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: 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 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 method is performed by a bus coupler of a subnetwork of one or more local subnetworks coupled to an overall network is provided, including performing a local discovery process for discovering and identifying one or more bus devices included in the subnetwork. The method further includes submitting an internet protocol (IP) address request to obtain an IP address for the bus coupler, receiving at the bus coupler the IP address of the bus coupler in response to the IP address assignment request, submitting a configuration request for configuration information associated with a device name for the bus coupler, receiving the configuration information in response to the configuration request, and configuring at least one feature of the bus coupler using the configuration information, wherein the device name is based on identifier(s) of the respective one or more bus devices obtained by the discovery process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product resolve the problem of unbalanced loads in an EVSE cluster of multiple EVSE charging stations. A signal is provided to the EVSEs identifying which phase of the three-phase power source has the highest current. When one of the EVSEs in the cluster determines whether it is connected to an EV's on board charging device, determines whether it is already charging the connected EV, and determines whether the EVSE is using the phase that has the highest current, then the EVSE may transmit a cluster load balancing control signal as a control pilot signal to the EV's onboard charging device to adjust the charging rate of the current that the EV is consuming from the EVSE.

Abstract: A method is performed by a bus coupler of a subnetwork of one or more local subnetworks coupled to an overall network is provided, including performing a local discovery process for discovering and identifying one or more bus devices included in the subnetwork. The method further includes submitting an internet protocol (IP) address request to obtain an IP address for the bus coupler, receiving at the bus coupler the IP address of the bus coupler in response to the IP address assignment request, submitting a configuration request for configuration information associated with a device name for the bus coupler, receiving the configuration information in response to the configuration request, and configuring at least one feature of the bus coupler using the configuration information, wherein the device name is based on identifier(s) of the respective one or more bus devices obtained by the discovery process.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.

Abstract: A visual trip indicator for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic components of a visual trip indicator are enclosed in a module that attaches to the circuit breaker handle or within pocket defined in the circuit breaker housing. The visual trip indicator includes a light source operated by a state machine which clearly indicates which circuit breaker, of a group of circuit breakers or in a poorly illuminated enclosure, is tripped. The visual trip indicator also indicating, by a coded light signal, the approximate remaining life of an independent power supply powering the visual trip indicator.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product resolve the problem of unbalanced loads in an EVSE cluster of multiple EVSE charging stations. A signal is provided to the EVSEs identifying which phase of the three-phase power source has the highest current. When one of the EVSEs in the cluster determines whether it is connected to an EV's on board charging device, determines whether it is already charging the connected EV, and determines whether the EVSE is using the phase that has the highest current, then the EVSE may transmit a cluster load balancing control signal as a control pilot signal to the EV's onboard charging device to adjust the charging rate of the current that the EV is consuming from the EVSE.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product resolve the problem of unbalanced loads in an EVSE cluster of multiple EVSE charging stations. A signal is provided to the EVSEs identifying which phase of the three-phase power source has the highest current. When one of the EVSEs in the cluster determines whether it is connected to an EV's on board charging device, determines whether it is already charging the connected EV, and determines whether the EVSE is using the phase that has the highest current, then the EVSE may transmit a cluster load balancing control signal as a control pilot signal to the EV's onboard charging device to adjust the charging rate of the current that the EV is consuming from the EVSE.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.

Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.

Abstract: A measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.

Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.

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 measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.

Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.

Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.

Abstract: A progressive protection method automatically adapts a protection trip delay or fault timeout for a motor that is a member of a group of motors performing mutually similar or related tasks, based on the occurrence of a fault in another motor within the group, without requiring manual intervention. If the user requires stringent protection of the motors in a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be shortened in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group. Alternatively, if the user prefers continuity of service for a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be increased in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group, based on past experience with the occurrence of fault self-clearing for the motors in the group.