Abstract: Systems and methods for soft starting a motor (40) using solid-state switching devices are disclosed. The system (10) includes a soft starting switch (53) that is made of a plurality of solid-state switches (62, 63). The system (10) also includes a controller (86) that is programmed to regulate currents and voltages delivered to the motor (40) during a start-up operation of the motor by cycling the solid-state switches (62, 63) ON and OFF during the start-up operation.

Abstract: A microgrid power generation system includes a plurality of generators having a plurality of different rated capacities and a plurality of distribution nodes, at least some of the distribution nodes being powered by the generators. A grid is formed by the distribution nodes, the grid includes a system frequency. A plurality of loads are powered by the grid through the distribution nodes, the loads have a power demand. A processor includes a plurality of efficiency bands, each of the efficiency bands being for a corresponding one of the generators and including a plurality of generator switching points based upon droop of the system frequency and the power demand of the loads. The processor is structured to operate the generators and the loads under transient conditions based upon the efficiency bands.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting cavitation in pumps for fixed and variable supply frequency applications is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a processor programmed to repeatedly receive real-time operating current data from a motor driving a pump, generate a current frequency spectrum from the current data, and analyze current data within a pair of signature frequency bands of the current frequency spectrum. The processor is further programmed to repeatedly determine fault signatures as a function of the current data within the pair of signature frequency bands, repeatedly determine fault indices based on the fault signatures and a dynamic reference signature, compare the fault indices to a reference index, and identify a cavitation condition in a pump based on a comparison between the reference index and a current fault index.

Abstract: A microgrid power generation system includes a plurality of generators having a plurality of different rated capacities and a plurality of distribution nodes, at least some of the distribution nodes being powered by the generators. A grid is formed by the distribution nodes, the grid includes a system frequency. A plurality of loads are powered by the grid through the distribution nodes, the loads have a power demand. A processor includes a plurality of efficiency bands, each of the efficiency bands being for a corresponding one of the generators and including a plurality of generator switching points based upon droop of the system frequency and the power demand of the loads. The processor is structured to operate the generators and the loads under transient conditions based upon the efficiency bands.

Abstract: A microgrid power generation system includes a plurality of generators having a plurality of different rated capacities and a plurality of distribution nodes, at least some of the distribution nodes being powered by the generators. A grid is formed by the distribution nodes, the grid includes a system frequency. A plurality of loads are powered by the grid through the distribution nodes, the loads have a power demand. A processor includes a plurality of efficiency bands, each of the efficiency bands being for a corresponding one of the generators and including a plurality of generator switching points based upon droop of the system frequency and the power demand of the loads. The processor is structured to operate the generators and the loads under transient conditions based upon the efficiency bands.

Abstract: A microgrid power generation system includes a plurality of generators having a plurality of different rated capacities and a plurality of distribution nodes, at least some of the distribution nodes being powered by the generators. A grid is formed by the distribution nodes, the grid includes a system frequency. A plurality of loads are powered by the grid through the distribution nodes, the loads have a power demand. A processor includes a plurality of efficiency bands, each of the efficiency bands being for a corresponding one of the generators and including a plurality of generator switching points based upon droop of the system frequency and the power demand of the loads. The processor is structured to operate the generators and the loads under transient conditions based upon the efficiency bands.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing current filtering in a motor soft starter is disclosed. A motor soft starter includes a circuit having an input connectable to an AC source and an output connectable to an input terminal of an AC motor, with the circuit being operable in a ramping mode and a bypass mode so as to control current flow and terminal voltages in the AC motor. The soft starter includes a controller connected to the circuit to control operation thereof, with the controller including a configurable current filter. The controller determines a current of an AC power provided to the input terminal of the AC motor from the soft starter, identifies a present operational mode of the soft starter as being one of the ramping mode and the bypass mode, and performs filtering on the determined current based on the present operational mode of the soft starter.

Abstract: A system includes a first powered apparatus having a first analog signal with a fundamental frequency; and a second apparatus providing load diagnostics or power quality assessment of the first apparatus from a second digital signal. The second apparatus includes an input of the first analog signal, an output of the second digital signal, a processor, an adaptive filter executed by the processor, a digital-to-analog converter, and an analog-to-digital converter. The adaptive filter routine outputs a third digital signal as a function of the second digital signal and plural adaptive weights. The digital-to-analog converter inputs the third digital signal and outputs a fourth analog signal representative of an estimate of a fundamental frequency component of the first analog signal. The analog-to-digital converter inputs a difference between the first and fourth analog signals, and outputs the second digital signal representative of the first analog signal with the fundamental frequency component removed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining rotor speed of an AC induction machine is disclosed. The system is programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the induction machine according to a linear speed estimation algorithm and based on name plate information (NPI) of the induction machine and parameters of the AC induction machine during operation thereof. The rotor speed estimation system is also programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the AC induction machine according to a frequency-domain signal processing algorithm and determine if the rotor speed estimated thereby is valid. If the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm is valid, then a tuned rotor speed of the AC induction machine is estimated according to the linear speed estimation algorithm and based, in part, on the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm.

Abstract: A wellness circuit is for a rotating electrical apparatus having a rated current and being operatively associated with an electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus structured to provide a number of currents and a number of voltages of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit includes a current sensor scaled to the rated current and structured to provide a notch current signal representative of one of the number of currents; an interface to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus, the interface providing the number of currents and the number of voltages; and a processor employing the number of currents and the number of voltages from the interface and the notch current signal to determine wellness of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit is structured to be separate from or added to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing current filtering in a motor soft starter is disclosed. A motor soft starter includes a circuit having an input connectable to an AC source and an output connectable to an input terminal of an AC motor, with the circuit being operable in a ramping mode and a bypass mode so as to control current flow and terminal voltages in the AC motor. The soft starter includes a controller connected to the circuit to control operation thereof, with the controller including a configurable current filter. The controller determines a current of an AC power provided to the input terminal of the AC motor from the soft starter, identifies a present operational mode of the soft starter as being one of the ramping mode and the bypass mode, and performs filtering on the determined current based on the present operational mode of the soft starter.

Abstract: A system includes a first powered apparatus having a first analog signal with a fundamental frequency; and a second apparatus providing load diagnostics or power quality assessment of the first apparatus from a second digital signal. The second apparatus includes an input of the first analog signal, an output of the second digital signal, a processor, an adaptive filter executed by the processor, a digital-to-analog converter, and an analog-to-digital converter. The adaptive filter routine outputs a third digital signal as a function of the second digital signal and plural adaptive weights. The digital-to-analog converter inputs the third digital signal and outputs a fourth analog signal representative of an estimate of a fundamental frequency component of the first analog signal. The analog-to-digital converter inputs a difference between the first and fourth analog signals, and outputs the second digital signal representative of the first analog signal with the fundamental frequency component removed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining rotor speed of an AC induction machine is disclosed. The system is programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the induction machine according to a linear speed estimation algorithm and based on name plate information (NPI) of the induction machine and parameters of the AC induction machine during operation thereof. The rotor speed estimation system is also programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the AC induction machine according to a frequency-domain signal processing algorithm and determine if the rotor speed estimated thereby is valid. If the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm is valid, then a tuned rotor speed of the AC induction machine is estimated according to the linear speed estimation algorithm and based, in part, on the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm.

Abstract: A wellness circuit is for a rotating electrical apparatus having a rated current and being operatively associated with an electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus structured to provide a number of currents and a number of voltages of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit includes a current sensor scaled to the rated current and structured to provide a notch current signal representative of one of the number of currents; an interface to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus, the interface providing the number of currents and the number of voltages; and a processor employing the number of currents and the number of voltages from the interface and the notch current signal to determine wellness of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit is structured to be separate from or added to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting cavitation in pumps for fixed and variable supply frequency applications is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a processor programmed to repeatedly receive real-time operating current data from a motor driving a pump, generate a current frequency spectrum from the current data, and analyze current data within a pair of signature frequency bands of the current frequency spectrum. The processor is further programmed to repeatedly determine fault signatures as a function of the current data within the pair of signature frequency bands, repeatedly determine fault indices based on the fault signatures and a dynamic reference signature, compare the fault indices to a reference index, and identify a cavitation condition in a pump based on a comparison between the reference index and a current fault index.

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 acquire at least on additional set of real-time operating current data from the motor during operation, redefine the noise component present in each additional set of real-time operating current data, 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 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 acquire at least on additional set of real-time operating current data from the motor during operation, redefine the noise component present in each additional set of real-time operating current data, 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: The present invention is directed to a system and method for proactively determining motor wellness arising from potential mechanical faults of the motor. A controller is configured to detect indicia of impending mechanical motor faults. The controller includes a processor configured to determine motor parameters of a given motor including a load and generate a set of baseline data for the given motor. The processor is also configured to acquire current spectrum data from the given motor during operation, map at least one from a plurality of load bins based on the load, and generate a mechanical fault signature from the current spectrum. The processor is caused to compare the mechanical fault signature to baseline data from the set of baseline data corresponding to the mapped bin and determine amplitude variances within the mechanical fault signature indicative of an impending mechanical fault prior to an actual mechanical fault occurrence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power meter or overload relay including a housing and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor operation of a motor. A processor disposed within the housing and configured to receive operational feedback from the plurality of sensor and proactively determine an operational wellness of the motor from the operational feedback.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system and method for determining motor wellness based on potential faults including cavitation faults. Specifically, a controller configured to detect indicia of motor faults. The controller includes a processor configured to determine motor parameters of a given motor, generate a set of baseline data for the given motor, and acquire current data from the given motor during operation. The processor is also caused to isolate sidebands within the current data and map the current data within the sidebands to one of a plurality of bins. The processor is caused to compare the current data within the sidebands to baseline data from the set of baseline data associated with the bin and determine a predictive fault index of the given motor prior to an actual fault occurrence.