Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-insulated bus bar component comprising a grounded housing that is filled with protective gas and at least one bus bar conductor, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is supported on said housing by means of insulating bus bar supports. According to the invention, each bus bar conductor is connected to a disconnecting switch that is insulated by protective gas. The aim of the invention is to provide a component of this type, which can be simply connected to and disconnected from an air-insulated conductor, even when operational. To achieve this, the disconnecting switch is located in an outdoor bushing that is fixed to the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for mounting a current transformer in proximity to a circuit breaker of an electrical system. Generally, a sensor assembly contains a plurality of current transformers (CTs) for measuring power wires from a main power supply. To accommodate measuring a greater number of wires than one sensor assembly can service, a plurality of sensor assemblies can be mounted end-to-end. The sensor assemblies can have symmetrical recessed portions that laterally align when mounted end-to-end by inverting one of the sensor assemblies. The lateral alignment allows CTs mounted lateral to the recessed portions to be aligned with corresponding circuit breakers, so that wires passing from the circuit breakers are aligned with the CTs, reducing bending stresses on the CTs in contrast to prior efforts. Changes in polarity caused by the inversion can be adjusted by software, firmware, hardware or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A power and signal distribution system is adaptable to existing building areas and provides a shielded, low resistance and low inductance grounding structure. The distribution system comprises two or more electrically conductive enclosed channels; one for lower current signals and power distribution and one for high current signals and power distribution. The enclosed channels are electrically coupled and are configured as crosses or spokes with branches extending substantially over the length and width of the building area. The earth ground for the building has a direct connection to one of the enclosures. The ground of each device in the building area is directly connected to the enclosed channels by a low impedance connection. Cables are routed through the enclosures and extended to the devices. The walls of the enclosed channels have a thickness that is greater than the skin depth of a predetermined low frequency.

Abstract: Electrical distribution systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a method in an electrical distribution system, the method including determining if there is a fault condition in a branch of the electrical distribution system, the branch having a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, re-closing a MEMS switch of the plurality of MEMS switches, which is furthest upstream in the branch and determining if the fault condition is still present. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical distribution system, including an input port for receiving a source of power, a main distribution bus electrically coupled to the input port, a service disconnect MEMS switch disposed between and coupled to the input port and the main distribution bus and a plurality of electrical distribution branches electrically coupled to the main distribution bus.

Abstract: An arc fault in an electrical circuit is detected by recording phase plane plot data of current versus voltage for at least one electrical cycle of an alternating current signal, and applying a phase plane plot arc fault monitoring algorithm to the phase plane plot data to determine whether an arc fault is present. An arc fault detection algorithm and an arc fault confirmation algorithm are employed to detect and confirm the presence of series and parallel arc faults in a circuit.

Abstract: Provided is an intelligent electronic device-to-intelligent electronic device direct communication system in a power system, for performing a power system data redundancy check therebetween. The communication includes a first intelligent electronic device adapted for deriving power system data from a selected portion of the power system. The first intelligent electronic device is associated with a first transmit module for transmitting the derived power system data. A second intelligent electronic device is further provided and adapted for deriving power system data from the selected portion of the power system, wherein the second intelligent electronic device is associated with a first receive module.

Abstract: A system and method for accomplishing power swing blocking and unstable power swing tripping schemes during disturbances of electrical networks is disclosed. The disclosed system and method eliminates the requirement of stability studies. The no-setting scheme utilizes the swing center voltage of the electrical network to carry out its functions.

Abstract: A power and safety control hub, integrating fault tolerant power disconnect control, software monitoring of disconnect and multi-voltage power distribution and disconnect with non-hazardous power control, EMI filtering and multi-circuit current protection in a single unit, coordinating shutdown of connected mechanical drives, commanding them to come to a controlled stop before safety power is disconnected. The hub may also integrates segmented hazardous power control and automatically discharge energy sources within connected mechanical drives at the time of safety power disconnect of hazardous power. The hub may also include internal self-protection that automatically forces a control safety power disconnect (after warning the host) if the unit should approach its maximum operating temperature, or if a cooling fan stops.

Abstract: A protection circuit has: a microcomputer that, on receiving a signal indicating that a power supply circuit connected to it is in an abnormal state, transmits a first protection signal to thereby bring the power supply circuit into a protected state; and a microcomputer protector that, on receiving a signal indicating that the microcomputer is in a no-operation-clock state, transmits a second protection signal to thereby bring the power supply circuit into a protected state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring power to loads connected to a feeder powered by a power source. The feeder is provided with a plurality of switching devices and a master electronic device which is in operative communication with the switching devices and has a plurality of power restoration plans stored therein. Upon occurrence of a fault in a zone of the feeder, the identity of the switching device which is closest to and upstream from the faulted zone relative to the power source is used in order to select a power restoration plan and restore power to some or all the loads connected to non-faulted zones of the feeder from one or more additional feeders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive control for an electric drive with a secure electrical separation of power element and control element. The aim of the invention is to reduce the number of components such as optic couplers and buffer amplifiers between the power element and a control electronics. To this end, a suitable electrical transformer (U) is inserted in a digital communication interface (K) between the control unit (R) and the control electronics (A) for the purpose of providing a secure electrical separation. To make use of a transformer (U) possible, a non-zero frequency encoding, for example a Manchester encoding, is carried out. Alternatively, an Ethernet physics can be used to provide a suitable communication interface. The transformer electrically insulates the two communication paths from each other that are provided in an Ethernet physics and preferably has little coupling capacity and a low attenuation factor.

Abstract: A power processing module for supplying power to a motion control device from a power source such as a utility power line, and related method of operation, are disclosed. The power processing module includes a first power input terminal, a first power output terminal, branch circuit protection circuitry coupled at least indirectly between the first power input terminal and the first power output terminal, and at least one bus bar coupling at least two of the first power input terminal, the first power output terminal, and the branch circuit protection circuitry.

Abstract: The current differential relay operates without adjustable settings, and includes a phase current differential element with a predetermined threshold, responsive to local phase current values and remote phase current values, to detect three-phase faults and producing a first output signal if the threshold value is exceeded. Either a negative sequence current differential element or two phase current differential elements, also having predetermined threshold values and responsive to the local and remote phase currents, detect phase-to-phase faults and phase-to-phase-to-ground faults and produces a second output signal if the predetermined threshold is exceeded. A negative sequence or zero sequence current differential current element, with a predetermined threshold value is responsive to the local and remote phase currents to detect phase-to-ground faults and to produce a third output signal if the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller.

Abstract: In a method and a device for redundant transmission of protection commands between remote tripping devices (1, 8), useful information which represents a protection command or a rest signal is transmitted by a first remote tripping device (1) in at least two time slots via a first interface (2) to a first multiplexer (3), and is transmitted via different transmission paths (4, 5) by the multiplexer (3) based on the time slots. A second multiplexer (6) receives the useful information via the different transmission paths (4, 5), and transmits each useful information item via a time slot, which is allocated to the respective transmission path (4, 5), in a second interface (7) to a second remote tripping device (8).

Abstract: In a highly available storage system, an enclosure includes first and second power supplies, and first and second controller boards. Each of the first and second controller boards includes first and second serial bus controllers. First and second serial buses are coupled to both of the first and second serial bus controllers on each of the first and second controller boards. The first serial bus is coupled to the first power supply, while the second serial bus coupled to the second power supply. The first and second serial buses are used for exchanging enclosure management and environmental information between the first and second power supplies and the first and second controller boards. The first and second serial buses are coupled to isolation switches so that redundant modules can operate if a serial bus controller fails.

Abstract: A line disturbance detector is disclosed which oversees the operation of power protection devices monitoring the same conductor, and only allows a power automation or control operation when both the disturbance detector and a traditional power protection device, such as a protection relay, determine such an operation is required.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a method of automatically recognizing an electrical system by which both the voltage of an electrical system (2) and the phase angle between phases of the system are monitored so that human technical failure upon connecting a plant (1) to said electrical system (2) be reliably prevented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for fault detection and interruption in power lines are provided. Circuitry is implemented via software and hardware that is configured to sense an operational aspect of a power line, such as current levels in a three-phase power line, and apply signal processing to the sensed operational aspect to detect faults including different types of faults such as transient and steady state faults and can also be configured to identify the type of fault. Information on the fault and the identification of the type of fault can be displayed, stored, or some other output operation can be implemented. Circuitry can be implemented to provide digital signal processing and analog signal processing to, for example, independently and in parallel (e.g., redundant operation) detect faults and respond to faults as they occur (i.e., in real time).

Abstract: Provided is an intelligent electronic device for protection, monitoring, controlling, metering or automation of electrical power system. The system, method and device of the present invention preserves current differential protection active during a breaker bypass or similar operation. A current differential protection system is coordinated by one relay (transfer), which simultaneously establishes and handles multiple two-terminal 87L protection zones with several relays. This “enhanced multiple-terminal system” requires no change to protection settings on any local or remote relays during a bypass process.

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting stand-alone operation of a distributed generating system having a generating source connected in shunt with an independent power distribution system via a first branch breaker are proposed. A voltage or a frequency signal on the independent power distribution system is read. The wavelet transformation is performed on the voltage or frequency signal to form a time versus high-frequency component window and a time versus low-frequency component window for conveniently detecting the perturbation in the time domain of the signal. Next, whether the absolute value of the high-frequency component is greater than a threshold value and whether the duration is longer than another threshold value are determined. If both answers are yes, a stand-alone operation occurs. An alarm signal is immediately generated and sent to the first branch breaker to release the connection between the generating source and the power distribution system.

Abstract: A metering device of a power substation and method are provided for operating on a secondary analog waveform output by a transformer assembly receiving a primary waveform. The method includes stepping down the secondary waveform and generating a corresponding output signal; operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding first digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a first range; and operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding second digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a second range. The method further includes processing the first digital signal and outputting a corresponding first output signal; processing the second digital signal and outputting a corresponding second output signal; processing the first and second output signals; and generating output corresponding to the processing of the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A method for determining the reclose time of a circuit breaker on a three-phase high-voltage electric network after separation of contacts 7A, 8A, 7B, 8B, 7C, 8C in the presence of a fault on one of the three phases A, B or C includes measuring voltages ULA0, ULBO and ULCO, measuring voltage USAO,determining the voltage USA0, USB0, and USCO, calculating the differences ULAB, ULAC and ULBC, calculating the differences USAB, USAC, and USBC. From these measurements and calculations, a determination of the reclose time is made on the basis of the voltage differences.

Abstract: A power strip is providing including a housing coupled to a first end portion of a power supply cord, the housing having an electrical receptacle mounted thereto and connected to the power supply cord, the power supply cord having a second end connectable to a power source. A current sensor is coupled to the power supply cord between the electrical receptacle and the second end for detecting electrical current flow through the power supply cord and providing an output signal that varies in proportion to the current flow through the power supply cord. A processing circuit coupled to the output of the current sensor includes a display device for displaying at least one of the current, voltage, power, and phase associated with the power supply cord at the current sensor. The display device can be remotely coupled to the power strip for positioning the display in a convenient location.

Abstract: When a generator shuts down intentionally or un-intentionally the low frequency switch disconnects a load from a generator before the output frequency of the generator drops below a preset frequency. Without the low frequency switch on some loads, such as a motor, the current will rise to several times the running current of the motor before the generator coasts to a stop. If this load is switched over to a source with insufficient capability to handle the high current, caused by low frequency operation of the load, serious damage can take place to the new source.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a distribution board having input connectors for live and neutral lines from an electricity supply and an earth line; and a plurality of circuit breakers connected to the live line, characterized in that the distribution board has a plurality of three-terminal output connectors, each output connector being wired to the neutral and earth lines and to a power output line of a respective circuit breaker, the output connectors being engageable with complimentary connectors for the distribution of electrical energy from the distribution board.

Abstract: A method and system for providing protection for a superconducting electrical cable located in a utility power network includes detecting a fault current on the superconducting electric cable, determining the cumulative total energy dissipated in the superconducting electrical cable from the fault current and at least one prior fault current over a predetermined time period, and determining whether to disconnect the superconducting electrical cable from the utility power network on the basis of the cumulative total energy dissipated.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for optimizing the performance of a power generation and distribution system by forecasting very short term load forecasts through the use of historical load data, demand patterns and short term load forecasts.

Abstract: A method for shutdown of an electrical apparatus supplied by a plurality of electric power sources equipped with a management module, comprising: (a) identification of each source, (b) reading of data from the management module, (c) determination of the global autonomy of the plurality of sources with respect to said apparatus, and (d) shutdown of the apparatus when at least one shutdown criterion of the apparatus has been achieved. A shutdown device comprising communication means communicating with the management modules and comprising implementation of the previously described shutdown method. An electrical apparatus comprising control means for shutdown of said apparatus and the previously described shutdown device coupled with said control means. A system comprising a plurality of electric power sources and at least the previously described electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A switching circuit for connecting a power source to a load is described. The circuit comprises a first relay and at least one second relay in parallel arrangement with the first relay. The switching circuit is arranged such that in the event of a fault condition occurring that requires the disconnection of the power source from the load, the at least one second relay opens while the first relay remains closed. In this manner, a reliable disconnection of the load from the switching circuit is achieved.

Abstract: A method and occupancy-based control device in a trip unit of a main circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker coupled to an electrical distribution system including at least one feeder circuit breaker and a load circuit. The occupancy-based control device comprises an input device associated with the electrical distribution system and coupled to the trip unit. A selector is coupled to the trip unit and configured to select a first set of parameters and a second set of parameters, with each set of parameters defining a mode of operation of the trip unit. A means for selecting one of the first set of parameters and a second set of parameters in response to a signal from the input device is provided wherein, the trip unit operates based on the selected set of parameters.

Abstract: Automatically de-energizing and re-energizing a section of a distribution feeder circuit includes detecting, using a module of a protective device, whether a section of a distribution feeder circuit upstream of the protective device has been de-energized and whether the protective device may be opened automatically. The module signals for the protective device to be opened when the section has been de-energized and when the protective device may be opened automatically. The module also is used to detect whether the protective device has been opened and may be closed automatically, and whether the section of the distribution feeder circuit upstream of the protective device has stabilized. The module is used to signal for the protective device to be closed automatically when the protective device has been opened automatically and may be closed automatically, and when the section of the distribution feeder circuit upstream of the protective device has stabilized.

Abstract: A drive circuit, such as an electronic trip device, is for a shunt trip coil of a network protector. The drive circuit includes an alternating current input adapted to receive an alternating current voltage and a first half-wave rectifier adapted to provide a plurality of direct current voltages from the alternating current input. An energy store, such as a plurality of electrolytic capacitors, is adapted to provide a first direct current output from the direct current voltages of the first half-wave rectifier. A sensor circuit monitors the alternating current input and the first direct current output and provides a second output from one of the alternating current input and the first direct current output. A second full-wave rectifier responds to the second output and the trip signal to provide a third direct current output adapted to drive the network protector shunt trip coil.

Abstract: A configuration unit for a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The configuration unit includes a non-volatile memory device and a communications connection. The non-volatile memory device is permanently secured within a switchgear cubicle. The cubicle replaceably receives a circuit breaker and removably receives a module. The communications connection places the non-volatile memory device in communication with the module when the module is removably received in the switchgear cubicle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for remotely detecting and locating faults in a power system. The system includes at least one slave controller and at least one supplemental protection module. The slave controller is disposed proximate at least one load and electrically connected to the loads via at least one conductor. More particularly, the slave controller includes at least one solid-state switch capable of controllably altering the input current to the loads. The slave controller also includes at least one measuring element for measuring at least one parameter associated with the loads and the solid-state switches. The solid-state switch can then controllably alter the input current to the loads according to the parameter. The supplemental protection modules are electrically connected to the conductors between the slave controller and the loads. In this regard, the supplemental protection modules can detects at least one fault in at least one conductor.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power redundancy to certain devices of a vehicle that are typically controlled by means of a power distribution and control node. Power is delivered to the node by both a primary power feed as well as a secondary power feed. Provided in each node is a first set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a first class, as well as a second set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a second class. Under a normal operating state of the node, the one or more first class devices, as well as the one or more second class devices, selectively receive power from the primary power feed. Upon the occurrence of a disruption in the primary power feed, the one or more second class devices will continue to operate by being selectively powered through the second set of power relays by the second power feed.

Abstract: Placement of a conductive polymer composition grounding material at frequent points in an integrated electric transmission and distribution system to minimize transmission of harmonics and the resulting electrical losses is described.

Abstract: A system for checking synchronization of AC voltage sources before closing a power circuit breaker is provided comprising two power circuit breakers connected by a power transmission line, such as by using remote voltage via fiber channel. Each circuit breaker is respectively connected to a bus and a protective relay. The circuit also comprises voltage transformers between the bus and the protective relay. The protective relays monitor the voltages on the bus side of the circuit breakers and current flowing through the circuit breakers in order to detect short circuits on the line. A bidirectional communications link is further provided for connecting protective relays together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for coupling a mobile data input unit to a field bus, whereby a coupling unit is connected to the field bus via a spur line and a line driver and the signals at the output of the line driver are supplied to a coupling link or received from the latter via first level converters. The mobile data input unit receives the signals from the coupling link or supplies them to the latter via second level converters.

Abstract: A protection relay for a power line system that employs current transformers for detecting current on a bus is provided with a fault trip scheme that includes transformer current saturation detection so as to avoid false tripping due to temporary transformer current saturation.

Abstract: A method of tapping a high voltage transmission line for input into a power distribution substation is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of dividing the transmission line and attaching the conductors to the primaries of at least two transformers via a series connected first disconnect switch, second disconnect switch and circuit breaker. A bus interconnects the first disconnect switch and the second disconnect switch and the bus of the first transformer bay is connected to the bus of the second transformer bay using a circuit breaker. A system for the conversion of tapped high voltage electricity to medium voltage electricity is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile high voltage network supplies electrical consumer units connected via a plug-in connector and can be switched on and off by means of mechanical switches, with a fuse responding in the event of a short circuit. The high voltage network carries a direct voltage and to each electrical consumer unit (8; 10) a separate diagnostic and protection monitoring system is assigned which is activated when it is switched on and/or off. Such a direct voltage and high voltage network in conjunction with the diagnostic and protection monitoring system makes it possible, before starting up any circuit of consumer units, to effect a self-diagnosis of the protection monitoring system, to ensure that all components are fully functional. Without this, self-diagnosis with proof of functionality the relevant circuit of consumer units is not switched on.

Abstract: Protection systems for electrical systems are described, where the electrical systems may include spot networks and/or grid networks. The various protection systems may be designed and used to detect and clear faults that may occur within the electrical systems. For example, a pair of Rogowski coils may be used to detect current along a conductors at their respective locations on the conductors, and to output corresponding signals to a multi-function, differential relay having multiple voltage and current inputs. By comparing the signals from the Rogowski coils, the differential relay may determine whether a fault exists at some point along the conductors and between the pair of Rogowski coils. Further, the relay may then, in response to the fault, trip a circuit breaker or other network protection device to address the fault.

Abstract: In a method and a detector (7) for time-optimum reception of protection commands in a remote tripping device, at least two detector elements (1, 2) are operated, which are all designed for a signal at the same frequency but for different transmission times. Where at least one of these detector elements (1, 2) detects the presence of the signal, the signal is regarded as having been detected.

Abstract: A method for isolating suites includes the steps of isolating the suites when an alarm is initiated, setting a timer during isolation creating a window of time to clear a short circuit, clearing said short circuit, removing isolation from the suites as the timer reaches completion, determining if there is a short circuit in each of the suites, and isolating suites that have a short circuit.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a technique for providing loop control on a faulted overhead or underground loop system, while preventing restored current from being fed or back fed into the fault. In particular, the invention provides a method, device, and system for restoring power to a faulted loop distribution system. The inventive method includes detecting a fault on the loop distribution system, interrupting current on the faulted part of the loop distribution system, isolating the faulted part of the loop distribution system from an unfaulted part of the loop distribution system, restoring current to the unfaulted part of the loop distribution system, and preventing the current from flowing to the faulted part of the loop distribution system. The method may further include providing the current to a load.

Abstract: In a highly available storage system, an enclosure includes first and second power supplies, and first and second controller boards. Each of the first and second controller boards includes first and second serial bus controllers. First and second serial buses are coupled to both of the first and second serial bus controllers on each of the first and second controller boards. The first serial bus is coupled to the first power supply, while the second serial bus coupled to the second power supply. The first and second serial buses are used for exchanging enclosure management and environmental information between the first and second power supplies and the first and second controller boards. The first and second serial buses are coupled to isolation switches so that redundant modules can operate if a serial bus controller fails.

Abstract: A communications interface system and method for a plasma generator is provided. The communications interface system includes a power delivery system component that has a standard POD interface for communicating information that complies with a first protocol. A portable device is coupled between the standard POD interface and a second communication interface for communicating information therebetween. The second communication interface communicates information in a format that complies with a second protocol. The portable device is detachable from the standard POD interface and the second communication interface. A first communication link couples the standard POD interface to the portable device. A second communication link couples the portable device to the second communication interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and at least one second safety switching device. The first safety switching device has a first evaluation and control unit, an output and an electronic switching element, for producing a potential-related switching signal at the out-put under the control of the first evaluation and control unit. The second safety switching device has a second evaluation and control unit and an input. The input and the output are connected to one another via a single-channel connecting line, and the input supplies the second evaluation and control unit with the potential-related switching signal from the output of the first safety switching device. In order to fulfill safety standards for such kind of apparatus, the second safety switching device has at least two input circuits to which the potential-related switching signal from the output of the first safety switching device is supplied in a mutually redundant manner.

Abstract: A switchgear having a primary circuit breaker and a secondary circuit breaker respectively arranged on the primary side and secondary side of a load switch or a voltage and current transformer for an instrument, a primary grounding switch arranged between the load switch or voltage and current transformer for an instrument and the primary circuit breaker, and a secondary grounding switch arranged between the load switch or voltage and current transformer for an instrument and the secondary circuit breaker, wherein to the primary and secondary circuit breakers and grounding switches, connection means are respectively connected so as to move the moving electrodes of the circuit breakers and grounding switches and an operation device for operating the moving electrodes in connection with each other via the connection bars is included and a receiving transformation apparatus using it.