakage current monitored by the first GF sensor; detects for a GF at the load due to excessive leakage current based on the second leakage current and an allowable/acceptable amount of leakage current for the load; and controls an interruption of power to the branch circuit if the GF on the branch circuit or at the load is detected.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a distributed control system for a motor control switch are described. A request to implement a first controller for a motor control switch is received. Embodiments determine a plurality of functional modules for the first controller. Each of the plurality of functional modules comprises an instance of computer logic configured to perform a respective function. A respective Motor Control Function Set (MCFS) for performing the respective function of each of the plurality of functional modules is determined. One or more of a plurality of configurable hardware blocks are allocated to each of the plurality of functional modules. Embodiments configure each of the plurality of configurable hardware blocks based on the MCFS of the functional module to which the respective configurable hardware block is allocated. The configured plurality of configurable hardware blocks is executed as a distributed system to control the motor control switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can include a current transformer (CT) comprising a single core, a first winding wound around the single core, and a second winding wound around the single core. The GFCI can include a ground fault (GF) detection module operatively connected to the first winding to receive signals from the first winding and configured to determine whether a line-to-ground fault exists. The GFCI can also include a GN stimulus operatively connected to the second winding to provide a GN stimulus signal to the second winding. The GFCI can also include a grounded neutral (GN) detection module operatively connected to second winding and configured to receive signals from the second winding to determine whether a neutral-to-ground fault exists.

Abstract: A plug-on neutral (PON) device includes a housing that defines a phase cooperation portion configured to physically cooperate with phase buses of a bus assembly. The phase cooperation portion is configured to be electrically isolated from the phase buses and stabilize the PON device when installed on the bus assembly. A neutral cooperation portion is configured to physically cooperate with the neutral bus and to physically stabilize the PON device when installed. An electrical connector disposed at the neutral cooperation portion is configured to electrically connect to the neutral bus at an external end and to electrically connect to a conductive current path at its internal end. A lug assembly has one or more conductive terminal lugs, each terminal lug configured to receive current from an external neutral source via an aperture in the lug end of the housing and to electrically connect to the current path.

Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) charging system can include a plurality of charging terminals, each charging terminal comprising a charging cable configured to connect to an electric vehicle. The system can include an electrical equipment assembly physically separated from the plurality of charging terminals. The assembly can include a plurality of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) loads, each EVSE load configured to supply power to a respective charging terminal to provide a charge current to an EV connected to the cable of the charging terminal. A main breaker can be connected to the plurality of EVSE loads configured to supply power to the plurality of EVSE loads and to provide fault protection to the plurality of EVSE loads to provide protection to each charging terminal. In certain embodiments, the main breaker is at least partially solid state.

Abstract: A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example. Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).

Abstract: A service-entrance plug-on neutral (SEPON) device having a conductive neutral sled having a line sled side and a load sled side configured to electrically couple with a neutral bus of a bus assembly of a switchboard or panelboard when the SEPON device is installed on the bus assembly; a lug assembly having one or more electrically conductive terminal lugs configured to receive line neutral current from an external source and to electrically couple to the line sled side; a movable neutral disconnect link movable into a connection position to establish electrical continuity between the line sled side and the load sled side and into a disconnection position to cause a discontinuity between the line sled side and the load sled side; and a main bonding jumper having first mounted to the line sled side and a second ends configured to be moved between a non-connected position and a ground position.

Abstract: A support for a plurality of cables includes one or more cable separator beams, each with a half-cylindrically-shaped sleeve formed on each end of each beam. A sleeve on one end of each beam is configured to align with a half-cylindrically-shaped end-cap to form an enclosed cylindrical space for passage of one of the plurality of cables. The second half-cylindrically-shaped sleeve on the other end of each beam is configured to align with the corresponding second half-cylindrically-shaped sleeve on the other of the two beams to form another enclosed cylindrical space for passage of another one of the plurality of cables. An elongated flexible fastener has a locking portion on one end thereof that fastens to a tail portion on the other end thereof, configured to surround and fasten the end caps to the beams, and the beams to each other, to secure and support the plurality of cables.

Abstract: Methods/systems for monitoring fault duration in circuit interrupt devices perform edge detection using a second time derivative of a current or voltage waveform. The second derivative reveals peaks that may be used to establish starting and ending times for the fault duration. In some embodiments, the second derivatives are derived only for portions of the waveform within time windows that enclose the fault duration starting and ending times, respectively. The above arrangement provides a consistent way of determining durations of transitory events, such as durations of faults, and the like, that does not rely on waveform zero-crossings. The duration determinations may be implemented locally within a device, and/or the device may acquire and transfer underlying waveform data to an external system for the duration determinations. Data from multiple devices may be collected over time for analysis and modeling to provide remote support and monitoring of local devices via digital twins.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and managing stress conditions, risk state or aging state associated with capacitors associated with electrical equipment in an electrical power system are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a method for identifying and managing stress conditions, risk state or aging state associated with at least one capacitor includes detecting at least one of motion of and sounds associated with the at least one capacitor, and analyzing at least the detected at least one of motion of and sounds associated with the at least one capacitor to identify possible stress conditions, risk state or aging state associated with the at least one capacitor and associated components. In response to identifying possible stress conditions, risk state or aging state, probable impacts of the possible stress conditions, risk state or aging state on the at least one capacitor and associated components may be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an HVAC&R system employ a monitoring agent that uses observations of evaporator and condenser intake temperatures, evaporator discharge temperature, and a compressor input power parameter to learn operating characteristics of the HVAC&R system in newly maintained condition. Thereafter, the agent continuously or regularly computes a relative coefficient of performance (COP) for the system under subsequent observed ambient conditions, and relates the present instantaneous efficiency of the HVAC&R system under the observed ambient conditions to the instantaneous efficiency when the system was in newly maintained condition. The relative COP can be used to detect system degradation and quantify the energy usage and cost attributable to the degradation. The agent can take appropriate actions to prevent/minimize damage based on the degree of degradation detected, including shutting off power to the HVAC&R system.

Abstract: A method of resetting a password used for accessing a product device is provided, including receiving a password reset request from a user to reset a password for accessing the product device, the user having a prior registration to access the product device, generating a temporary password that uses information that is unique for each of the product device and the user and is signed using a cryptographic technique, and providing the signed password to the user for submission to and verification by the product device. The product device is configured to verify the signed temporary password using the cryptographic technique and using information that is unique for each of the product device and the user and that is known to the product device, and to allow the user access to the product device pending verification.

Abstract: A wire comb can include a comb assembly defining a plurality of openings configured to organize and retain a plurality of wires associated with a first device. The comb assembly can be configured to allow insertion and organization of the plurality of wires in an open state, and to retain the plurality of wires in a relative position in a closed state. The wire comb can include first indicia disposed within the comb assembly on an interior surface of at least a portion of the comb assembly. The first indicia can be positioned to underlay the plurality of wires to allow the wires to be organized over the first indicia in accordance with the first indicia in the open state. The wire comb can include second indicia disposed on an outer surface of the comb assembly. The second indicia can be positioned to correspond to the plurality of wires retained within the comb assembly to allow the wires to be installed into terminals of a second device in accordance with the second indicia.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to an energy metering assembly configured to measure current and voltage of a one or more primary conductors, the energy metering assembly comprising a core; a coil having a plurality of turns, the coil being positioned around the core when securing the core to the one or more primary conductors; a voltage sensor, the voltage sensor being configured to sense a voltage of a one or more primary conductors; and a controller coupled to the coil and the voltage sensor, the controller being configured to determine a voltage of the one or more primary conductors, determine a current of the one or more primary conductors, and responsive to determining the voltage and the current, determine the power carried by the one or more primary conductors.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for an electrically isolating thermal interface device. The system may include a power source, a thermal dissipation element, and a thermal interface module coupleable between the power source and the thermal dissipation element, the thermal interface module including a first interface coupleable to the power source, a second interface coupleable to the thermal dissipation element, a housing coupleable between the first interface and the second interface, an interface module configured to provide a thermal path from the first interface to the second interface, a first film coupleable between the first interface and the interface module, and a second film coupleable between the second interface and the interface module.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to control circuit breaker operations. In the method and system, near-field RF signal is monitored at or around electrical contacts of the circuit breaker using at least one near-field radio frequency (RF) sensor, and far-field RF signal away from the contacts of the circuit breaker are monitored using at least one far-field RF sensor. A rate of change of current over time is also monitored on the circuit using at least one sensor. An arc fault on the circuit is detected based on the monitored near-field RF signal, the monitored far-field RF signal, and the monitored rate of change of current. A tripping operation is implemented on the circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply from the circuit, in response to the detection of the arc fault.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a single split-bus electrical panel with back-feed circuit breakers arranged to allow connection of a Microgrid Interconnection Device (MID) for isolation of a critical loads section from a standards loads section during back-up operation due to a utility power outage. A first panel section of the split-bus electrical panel supplies power to non-critical standards loads in a residence. A second panel section of the split-bus electrical panel supplies power to critical loads in the residence, which must continue to be powered during a utility power outage.