Patent classifications
H02H3/00
Electronic protection device for electric power distribution grids
An electronic protection device for electric power distribution grids, the electronic protection device being adapted to control one or more switching devices in an electric power distribution grid and being capable of communicating, at local level, with one or more sensors or electronic devices of the electric power distribution grid and, at remote level, with a remote computerised platform. The electronic protection device is adapted to receive first grid monitoring data indicative of physical quantities related to the operation of the electric power distribution grid from the sensors or electronic devices, the first grid monitoring data including at least measured values indicative of a line current flowing along an electric line of the electric power distribution grid. The electronic protection device is adapted to carry out a predictive monitoring procedure of the operating conditions of the electric power distribution grid.
Method and Apparatus for Automatic Electricity Backfeed Protection
An electricity backfeed protection assembly is beneficially installed between a main circuit breaker panel of a structure or dwelling, and a utility meter measuring electricity delivered to the structure or dwelling by a utility provider or other primary power source. The electricity backfeed protection assembly includes a contactor having a coil. A contact protector device is electrically connected to the coil of the contactor. The electrical backfeed protection assembly automatically prevents electricity from a secondary power source (including, without limitation, a portable generator) from backfeeding into supply lines of a primary power source (such as utility lines or equipment).
Power source apparatus formed by combining a plurality of modules
The power source apparatus enables each battery pack to be charged with power supplied from an external charging power supply, and allows power stored in each battery pack to be output externally. Each battery pack is provided with battery pack fault output terminals to send battery pack error signals to other battery packs or to the protection unit when a malfunction occurs. The protection unit is provided with protection unit input-output terminals to connect with battery pack fault output terminals, and a protection circuit capable of cutting-off battery pack current. When a battery pack malfunction occurs, a battery pack error signal is output from the battery pack fault output terminals to the protection unit input-output terminals. When the protection unit detects a battery pack error signal, the protection circuit cuts-off current.
Method and system of detection and passivation of an electric arc
A method and a system for the detection and passivation of an electric arc on at least one connecting element of an electrical device. The system comprises an acoustic acquisition channel configured for the acquisition of acoustic signals emitted by the connecting element, an electric acquisition channel configured for the acquisition of electric signals which are representative of the electric current intensities supplying the connecting element, and a correlator coupled to the acoustic and electric acquisition channels, configured for the evaluation of a correlation between the acoustic and electric signals and for the tripping of an appropriate cut-off signal for the interruption of an electric circuit relative to the connecting element, where the correlation is representative of the initiation of an electric arc.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING AN INSULATION FAULT IN AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
A system for managing an insulation fault in an electrical installation includes a monitoring device, measuring devices configured to measure an electrical quantity in the installation, and switches controlled by the monitoring device. The monitoring device is configured to: [[.Math.]] detect a first insulation fault in the installation; [[.Math.]] detect a second insulation fault in the installation; [[ ]] and automatically control one of the switches associated with output terminals so as to open in order to eliminate one of the detected electrical faults, the switch to be opened being chosen depending on the location of the detected insulation faults and on predefined control laws making it possible to disconnect only some of the electrical loads.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING AN INSULATION FAULT IN AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
A system for managing an insulation fault in an electrical installation includes a monitoring device, measuring devices configured to measure an electrical quantity in the installation, and switches controlled by the monitoring device. The monitoring device is configured to: [[.Math.]] detect a first insulation fault in the installation; [[.Math.]] detect a second insulation fault in the installation; [[ ]] and automatically control one of the switches associated with output terminals so as to open in order to eliminate one of the detected electrical faults, the switch to be opened being chosen depending on the location of the detected insulation faults and on predefined control laws making it possible to disconnect only some of the electrical loads.
Two terminal arc suppressor
A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.
Method for adapting an arc sensor
In a method for adapting an arc sensor (35) to a position in an electrical installation system, according to the invention a specifiable number of specifiable arcs are simulated and/or produced at least at a first position in the installation system, wherein after each simulated or produced arc, at least one current curve and/or voltage curve is recorded in a measured-value recording unit (2), wherein at least one characteristic of the recorded current curves and/or voltage curves is determined and stored, and the arc sensor (35) is trained for the electrical installation system.
Circuit interruption apparatus providing automatic reduced arc mode and methods of operating the same
A circuit interruption device (e.g., a molded case circuit breaker) includes at least one set of contacts, a contact actuator mechanism configured to open the at least one set of contacts and a trip control circuit configured to cause the contact actuator mechanism to open the at least one set of contacts responsive to a condition satisfying a first trip criterion and to apply a second trip criterion (e.g., a lower current level trip threshold) responsive to the opening of the at least one set of contacts. The trip control circuit may be configured to apply the second trip criterion after a succeeding closure of the at least one set of contacts. The trip control circuit may be further configured to return to application of the first trip criterion after lapse of a predetermined interval following the succeeding closure of the at least one set of contacts.
Self-testing ground fault circuit interrupter and associated method
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) including separable contacts, a ground fault detection circuit structured to detect a ground fault based and to output a trip signal in response to detecting the ground fault, a trip circuit structured to trip open the separable contacts in response to the trip signal, a test button structured to be actuated by a user, a test unit structured to sequentially perform a GFCI self-test sequence and a ground fault test sequence in response to actuation of the test button, wherein the test unit is structured to determine whether the GFCI passed the GFCI self-test sequence and to output in an alarm signal in response to determining that the GFCI failed the GFCI self-test sequence, and an indicator structured to receive the alarm signal and to provide a visual or audible indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.