Abstract: A power line monitoring device is mounted to a power line. The device includes circuitry for monitoring the power line and communicating information regarding the power line. A ground reference point of the circuitry is electrically coupled to the power line. Therefore, the monitoring device, including its circuitry, has substantially the same voltage potential as the power line. Accordingly, there is a substantially equalized or uniform electric field around the device. The substantially equal voltage potential and electric field allow communications with the monitoring device to have reduced noise and interference, as compared to other devices that have different voltage potentials than their corresponding power lines. A pad of semi-conductive material may be disposed between the power line and the electrical conductors to slow a rate of change of the voltage potential of the device circuitry when mounting the device to the power line, thereby minimizing risk of corona discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor, including a current transformer comprising a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor, and a clamping mechanism that attaches the apparatus to the electrical conductor. According to various aspects, apparatus may include a housing that encloses circuitry for monitoring conditions of the electrical conductor, where the circuitry includes one or more sensors, and wireless communications circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor including a wire clamp that clamps to and secures the apparatus to the electrical conductor, a current transformer (“CT”) that clamps to the electrical conductor and collects power from the electrical conductor, and a housing including a cavity that encloses circuitry associated with the apparatus. According to various aspects, the circuitry may include one or more sensors and wireless communications circuitry, and the CT may include a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor, including a current transformer comprising a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor, and a clamping mechanism that attaches the apparatus to the electrical conductor. According to various aspects, apparatus may include a housing that encloses circuitry for monitoring conditions of the electrical conductor, where the circuitry includes one or more sensors, and wireless communications circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor including a wire clamp that clamps and secures to an electrical conductor, a current transformer (“CT”) that clamps to the electrical conductor and collects power from the electrical conductor, and a housing that supports the wire clamp and the current transformer. According to various aspects, the apparatus may include a wire clamp including a compression post and clamp arms that surround and compress an electrical conductor in a closed position of the wire clamp, where each of the clamp arms includes pivot posts, and the clamp arms pivot between closed and open positions. According to other various aspects, the apparatus may include a split magnetic core that surrounds an electrical conductor in a closed position of the current transformer, where the split magnetic core includes pivot posts, and the split magnetic core pivots between closed and open positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor, including a current transformer comprising a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor, and a clamping mechanism that attaches the apparatus to the electrical conductor. According to various aspects, apparatus may include a housing that encloses circuitry for monitoring conditions of the electrical conductor, where the circuitry includes one or more sensors, and wireless communications circuitry.

Abstract: A current transforming harvester (“CTH”) is capable of producing power from a conductor on a preexisting power grid without alteration of the conductor or the preexisting power grid. The CTH includes a current transformer (“CT”) that captures energy via magnetic flux from the conductor. The CT is substantially circular and includes two halves called a “split core,” which allow the CT to easily attach to the conductor without opening the circuit in which the conductor operates. A clamping mechanism of the CTH may secure the CTH to the conductor via a pair of spring-biased clamp pads. The CTH includes circuitry that converts the magnetic flux energy captured by the CT into electrical energy suitable for consumption by an electrical device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor including a wire clamp that clamps to and secures the apparatus to the electrical conductor, a current transformer (“CT”) that clamps to the electrical conductor and collects power from the electrical conductor, and a housing including a cavity that encloses circuitry associated with the apparatus. According to various aspects, the circuitry may include one or more sensors and wireless communications circuitry, and the CT may include a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor including a wire clamp that clamps and secures to an electrical conductor, a current transformer (“CT”) that clamps to the electrical conductor and collects power from the electrical conductor, and a housing that supports the wire clamp and the current transformer. According to various aspects, the apparatus may include a wire clamp including a compression post and clamp arms that surround and compress an electrical conductor in a closed position of the wire clamp, where each of the clamp arms includes pivot posts, and the clamp arms pivot between closed and open positions. According to other various aspects, the apparatus may include a split magnetic core that surrounds an electrical conductor in a closed position of the current transformer, where the split magnetic core includes pivot posts, and the split magnetic core pivots between closed and open positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing to and collecting power from an electrical conductor, including a current transformer comprising a core and an electrical winding that receives an induced current from magnetic flux generated according to alternating current present on the electrical conductor, and a clamping mechanism that attaches the apparatus to the electrical conductor. According to various aspects, apparatus may include a housing that encloses circuitry for monitoring conditions of the electrical conductor, where the circuitry includes one or more sensors, and wireless communications circuitry.

Abstract: Float charging a battery comprises charging a battery to a reference voltage that is less than a maximum voltage of the battery. A power source provides power to a charging circuit. The circuit supplies a reference voltage. An operational amplifier float charges the battery to the reference voltage. A comparator determines whether the battery's voltage exceeds the reference voltage. Another comparator determines whether current through the battery exceeds a reference current. A thermistor determines whether the battery's temperature exceeds a safe range. A microprocessor monitors the inputs from the comparators and the thermistor and outputs of the circuit. If the comparators or the thermistor reports a safety fault to the microprocessor, the microprocessor shuts down the charging current to the battery. If an output circuit draws too much current from the battery, the microprocessor can disconnect the battery from the output circuit.

Abstract: A power line monitoring device is mounted to a power line. The device includes circuitry for monitoring the power line and communicating information regarding the power line. A ground reference point of the circuitry is electrically coupled to the power line. Therefore, the monitoring device, including its circuitry, has substantially the same voltage potential as the power line. Accordingly, there is a substantially equalized or uniform electric field around the device. The substantially equal voltage potential and electric field allow communications with the monitoring device to have reduced noise and interference, as compared to other devices that have different voltage potentials than their corresponding power lines. A pad of semi-conductive material may be disposed between the power line and the electrical conductors to slow a rate of change of the voltage potential of the device circuitry when mounting the device to the power line, thereby minimizing risk of corona discharge.

Abstract: A current transforming harvester (“CTH”) is capable of producing power from a conductor on a preexisting power grid without alteration of the conductor or the preexisting power grid. The CTH includes a current transformer (“CT”) that captures energy via magnetic flux from the conductor. The CT is substantially circular and includes two halves called a “split core,” which allow the CT to easily attach to the conductor without opening the circuit in which the conductor operates. A clamping mechanism of the CTH may secure the CTH to the conductor via a pair of spring-biased clamp pads. The CTH includes circuitry that converts the magnetic flux energy captured by the CT into electrical energy suitable for consumption by an electrical device.

Abstract: Float charging a battery comprises charging a battery to a reference voltage that is less than a maximum voltage of the battery. A power source provides power to a charging circuit. The circuit supplies a reference voltage. An operational amplifier float charges the battery to the reference voltage. A comparator determines whether the battery's voltage exceeds the reference voltage. Another comparator determines whether current through the battery exceeds a reference current. A thermistor determines whether the battery's temperature exceeds a safe range. A microprocessor monitors the inputs from the comparators and the thermistor and outputs of the circuit. If the comparators or the thermistor reports a safety fault to the microprocessor, the microprocessor shuts down the charging current to the battery. If an output circuit draws too much current from the battery, the microprocessor can disconnect the battery from the output circuit.