Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation only when a current time is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital protection and control (P & C) device for a power distribution network, which comprises a control unit and human-machine interface (HMI) for allowing a user access to the control unit. The control unit comprises a microprocessor that exchanges data information with the HMI. The digital P & C device, according to the present invention, further comprises a user authentication mechanism for regulating the access of a user to the control unit. This user authentication mechanism comprises an electronic authentication device, associable with the mentioned HMI, which stores first predefined data/information. This first predefined data/information comprises at least a user identification code, for establishing the identity of a user; and a user access code, for establishing the access mode of the user to the control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for detecting high impedance faults in electrical power lines using a composite high impedance fault detection system having a voter logic that samples the logical outputs from a plurality of independent high impedance detection systems and determines a high impedance fault if any two of the plurality of independent high impedance detection systems indicates a high impedance fault. Preferably, the plurality of high impedance detection systems include a wavelet based high impedance fault detection system having a first logical output, a higher order statistics based high impedance fault detection system having a second logical output, and a neural net based high impedance fault detection system having a third logical output. Preferably, each of the plurality of high impedance fault detection systems includes an independent high impedance fault detection application that independently detects a high impedance fault on the electrical power line.

Abstract: A command transmission/reception section (4R), a power-control determination section (8) and a power control section (9) are provided in a controlled device (3) which is connected to a network (1) and which performs power control in response to a command transmitted from a control device (2). Upon receipt of a power control command from the control device (2), the power-control determination section (8) determines as to power-on/power-off in units of a block, and performs power control on the basis of a result of the determination. Consequently, unnecessary power-on in, for example, video reservation can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a state parameter in a nonlinear discrete time system are provided. The method for estimating a state parameter has the steps of (a) predicting a state parameter at a current time using an estimated state parameter at a previous time and a system dynamics; and (b) estimating an optimal state parameter at the current time from the state parameter predicted in the step (a) and a system output parameter measured at the current time, using a geometric data fusion method. Since the method and apparatus for estimating a state parameter have an excellent estimation performance particularly when nonlinearity is great or the error in an estimated initial value is big, the method and apparatus solve many problems, which cannot be solved by the conventional extended Kalman filter, and more improve the performance of estimating a state parameter, by analyzing the system characteristic and then appropriately utilizing constraints such as the operation range of the state parameter.

Abstract: A digital signal path selector is disclosed in its simplest form for selectively connecting two input terminals to two output terminals. Both input terminals and output terminals are laid out on a control panel, on which there are also provided two input select pushbuttons, positioned one adjacent each input terminal, and two output select pushbuttons positioned one adjacent each output terminal. The input select pushbuttons and the output select pushbuttons are arranged so close to one another that any one input select pushbutton and any one output select pushbutton are capable of concurrent depression with the thumb and forefinger of one hand in order to specify one associated input terminal and one associated output terminal for creation of a signal path therebetween.

Abstract: A switchgear cabinet monitoring and control arrangement with several switchgear cabinet monitoring and control devices connected to a network, and with at least one personal computer, which is in communication with the devices through the network. Simple operation is achieved because the at least one personal computer is connected to the network by a web browser. A server is assigned to a group of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control devices, in which a management device containing information regarding the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control devices stored therein and including their respective identification, is arranged. The information can be called up using the at least one personal computer.

Abstract: Electrical appliance energy consumption control methods and electrical energy consumption systems are described. In one aspect, an electrical appliance energy consumption control method includes providing an electrical appliance coupled with a power distribution system, receiving electrical energy within the appliance from the power distribution system, consuming the received electrical energy using a plurality of loads of the appliance, monitoring electrical energy of the power distribution system, and adjusting an amount of consumption of the received electrical energy via one of the loads of the appliance from an initial level of consumption to an other level of consumption different than the initial level of consumption responsive to the monitoring.

Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system that includes multiple intelligent electronic devices (“IED's”) distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system is disclosed. The IED's are linked via a network. Power management application components operate on the IED's, and inter-operate via the network to implement a power management application. The architecture provides a secure framework of hardware and software upon which such power management applications can operate to manage the distribution and consumption of electrical power by one or more utilities/suppliers and/or customers which provide and utilize the power distribution system. In particular, each IED is capable of establishing multiple encryption keys that confer different access rights on the IED. The encryption keys affect access to commands that the IED receives and restricts access to communications that the IED sends out over the network.

Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system, or portion thereof, is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple intelligent electronic devices (“IED's”) distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system. The IED's are linked via a network to back-end servers. Power management application components operate on the IED's, the back-end servers and inter-operate via the network to implement a power management application. The architecture provides a scalable and cost effective framework of hardware and software upon which such power management applications can operate to manage the distribution and consumption of electrical power by one or more utilities/suppliers and/or customers which provide and utilize the power distribution system.

Abstract: A system to manage energy may include a plurality of energy storage modules. Each energy storage module may include a power converter couplable to a link and a power converter controller to control operation of the power converter. Each energy storage module may also include at least one energy storage unit connected only to the power converter. The system may also include a power management controller to control power delivery from each of the plurality of energy storage modules to the link and to control power delivery to each of the plurality of energy storage modules.

Abstract: An operation control system for a plurality of power generating plants and a method of maintaining and managing a plurality of power generating plants which supply power to arbitrary power systems. The operation control system includes a general supervision/diagnosis system which maintains and controls a plurality of power generating plants wherein the general supervision/diagnosis system selects from repairing periods and procedures required to repair failures which occur in the plurality of power generating plants according to levels of failures and performs maintenance and management of power generating plants which have failures. The system also includes means for maintaining a stable total power supply of the plurality of power generating plants.

Abstract: Disclosed a system and method of lengthening a life span of a battery power supply in an appliance such as a portable appliance, notebook computer or the like. A power saving method in an appliance includes displaying a user set-up menu for a power saving on a screen by respectively checking systems in the appliance, outputting a control command to a micro-controller in accordance with power saving contents determined on the user set-up menu by a user, and executing a power saving program set up by the user in accordance with the control command of the micro-controller.

Abstract: A building automation system including user interface units with touchscreens, power drivers, and a controller, all connected to a common trunk conductor. The power drivers are connected to the electrical devices and AC wiring. The building automation system further includes wireless remote controls that are connected to the trunk either through a user interface unit or a wireless transceiver. Any electrical device in the building may be controlled by any of the user interface units and wireless remote controls.

Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system, or portion thereof, is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple intelligent electronic devices (“IED's”) distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system. The IED's are linked via a network to back-end servers. Power management application software and/or hardware components operate on the IED's and the back-end servers and inter-operate via the network to implement a power management application. The architecture provides a scalable and cost effective framework of hardware and software upon which such power management applications can operate to manage the distribution and consumption of electrical power by one or more utilities/suppliers and/or customers which provide and utilize the power distribution system.

Abstract: A semiconductor power supplying apparatus driven by a power source includes at least two driven circuits for performing prescribed data processing when electric power is supplied. An electric power supplying circuit is provided so as to convert power from the power source as needed to supply at least two driven circuits with electric power in accordance with voltages that the driven circuits need. A driven circuit power supplying condition signal generating device is provided so as to generate a driven circuit power supplying condition signal for determining a power supplying condition of all of the at least two driven circuits. A power supplying control signal generation circuit is also provided so as to generate a power supplying control signal for controlling operation of the power supplying circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating profits shared between a power distribution company and a service provider, wherein the power distribution company purchases and resells electric power. The service provider provides consultation service to the power distribution company for planning an optimum power distribution system for increasing power distribution efficiency. The power distribution company shares profits with the service provider based on the measured value of the efficiency of the power distribution operation.

Abstract: Energy-aware software control in a computer system requires a plurality of displays. At least two of the displays have diverse attributes that enable reduction in the energy consumption of the computer system. The energy-aware software control involves profiling screen usage patterns and their impact on energy consumption by the displays and in turn by the computer system. The profiling results in an energy model. A determination is made when to activate (or deactivate) the energy-aware software control of the displays in order to decrease their energy consumption. Under the energy-aware software control, and guided by the energy model, a screen fashioned by one or more applications is divided up into sub-screens. Then, the energy needs associated with the sub-screens are matched to particular displays in accordance with their respective attributes and the energy model. The idea is to put the sub-screens on view by matched and likely different displays without significantly diminishing the user experience.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a redundant prime mover system to drive a machine having an engine coupled to the machine, and a motor/generator coupled to the machine and an electrical network connection. The controller operates the engine and the motor/generator in three or four operating modes. The first operating mode drives the machine with the engine. The second operating mode drives the machine with the motor/generator. The third operating mode drives the machine and the motor/generator with the engine such that the motor/generator generates electricity for delivery to the electrical network connection. Alternatively, the third operating mode drives the machine with both the engine and the motor/generator. This alternate operating mode can also be included as a fourth operating mode.

Abstract: It has been difficult to reduce a waste of energy in a fuel cell power generating process when, for example, a temporary rise or drop of a power load occurs. A fuel cell power generation system includes: load detection means of detecting power requested by a load; and output control means of accumulating a time at which a detected power requested by the load is equal to or larger than a predetermined value when a fuel cell body does not generate power to be supplied to the load, and allowing the fuel cell body to start generating power to be supplied to the load according to a predetermined rule based on an accumulation result.

Abstract: A utility for rapid development of three dimensional representations of electrical distribution switchgear is provided. These switchgear elevations have logical connections to the switchgear devices. An elevation can be modified to any dimensions with an infinite number of combinations and arrangements of meters and protection devices to quickly and accurately represent a customer's switchgear. Also, an event logger utility is provided for viewing, organizing and analyzing unusual behavior in a power system. The event logger utility passes a received message as an un-acknowledgeable or acknowledgeable alarm or as an event based upon the contents of a initialization file. A utility for the waveform capture is provided for viewing and analysis of waveforms (e.g., Fourier, frequency and/or harmonic analysis) captured by sophisticated metering devices. Waveforms from a device may be super-imposed for analysis. Processing of the collected waveform data to display any one of the eight waveform parameters (i.e.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A power monitor circuit and method delays the start of a computer until multiple power lines are at a safe level of operation. The integrated circuit monitors only the voltage of a primary power supply output and eliminates the need for monitor circuits on each supply output. The power supply is made to exacting specifications that tie the 5 volt and 3.3 volt supplies to the primary 12 volt supply. The ATX power supply drives the 3.3 and 5.0 supplies to reach 90% of their values within 40 ms after the 12 volt supply reaches 90% of its value. A time delay circuit 25 delays switching the 3.3 and 5 volt dual outputs from the standby voltage supply to the active voltage supplies until after the primary 3.3 and 5 volt are at a safe operating level.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing energy usage management within a network. The system may include an energy management system, such as a thermostat device, that may be associated with an energy consuming entity, such as a residence. A server may be remotely located from the energy consuming entity and may perform one or more energy curtailment management operations within the network. The server may be in communication with the energy management system over the network. One or more software applications may be stored thereon for remotely controlling the energy management system in accordance with a particular energy curtailment management operation. Additionally, a database may be associated with the server for storing curtailment event information relating to the network. A signal may be transmitted by the server to the thermostat device to alter an offset temperature setting of the thermostat device thereby remotely controlling the operation of the thermostat device.

Abstract: An event notification system for a plurality of power supplies coupled to a computer network is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the notification system includes a computer system connected to the computer network, wherein the computer system includes a database, a data retrieval program, a comparison program and an electronic notification program. The data retrieval program obtains data from the plurality of power supplies. The comparison program compares the data from the plurality of power supplies with data of at least one predetermined event to determine if a predetermined event has occurred. The database stores information relating to an occurrence of the predetermined event and the number of the power supplies associated with the occurrence of the predetermined event.

Abstract: The present inventions pertains to the field of automatic control systems based on computer technology, and essentially relates to a structured system for monitoring and controlling the engineering equipment in an installation, mainly a building comprising several floors. The system includes a central computer module with an input-output device as well as a plurality of monitoring and/or measuring and/or control sensors and/or control devices for the units and apparatus of the engineering equipment in the building. The module consists of a programmable computer server station having functions, according to the software, that provide for the centralized reception of monitoring data through information channels within a single network protocol, as well as for the processing of said data and for the output of control signals towards the control devices for the units and apparatus of the engineering equipment in the building.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing power consumption in logic modules without causing power surges. A first and second logic module operate in response to a first and second clock signal, respectively, to carry out a command. When the command arrives, the first logic module begins to operate and indicates that it is busy. After a first delay, the second module begins to operate and indicates that it is busy. When both modules are finished and no new command is available, the busy indicators are deactivated and after a second delay the first clock signal is deactivated. A third delay after the first clock signal is deactivated, the second clock is deactivated. The first, second and third delays are programmable to avoid power surges in the respective modules.

Abstract: Distributed power generation systems are connected via the Internet to a managing apparatus in a managing company. The managing apparatus successively acquires and monitors the operation status of each distributed power generation system. The managing apparatus directly changes the control parameters or the sequence program of each distributed power generation system to perform necessary maintenance.

Abstract: A triple redundant control device, including, first to third control units, each outputting corresponding one of first to third control signals, and outputting corresponding one of first to third control stop signals when corresponding one of the first to third control units stops, first to third higher value selector switches, each receiving corresponding one of the first to third control signals and corresponding one of the first to third control stop signals, outputting corresponding one of the first to third control signals, and changing output into a signal associated to a value being higher than values of the first to third control signals when the corresponding one of first to third operation stop signal is inputted, a medium value gate receiving signals outputted from the first to third higher value selector switches, selecting and outputting a medium value of values corresponding to the first to third control signals, and a signal selector receiving the first to third control signals and a signal out

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system having a microprocessor, a locator device, and a network interface is provided. The microprocessor samples one or more first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The locator device is changeable between a first state and a second state. The network interface can place the microprocessor in communication with a network so that the microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal receivable from the network and so that the locator device changes from the first state to the second state in response to a command receivable from the data network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for protecting and controlling main-circuit components of an electricity transmission substation. The system includes devices for digital data output, protection-and-controlling, component controlling-and-monitoring, and communication. The digital data output devices input analogue AC electric values and output digital data. The protection-and-controlling devices input the data from the digital data output devices, and further control, monitor, and protect the substation main-circuit components. The component controlling-and-monitoring devices receive commands from the protection-and-controlling devices or from the substation controlling-and-monitoring equipment, and further control and monitor the substation main-circuit components. The devices for digital data output, the protection-and-controlling, and component controlling-and-monitoring are disposed near or within their corresponding substation main-circuit components.

Abstract: A controller (1) holds appliance data acquired from an appliance (3) regularly and without loss. A display terminal (2) is capable of moving to other rooms through a receptacle and holds the appliance data acquired from the appliance (3). When there is loss in the appliance data for a part of time period because of a move and the like, the display terminal (2) executes acquisition request to the controller (1) to acquire this non-collected data of the appliance. The controller (1) transmits the appliance data to the display terminal (2) in response to the request of the display terminal (2). The display terminal (2) acquires (or complements) the non-collected data from the controller (1) and display the data.

Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having partial and/or total redundancy of at least one operational component, such as a redundancy of fuel cell stacks and/or fuel processors. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks adapted to deliver the same maximum rated power output as a comparative fuel cell system having only a single fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks adapted to deliver more than the maximum rated power output of the comparative fuel cell system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks having at least n+1 (or total) redundancy compared to a fuel cell system having only a single fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a control system and/or structure adapted to limit the applied load to the system.

Abstract: Electrical appliance energy consumption control methods and electrical energy consumption systems are described. In one aspect, an electrical appliance energy consumption control method includes providing an electrical appliance coupled with a power distribution system, receiving electrical energy within the appliance from the power distribution system, consuming the received electrical energy using a plurality of loads of the appliance, monitoring electrical energy of the power distribution system, and adjusting an amount of consumption of the received electrical energy via one of the loads of the appliance from an initial level of consumption to an other level of consumption different than the initial level of consumption responsive to the monitoring.

Abstract: Components designed for use in networked control and monitoring systems including dedicated memory objects which store data representative of the system, the component and the function of the component in the system. The component-specific information may include data indicating the physical location of the component in the system. The objects are reprogrammable to adapt to system changes. A system comprising the components allows the objects to be accessed via a data network. Controlled or monitored parameters of the components may thus be collected in association with the other data stored in the objects.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for remotely powering a plurality of local systems, such as network termination units used, for example, with ISDN, from a central unit which itself is remotely powered and a corresponding method for remotely powering the local systems are described. The circuit arrangement includes a power converter receiving remote power from a central exchange, with a processing circuit connected downstream. The power converter provides a supply voltage to the local systems via a first current path and an energy storage unit provides the startup energy the local systems. Switches arranged between the energy storage unit and the local systems individually connect different local systems to the energy storage unit via a second current path. Only a single small energy storage unit is required to supply the startup power.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing energy consumption of a display in a computer system. The method includes profiling screen usage patterns and the impact of the screen usage patterns on energy consumption by the display; deriving an energy model based on the screen usage patterns; determining when to control the display in order to decrease its energy consumption; determining which screen portions of the display and what display parameters to control based on the energy model; and for each portion of the display to be controlled, controlling its display parameters, wherein the screen portions are controlled to attain energy conservation.

Abstract: A method for managing power consumption of multiple computer servers is disclosed. The current workload information and the current capacity information of a group of computer servers within a computer server pool are determined. A short term history and a long term history of the workload information are then built based on the determined workload information. Next, the information regarding short-term variations in workload is determined. Similarly, the information regarding long-term variations in workload is determined. Based on a combination of the above-mentioned determined short-term and long-term information, at least one of the computer servers is powered on or powered off.

Abstract: A control system (10) actively limits the power drawn from a main power distribution bus (20) by one or more electric loads (30). The system (10) includes circuitry (14) for determining a maximum permissible current magnitude that may be supplied to the loads (30) based on a signal representative of the voltage magnitude supplied to the loads (30). Additional circuitry (18, 34) limits the power drawn from the main power distribution bus (20) to the maximum permissible current magnitude from exceeding a predetermined maximum power level. As a result, the required design capacity of power generation components and the power distribution system can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.

Abstract: A panelboard configured for distributing electricity from a power source, the panelboard comprising circuitry for distributing the electricity from the power source, the circuitry comprising a plurality of branch circuits for distributing electricity to associated loads; a plurality of branch circuit breakers, each branch circuit breaker intermediate the power source and the plurality of branch circuits; and an electronic control module for controlling the main circuit breaker and the plurality of branch circuit breakers, the electronic control module provides a protection function and a monitoring function of the circuitry, each branch circuit breaker of the plurality of branch circuit breakers includes; a pair of separable contacts, an electromagnetic actuator in electrical communication with the electronic control module for operably controlling the pair of separable contacts, and a current transformer configured to sense current on the circuitry to one of the associated loads.

Abstract: A process for managing and curtailing power demand of appliances and components thereof, in which each appliance has an user interface for setting working parameters of the appliance, comprises the steps of assessing for each appliance and/or component an energy consumption profile corresponding to its setting, comparing the energy consumption profiles in order to check if their sum leads to one or more peaks in power demand, and providing one or more new energy consumption profiles in order to level and/or reduce the total power absorbed by appliances or components thereof.

Abstract: A site management system (11) is provided for a power system (8) at site in a utility distribution grid (10). The power system (8) includes multiple fuel cell power plants (18) and one or more loads (14), for selective connection/disconnection with the grid (10) The site management system (11) controls the power plants (18) in an integrated manner, alternatively in a grid connected mode and a grid independent mode. The multiple power plants (18) at the site may be viewed and operated as a unified distributed resource on the grid (10). The site management system (11) provides signals representative of the present power capability (Kw Capacity—88) of each of the power plants (18), and a signal (Total Kw Capacity—95) representative of the total present power capability at the site. These power representations are used to appropriately assign power dispatch loadings to the respective fuel cells (18) in the grid connected mode and in the grid independent mode, and may also be used for load shedding.

Abstract: Disclosed a system and method of lengthening a life span of a battery power supply in an appliance such as a portable appliance, notebook computer or the like. A power saving method in an appliance includes displaying a user set-up menu for a power saving on a screen by respectively checking systems in the appliance, outputting a control command to a micro-controller in accordance with power saving contents determined on the user set-up menu by a user, and executing a power saving program set up by the user in accordance with the control command of the micro-controller.

Abstract: An accident point locating system locates an accident point on a power transmission line. A digital protective control system has a plurality of digital protective controllers that receive state data representing a state of an electric power system and convert the same into corresponding digital state data. An absolute time acquiring means acquires an absolute time when the state data is sampled. A state data processing decides whether any malfunction occurred in the power transmission system on the basis of the digital state and executes a protective operation when it is decided that an accident occurred in the power transmission system. A recording device adds an absolute sampling time to the digital state data and records the digital state data with the absolute time. A digital data sending device provides the digital state data with the absolute time on a communication network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arbitrage control system for two or more available power sources (106, 108) that enables the automatic or manual control of one or more multi-source systems (202) to take advantage of price differentials across commodities, locations and/or time. The present invention selects a power source for a device or delivery point (110) from two or more available power sources (106, 108) by analyzing market and operational data (406). A power source (106 or 108) for the device or delivery point (110) is then selected from the two or more available power sources (106, 108) based on a set of financial parameters (408). If the device or delivery point (110) is not already connected to the selected power source, one or more signals are sent (418) to switch the device or delivery point (110) to the selected power source. The arbitrage controller (102) includes a user interface (300), market interface (302), multi-source interface (304), database (306) and processor (308).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing a microprocessor's power dissipation. In one embodiment a microprocessor includes a clock circuit, a core coupled to said clock circuit, and an on-die logic circuit coupled to said clock circuit to operate independent of a connection for power to said core, the on-die logic circuit includes a snoop request monitor coupled to a bus, and a snooping memory circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for variable base load demand-side energy management. The system of the present invention includes a power reduction device receiving electrical power from an electrical power source and outputting electrical power to a load. The system of the present invention can control the power delivered to one or more devices in a single facility or to multiple facilities. The system of the present invention can control the power delivered to one or more devices located in one or more facilities by sending control signals over various kinds of networks using various communication methods simultaneously, such as a modem, a LAN, or a WAN such as the Internet.

Abstract: A method for time reference compensation in a power metering system, the method comprising monitoring a time-dependent characteristic of incoming AC power over a predetermined local time interval, comparing the monitored characteristic over the predetermined local time interval with the expected value of the characteristic based upon the nominal frequency of the AC power, and calculating a correction to one or more of local real-time and time-based measurements of the power metering system, based on the comparing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for discovering a powerability condition of a computer network such as the existence of a remotely powerable device attached to a connecting medium of the computer network. Such detection can then control whether a remote power source (e.g., a data communications device such as a switch) provides remote power (e.g., phantom power) to the computer network. One arrangement of the invention is directed to an apparatus for discovering a powerability condition of a computer network. The apparatus includes a signal generator, a detector and a controller which is coupled to the signal generator and the detector. The controller configures the signal generator to provide a test signal to a connecting medium of the computer network, and configures the detector to measure a response signal from the connecting medium of the computer network.