Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to a computing device for triggering an alert to a user about an occurrence of overcurrent at a first USB port of the computing device. In some examples, the computing device includes a USB interface circuit, a system processor and a host controller. Responsive to detecting the occurrence of overcurrent at the first USB port, the USB interface circuit transmits an alert signal to the system processor through a control bus without communicating directly with the host controller. The system processor determines the alert signal indicates the occurrence of overcurrent at the first USB port and sets an overcurrent register at the host controller to a first value to indicate the occurrence of overcurrent at the first USB port. The host controller triggers the alert to the user responsive to the overcurrent register being set to the first value.

Abstract: Solid-state circuit breakers and method of operating same are provided. A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) is configured to generate a first output representative of a current through a current path of the SSCB. An analog fault detection circuit is coupled with first output and is configured to assert a second output in response to the current exceeding a trip current level. At least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate samples of the first output, where the at least one ADC has a di/dt detection bandwidth that is less than a di/dt detection bandwidth of the analog fault detection circuit. The SSCB is further configured to disable the current path through the SSCB in response to determining, asynchronously, that either the second output is being asserted by the analog fault detection circuit or the samples indicate that the current through the current path exceeds the trip current level.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system includes a first circuit breaker and a second circuit breaker. The first circuit breaker has a first trip unit, a first control unit, and a first electrical sensor. The first control unit is configured to control the first trip unit. The second circuit breaker has a second trip unit, a second control unit, and a second electrical sensor. The second control unit is configured to control the second trip unit. The first control unit is in communication with the second control unit. The first control unit is configured to monitor the communication with the second control unit to determine whether there is an internal device failure in the second circuit breaker. The first control unit is configured to change the first control unit's standard tripping characteristics to emergency tripping characteristics based on detecting the internal device failure of the second circuit breaker.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for current monitoring and power control for utility vehicles are disclosed. A control device for directing current to utility vehicle auxiliary devices, such as an inverter and a front bumper winch, may be coupled to the utility vehicle battery. The control device may have an input terminal for coupling to the utility vehicle battery and one or more output terminals coupled to the utility vehicle auxiliary devices. The input terminal may receive current from the battery. The control device may control the flow of current to each of the output terminals. Sensors may detect the current flowing through the control device to detect if either a low current short or a high current short may occur, and corrective action may be taken in response to detecting an abnormal current.

Abstract: A method for reducing arc flash energy on an electrical system to safe limits, the method including installing an over current relay on a secondary side (480 Volt) of a transformer on the electrical system; wherein the transformer having a primary side and the secondary side; pre-setting a time delay with instanteous settings of the over current relay to a predetermined value; and wherein the predetermined value is configured to be operable for coordinating at least one or more upstream relays and at least one or more downstream breakers. Since the fast overcurrent protection is permanently installed, it is always functional, do not require human interventions and eliminates exposure to human errors.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring an electrical voltage for a metal-encapsulated switchgear. The measuring apparatus has an electrical conductor, an electrically conductive measuring electrode, which surrounds a first conductor portion of the electrical conductor and is electrically insulated from the electrical conductor, and an electrically conductive field control electrode, which is electrically insulated from the electrical conductor and from the measuring electrode and which has a first field control electrode portion that surrounds the measuring electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an operation of devices in a power distribution network. The method determines that there is a power loss in the network as a result of a fault and one or more teams is not receiving power and performs a switching process in switching devices to prevent fault current from flowing to the fault. The method initiates a power restoration process to control the open and closed status of switching devices to isolate the fault and performs the power restoration process by the leader device in a division that the fault is occurring that includes opening and closing switching devices so that power is provided to all of the teams except the team that the fault is in. The method reconfigures the divisions based on which switching devices are now open and selects new leader devices based on the reconfiguration of the divisions.

Abstract: A system and method for protection of an electrical grid. A respective one of the substations of the system including: a first directional protective relay to generate a signal operating on the electrical power line between the respective one of the substations and a remote one of the substations; a cyber health module to receive remote signals from two remote directional protective relays and output a reliability signal based on consistency of the remote signals and a status of the communication channels being operational; a circuit breaker to interrupt electrical power flow when directed; and a comparison circuit to receive signals and to direct the circuit breaker to interrupt electrical power flow when the reliability signal from the cyber health module indicates consistency, the first directional protective relay indicates fault, and at least one of the remote directional protective relays indicate fault.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring power in a closed-loop power distribution network. The network includes at least two power sources, at least one feeder and a plurality of switching devices positioned along the at least one feeder and being in communications with each other. The method performs a radial restoration process for restoring power and then determines that at least one of the sections is not receiving power after the radial restoration process has been performed. The method estimates power flow through each switching device and determines an available power capacity from each switching device. The method then determines if the unpowered sections can be powered by any of their neighbor and non-neighbor devices. The method virtually closes the switching devices to power the unpowered sections and updates the estimation of power flow through each switching device and determination of available power capacity from each switching device.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring power in a power distribution network. The network includes at least two power sources, at least one feeder and a plurality of switching devices positioned along the at least one feeder and being in communications with each other. The method determines that one or more of network sections is not receiving power, and determining a plurality of possible power restoration solutions that identify what sections each of the power sources that are available to provide power can provide power to based on a power capacity of the sources and a load requirement of the sections. The method applies predetermined selection criteria to the plurality of possible solutions to determine which of the possible solutions will be used as an actual solution, and selectively switches the switching devices between open and closed states to apply the actual solution.

Abstract: To improve functional security in electric power systems, a fault detector is provided in the electric power system that is connected to the data communication bus and that evaluates streamed values of at least one process parameter. In order to detect an electric fault in the electric power system, the fault detector is arranged to send a fault present indication to the switching element when an electric fault is detected. The fault present indication is sent to and received by the switching element, before the tripping operation of the switching element is triggered upon receipt of the switching command from the automation system, and the switching element triggers the tripping operation of the switching element only when a fault present indication has been received.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a change in electrical properties in a system is disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure enable the detection of a change in electrical properties in a system by, in response to a load generated on a power delivery network power in at least part of the system, measuring noise induced in the power delivery network in response to the load. Based on the measured noise, a dynamic-response property of the power delivery network is determined and the dynamic-response property is compared to a stored reference dynamic-response property of the power delivery network based on a predetermined load. In the event of a difference between the dynamic-response property and the reference dynamic-response property, a response to the event is triggered to indicate tampering with the power delivery network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for autonomous restoration of power systems after natural disasters. An operating mode of a circuit breaker that is in a power system grid and that is coupled to other circuit breakers in the power system grid via communication channels is determined. Based on determining that the operating mode is a normal operating mode, data to parameterize a plurality of power grid restoration scenarios is collected at the circuit breaker. Based on determining that the operating mode is an exception mode, measurement data that includes current and voltage data is received at the circuit breaker, and one of the power system grid restoration scenarios is initiated at the circuit breaker. The power system grid error restoration scenario is selected based at least in part on a status of the plurality of communication channels coupled to the circuit breaker and on the measurement data.

Abstract: A processor receives an indication of a fault from a first isolation device. The processor sends a first open command to a downstream isolation device downstream of the fault, identifies a tie-in isolation device, and identifies a line section without current monitoring positioned between the tie-in isolation device and the downstream isolation device. The line section has a plurality of line segments, each having a load rating. The processor receives incoming and exiting current measurements for the line section and estimates a first current load for each of the line segments in the line section based on the incoming and exiting current measurements and the load ratings. The processor selects an intermediate isolation device between the tie-in isolation device and the downstream isolation device based on the first current loads, sends a second open command to the intermediate isolation device, and sends a close command to the tie-in isolation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for contact erosion mitigation are provided. To perform contact erosion mitigation, an order of opening/closing poles and/or contact relays of particular poles is altered, resulting in a sharing of potential arcing conditions amongst the poles/contact relays of these poles.

Abstract: The invention provides a processing circuit with multiple power supply ports and an electronic device. The processing circuit includes: N power supply ports; a first-level power supply; N middle transmission modules, connected between the first-level power supply and the corresponding power supply port, wherein at least one of which is used as a second-level power supply; and a charging protocol control module. The charging protocol control module is respectively connected to the first-level power supply, the N power supply ports, and the N middle transmission modules. The second-level power supply operates in a switching power mode or a pass through mode. In the pass through mode, the output voltage of the second-level power supply matches the input voltage received by the first-level power supply, and the output voltage of the second-level power supply is not adjustable.

Abstract: A load management system including a number of sensors structured to sense characteristics of a managed area, a controller including a processor structured to estimate occupancy of the managed area based on outputs of the number of sensors and to implement a load management scheme, a number of circuit breakers, at least one of the number of circuit breakers being electrically connected to a corresponding load circuit and including a metering circuit structured to meter energy provided to the load circuit and a device control unit structured to control one or more load devices electrically connected to the load circuit based on the load management scheme. The processor is structured to implement the load management scheme based on outputs of the sensors and metering information of one or more of the circuit breakers.

Abstract: A station-to-station synchronous and interleaved phase system for multiple DC or AC power supplies connected in parallel includes a master and a plurality of slaves. The master and the slaves each includes a time base selector, a time base generator, a station-to-station synchronization and interleaved phase controller, a local interleaved phase controller and multiple sets of switching circuits, so that the switching circuits are controlled by the local interleaved phase controller to form interleaved phases, and the time base selector and the station-to-station synchronization and interleaved phase controller further control the station-to-station phases between the master and the slaves, and further generate synchronization and interleaved phases between the master and the slaves. In addition to the advantages of increasing the equivalent operating frequency, it can reduce the rate of ripples and increase the response speed.

Abstract: Phase selection for traveling wave fault detection systems is disclosed herein. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) may be used to monitor and protect electric power delivery systems by detecting and acting upon traveling waves. A phase of the electric power delivery system may be selected based on the relative polarity of the traveling waves detected. The amplitude and/or polarity of the selected phase may be compared with the amplitudes and/or polarities of the other phases to determine a fault condition. For instance, the IED may determine a single-phase-to-ground fault based on the relative polarities and magnitudes of the detected traveling waves, send a protective action to the identified faulted phase, and/or continue to monitor the system for a continuation of the event or identification of a different event, such as a three-phase fault, using incremental quantities.

Abstract: An electrical power contactor including a local electrical ground plane configured to be electrically connected to a reference potential 0Vdc of an electrical power supply of the power contactor. Current returns from at least one coil and from at least one auxiliary contact of the electrical power contactor are formed by a common conductor that is connected to the local electrical ground plane. A current return from a controller of the electrical power contactor is also connected to the local electrical ground plane.

Abstract: A control system and a method for mounting a control system, the control system comprising a signal-distribution board, a top-hat rail, at least a first contact device and at least a second contact device. The first contact device and the second contact device are arranged at the signal-distribution board with an offset relative to each other with the signal-distribution board electrically connecting the first contact device to the second contact device for at least transmitting data. The top-hat rail is mechanically fastened to the signal-distribution board and a first coupling module may be mechanically fastened to the top-hat rail, where the second contact device is embodied to electrically contact a signal-processing module or a second coupling module. The first contact device may be electrically connected to a field device.

Abstract: A battery management system comprises a battery manager and battery sensors for sensing related information of each battery in a battery string. The batteries in the battery string are divided into a plurality of first groups. The battery sensors are divided into a plurality of second groups. Each second group senses the batteries in a corresponding first group, and each battery sensor senses at least one battery. Each of a part of the communication ports of the battery manager is signally connected to the battery sensors of one of the second groups. The number of the battery sensors in each second group is less than or equal to the number of battery sensors that each communication port can support. The battery manager merges the battery sensors signally connected to the part of the communication ports into one group according to a merging command, and regards the merged battery sensors as battery sensors of a same battery string accordingly.

Abstract: A line-mounted device is used to provide power system signals to a device for detecting a fault and calculating a fault location using a traveling wave launched thereby. Current at the line-mounted device is used to separate incident and reflected traveling waves at a terminal. Times and polarities of traveling waves passing the line-mounted device and the terminal are compared to determine if the fault is located between the terminal and line-mounted device or at a location beyond the terminal or line-mounted device. Voltage of the traveling wave may be calculated using currents from the line-mounted device.

Abstract: A computing device, such as a multifunction printer, may be configured to supply electrical power to one or more external devices. The computing device may include a user interface that can display information to a user, informing the user of the electrical power being supplied to the one or more external devices and/or of the total amount of electrical power that is available to the one or more external devices. The user may use the user interface to adjust the amount of power being supplied to each of the external devices, and the computing device may store information indicating the user's adjusted power levels and use the stored information to control the amount of power supplied to the external devices.

Abstract: A method for managing power quality events in an electrical system includes processing electrical measurement data from or derived from energy-related signals captured by at least one intelligent electronic device (IED) to identify at least one power quality event associated with one or more loads monitored by the at least one IED. The method also includes determining at least one means for mitigating or eliminating an impact (and/or reducing a recovery time) of the at least one identified power quality event on the electrical system based, at least in part, on an evaluation of a dynamic tolerance curve associated with one or more loads in the electrical system. The method further includes applying one or more of the at least one means for mitigating or eliminating the impact (and/or reducing the recovery time) to selected portions or zones of the electrical system.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) controller includes a power supply, a primary controller, and plurality of USB ports for connection to a set of supported peripherals. The primary controller identifies the inserted USB device type and, based on device type, estimates a current draw of the USB device. The total estimated current draw of all inserted USB devices is added to the current draw of the primary controller and compared to the available capacity of the power supply. If the combined current draw is above a threshold, any remaining USB ports in which no USB devices are inserted are deactivated, thereby preventing the use of further USB devices. In embodiments, the BAS controller includes an auxiliary peripheral device power interface, and the total current of connected auxiliary peripheral devices is included in the combined current determination. A user interface coupled to the BAS controller displays power allocation status.

Abstract: Electric power Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) systems using “smart switches” that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. The smart switches typically operate during the substation breaker reclose cycles while the substation breakers are open, which enables the substation breakers to reclose successfully to restore service within their normal reclosing cycles. Alternatively, the smart switch may be timed to operate before the substation breakers trip to effectively remove the substation breakers from the fault isolation process. Both approaches allow the FDIR system to be installed with minimal reconfiguration of the substation protection scheme.

Abstract: An electronic device having a plurality of external interfaces and capable of supplying a current to external devices connected via the external interfaces, respectively includes power supply control units corresponding to the respective external interfaces and a control unit having respective terminals for outputting a power supply control signal to the power supply control units. The control unit is configured to switch output of the power supply control signal for the power supply control unit corresponding to the selected external interface and control the power supply control signal for the power supply control units corresponding to the selected external interface to be switched off in a case where a state of the common overcurrent detection signal is changed in response to the switching of the output of the power supply control signal.

Abstract: A method for managing power in an airplane. Power quality data and load management data are collected from airplane systems in the airplane at a variable sampling rate using data collectors assigned to the airplane systems in which the variable sampling rate increases in response to a selected trigger event. The power quality data and the load management data are received by a power monitor from the data collectors during phases of flight for the airplane. A group of load management operations for the airplane systems are performed by a load manager in the airplane during operation of the airplane. The group of load management operations is performed using the power quality data and the load management data received from the data collectors during the phases of flight for the airplane.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power distribution system including a plurality of circuit protection devices and an additional circuit protection device communicatively coupled by a communications network is described. The method includes transmitting, by each circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices, an electrical current communication to the communication network, the electrical current communication including an indication of an electrical current detected by the transmitting circuit protection device formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network. The additional circuit protection device receives the electrical current communications from the plurality of circuit protection devices and determines, based on the received electrical current communications, whether a ground fault condition exists in the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and locating a single-phase ground fault on a low current grounded power-distribution network, comprising: respectively testing and picking up the voltage signals and current signals at multiple positions on each phase feeder (61), and determining the corresponding transient voltage signals and transient current signals according to the extraction of the voltage signals and the current signals (62); when the change in the transient voltage signals and the transient current signals exceeds a preset threshold (63), synchronously picking up the voltage signals and current signals at multiple positions on a three-phase feeder (64); calculating corresponding zero-sequence voltages and zero-sequence currents according to the voltage signals and current signals synchronously picked up at multiple positions on the three-phase feeder (65), and then extracting the steady-state signal and transient signal of the zero-sequence voltage and zero-sequence current at each position on the thr

Abstract: An information handling system data port system includes plural data ports that support communication of data and power transfer with external devices, such as peripherals. A power transfer manager selectively establishes direct power transfer between data ports in support of power transfer between external devices, such as one external device acting as a power source and another external device acting as a power sink. The power transfer manager establishes direct power transfer with switches that bypass the information handling system power subsystem to provide improved power transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A modular monitoring and control system for NEMA-style load center smart electrical distribution panels is built up from interconnectable modules, starting with a Base Unit for monitoring and reporting on select branch circuits, then adding a Control Module for Remotely Operated breakers or additional current monitoring or both; and/or adding a separate Expansion Module with Current Transformer expansion capabilities for adding a larger number of power monitors within the load center. The modules plug into breaker pole slots within the panel for ease of installation and are independent of the breakers. The system keeps initial smart panel costs low by placing monitoring and control functionality and required parts into add-on modules.

Abstract: Methods, systems and circuits for controlling the power available to the load, by reducing the power available to the load, and additionally or alternatively, limiting the current available by pre-establishing a maximum reference current. The reference current is compared to the actual or estimated current drawn by the load or part of the load. The comparison result is used to control a device or switch which disconnects the power supply or power supply regulator, whether connected directly to the load or connected via voltage dropping device, to one or more or a plurality of the load blocks when the maximum current is exceeded.

Abstract: An electrical distribution panel includes a primary breaker, an auxiliary breaker, and a resistive element that is electrically connected between the primary breaker and the auxiliary breaker. The resistive element is configured to provide a resulting signal based on a voltage drop of a signal from the primary breaker to the auxiliary breaker. A communication address of the auxiliary breaker is based on the voltage drop of the signal from the primary breaker to the auxiliary breaker. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A power conversion device provided between a DC power supply and an AC electric path, including: a breaking device provided to at least one line of an output electric path in the power conversion device; a first voltage sensor provided on a primary side of the breaking device; a second voltage sensor provided on a secondary side of the breaking device; and a determination unit which calculates a primary-side voltage and a secondary-side voltage, and a primary-side phase and a secondary-side phase and determines that the breaking device is opened, by occurrence of an event in which an absolute value of a voltage difference between the primary-side voltage and the secondary-side voltage is greater than a voltage difference threshold value and an absolute value of a phase difference between the primary-side phase and the secondary-side phase is greater than a phase difference threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating a malfunctioning network protector from the power distribution network and for allowing the network protector to be safely reset. The apparatus includes: a 3 phase controller coupled by parallel single phase poles in plural contactors to the fuse link and adapted to receive an electric load current flowing in reverse through the network power transformer; a remote controlled switch coupled to the controller for switching the electric load current from the network protector via the controller to the network bus, with the controller then carrying the electric load current in parallel with the network protector fuse link; and visual indicators coupled to the controller for showing when the remote controlled switch has been activated to transfer the load current from the fuse links to the controller and when the electric load current has been transferred from the controller to the network bus.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a radial bus Shared Resource Distributed electrical power Distribution System, which has multiple electrical power distribution platforms and a radial power distribution bus. The multiple electrical power distribution platforms are coupled to the radial bus in an interlaced fashion to supply AC electrical power to the downstream electrical loads. The electrical loads are dual corded and are configured to nominally receive AC electrical power from two separate power distribution platforms. A first power distribution platform electrically connects to a first set of the dual corded electrical loads. Also, the first power distribution platform electrically connects to a second set of the dual corded electrical loads. A second power distribution platform electrically connects to the first set of the dual corded electrical loads, and the second power distribution platform electrically connects to a third set of the dual corded electrical loads.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a methods and apparatuses for disconnecting, by a device, elements at certain parts of an electrical system. The method may include measuring operational parameters at certain locations within the system and/or receiving messages from control devices indicating a potentially unsafe condition, disconnecting and/or short-circuiting system elements in response, and reconnection the system elements when it is safe to do so. Certain embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for providing operational power to safety switches during different modes of system operation.

Abstract: A power distribution management apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a detection unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire predetermined data at a predetermined interval from meters classified into a predetermined group, the data containing power consumption. The detection unit is configured to detect, as an abnormal place, a facility of a power distribution system associated with the group when the predetermined data is not acquired within the predetermined interval from the respective meters included in the group.

Abstract: A power distribution unit is connected to a three-phase electric power source having three phase wires with different phases, and includes a socket and a switch. The socket has a first socket terminal connected to one of the phase wires, and a second socket terminal. The switch includes a first switch terminal connected to another one of the phase wires, a second switch terminal connected to a neutral, and a third switch terminal connected to the second socket terminal. By selectively connecting the third and the first switch terminals, or connecting the third and the second switch terminals, a line-to-neutral voltage or a line-to-line voltage from the three-phase electric power source is outputted by the socket.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a microcontroller is connected to a household unit, which is controlled by the microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to wireless unit, so that the household unit may be controlled wirelessly (e.g. from a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop, and/or personal computer). In an embodiment, the household unit is a circuit breaker or a bank of circuit breakers that protect various devices in the house from faults in the power lines. In an embodiment, the household unit includes a switch, such as a solenoid for turning off an electrical appliance. In an embodiment, the household unit has various settings that may be set remotely, via sending wireless signals to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A protective relay system includes plural protective relay devices protecting a power system based on electrical quantity data from the power system, and a communication between the protective power devices is performed via a network. The protective relay device includes a clock unit periodically clocking a timing at which sampling is performed on an electrical quantity of the power system, a relay computing unit performing a relay computation based on the electrical quantity data having undergone the sampling and electrical quantity data received via the network, a random-number creating unit creating a random number, and a synchronization-frame processing unit setting a timing of sending a synchronization frame to another protective relay device via the network based on the random number created by the random-number creating unit.

Abstract: A system and method for reporting and control in an electrical power distribution grid including a plurality of sensor devices forming a sensor network are disclosed. Each sensor device monitors and measures attributes of line current for an associated electrical power distribution line at a selected location. Control sensor devices will have control capabilities in addition to its monitoring and measurement capabilities. The sensor devices can detect a fault in a branch of the power grid and send control and fault detected messages to an adjacent upstream sensor on a wireless network comprising a plurality of contention access and contention free time slots wherein a number of the contention free time slots is equal to or greater than a number of sensors in the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a radial bus Shared Resource Distributed electrical power Distribution System, which has multiple electrical power distribution platforms and a radial power distribution bus. The multiple electrical power distribution platforms are coupled to the radial bus in an interlaced fashion to supply AC electrical power to the downstream electrical loads. The electrical loads are dual corded and are configured to nominally receive AC electrical power from two separate power distribution platforms. A first power distribution platform electrically connects to a first set of the dual corded electrical loads. Also, the first power distribution platform electrically connects to a second set of the dual corded electrical loads. A second power distribution platform electrically connects to the first set of the dual corded electrical loads, and the second power distribution platform electrically connects to a third set of the dual corded electrical loads.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a system for monitoring a load center including a plurality of current sensors, a communication bus, a plurality of sensor circuits, a power module configured to be coupled to a load center input line and to receive input AC power from the input line, a collector, and a cable configured to be coupled between the power module and the collector, wherein the power module is further configured to provide power to the plurality of sensor circuits via the communication bus, provide power to the collector via the cable, measure at least one of voltage, frequency and phase of input AC power and provide signals related to the measured voltage, frequency or phase to the collector via the cable, receive current measurement signals from the plurality of sensor circuits and provide the received current measurement signals to the collector via the cable.

Abstract: Automatic reclosing of a fault interrupting device is overridden by establishing communication with a control system for a fault interrupting device operable to open responsive to a fault on an electric distribution system and automatically reclose after a predetermined time delay, and analyzing data for the electric distribution system by an apparatus separate from the fault interrupting device control system and having higher performance than the fault interrupting device control system, to determine whether to block the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device before the fault interrupting device automatically recloses. An autoreclosing block command is generated by the apparatus if the apparatus determines the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device should be blocked. The autoreclosing block command is sent from the apparatus to the fault interrupting device control system to prevent the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device after the predetermined time delay.

Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes monitoring a status of a communicative connection between a ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device and a ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device with a ZSI monitor of the first circuit protection device, detecting whether the ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device is coupled to the ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device, and indicating the status of the communicative connection.

Abstract: A method of classifying an event in an electrical grid. The method utilizes event related data provided by intelligent electronic devices and provides the operator with a single conclusion classifying the event, thereby helping the operator to determine the mitigation actions. The method includes receiving individual event related data from each intelligent electronic device, and determining whether the event is a fault or a non-fault based on probabilistic methods applied to the event related data. A corresponding system is also presented herein.

Abstract: A gapped core leg for a shunt reactor, comprising magnetic core elements separated by spacers cast directly between the core elements. Accordingly, a rigid core leg construction is achieved.