Abstract: A method and system for determining whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit. The methods includes sensing a change in an alternating current in the circuit and developing a corresponding input signal, analyzing the input signal to determine the presence of broadband noise in a predetermined range of frequencies, and producing a corresponding output signal. The method further includes determining a type of load connected to the electrical circuit, based at least in part upon the input signal and the output signal, incrementing one or more of a plurality of counters in a predetermined fashion in accordance with the input signal and the output signal and determining whether an arcing fault is present based at least in part on the states of one or more of a plurality of counters. The method also includes decrementing one or more of the plurality of counters based upon a secondary analysis.

Abstract: An improved electrical equipment enclosure includes an electrical enclosure, electrical equipment in said electrical enclosure, said electrical equipment including one or more devices requiring a network connection to devices outside of said enclosure, and a network port mounted to said enclosure and accessible from externally of said enclosure and operatively coupled with said equipment requiring a network connection inside of said enclosure, for connecting said equipment with equipment outside of said enclosure.

Abstract: A bus to tap-off device interlock having a first position wherein the tap-off device can be installed or removed from the busway section and a second position in which an installed tap-off device can not be removed from the busway section and an uninstalled tap-off device can not be installed onto a busway section. The interlock is movable between the first and second positions by operation of an operating handle that controls the OFF or OPEN and ON or CLOSED state of an electrical disconnect device located inside the tap-off device.

Abstract: An independent automatic shedding system that automatically allows any combination of loads to powered under limited power availability (such as a standby power source) without overloading the generator or rewiring, while contributing to the stability of the power grid. A motorized disconnection actuation mechanism under control of a controller disconnects or recloses the contacts of a branch circuit breaker. A sensor detects the presence or absence of a power source and the type of power source, which is classified according to its type. A power source classification program is executed by the controller that interprets the sensor data and causes disconnection or reclosing of the disconnection actuation mechanism depending on a desired status (ON or OFF) of the branch circuit breaker when standby power is available. Conventional circuit protection is provided an optional advanced circuit protection such as ground or arc fault circuit interruption.

Abstract: An auto-learned hierarchy algorithm that learns the hierarchical layout of a power monitoring system. Historical power data from each meter is received and placed into a data table. The main is assumed to be at the top of the hierarchy and is designated as the reference. A check matrix is developed indicating whether a possible connection exists between each meter pair combination. A correlation coefficient matrix (CCM) is calculated based on the data table, and entries in which no connection is possible are zeroed. The column for the reference meter from the CCM is copied to a correlation reference array (CRA), and the meter having the highest correlation with the reference meter in the CRA is marked as connected to the reference meter in a connection table. That meter's power is subtracted from the data table and the procedure is repeated until all meters have been analyzed.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a movable member mounted for movement between first and second positions. The latching mechanism includes a primary latching mechanism mounted for movement between a latched position where the primary latching mechanism engages the movable member to allow the movable member to move between the first and second positions, and an unlatched position where the movable member is disengaged for movement to the second position. A secondary latching element engages the first latching mechanism to hold the primary latching mechanism in the latched position, the secondary latching element being movable to move the primary latching mechanism to the unlatched position while remaining in engagement with the primary latching mechanism.

Abstract: In order to determine whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit, a sensor signal corresponding to current in said electrical circuit is processed. The sensor signal is filtered to determine the presence of noise in a predetermined frequency range and produce a corresponding filtered signal. The corresponding filtered signal is compared to a reference threshold voltage to generate an output signal potentially indicative of arcing. A selection is made of one from a plurality of available threshold voltages as the reference threshold voltage for use in the comparing operation. The detection operation supports either or both branch feeder arc fault detection and/or series arc fault detection.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for use in a circuit breaker. The terminal assembly includes a first member and a second member abutting the first member. The second member includes a pair of protruding arms to be inserted into a corresponding pair of recesses in a circuit breaker housing. Because the pair of protruding arms are inserted into the housing, the first member is protected against rotational force.

Abstract: An industrial human-machine interface device that permits speech-controlled navigation through a menu using a speech-recognition processor. The speech-recognition processor is coupled to a microcontroller and a display. The microcontroller is interfaced with a power metering device which monitors a power signal in a circuit. To obtain a reading of a characteristic of the power signal, the operator speaks a spoken keyword into a microphone of the human-machine interface device. The speech-recognition processor converts the keyword into an identification word which is outputted by the processor to the microcontroller. The microcontroller polls the output of the processor, and upon detection of an identification word, executes a function associated therewith. Menu navigation among consecutive or nonconsecutive menu levels is performed by speaking one or more predetermined keywords.

Abstract: An linear motion compensator for translating a particular amount of linear movement produced by an input device into a particular amount of linear movement required to properly operate an output device, without causing damage to either the input device or the output device.

Abstract: A switching mechanism provides sequential switching of first and second circuit breakers to enable switching between a primary power supply and a backup power supply. The switching mechanism comprises an actuating mechanism to sequentially actuate a pair of circuit breakers. The actuator mechanism including a shock absorber to absorb energy due to switching of one of the first and second circuit breakers.

Abstract: A microcontroller-based temperature compensated circuit for ground-fault circuit interrupter to meet the requirements of UL 943 using a single sensor to detect both ground-fault and grounded-neutral fault conditions in both full-wave and half-wave AC power supplies as part of a ground-fault circuit breaker or a receptacle device.

Abstract: A remote metering display is used for displaying power-related information generated by a power meter linked to the display. The remote metering display comprises a display screen, a plurality of user interface buttons for navigating through menu options depicted on the display screen, and a motion sensor for activating the display screen in response to detection of a person's presence within a predetermined distance of the motion sensor.

Abstract: A control circuit synchronizes an ac power inverter to the mains voltage of an electrical grid by matching the fundamental phasor components of the inverter's output voltage to the fundamental phasor components of the mains voltage. Once such matching meets an acceptable voltage error threshold, the control circuit initiates contactor closure, verifies contactor closure, and then initiates a changeover from voltage-mode control used in synchronization operations to a current-mode control of the inverter's output. The control circuit provides corresponding disconnection control when disconnection from the grid is desired, wherein the regulated power of the inverter is ramped down in controlled fashion until it reaches a lower threshold whereupon contactor opening is initiated. Once contactor opening is verified, regulation control reverts to stand-alone voltage mode control or to shut down, as needed or desired.

Abstract: A power inverter comprises a push-pull inverter circuit that includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled to a DC bus and a secondary winding coupled to an AC bus, main power switches coupling each end of the primary winding to a DC return, and one or more supplemental power switches coupling at least one end of the primary winding to a snubber bus. The supplemental switch at a given end of the primary winding forms a buck-mode converter in combination with the primary winding and the associated free-wheeling diode at that end of the primary winding, and can be controlled by a switching controller to effect energy transfer between the snubber bus and DC bus. The switching controller can be configured to control power flow between the DC, AC, and snubber buses by controlling the common-mode and differential-mode voltages of the primary winding via main/supplemental power switch control.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly for a circuit breaker includes a generally rectilinear filter housing having at least two filter mounting zones for receiving at least two filter assemblies, so as to define, in the aggregate, a filter assembly, and at least two filter assemblies configured for interfitting with the filter mounting zones of the filter housing, each filter assembly comprising a generally rectilinear filter body having a given peripheral configuration and a filter gasket configured for interfitting about a periphery of the filter body for sealingly engaging the filter body relative to the filter housing in response to forces encountered by the filter assembly both upon assembly and in operation. The filter assembly may further have a small hole diffuser having a peripheral configuration similar to the peripheral configuration of the filter bodies, in the aggregate, when assembled with the filter housing and configured for interfitting within the filter housing.

Abstract: A power metering apparatus meters a power signal in a powered system. A low-pass filter receives the power signal and outputs a filtered signal. The filter implements a corner frequency programmable based on a first clocking signal and anti-aliases high frequency components of the power signal. An A/D converter receives the filtered signal and outputs a digital signal. The A/D converter samples the filtered signal according to a system clock based on a second clocking signal. A clocking element generates and outputs each of the first clocking signal and the second clocking signal. The first clocking signal is synchronous with the second clocking signal.

Abstract: A system for determining whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit in response to a sensor signal corresponding to current in the circuit includes a circuit for analyzing the sensor signal to determine the presence of broadband noise in a predetermined range of frequencies, and producing a corresponding output signal. A controller processes the sensor signal and the output signal to determine current peaks and rise times and to determine, using the current peaks and rise times and the presence of broadband noise, whether an arcing fault is present in the circuit, by comparing data corresponding to the current peaks and rise times and broadband noise with preselected data indicative of an arcing fault. The circuit for analyzing and the controller are integrated onto a single application specific integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A communication scheme which allows Internet access to selected services behind a corporate firewall on a corporate Intranet with a publisher on the Intranet in communication with the Intranet web services and a listener on the Internet and is responsive to select requests from an Internet user which are embedded in responses received from the listener responding to queries from the publisher.