Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a voltage potential in a power switching device. The method and apparatus uses a conductive shield surrounding a coil positioned around a connector in a power switching device. The coil is used to provide a current measuring device within the power switching device. The combination of the shield, connector and the dielectric between them forms a capacitor, which is the high voltage leg of a capacitive voltage divider circuit. The capacitive voltage divider has a low voltage leg made of one or more capacitors. The capacitors of the low voltage leg may be removed in order to adjust the output of the capacitive voltage divider. The output of the voltage divider circuit is measured, converted and displayed to a user.

Abstract: Novel interrupter assembly designs utilizing saturable magnetic materials are disclosed and described. In certain embodiments of the invention the saturable magnetic materials are placed in the interrupter contact body and/or electrode. The inclusion of saturable magnetic materials in the interrupter assembly results in the redistribution of the magnetic flux within the interrupter contact assembly appropriate for the electrical current conditions being experienced within the assembly at any moment in time.

Abstract: A device and method for filtering high frequency transients from medium and high voltage conductors is disclosed. The device for filtering medium voltage and high voltage conductors comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface and a material located between the interior surface and the exterior surface. The material filters the medium voltage and/or high voltage conductors by passing signals in a first frequency range and impeding signals in a second frequency range.

Abstract: Voltage regulation of power transformers by the use of a separate, removable, detachably coupled device external to the main transformer that can be attached to a main transformer unit when voltage regulation is desired. The device is connected to the three neutrals of the main transformer and can comprise: (a) a bank of three capacitors connected in wye, (b) a bank of three medium voltage (MV) or low voltage (XV) transformers, (c) one three-phase low voltage or medium voltage transformer, or (d) a combination of a XV/MV transformer and a capacitor bank.

Abstract: Voltage regulation of power transformers by the use of a separate, removable, detachably coupled device external to the main transformer that can be attached to a main transformer unit when voltage regulation is desired. The device is connected to the three neutrals of the main transformer and can comprise: (a) a bank of three capacitors connected in wye, (b) a bank of three medium voltage (MV) or low voltage (XV) transformers, (c) one three-phase low voltage or medium voltage transformer, or (d) a combination of a XV/MV transformer and a capacitor bank.

Abstract: A current limiting apparatus and method for use in a power system is provided. Current flows from a power system to a first magnetic field producing contact. A Hall effect device is disposed between the first magnetic field producing contact and another magnetic field producing contact. In this manner, the Hall effect device is subjected to a magnetic field produced by the two contacts. The limited current is then provided to another portion of the power system or to another power system.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for monitoring vacuum integrity in a vacuum interrupter. The method includes injecting sonic signals into a body and detecting sonic signals reflected from the body. A composite value is calculated from the reflected sonic signals and a determination made based on the composite value as to whether the vacuum is acceptable. The system includes the following components: a transducer for sending sonic signals into a body; a receiver for receiving sonic signals reflected from the body; a signal processor for calculating a composite value from the sonic signals reflected from the body; and a processing unit for determining from the composite value whether the body has an acceptable vacuum therein.

Abstract: A device/method for actively interrupting fault current in an ac or dc power system before the fault current is capable of growing to peak magnitude or steady state condition, respectively, is presented. In an ac implementation, a commutating capacitance of desired polarity from one of two commutating circuits is coupled across a circuit interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts. The circuit interrupter operates to open circuit the power system upon reaching zero current therethrough. The commutating capacitance of appropriate polarity actively drives the fault current to zero before the fault current reach peak magnitude, thereby allowing the circuit interrupter to open circuit the power system before the fault current's natural current zero. In dc implementation, the commutating capacitance is connected to dissipate a fault current while the system is in transient state, thereby protecting the power system from full steady state fault current condition.