Abstract: The designed circuit is used for testing all kinds of discharge counter for lightning arresters. Discharge counter for lightning arresters are used in substation and all power plants with various voltages and discharge currents. The lightning arresters counter tester creates the needed voltage and current that operates the counter and simulates the conditions that the counter works in; therefore it can be concluded whether the counter works well or not.

Abstract: A capacitance voltage conversion circuit, which converts respective capacitances of a plurality of sensor capacitors into voltages, includes: a plurality of capacitance current conversion circuits disposed in respective correspondence with the sensor capacitors, each capacitance current conversion circuit configured to generate a detection current corresponding to a capacitance of a corresponding sensor capacitor; a current average circuit configured to average a plurality of detection currents, which are respectively generated by the capacitance current conversion circuits, to generate an average current; and a plurality of current voltage conversion circuits disposed in respective correspondence with the sensor capacitors, each current voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a difference current between a corresponding detection current and the average current into a voltage.

Abstract: In a current detection device for detecting current in a busbar, a reduction in device size may be realized by employing a small magnetic core. The prevention or reduction of excessive heat generation by the busbar, the facilitation of the attachment task, and a reduction in the amount of space required for the attachment task may also be realized. The folded-back busbar is U-shaped with a bar-shaped penetration portion that passes through a hole portion of a magnetic core, two bar-shaped extension portions, and two flat plate-shaped penetration portions. The width of each terminal portion is larger than the widths of the penetration portion and the extension portions. An insulating casing supports the magnetic core, a Hall element, and the folded-back busbar in a fixed positional relationship, with the two terminal portions being exposed to the outside.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for use in testing circuit boards. A signal sensing device includes one or more probes. Each probe includes a length of rigid coaxial conductor configured to define a sensing pin at one end. A circuit board defines a number of through vias lined in metal and configured to receive the sensing pin of a corresponding probe. The signal sensing device also includes a ground pin. Electrical pathways extending away from adjacent pairs of the through vias can be tested for electrical impedance and other signal propagating characteristics by way of the signal sensing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to dynamically and adaptively demodulate induction motor instantaneous rotor slot harmonic frequency for line-connected squirrel-cage polyphase induction motors. The instantaneous rotor slot harmonic frequency carries essential information on the instantaneous rotor speed. Based on a correlation between the motor's input power and its rotor slot harmonic frequency, a dynamically varying carrier frequency is computed and used in a rotor slot harmonic frequency detector. The rotor slot harmonic frequency detector is based on a superheterodyne principle. It contains a generalized linear-phase low-pass filter, whose bandwidth is estimated dynamically by a filter bandwidth estimator. The rotor slot harmonic frequency detector also includes a latency compensator, which receives the dynamically varying carrier frequency signal and synchronizes it with the output of a frequency demodulator.

Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.

Abstract: A circuit system for evaluating a sensor, wherein the circuit system comprises two complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14), wherein the complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) are each part of a resonant circuit in which the complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) can be excited to perform oscillations, and wherein at least one of the two complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) are part of the sensor, is characterized with respect to a particularly cost-effective and as simple a circuit design as possible in that a counter (9, 18) and a switch apparatus (8, 16) are provided, wherein the counter (9, 18) can be used to alternately count the oscillations of one of the two resonant circuits, the switch apparatus (8, 16) can be switched when a specifiable counter reading has been reached, and the switch signal of the switch apparatus serves as a pulse width-modulated output signal (11, 21) for the circuit system.

Abstract: A method for measuring the frequency in a spin torque oscillator having at least a magnetic oscillation layer (MOL), junction layer, and magnetic reference layer (MRL) is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a small in-plane magnetic field is applied to the STO after a DC current is applied to excite the MOL into an oscillation state. The MRL has a perpendicular magnetization that is tilted slightly to give an in-plane magnetization component to serve as a reference layer for measuring the oscillation frequency of the MOL in-plane magnetization component. An AC voltage change is produced in the DC current as a result of variable STO resistance and directly correlates to MOL oscillation frequency. Alternatively, a field having both perpendicular and in-plane components may be applied externally or by forming the STO between two magnetic poles thereby producing an in-plane magnetization reference component in the MRL.

Abstract: A method for determining a spatial arrangement of photovoltaic module groups in a photovoltaic installation includes measuring a sequence of values of an illumination-dependent electrical characteristic variable of different photovoltaic module groups while the photovoltaic installation is subject to light incidence with an incidence intensity which varies over time and spatially. The relative spatial arrangement of the photovoltaic module groups with respect to one another is then determined by comparing sequences of measured values associated with different photovoltaic module groups.

Abstract: The cost and size of an atomic magnetometer are reduced by attaching together a first die which integrates together a vapor cell, top and side photo detectors, and processing electronics, a second die which integrates together an optics package and a heater for the vapor cell, and a third die which integrates together a VCSEL, a heater for the VCSEL, and control electronics.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an electromagnetic wave measurement device includes an electromagnetic wave output device, an electromagnetic wave detector and a measurement unit. The electromagnetic wave output device outputs an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to or more than 0.01 [THz] and equal to or less than 100 [THz] toward a device under test including at least two layers, and the electromagnetic wave detector detects reflected electromagnetic waves which are the electromagnetic waves reflected by the respective at least two layers. The measurement unit measures the device under test based on one or both of extreme values of electric fields of the respective reflected electromagnetic waves and a time difference between timings in which the electric fields of the respective reflected electromagnetic waves take the extreme values.

Abstract: A charge coupled displacement sensor includes a first number of electrodes disposed to form a first ring including a first diameter and further operable to form an electric field around an object. A second number of electrodes are alternately disposed with the first number of electrodes within the first ring and are further operable to measure variations in the electric field attributed to a position of the object. A third number of electrodes are disposed to form a second ring including a second diameter greater than the first diameter and further electrically coupled with an electrical ground.

Abstract: A low power capacitive detector is disclosed. The detector includes a mechanism to measure and detect touch on capacitive sensors. The detector uses signal processing to suppress noise and increase sensitivity. The detector does not require dedicated analog circuitry, making it easy to adopt in a microcontroller system. The detector can be scaled to a larger number of capacitive sensors without noticeable increase in silicon cost.

Abstract: A test probe has a probe portion, a current source lead attachment portion and a voltage sense lead attachment portion. The test probe includes two conductive halves secured together with an electrically insulating material disposed between the halves electrically insulating them from each other. Each half has an “L” shape including a probe portion and a test lead attachment portion extending perpendicularly outwardly from the probe portion, and provides the test probe with an overall “T” shape. The conductive halves can be made of copper-beryllium. Methods of providing and using the test probe can include uncoupling a male coupling member of a power cable connector of a loadbreak bushing assembly from a female coupling member of the loadbreak bushing and inserting the rod-shaped probe portion into the female coupling member.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for testing a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a plurality of testing pads. The apparatus includes a plurality of testing units. The apparatus includes a switching circuit coupled between the testing pads and the testing units. The switching circuit contains a plurality of switching devices. The apparatus includes a control circuit coupled to the switching circuit. The control circuit is operable to establish electrical coupling between a selected testing unit and one or more of the testing pads by selectively activating a subset of the switching devices.

Abstract: A capacitance-based moisture sensor may include a sleeve having an internal cavity, a container filled with soil or other material inserted into the internal cavity, and a pair of ring-shaped conductive bands around the exterior of the sleeve forming a capacitor and providing a frequency output. The rings positioned around a perimeter of the sleeve may be connected to a fixed inductor to form an oscillator with a variable frequency output. The sensor may be calibrated from the frequency output for each of a plurality of substances, measuring the volumetric water content for saturation of the material, and determining at least one fitting constant in an equation wherein volumetric water content is a function of the frequency output and a plurality of fitting constants.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing non-magnetometer navigational sensor data to assist in determining whether a change in a magnetic field detected by a magnetometer is likely due to a source of internal or external magnetic interference, and more generally, whether such interference is likely to be persistent or transient. If the magnetic field data detected by the magnetometer indicates a large change in magnetic field, but the non-magnetometer navigational sensor (e.g., gyroscope) data does not indicate a corresponding change in orientation of the mobile device contemporaneous with the change in magnetic field, then the cause of the magnetic field change may be determined as likely originating from a localized external interference source and the device may prompt the user to move away from the interference source, rather than initiating a recalibration of the magnetometer.

Abstract: A probe is configured such that an output current pulse is able to be delivered by the charge storage at defined intervals to a load. A mean power to be fed to the charge storage is ascertainable for a subsequent time interval, and the level of the mean input power, which is to be drawn by the voltage transformer from the power source, is specifiable as a function of the ascertained mean power. The voltage transformer is controllable accordingly.

Abstract: A wind energy installation test device for defined production of grid system faults, and a method thereof. The test device can include an output configured to connect to a wind energy installation, an input configured to connect to a grid system, and a switching device for connection of an electrical disturbance component relating to a grid system parameter. An autotransformer can be used for the electrical disturbance component. The grid system in a sound state can be connected to a primary winding connection and the grid system in a disturbed state with respect to the grid system parameter can be output at a secondary winding connection.

Abstract: A measuring device for determining an operating state variable of a rotating structural element, in particular a bearing, which has a plurality of components. Specifically, the measuring device has a permanent magnet, an encoder ring for manipulating the magnetic field which is generated by the permanent magnet, a magnetic field sensor, a radio unit for transmitting measurement signals from the magnetic field sensor to an evaluation unit, and an energy converter unit for converting rotation energy into electrical energy. The encoder ring is produced from a ferromagnetic and non-premagnetized material.