Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a system. The system includes a radio frequency (RF) generator configured to output a RF signal. A transmission line is coupled to the RF generator. A plasma chamber is coupled to RF generator via the transmission line, wherein the plasma chamber is configured to generate a plasma based on the RF signal. A micro-arc detecting element is configured to determine whether a micro-arc has occurred in the plasma chamber based on the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for current sensor fault detection in a battery system comprises receiving a sequence of battery voltage samples from a voltage sensor configured to measure a battery voltage of a battery and a sequence of battery current samples from a current sensor configured to measure a battery current of the battery; determining a change in the battery voltage samples over a predetermined number of samples and a change in the battery current samples over the predetermined number of samples; checking whether a ratio of the change in the battery voltage samples and the change in the battery current samples is within an expected range for one of (i) a resistance of the battery and (ii) a conductance of the battery; and detecting a fault in the current sensor based on whether the ratio is within the expected range.

Abstract: An arc fault detection system includes a high frequency detector module structured to detect first spectral content of power having a frequency in a first frequency range, a number of arc fault circuit interrupters each having separable contacts, a low frequency detector module structured to detect second spectral content of power having a frequency in a second frequency range, a control unit structured to control the separable contacts to trip open, and an arc fault detection unit structured to detect an arc fault based on the detected first and second spectral content of the power and to cause the control unit to control the separable contacts to trip open in response to detecting the arc fault. A communication bus provides communication between the high frequency detector and the arc fault circuit interrupters and the first frequency range includes frequencies that are higher than frequencies in the second frequency range.

Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an arc fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The arc fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.

Abstract: A motor system is disclosed comprising: an electrical conductor in the form of a coil or winding; an electrical insulator insulating the electrical conductor; a discharge sensor arranged and configured to measure a parameter indicative of an electrical current in the insulator; and a voltage controller for controlling a voltage signal applied to the electrical conductor based on a value of the parameter measured by the discharge sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a system. The system includes a radio frequency (RF) generator configured to output a RF signal. A transmission line is coupled to the RF generator. A plasma chamber is coupled to RF generator via the transmission line, wherein the plasma chamber is configured to generate a plasma based on the RF signal. A micro-arc detecting element is configured to determine whether a micro-arc has occurred in the plasma chamber based on the RF signal.

Abstract: Multiple magnetic field sensors are arranged around a current-containing volume at multiple longitudinal and circumferential positions. Each sensor measures multiple magnetic field components and is characterized by one or more calibration parameters. A longitudinal primary current flows through two end-to-end electrical conductors that are separated by an arc gap, and flows as at least one longitudinal primary electric arc that spans the arc gap and that moves transversely within the arc gap. Estimated transverse position of the primary electric arc is calculated, based on the longitudinal position of the arc gap, and two or more of the measured magnetic field components along with one or more corresponding sensor positions or calibration parameters. In addition, estimated occurrence, position, and magnitude of a transverse secondary current (i.e., a side arc) can be calculated based on those quantities.

Abstract: A method for detecting an arc fault in AC circuits. The method includes monitoring disturbances in an AC voltage signal by analyzing multi-dimensional energy points. A voltage signal is captured and the zero-crossing, minimum peak, and maximum peak are identified. Arcing signatures between the maximum and minimum peaks of the captured AC voltage signal are analyzed to detect an arc fault.

Abstract: An electrical metering system in a utility box is capable of receiving electrical signals received from a power utility company. The electrical metering system includes measurement circuitry capable of measuring properties of the received electrical signals. Based on the measurements, a determination is made that an arcing condition is present in the utility box. Based on the determination that the arcing condition is present, a disconnect circuit is activated to interrupt the connection between a source of the electrical signals and a premises.

Abstract: A circuit board testing system includes a testing fixture. The testing fixture is used for testing plural wires of a cable of a circuit board. The testing fixture includes a first contact element, a switch circuit, a second contact element, a voltage acquisition element and a control unit. The first contact element is connected with input terminals of the plural wires. The second contact element is connected with output terminals of the plural wires. When the control unit drives a switching action of the switch circuit, a testing voltage is provided to the odd-numbered wires or the even-numbered wires. The control unit reads the voltage values of the odd-numbered wires and the voltage values of the even-numbered wires from the voltage acquisition element so as to judge whether the plural wires of the cable are normal.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a cell voltage measurement circuit for measuring a voltage of the battery cells; a first terminal connected to the cell voltage measurement circuit; a second terminal having a potential higher than that of the first terminal; and a protection circuit connected to the second terminal for discharging an electric current to the second terminal so that the cell voltage measurement circuit is protected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and identifying arcing are disclosed. A method of detecting arcing includes obtaining data indicative of voltage and data indicative of current, determining a waveform of a cycle of a primary load current according to the data indicative of current, determining at least one noise signal according to the determined waveform of a cycle of the primary load current and the data indicative of current, determining a probability density of the noise signal according to a time window, and comparing the probability density of the noise signal with at least one model probability density.

Abstract: Damage preventing identification system for electrical conductors and coupling points including at least one identification unit arranged for arrangement to a surface, end cap or cable shoe of an electrical conductor, which identification unit is provided with an encapsulation for arrangement of the identification unit to the electrical conductor, and for housing means for visual and electronic tagging, which identification unit further includes means for measuring temperature and/or current.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for recognizing disruptions in an on-board power supply. The device comprises a reception unit adapted to receive a first and a second temporal sequence of measurement values, the measurement values of the first sequence being measured at a first measuring point of the on-board power supply and the measurement values of the second sequence being measured at a second measuring point of the on-board power supply differing from the first measuring point, and the measurement values representing current or voltage values, and an evaluation unit adapted to recognize the occurrence of a disruption based on a comparison of the first dispersion of the measurement values of the first sequence and a second dispersion of the measurement values of the second sequence.

Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to locating electrical faults in an electrical circuit, in particular electrical faults in transmission wires of an electrical circuit. Examples of the present embodiments provide a method and apparatus for opening a switch in the electrical circuit to cause an open circuit or discontinuity at the fault; transmitting a signal to be reflected from the open circuit or discontinuity and receiving the signal reflected from the open circuit or discontinuity to determine the location of the fault. Examples are particularly suitable for high voltage systems, for example over 100V.

Abstract: A partial discharge signals processing method includes: setting a first discrimination criterion among the following criteria: discharge signals acquisition, discharge signals noise filtering, and discharge signals classification; providing a plurality of pulse waveforms associated with detected partial discharge waveform signals; defining at least a first reference pulse waveform in accordance with the first criterion; performing a first training of a neural network module based on the at least a first reference pulse waveform to produce a similarity index adapted to selectively assume a first value and a second value representative of a similarity/non similarity of an input pulse waveform with the at least a first reference pulse waveform, respectively; comparing the plurality of pulse waveforms with the at least a first reference pulse waveform by means of the neural network module to obtain first similarity index values; and memorizing/rejecting each compared pulse waveform on the basis of the obtained fi

Abstract: An electrical cable link apparatus includes a first electrical conductor structured to conduct a first electrical current from a first screen portion of a first external electrical cable; an electrical linking module connected to the first electrical conductor and structured to implement a cross-bonding/earting link; a first inductor device inductively coupled to the first electrical conductor and able to generate a supply voltage.

Abstract: A method of recognizing partial discharges emitted inside or outside electrical equipment after at least one partial discharge activity has been detected Partial discharge patterns are recorded beforehand in a data base, each pattern being associated with the type of fault that generated it. A new partial discharge (Pd) pattern is acquired. The new partial discharge pattern is compared with discharge patterns that are already recorded in the data base The matching fault in the equipment is obtained by deduction, and the result is recorded in the data base.

Abstract: An embodiment method of detecting an arc fault includes communicating a power line signal, including a communication signal modulated on an alternating current power signal, over a power line. The communication signal is communicated according to a power line network protocol. A power spectrum of the communication signal includes a first frequency band and a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. In accordance with the power line network protocol, a power of the communication signal in the first frequency band is attenuated in comparison to the power of the communication signal in the second frequency band. The method further includes performing arc fault detection on the spectral portions of the power line signal that are within the first frequency band.

Abstract: This disclosure describes at least embodiments of an aircraft monitoring system for an electric or hybrid airplane. The aircraft monitoring system can be constructed to enable the electric or hybrid aircraft to pass certification requirements relating to a safety risk analysis. The aircraft monitoring system can have different subsystems for monitoring and alerting of failures of components, such as a power source for powering an electric motor, of the electric or hybrid aircraft. The failures that pose a greater safety risk may be monitored and indicated by one or more subsystems without use of programmable components.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to reduce erroneous detection of arcs, and to reduce erroneous responses concomitant with erroneous detection. In a photovoltaic power generation system (100), a main control part (37) controls an arc detecting device (40) in such a way as to suspend arc detection during periods in which arc-like noise is being generated. Examples that can be cited of periods during which arc-like noise is generated include a period from when a PCS (30) starts up to when the supply of power to a power grid (80) begins, and a period during which a current (I) flowing from a power generating device (10) to the PCS (30) is changing suddenly.

Abstract: An abnormality measuring method and an abnormality measuring apparatus of equipment are provided. The abnormality measuring method includes the following steps: acquiring a feature sequence corresponding to a life cycle according to recipe information and sensing information, wherein the feature sequence includes a plurality of feature subset sequences, and the life cycle is relative to a plurality of process runs; performing repeatedly a life segment analyzing process to acquire a plurality of life segments of the life cycle and each of the plurality of the feature subset sequences corresponding to one of the plurality of life segments; building a corresponding trending distribution of each of the plurality of life segments according to a corresponding feature subset sequence of the life segment; and determining whether to send an alarm message according to a plurality of trending distributions.

Abstract: An arrangement having an electric cable, at least one fiber at least a part of which being aligned along and motionally coupled with the electric cable, and a device for detecting effects in the electric cable via said at least one fiber.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, out-gassing products released from and/or trapped within a joint in response to a lightning strike or other electrical current threat. A device for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, gases, plasma and/or particles released from a joint in response to an electrical current threat. The joint includes a fastener passing through a structure so that an end of the fastener protrudes from the structure. The device includes a containment member having a base surrounding an opening into a cavity, the containment member being arranged to be mounted over the end of the fastener to enclose the end of the fastener within the cavity and to seal the opening; and one or more sensors arranged to measure physical properties of gases, plasma and/or particles contained by the cavity.

Abstract: A partial discharge determination method and apparatus, and a partial discharge determination system capable of indicating how much margin is left before dielectric breakdown, in a lighting impulse withstand voltage test, and a power device for which whether partial discharge is caused is determined by them, and a method for manufacturing a power device including the partial discharge determination method. A low-pass filter receives an acoustic signal resulting from application of an impulse voltage and acquired by an acoustic emission sensor, and removes an electromagnetic noise superimposed on the acoustic signal. A mechanical oscillation removal unit removes a mechanical oscillation component of a device under test, from the acoustic signal resulting from application of the impulse voltage which is a high voltage, based on the mechanical oscillation component acquired in advance and included in the acoustic signal resulting from application of the impulse voltage which is a low voltage.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for detecting an electric arc in an electric circuit supplied with AC current during a supply period includes measuring at least one input signal (S) among a current (I) and an input voltage (U) of the electric circuit, supplying a warning signal (A1) to indicate that an electric arc occurs when the input signal (S) is constant over at least one portion of the supply period, digitally sampling the input signal (S) during the measurement thereof according to predetermined levels and, to identify that the input signal (S) is constant, determining the frequency at which each level is reached by the input signal (S) over a predetermined time window, comparing the frequency of each level with a predetermined warning threshold, and issuing the warning signal if the frequency of at least one of the levels is higher than the warning threshold.

Abstract: A method of locating incipient faults that generate partial discharges in an AC power distribution system includes detecting at least one spike in a PD pattern generated by such system; getting the voltage wave of the AC power in the system; detecting a phase of such spike with respect to the voltage of the AC power; and locating an incipient fault where such phase is below a predetermined threshold. An apparatus includes at least one sensor of electrical pulses, means for getting a synchronism signal with a power supply of the power distribution system, and modules adapted to carry out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of locating in a dispersive medium (5) a source (7) of pulses (s1, s2) by at least one pair of sensors (1, 2), the method comprising the following steps: at the level of each sensor (1, 2), detecting a pulse (s1, s2) originating from the source (7); for each of said pulses, constructing a phase diagram on the basis of N vectors of which the co-ordinates correspond to the amplitude of the pulse (s1, s2) at successive sampling instants ti; and for each pair of sensors, calculating the ratio between the distances L1 and L2 of each sensor from the source through the formula (I) where (II) and (III) are the norms of the vectors (IV) and (V) of the phase diagrams corresponding to the pulses detected by the sensors (1, 2).

Abstract: An electronic device for the diagnosis of insulation loss of an energized electrical apparatus, with respect to a ground. The device includes a first resistance-switch group and a second resistance-switch group, connectable or disconnectable in a controlled manner, and also a first measurement circuit and a second measurement circuit, arranged in parallel to the first and second resistance-switch groups, respectively. The first and second measurement circuits include respective first and second detection circuits, first and second charge modulation circuits and first and second partition resistors (RBminus, RBplus). The first and second charge modulation circuits allow a dynamic “switching” measurement technique. Moreover, a method is described for measuring the insulation resistances (RIminus, RIplus) of an energized electrical apparatus with respect to ground, in which the method is carried out by a device according to the invention. Finally, a self-diagnosis method of device is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching arrangement (15) with a pre-selector (28) for a power transformer (10, 40) which has multiple windings (12, 14). The pre-selector is designed to optionally connect at least one first winding (12) to one of the two end contacts (30, 32) of at least one second winding (14). At least one first switch is arranged in the connection between the pre-selector (28) and the first winding (12), thereby allowing the pre-selector to be switched in an arc-free manner and thus in a gas-free manner as well.

Abstract: A wireless sensor device includes: an energy harvester configured to convert vibration generated from a broadband vibration source into electricity, an elastic member arranged to receive the vibration and a communication unit fixed by the elastic member, supplied with the converted electricity from the energy harvester, and configured to transmit sensing information obtained by sensing a measurement target. The elastic member operates as a mechanical filter configured to limit a frequency range and an acceleration magnitude of the vibration to be transferred to the communication unit for stabilizing the performance of the communication unit, and the communication unit is arranged to receive vibration passing through the elastic member.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection system including a partial discharge acquisition and processing device includes: a partial discharge detection device configured to provide a detected partial discharge electrical signal from partial discharge pulse generated by a first electrical object; and a first communication module configured to receive a detected synchronization signal carrying detected synchronization phase values and corresponding reference time values associated with an electrical supplying voltage of a second electrical object. The partial discharge detection system further includes: a phase value generator configured to produce synthetized phase values representing a synthetized synchronization signal, the phase value generator being adjustable according to phase errors; and an error computing module configured to compute said phase errors from the synthetized phase values, the detected synchronization phase values and the corresponding reference time values.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection apparatus, includes: a support structure and a first antenna configured to receive electromagnetic signals at least partially associated with partial discharges of an electric object and generate a first electrical signal, the first antenna having a first receiving effective area for first receiving directions and a second antenna configured to receive electromagnetic noise signals and generate a second electrical signal, the first and second antennas being arranged to cause the second antenna to have a second receiving effective area for the first receiving directions smaller than the first receiving effective area. The apparatus further includes a first processing module configured to generate from the first and second electrical signals a difference electrical signal representing a difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of a fault within a first inductive part of an electrical circuit, including a voltage source, first inductive part and second inductive part. A shortened circuit created by the fault includes the voltage source, a portion of the first inductive part and the second, connected in series. The fault occurs across first and second points in the first inductive part. The length of first inductive part between a positive terminal and first point is substantially equal to the length of first inductive part between a negative terminal and second point. The voltage source supplies a known voltage Vs when the fault occurs and the second inductive part has a known inductance L2 when the fault occurs. The method takes advantage of the initial transient response of the circuit to determine the inductance of the portion of the first inductive part in the shortened circuit.

Abstract: A DC power generation system in which an arc detector, comprising an arc noise analysis unit which detects an arc which occurs in a DC power generation system based on noise of signal of a voltage-current sensor, a voltage-current variation analysis unit for specifying an arc occurrence point in a case where an arc is detected in the arc noise analysis unit, a voltage-current operation point of output of each string is analyzed based on a signal from a voltage-current sensor and based on variation of voltage-current operation point before and after when an arc is detected and a switch control unit for controlling of opening or closing of a switch based on an arc specified result in a voltage-current variation analysis unit, is provided.

Abstract: A first switch for connection in a first circuit path between a PV panel string and an inverter in a power system, and a second switch for connection in a second circuit path across an output of the PV panel string, are normally closed and open, respectively, during non-fault operation of the power system. Both series and parallel arc faults in the power system can be extinguished by further control of the switches. Arc fault detection could be based on probabilistic frequency analysis of current or power flow measurements in the PV panel string, current or power imbalance, interruption in communications with the PV panels, or combinations of these techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system configured to monitor a condition of a rotating system comprising a main bearing, the monitoring arrangement having a first measurement device configured to be arranged at a first location in proximity of the main bearing for determining a first measurement indicative of a current flow at the first location, and a control unit connected to the measurement device. The control unit is further configured to form a first parameter based on the first measurement, match the first parameter with a plurality of predetermined current flow profiles, each of the plurality of predetermined current flow profiles being indicative of a condition of the rotating system, determine, if a matching current flow profile is found, a relevance level for the corresponding condition, and provide an indication of an alarm if the relevance level is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A DC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether a DC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections.

Abstract: An AC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether an AC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for electromagnetic surveying using dynamically-selected source waveforms. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a source waveform is adapted by dynamically selecting a source waveform from the set of pre-calculated waveform sequences. The dynamic selection of the source waveform may depend on a measured background noise level. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conductor assembly for a power network includes an inner conductor, an insulating layer arranged concentrically around the inner conductor, and a sensing electrode, arranged radially outward of the insulating layer, and operable as a first electrode of a sensing capacitor of a voltage sensor. The conductor assembly further includes a voltage pickup element having electrically conductive major surfaces, the first major surface being in a surface contact with the sensing electrode. The conductor assembly further includes an electrode wire, in electrical and mechanical contact with the voltage pickup element, for electrically connecting the voltage pickup element with an electric or electronic component disposed remote from the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A conductor assembly for a power network includes an inner conductor defining radial and axial directions, an insulating layer arranged around at least an axial section of the inner conductor, and a sensing electrode arranged radially outward of the insulating layer. The sensing electrode is operable as a first electrode of a sensing capacitor of a capacitive voltage sensor, in which sensing capacitor the inner conductor is operable as a second electrode. The conductor assembly further includes an electrically insulating spacer element arranged radially between the insulating layer and the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A method of handling a reclosing operation of a recloser in a power system subject to a fault. The method includes a) determining a fault current for each electrical phase, the fault current being determined by a difference between measured current values and a sinusoidal model of a current prior to the fault, bI) calculating a respective sinusoidal model of the fault current for each electrical phase using samples taken before the fault, bII) selecting two sinusoidal models with the largest amplitude to represent faulted electrical phases, bIII) calculating a plurality of sub-features based on the two models, and bIV) determining a main feature value based on the plurality of sub-features, bV) determining, based on the main feature value, whether a temporary fault is present, and c) providing control instructions that the recloser is to reclose in the event that the fault is a temporary fault.

Abstract: Systems and methods for arc handling in plasma processing operations are disclosed. The method includes providing current with a power supply to a plasma load at a first voltage polarity and energizing an energy storage device so when it is energized, the energy storage device applies a reverse polarity voltage that has a magnitude that is as least as great as the first voltage polarity. When an arc is detected, power is applied from the energy storage device to the plasma load with a reverse polarity voltage that has a polarity that is opposite of the first voltage polarity, the application of the reverse polarity voltage to the plasma load decreases a level of the current that is provided to the plasma load.

Abstract: An arc fault detection system includes a first current sensor, a second current sensor, a band-pass filter, and a comparator module. The first current sensor, the second current sensor, and the comparator module are each connected to the comparator module by direct leads for biasing a current differential between the first current sensor and the second current sensor using a bias calculated from a frequency component indicative of arc events received from the frequency selector.

Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.

Abstract: An apparatus is for a power circuit providing an alternating current to a load. The apparatus includes a high frequency current sensor structured to cooperate with the power circuit to provide a high frequency current signal. A voltage zero crossing detector is structured to cooperate with the power circuit to provide a voltage zero crossing signal. A high pass filter is structured to provide a filtered current signal from the high frequency current signal. A threshold comparator is structured to provide an output when the filtered current signal exceeds a predetermined value. A processor is structured to receive the voltage zero crossing signal and the output of the threshold comparator and output a trip signal in response to undesired series arcing by detecting an unsymmetrical high frequency signal for a predetermined number of cycles.

Abstract: Several techniques are described herein for evaluating parameters relating to noise and excess current on a power line. More specifically, the techniques described herein are particularly well-suited for characterizing partial discharge, and for identifying a location of a source of the noise or the excess current on the power line.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and including a first battery cell at a highest potential; a discharge circuit connected to a high potential side of the first battery cell through a first line; a circuit connected to the high potential side of the first battery cell through a second line; and a plurality of electro-static protection circuits each including one end portion connected to at least one of a high potential side and a low potential side of each of the battery cells, and another end portion connected to the first line.

Abstract: There is provided a distribution abnormality detecting device that detects a distribution abnormality of partitioned power with identification information, the distribution abnormality detecting device being configured to: determine that the distribution abnormality has occurred when an interval of the identification information detected during power distribution is different from an interval specified by the partitioned power.