Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator periodically joins a network to report information and receive commands. The faulted circuit indicator optimizes the transmit power used to join the network so that an acceptable network acquisition time and/or robust routing through multiple nodes are obtained.

Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator periodically joins a network to report information and receive commands. The faulted circuit indicator optimizes the transmit power used to join the network so that an acceptable network acquisition time and/or robust routing through multiple nodes are obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering electric power system data communicated from faulted circuit indicators (FCIs) and at least one other source before the electric power system data is further communicated to a monitoring system such as SCADA. The power system data from the FCIs may include an event such as a fault on the electric power system. To avoid sending incorrect or excess information along to the monitoring system, the present disclosure describes a system and method for comparing data from the FCIs against electric power system data gathered either directly from the electric power system or from an intelligent electronic device (IED). If the two sets of data agree, then the information is passed on to the monitoring system. The FCIs may communicate to a transceiver interface periodically, upon detection of an event, and/or upon interrogation by the transceiver interface.

Abstract: Energy management of an electronic device using multiple electric power sources. The electric power sources may include a parasitic electric power source, a rechargeable electric power source, an intermittent electric power source, and a continuous electric power source. The electronic device further may include a power supply for receiving the electric power from the source(s) and supplying electric power to the various components of the electronic device that require power. The electronic device may include a source selector for controlling which power source supplies electric power to the power supply. Energy management of the electronic device may be configured to use a permanently exhaustible power source such as a battery only when other power sources are unavailable.

Abstract: A voltage sensor consists of a number of capacitive voltage sensors coupled to test points in an electrical power system. The outputs of the voltage sensors are digitized and processed by a digital processor, which determines a normal value for the monitored AC voltages, and then determines if the monitored AC voltages are acceptable based on variations from the normal value.

Abstract: A three-phase faulted circuit indicator adjustable to accommodate a variety of three-phase power cables is disclosed. In one embodiment, faulted circuit indicator comprises a flexible holder that encircles the monitored conductor slightly more than one time. The flexible holder includes a plurality of magnetic sensors for monitoring the current within the internal conductors of the power cable, a logic circuit for determining the occurrence of a fault, and an output device for providing an indication of a fault. In a second embodiment, the faulted circuit indicator comprises a plurality of sensor compartments, each disposed about a central point, and each coupled to two other sensor compartments.

Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically signal the display. The handheld user command tool may be also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication may provide data and/or commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be integrated into the FCI. The FCI may be an overhead FCI.

Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator (FCI) for providing an indication of a fault on a monitored conductor, determining whether the FCI is near the end of its useful life (or entered into an end-of-life mode) and altering an operation of the FCI if the useful life of the FCI has reached a select threshold. The operation alteration may include an alteration of the display and/or deactivation of certain features and/or functions of the FCI. Thus, the useful life of the FCI will be increased. Further, utility personnel will be more likely to notice that the FCI is in end-of-life mode. The FCI may also include a battery discharge module and a thyristor for discharging the battery for disposal upon decommissioning of the FCI.

Abstract: A display for a faulted circuit indicator is disclosed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged so that at least one diode is visible to a person approaching the faulted circuit indicator from a determined angle of approach. When a fault is detected, the faulted circuit indicator flashes the plurality of light-emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern depending on whether a permanent or temporary fault is detected.

Abstract: A display for a faulted circuit indicator is disclosed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged so that at least two diodes are visible to a person approaching the faulted circuit indicator from a determined angle of approach. When a fault is detected, the faulted circuit indicator flashes the plurality of light-emitting diodes in a progression pattern to indicate the direction to the fault relative to the faulted circuit indicator.

Abstract: Energy management of an electronic device using multiple electric power sources. The electric power sources may include a parasitic electric power source, a rechargeable electric power source, an intermittent electric power source, and a continuous electric power source. The electronic device further may include a power supply for receiving the electric power from the source(s) and supplying electric power to the various components of the electronic device that require power. The electronic device may include a source selector for controlling which power source supplies electric power to the power supply. Energy management of the electronic device may be configured to use a permanently exhaustible power source such as a battery only when other power sources are unavailable.

Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically signal the display. The handheld user command tool may be also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication may provide data and/or commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be integrated into the FCI. The FCI may be an overhead FCI.

Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically couple with the display. The handheld user command tool is also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication provides data and commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be remote or integrated into the FCI.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering electric power system data communicated from faulted circuit indicators (FCIs) and at least one other source before the electric power system data is further communicated to a monitoring system such as SCADA. The power system data from the FCIs may include an event such as a fault on the electric power system. To avoid sending incorrect or excess information along to the monitoring system, the present disclosure describes a system and method for comparing data from the FCIs against electric power system data gathered either directly from the electric power system or from an intelligent electronic device (IED). If the two sets of data agree, then the information is passed on to the monitoring system. The FCIs may communicate to a transceiver interface periodically, upon detection of an event, and/or upon interrogation by the transceiver interface.

Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator comprises a processor, which dynamically determines a conductor de-energization level based on a monitored average current. This dynamically-determined de-energization level and/or monitored average current may be used to provide dynamic inrush restraint and/or dynamic backfeed restraint (reset restraint). If current within a power conductor falls below the determined de-energization level, the processor determines that the conductor has de-energized, and accordingly ignores high current spikes less than a predetermined duration that occur during re-energization.

Abstract: A three-phase faulted circuit indicator adjustable to accommodate a variety of three-phase power cables is disclosed. In one embodiment, faulted circuit indicator comprises a flexible holder that encircles the monitored conductor slightly more than one time. The flexible holder includes a plurality of magnetic sensors for monitoring the current within the internal conductors of the power cable, a logic circuit for determining the occurrence of a fault, and an output device for providing an indication of a fault. In a second embodiment, the faulted circuit indicator comprises a plurality of sensor compartments, each disposed about a central point, and each coupled to two other sensor compartments.

Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator (FCI) for providing an indication of a fault on a monitored conductor, determining whether the FCI is near the end of its useful life (or entered into an end-of-life mode) and altering an operation of the FCI if the useful life of the FCI has reached a select threshold. The operation alteration may include an alteration of the display and/or deactivation of certain features and/or functions of the FCI. Thus, the useful life of the FCI will be increased. Further, utility personnel will be more likely to notice that the FCI is in end-of-life mode. The FCI may also include a battery discharge module and a thyristor for discharging the battery for disposal upon decommissioning of the FCI.

Abstract: A display for a faulted circuit indicator is disclosed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged so that at least two diodes are visible to a person approaching the faulted circuit indicator from a determined angle of approach. When a fault is detected, the faulted circuit indicator flashes the plurality of light-emitting diodes in a progression pattern to indicate the direction to the fault relative to the faulted circuit indicator.

Abstract: A display for a faulted circuit indicator is disclosed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged so that at least one diode is visible to a person approaching the faulted circuit indicator from a determined angle of approach. When a fault is detected, the faulted circuit indicator flashes the plurality of light-emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern depending on whether a permanent or temporary fault is detected.

Abstract: A voltage sensor consists of a number of capacitive voltage sensors coupled to test points in an electrical power system. The outputs of the voltage sensors are digitized and processed by a digital processor, which determines a normal value for the monitored AC voltages, and then determines if the monitored AC voltages are acceptable based on variations from the normal value.