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: An electrical switching apparatus includes two arc runners, two contacts in electrical communication with the respective runners, a movable contact having two portions respectively cooperating with the contacts to provide closed and open contact positions, and two arc chambers each including two ends, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and arc plates between the ends. A magnet assembly cooperates with the arc chambers to establish a generally unidirectional magnetic field normal to the axes, normal to a first direction of a first arc between one contact and the first portion as it moves away from the closed toward the open contact position, and normal to an opposite second direction of a second arc between the other contact and the second portion as it moves away from the closed toward the open contact position. The magnetic field causes one arc to enter one arc chamber depending upon current flow direction between the contacts.

Abstract: A hybrid DC contactor includes contacts that provide a first current path between a DC power source and a load, an electromagnetic coil to position the contacts, a semiconductor switch in parallel with contacts that, when turned on, provides a second parallel current path that diverts current away from the contacts when the main contacts are being opened in either direction. A controller is provided to terminate power to the electromagnetic coil to open the contacts, detect an arc voltage across the contacts as the contacts open, provide a gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on for a pre-determined period of time to route current to the semiconductor switch, measure a current through the contacts and, if current is present through the contacts, then provide another gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on again so as to route current thereto.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power system is disclosed that includes hybrid DC contactors corresponding to each of a plurality of PV strings, with each hybrid DC contactor having main contacts, a solid state switching unit positioned in parallel with the main contacts, and sensors configured to measure a voltage and current on respective PV strings. A controller is provided in the PV power system that is configured to receive voltage and current data on the PV strings, detect a fault condition on a respective PV string based on the voltage and current data, cause the main contacts of a respective hybrid DC contactor to remain closed on each PV string for which a fault condition is detected, and cause the main contacts of a respective hybrid DC contactor to open on each PV string for which no fault condition is detected, so as to clear the fault condition.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power system is disclosed that includes hybrid DC contactors corresponding to each of a plurality of PV strings, with each hybrid DC contactor having main contacts, a solid state switching unit positioned in parallel with the main contacts, and sensors configured to measure a voltage and current on respective PV strings. A controller is provided in the PV power system that is configured to receive voltage and current data on the PV strings, detect a fault condition on a respective PV string based on the voltage and current data, cause the main contacts of a respective hybrid DC contactor to remain closed on each PV string for which a fault condition is detected, and cause the main contacts of a respective hybrid DC contactor to open on each PV string for which no fault condition is detected, so as to clear the fault condition.

Abstract: A hybrid DC contactor includes contacts that provide a first current path between a DC power source and a load, an electromagnetic coil to position the contacts, a semiconductor switch in parallel with contacts that, when turned on, provides a second parallel current path that diverts current away from the contacts when the main contacts are being opened in either direction. A controller is provided to terminate power to the electromagnetic coil to open the contacts, detect an arc voltage across the contacts as the contacts open, provide a gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on for a pre-determined period of time to route current to the semiconductor switch, measure a current through the contacts and, if current is present through the contacts, then provide another gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on again so as to route current thereto.

Abstract: A direct current electrical switching apparatus includes a first contact in electrical communication with first and third arc runners, a second contact in electrical communication with second and fourth arc runners, a movable contact, a first arc chamber including first arc plates having a first width, a second arc chamber including second arc plates having a greater second width, an operating mechanism, and a magnet assembly cooperating with the arc chambers to establish generally oppositely directed magnetic fields. The magnetic fields cause one of a first arc and a second arc to enter one of the arc chambers depending upon a direction of current flow between the contacts. The electrical switching apparatus is rated for a first magnitude of current flowing from the first contact to the second contact and for a greater second magnitude of opposite second current flowing from the second contact to the first contact.

Abstract: A system and method for determining stator winding resistance in an AC motor is disclosed. The system includes a circuit having an input connectable to an AC source and an output connectable to an input terminal of an AC motor. The circuit includes at least one contactor and at least one switch to control current flow and terminal voltages in the AC motor. The system also includes a controller connected to the circuit and configured to modify a switching time of the at least one switch to create a DC component in an output of the system corresponding to an input to the AC motor and determine a stator winding resistance of the AC motor based on the injected DC component of the voltage and current.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting incipient mechanical motor faults by way of current noise cancellation is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to detect indicia of incipient mechanical motor faults. The controller further includes a processor programmed to receive a baseline set of current data from an operating motor and define a noise component in the baseline set of current data. The processor is also programmed to repeatedly receive real-time operating current data from the operating motor and remove the noise component from the operating current data in real-time to isolate any fault components present in the operating current data. The processor is then programmed to generate a fault index for the operating current data based on any isolated fault components.

Abstract: A system and method for determining stator winding resistance in an AC motor is disclosed. The system includes a circuit having an input connectable to an AC source and an output connectable to an input terminal of an AC motor. The circuit includes at least one contactor and at least one switch to control current flow and terminal voltages in the AC motor. The system also includes a controller connected to the circuit and configured to modify a switching time of the at least one switch to create a DC component in an output of the system corresponding to an input to the AC motor and determine a stator winding resistance of the AC motor based on the injected DC component of the voltage and current.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting incipient mechanical motor faults by way of current noise cancellation is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to detect indicia of incipient mechanical motor faults. The controller further includes a processor programmed to receive a baseline set of current data from an operating motor and define a noise component in the baseline set of current data. The processor is also programmed to repeatedly receive real-time operating current data from the operating motor and remove the noise component from the operating current data in real-time to isolate any fault components present in the operating current data. The processor is then programmed to generate a fault index for the operating current data based on any isolated fault components.

Abstract: An embedded system includes a first wireless node and a number of second wireless nodes, each of which includes a wireless transceiver, a memory storing a schedule defining transmission and reception of test packets, and a processor transmitting and receiving the test packets responsive to the schedule. The memories store a corresponding predetermined application employing some of the wireless communications, and a corresponding predetermined measurement function measuring wireless communication performance. A corresponding one of the schedules is executed by the corresponding predetermined measurement function. The second wireless nodes wait to receive a number of the test packets before being synchronized with their schedule and receiving and transmitting the test packets according to their schedule. The processors store data from the test packets to assess wireless communication performance between corresponding nodes.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for locating an arc fault for a protected circuit includes separable contacts interrupting the protected circuit and an arc fault detector determining an arc fault in the protected circuit. An analog to digital converter circuit measures a value of peak arc current at the arc fault detector. Another analog to digital converter circuit provides a peak line-to-neutral voltage. A memory provides an arc voltage operatively associated with the value of peak current. A microprocessor determines a distance from the arc fault detector to the arc fault from the value of peak arc current, a wire resistance per unit length or a wire conductance per unit length, the peak line-to-neutral voltage and the arc voltage.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for locating an arc fault for a protected circuit includes separable contacts interrupting the protected circuit and an arc fault detector determining an arc fault in the protected circuit. An analog to digital converter circuit measures a value of peak arc current at the arc fault detector. Another analog to digital converter circuit provides a peak line-to-neutral voltage. A memory provides an arc voltage operatively associated with the value of peak current. A microprocessor determines a distance from the arc fault detector to the arc fault from the value of peak arc current, a wire resistance per unit length or a wire conductance per unit length, the peak line-to-neutral voltage and the arc voltage.

Abstract: A circuit breaker panel includes a panel having a surface; an electrically conductive grounding member, such as a grounding strip, adapted for electrical connection to ground; a circuit breaker having an electrically conductive surface; and one or more fasteners fastening the circuit breaker to the panel. The electrically conductive grounding member is sandwiched between the surface of the panel and the electrically conductive surface of the circuit breaker. The electrically conductive circuit breaker surface electrically engages the electrically conductive grounding member.

Abstract: A load connector module for connecting a multi-phase load to a circuit interrupter which includes all the multi-phase connectors, a current transformer for each respective phase, and a voltage transformer coupling, in an integral, solid, insulated unit.

Abstract: A compact switchgear system employing a number of modular components that plug into their mating interface and are maintained in electrical isolation employing solid insulation in a manner that substantially shields the electrical conducting portions of the assembly from contact with lower voltage portions of the system. The assembly is primarily made up of five modules.

Abstract: A modular three position vacuum isolator switch that is operable to connect a stationary contact to either of two moveable contacts or an intermediate position which is out of electrical engagement with either of the moveable contacts. One of the moveable contacts is grounded and the other is connected a power source. The stationary contact is connected to two electrical connectors. One of the two electrical connectors is connected to a breaker and the second is connected to a corresponding input on a second similar isolator switch model, which itself is connected to a second line source. The stationary contact is connected to the circuit interrupter for connecting the circuit interrupter to either of the two line sources, to ground, or to isolate the circuit interrupter by placing the isolator switch module in the intermediate position.

Abstract: An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a housing with an operating mechanism disposed therein and including first and second separable main contacts disposed within the housing is taught. There is an electrically conducting first contact support which has a shape which substantially doubles back upon itself and which has parallel, spaced apart first and second legs forming a central region. An electrically insulating support member is supplied which is disposed in the central region and has a substantial portion outboard of the central region in a disposition to shield a portion of the contact support member. It also has a portion which captures the first contact support member. In addition, magnetic plates are disposed within the central region for cooperating with other closed loop magnetic plates outside of the support member for providing a slot motor action for the movable contact. An arc runner is provided which is trapped between the support member and the contact support conductor.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker having an extended fin cantilevered from its housing. A portion of the fin along its extended length is magnetized so that the fin flutters in the magnetic field generated by the alternating current conducted through the breaker. The resulting magnetic resonance vibration establishes forced, convective heat transfer which assists cooling of the breaker.