Abstract: A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example. Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).

Abstract: A method and system are provided to control circuit breaker operations. In the method and system, near-field RF signal is monitored at or around electrical contacts of the circuit breaker using at least one near-field radio frequency (RF) sensor, and far-field RF signal away from the contacts of the circuit breaker are monitored using at least one far-field RF sensor. A rate of change of current over time is also monitored on the circuit using at least one sensor. An arc fault on the circuit is detected based on the monitored near-field RF signal, the monitored far-field RF signal, and the monitored rate of change of current. A tripping operation is implemented on the circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply from the circuit, in response to the detection of the arc fault.

Abstract: A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example, Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).

Abstract: A method and system are provided to control circuit breaker operations. In the method and system, near-field RF signal is monitored at or around electrical contacts of the circuit breaker using at least one near-field radio frequency (RF) sensor, and far-field RF signal away from the contacts of the circuit breaker are monitored using at least one far-field RF sensor. A rate of change of current over time is also monitored on the circuit using at least one sensor. An arc fault on the circuit is detected based on the monitored near-field RF signal, the monitored far-field RF signal, and the monitored rate of change of current. A tripping operation is implemented on the circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply from the circuit, in response to the detection of the arc fault.

Abstract: Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.

Abstract: An arc chute includes a pair of opposing side walls and a non-magnetic body. The side walls are formed of an electrically insulating material. The non-magnetic body includes an open area and a plurality of slots through which to facilitate gas flow. The arc chute also includes a back wall arranged on a back side of the non-magnetic body and including at least one first insulator and at least one magnet. The at least one first insulator is arranged between the at least one magnet and the open area and configured to electrically isolate the magnet from the non-magnetic body. The magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field to redirect an arc in the open area toward one of the side walls.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a number of sensors structured to detect an arc flash from an uncontrolled arcing fault, and a trigger circuit, responsive to the detected arc flash, structured to trigger a triggering mechanism and cause a breakdown of a number of gaps within a low voltage arc flash switch.

Abstract: A low voltage arc flash switch includes a sealed housing and gas insulation within the sealed housing. A plurality of conductors include a number of gaps therebetween within the sealed housing. A triggering mechanism is structured to cause a breakdown of the number of gaps.

Abstract: A washer assembly is for use with a fastener. The washer assembly includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and an insulating portion disposed between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the insulating portion form a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener. A wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the variable capacitor and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to sense the capacitance of the variable capacitor, to generate information representing the capacitance, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.

Abstract: A low voltage arc flash switch includes a sealed housing and gas insulation within the sealed housing. A plurality of conductors include a number of gaps therebetween within the sealed housing. A triggering mechanism is structured to cause a breakdown of the number of gaps.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a number of sensors structured to detect an arc flash from an uncontrolled arcing fault, and a trigger circuit, responsive to the detected arc flash, structured to trigger a triggering mechanism and cause a breakdown of a number of gaps within a low voltage arc flash switch.

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: An electrical joint monitoring device including a mounting assembly and a wireless transponder unit. The mounting assembly includes a first conductive contact structured to electrically connect to a first conductive member of an electrical joint and a second conductive contact structured to electrically connect to a second conductive member of the electrical joint. The wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the first and second conductive contacts and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The wireless transponder unit is configured to sense a voltage difference between the first and second conductive contacts, to generate information based on the voltage difference, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a plurality of poles, each of the poles including a terminal. The terminal of a first one of the poles is proximate the terminal of a second one of the poles. A jumper is electrically connected between the terminal of the first one of the poles and the terminal of the second one of the poles. The jumper includes a plurality of heat transfer members, each of the heat transfer members being separated from others of the heat transfer members.

Abstract: A triggered arc flash arrester includes an envelope structured to operate at: a pressure less than about 1.33 Pa; or a pressure greater than 0.10857 MPa; a plurality of conductors partially disposed within the envelope; a number of gaps disposed between the plurality of conductors within the envelope; and a shorting structure selected from the group consisting of a triggered gap and a fuse. The shorting structure is operatively associated with the number of gaps. The shorting structure is structured to electrically short the plurality of conductors either together or to ground, in order to create an arc within the envelope which is electrically in parallel to an arc fault causing the arc fault internal to switchgear to be extinguished.

Abstract: A method detects a glowing contact in a power circuit. The method applies at least two different resistance values across the power circuit and responsively senses at least two voltages across the power circuit. Each of the at least two voltages correspond to one of the at least two different resistance values. Then, the method determines if a number of changes in the sensed at least two voltages with respect to a number of changes in the at least two different resistance values is linear within a predetermined range or if a change in two of the sensed at least two voltages does not increase with a decrease in two of the at least two different resistance values and, otherwise, responsively generates at least one of a trip signal and an alarm signal corresponding to detecting the glowing contact in the power circuit.

Abstract: A washer assembly is for use with a fastener. The washer assembly includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and an insulating portion disposed between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the insulating portion form a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener. A wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the variable capacitor and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to sense the capacitance of the variable capacitor, to generate information representing the capacitance, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.

Abstract: An electrical joint monitoring device including a mounting assembly and a wireless transponder unit. The mounting assembly includes a first conductive contact structured to electrically connect to a first conductive member of an electrical joint and a second conductive contact structured to electrically connect to a second conductive member of the electrical joint. The wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the first and second conductive contacts and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The wireless transponder unit is configured to sense a voltage difference between the first and second conductive contacts, to generate information based on the voltage difference, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.

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.