Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically verifying that power relays have been disconnected include relays arranged between two power sources. Test nodes are positioned between the relays on each line, and feed into a detection circuit. Voltage drop resistors, voltage drop diodes, an optocoupler, and additional resistors and capacitors are used to provide voltage isolation for the detection circuit. Relays are methodically opened and closed to check the individual functioning of each relay, and a digital signal generated from the detection circuit. The design of the system with detection circuit isolation provides a safer and lower cost system for verifying that relays are operating correctly, with less costly components than traditional systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically verifying that power relays have been disconnected include relays arranged between two power sources. Test nodes are positioned between the relays on each line, and feed into a detection circuit. Voltage drop resistors, voltage drop diodes, an optocoupler, and additional resistors and capacitors are used to provide voltage isolation for the detection circuit. Relays are methodically opened and closed to check the individual functioning of each relay, and a digital signal generated from the detection circuit. The design of the system with detection circuit isolation provides a safer and lower cost system for verifying that relays are operating correctly, with less costly components than traditional systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically verifying that power relays have been disconnected include relays arranged between two power sources. Test nodes are positioned between the relays on each line, and feed into a detection circuit. Voltage drop resistors, voltage drop diodes, an optocoupler, and additional resistors and capacitors are used to provide voltage isolation for the detection circuit. Relays are methodically opened and closed to check the individual functioning of each relay, and a digital signal generated from the detection circuit. The design of the system with detection circuit isolation provides a safer and lower cost system for verifying that relays are operating correctly, with less costly components than traditional systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods of improving storage and consumption of electricity according to time-based tiered criteria are disclosed. An energy storage system controlled by a processor is optionally connected to a utility power grid, a photovoltaic (PV) power source, and/or electrical loads. Time-of-use (TOU) rates (or similar tiered criteria) are input into the processor, which sets charge and discharge profiles according to the criteria, the arrangement of time windows, and the user's preferences. Energy is stored or discharged according to these profiles. Additionally, the energy storage system may record the production and consumption patterns of the user over time, and use this information to modify the profiles for enhanced performance by allowing discharge during non-peak windows. Benefits include reduced electrical cost to the user, reduced strain on the utility power grid during peak consumption hours, and enhanced performance with regard to any other criteria input into the processor.

Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems of leakage current detection. According to one implementation, a method includes initiating self-test of a resistive isolation detection circuit, the self-test configured to return a reset latched value representative of a state of the resistive isolation circuit, pulsing a latch reset signal to clear the reset latched value and a testing signal to indicate a testing state, and during the testing signal, independently determining, that a leakage current is present between a photovoltaic power conversion device positive channel and earth, and, that a leakage current is present between a photovoltaic power conversion device negative channel and earth. The method also includes operating a safety relay and indication signal responsive to the testing signal and the independent determining.

Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems of leakage current detection. According to one implementation, a method includes initiating self-test of a resistive isolation detection circuit, the self-test configured to return a reset latched value representative of a state of the resistive isolation circuit, pulsing a latch reset signal to clear the reset latched value and a testing signal to indicate a testing state, and during the testing signal, independently determining, that a leakage current is present between a photovoltaic power conversion device positive channel and earth, and, that a leakage current is present between a photovoltaic power conversion device negative channel and earth. The method also includes operating a safety relay and indication signal responsive to the testing signal and the independent determining.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter includes a coupling to a DC power source and a coupling to an AC power source, a plurality of capacitors arranged to create a set of nodes, and a plurality of switches located between the capacitors and the AC power source. Switches are configured to create an AC bypass in which the capacitors coupled to the DC power source may be isolated from the AC power source. The AC bypass is utilized as one of the switching states in a switching sequence that provides enhanced performance including but not limited to reduced electromagnetic interference and ripple.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically verifying that power relays have been disconnected are disclosed. Relays are arranged between two power sources. Test nodes are positioned between the relays on each line, and feed into a detection circuit. Voltage drop resistors, voltage drop diodes, an optocoupler, and additional resistors and capacitors are used to provide voltage isolation for the detection circuit. Relays are methodically opened and closed to check the individual functioning of each relay, which is verified by means of a digital signal generated from the detection circuit. The design of the system with detection circuit isolation provides a safer and lower cost system for verifying that relays are operating correctly, with less costly components than traditional systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods of improving storage and consumption of electricity according to time-based tiered criteria are disclosed. An energy storage system controlled by a processor is optionally connected to a utility power grid, a photovoltaic (PV) power source, and/or electrical loads. Time-of-use (TOU) rates (or similar tiered criteria) are input into the processor, which sets charge and discharge profiles according to the criteria, the arrangement of time windows, and the user's preferences. Energy is stored or discharged according to these profiles. Additionally, the energy storage system may record the production and consumption patterns of the user over time, and use this information to modify the profiles for enhanced performance by allowing discharge during non-peak windows. Benefits include reduced electrical cost to the user, reduced strain on the utility power grid during peak consumption hours, and enhanced performance with regard to any other criteria input into the processor.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage defining a cabin and baggage bay, engine compartments for receiving engines, an auxiliary power unit compartment for receiving an auxiliary power unit, and a fire suppression system including first and second reservoirs containing a fire suppressant. The reservoirs are each connected to all of the engine compartments for distribution of the fire suppressant thereto. The first reservoir is connected to only one of the auxiliary power unit compartment and baggage bay, and the second reservoir is connected to only the other of the auxiliary power unit compartment and baggage bay. A fire suppression system for an aircraft and a method of connecting a fire suppression system of an aircraft are also discussed.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter includes a coupling to a DC power source and a coupling to an AC power source, a plurality of capacitors arranged to create a set of nodes, and a plurality of switches located between the capacitors and the AC power source. Switches are configured to create an AC bypass in which the capacitors coupled to the DC power source may be isolated from the AC power source. The AC bypass is utilized as one of the switching states in a switching sequence that provides enhanced performance including but not limited to reduced electromagnetic interference and ripple.

Abstract: An energy supply system and electrical outlet are provided. An energy supply system includes an electrical power source connected to an inverter device for forming a local power grid. The electrical outlet includes frequency measuring means for measuring the frequency of the electrical power feed into said local power grid by said inverter device and power control means for controlling said electrical power provided to a load by said electrical outlet dependent on the measured frequency.

Abstract: An energy supply system and electrical outlet are provided. An energy supply system includes an electrical power source connected to an inverter device for forming a local power grid. The electrical outlet includes frequency measuring means for measuring the frequency of the electrical power feed into said local power grid by said inverter device and power control means for controlling said electrical power provided to a load by said electrical outlet dependent on the measured frequency.

Abstract: An inverter device, an energy storage system comprising such an inverter device, and a method of controlling such an inverter device are provided. The inverter device has a split-phase, transformer-less configuration and is connectable between a battery and a power grid for transferring power in a bidirectional manner between said battery and said power grid. The inverter device further comprises: an inverter circuit comprising switching elements arranged in a multilevel clamped topology; and a control unit controlling said switching elements, wherein said control unit is configured to control said switching elements such that direct current (DC) power from said battery is transformed into alternating current (AC) power and supplied to said power grid during a discharging period, and AC power from said power grid is transformed into DC power and supplied to said battery during a charging period.

Abstract: An energy distribution system, an energy distribution device and an installation method are provided. The energy distribution device comprises a distribution board and a power inverter, which are integrated together inside a single enclosure for ease of installation and upgrade of the energy distribution system.

Abstract: An arc fault detector includes a means for repeatedly measuring an elapsed time. The arc fault detector also includes at least one means to perform arc detection at each repeated elapsed time. Means for initiating a tripping mechanism is activated after the elapsed time. When a fault occurs, means for generating at least one fault code is activated. The fault code is stored in at least one non-volatile memory. The fault code is selected from a group consisting of an arc fault interrupt code, a ground fault interrupt code, and a push-to-test interrupt code. The arc fault detector includes at least one means to display the fault code such as at least one LED. At least a first LED indicates an arc fault interrupt code and at least a second LED indicates a ground fault interrupt code. At least a third LED indicates a push-to-test interrupt code.

Abstract: An electrical fault detection device for use in a branch of a power circuit that utilizes signals from an AC line current sensor coupled to an electrical distribution line having a primary and neutral lines, a line high-frequency sensor coupled to the electrical distribution line, a differential current sensor coupled to the primary and neutral lines, and a ground fault current sensor coupled to the primary and neutral lines. A signal conditioner receives the signals outputted by AC current line current sensor, the line high frequency sensor, the differential current sensor and the ground fault current sensor and generates a signal indicative of the load current associated with a branch of the power circuit. Output of the signal conditioner is sampled and processed by a processing resource. The processing resource has stored therein data representing a plurality of time-versus-current curves that define a plurality of regions in which tripping may or may not occur.

Abstract: A circuit tests the health of a ground-neutral transformer within a ground fault circuit interrupter. This test can include testing both the ground-to-neutral detection circuitry and the differential current detection circuitry. The test circuit provides a conductive path through the respective cores of a differential transformer and the ground-neutral transformer of the GFCI device. A closed loop induces current from the differential transformer, which creates a current imbalance through the differential transformer. In a properly working device, the circuit breaker will trip, confirming the health of the ground-neutral transformer portion of the GFCI.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect the present disclosure is directed toward a method for detecting arc faults on a power line. The method may include monitoring power signals associated with a power line and filtering the power signals to produce a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal. A mask signal may generated based on the low frequency signal, and the high frequency signal may be analyzed to extract a broadband portion of the high frequency signal. A fault counter may be incremented if the magnitude of the broadband portion is approximately greater than a first threshold level. A fault counter may be decremented if the magnitude of the broadband portion is approximately less than the first threshold level. A trip signal is provided to a switching device associated with the power line if the fault counter exceeds a predetermined fault limit.

Abstract: An arc fault detector includes a means for repeatedly measuring an elapsed time. The arc fault detector also includes at least one means to perform arc detection at each repeated elapsed time. Means for initiating a tripping mechanism is activated after the elapsed time. When a fault occurs, means for generating at least one fault code is activated. The fault code is stored in at least one non-volatile memory. The fault code is selected from a group consisting of an arc fault interrupt code, a ground fault interrupt code, and a push-to-test interrupt code. The arc fault detector includes at least one means to display the fault code such as at least one LED. At least a first LED indicates an arc fault interrupt code and at least a second LED indicates a ground fault interrupt code. At least a third LED indicates a push-to-test interrupt code.