Abstract: A distribution manager includes a main bus, a first connection coupled to the main bus through a first circuit breaker and being structured to couple the distribution manager to an inter-microgrid connection system, a second connection coupled to the main bus through a second circuit breaker and being structured to couple the distribution manager to the inter-microgrid connection system, and a third circuit breaker coupled to the main bus and being structured to be coupled to a load. The distribution manager is configured to detect an overload condition and in response thereto (i) request to bring an offline distributed source online, (ii) if an offline distributed source cannot be brought online, request to shed the load, and (iii) if the load cannot be shed, cause the second circuit breaker to downwardly adjust the trip curve thereof.

Abstract: A wiring device is for a junction assembly. The junction assembly includes a housing. The wiring device includes a body at least partially extending into the housing, and at least one mounting member coupled to the body and including a number of protrusions extending away from the body. The mounting member moves between an extended position and a retracted position. When the mounting member is in the extended position, the mounting member maintains the body in a predetermined position with respect to the housing. Responsive to the mounting member moving from the extended position toward the retracted position, the protrusions move toward the body, thereby releasing the body from the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for testing of electrical connections, conductors, and loads prior to energizing those connections is disclosed. For example, an interlocking socket can comprise a receptacle designed to be coupled to a connector of a load. The interlocking socket can comprise a microprocessor coupled to the receptacle, the microcontroller operable for testing one or more faults in the connector, a conductor, or the load coupled to the connector. In another example, a microprocessor can be coupled to a switch comprising a conductor, where the microprocessor is operable for testing one or more faults in the conductor or a load coupled to the conductor.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.

Abstract: A distribution manager for a power microgrid system includes a main bus, and a circuit breaker coupled to the main bus and to one of a load and an inter-microgrid connection system of the power microgrid system, the circuit breaker being structured to operate based on a set of functional trip settings. The distribution manager is structured and configured to: (i) determine an available source overcurrent that will be fed through the circuit breaker, (ii) determine a number of trip parameter settings based on at least the available source overcurrent, and (iii) set the functional trip settings of the circuit breaker based on the determined number of trip parameter settings.

Abstract: A load power device includes a power input, at least one power output for at least one load, a plurality of sensors structured to sense voltage and current at the at least one power output, and a processor. The processor provides: (a) load identification based upon the sensed voltage and current, and (b) load control and management based upon the load identification.

Abstract: A wireless power system including a wireless power transmitter coupled to a power source and being structured to receive power from the power source, the wireless power transmitter including a transmitter coil structured to wirelessly transmit said power; and a wireless power receiver including a receiver coil structured to receive the power from the transmitter coil, the wireless power receiver being coupled to and load and structured to provide the power to the load, wherein the wireless power transmitter is structured to be installed in a junction box disposed in a floor, a wall, or a ceiling, or inside an exterior surface of equipment; and wherein the wireless power transmitter is structured to wirelessly transmit the power to the wireless power receiver disposed outside of the floor, the wall, or the ceiling.

Abstract: A wiring device is for a junction assembly. The junction assembly includes a housing. The wiring device includes a body at least partially extending into the housing, and at least one mounting member coupled to the body and including a number of protrusions extending away from the body. The mounting member moves between an extended position and a retracted position. When the mounting member is in the extended position, the mounting member maintains the body in a predetermined position with respect to the housing. Responsive to the mounting member moving from the extended position toward the retracted position, the protrusions move toward the body, thereby releasing the body from the housing.

Abstract: A fuse assembly structured for use with a power circuit includes: a fuse holder defining a space and including first and second terminals structured to electrically connect to the power circuit; a fuse disposed in the space defined by the fuse holder; and a relay disposed in the space defined by the fuse holder. The relay includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, and a control circuit cooperating with said operating mechanism to cause said operating mechanism to open or close said separable contacts. Current flowing between the first and second terminals flows through the separable contacts and the fuse and opening the separable contacts interrupts said current flowing between said first and second terminals.

Abstract: A distribution manager includes a main bus, a first connection coupled to the main bus through a first circuit breaker and being structured to couple the distribution manager to an inter-microgrid connection system, a second connection coupled to the main bus through a second circuit breaker and being structured to couple the distribution manager to the inter-microgrid connection system, and a third circuit breaker coupled to the main bus and being structured to be coupled to a load. The distribution manager is configured to detect an overload condition and in response thereto (i) request to bring an offline distributed source online, (ii) if an offline distributed source cannot be brought online, request to shed the load, and (iii) if the load cannot be shed, cause the second circuit breaker to downwardly adjust the trip curve thereof.

Abstract: A method of protecting a power distribution system from a fault on a feed conductor thereof, wherein an HFAC signal is provided to the feed conductor from a location downstream of the feed conductor in the power distribution system. The method includes, in a module located upstream of the feed conductor in the power distribution system, determining an HFAC signal magnitude in the module, the module including a circuit interrupter, and controlling operation of the circuit interrupter based on the determined magnitude.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an AC motor drive includes a control system programmed with an algorithm configured to optimize operation of the motor drive. Specifically, the control system is programmed to input an initial voltage-frequency command to the drive. The initial voltage-frequency command includes a voltage reference and a frequency reference corresponding to an operating point of an initial voltage/frequency (V/Hz) curve. The control system monitors a real-time output of the drive, modifies the voltage reference based on the real-time output of the drive, and transmits a modified voltage-frequency command to the drive. The modified voltage-frequency command corresponds to an operating point of a modified V/Hz curve defined by the modified voltage reference and the initial V/Hz curve.

Abstract: A power circuit configured to generate and distribute DC electrical power, the power circuit includes a photovoltaic (PV) system that includes an array of PV modules electrically coupled to a combiner box, and an inverter positioned to receive DC electrical power from the array of PV modules and output AC electrical power. The PV system also includes a signal generator coupled to a first portion of the PV system, and a signal detector coupled to a second portion of the PV system, the signal detector configured to detect secondary signals generated at a loose connection of an electrical joint in the PV system, wherein the secondary signals result from a signal generated by the signal generator.

Abstract: A PV system includes a plurality of PV strings configured to generate a string output power responsive to received solar irradiation, with a source conductor and a return conductor being provided from the PV strings. One or more DC voltage regulators are electrically connected to the PV strings on at least one of the source or return conductors, with the DC voltage regulator being configured to regulate the voltage of a respective PV string or group of strings. A controller selectively controls a voltage output by the DC voltage regulator and is programmed to periodically cause the DC voltage regulator to alter the voltage of a PV string or group of strings, detect a change in current in the respective PV string(s) responsive to the altering of the voltage, and perform at least one of a PV string degradation detection and causal diagnosis and a grounded conductor fault detection.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes a string of at least one PV module, and an arc fault detector (AFD) electrically coupled to the string. The AFD is configured to detect a non-DC electrical current that occurs within the string, and cause electrical contacts within the PV system to open as a result of the detected non-DC electrical current. The system includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the string and to the AFD such that the non-DC electrical current passes through the AFD and the capacitor.

Abstract: A system includes a power line, a control line, and a plurality of direct current electrical generating modules. Each of the direct current electrical generating modules is electrically connected to the power line and the control line and includes an electromechanical switch structured to interrupt power flowing through the power line. A control module is electrically connected to the control line and is structured to electrically control the electromechanical switch of each of the direct current electrical generating modules via the control line.

Abstract: A fuse assembly structured for use with a power circuit includes: a fuse holder defining a space and including first and second terminals structured to electrically connect to the power circuit; a fuse disposed in the space defined by the fuse holder; and a relay disposed in the space defined by the fuse holder. The relay includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, and a control circuit cooperating with said operating mechanism to cause said operating mechanism to open or close said separable contacts. Current flowing between the first and second terminals flows through the separable contacts and the fuse and opening the separable contacts interrupts said current flowing between said first and second terminals.

Abstract: A power circuit configured to generate and distribute DC electrical power, the power circuit includes a photovoltaic (PV) system that includes an array of PV modules electrically coupled to a combiner box, and an inverter positioned to receive DC electrical power from the array of PV modules and output AC electrical power. The PV system also includes a signal generator coupled to a first portion of the PV system, and a signal detector coupled to a second portion of the PV system, the signal detector configured to detect secondary signals generated at a loose connection of an electrical joint in the PV system, wherein the secondary signals result from a signal generated by the signal generator.

Abstract: A PV system includes a plurality of PV strings configured to generate a string output power responsive to received solar irradiation, with a source conductor and a return conductor being provided from the PV strings. One or more DC voltage regulators are electrically connected to the PV strings on at least one of the source or return conductors, with the DC voltage regulator being configured to regulate the voltage of a respective PV string or group of strings. A controller selectively controls a voltage output by the DC voltage regulator and is programmed to periodically cause the DC voltage regulator to alter the voltage of a PV string or group of strings, detect a change in current in the respective PV string(s) responsive to the altering of the voltage, and perform at least one of a PV string degradation detection and causal diagnosis and a grounded conductor fault detection.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes a string of at least one PV module, and an arc fault detector (AFD) electrically coupled to the string. The AFD is configured to detect a non-DC electrical current that occurs within the string, and cause electrical contacts within the PV system to open as a result of the detected non-DC electrical current. The system includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the string and to the AFD such that the non-DC electrical current passes through the AFD and the capacitor.