Patent classifications
G01R1/22
Calibration system for voltage measurement devices
Systems and methods for calibrating a voltage measurement device are provided herein. The voltage measurement device generates a reference current signal and senses the reference current signal in a conductor under test. A calibration system may control a calibration voltage source to selectively output calibration voltages in a calibration conductor. The calibration system may obtain data from the voltage measurement device captured by the voltage measurement device when measuring the calibration conductor. Such data may include one or more reference current measurements, one or more voltage measurements, etc. The calibration system utilizes the obtained measurements to generate calibration data which may be stored on the voltage measurement device for use thereby during subsequent operation. The calibration data may include one or more lookup tables, coefficients for one or more mathematical formulas, etc.
NON-CONTACT DC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT DEVICE WITH OSCILLATING SENSOR
Systems and methods for measuring direct current (DC) voltage of an insulated conductor (e.g., insulated wire) are provided, without requiring a galvanic connection between the conductor and a test electrode or probe. A non-contact DC voltage measurement device may include a conductive sensor that is mechanically oscillated. The insulated conductor under test serves as a first conductive element or electrode of a coupling capacitor, and the vibrating conductive sensor serves as a second conductive element or electrode of the coupling capacitor. The oscillation of the conductive sensor provides the coupling capacitor with a time-varying capacitance value. The measurement device detects current flowing through the coupling capacitor, and determines the DC voltage in the insulated conductor using the detected current and the time-varying capacitance. The determined DC voltage may be output to a display or transmitted to an external system via a wired or wireless connection.
FLEXIBLE JAW PROBE FOR NON-CONTACT ELECTRICAL PARAMETER MEASUREMENT
Systems and methods are provided for measuring electrical parameters in an insulated conductor without requiring a galvanic connection. A sensor probe is provided that includes a body and a flexible arm or strap that is movable between an open position that allows a conductor to be moved into and out of a measurement area of the probe, and a closed position that secures the insulated conductor within the measurement area so that one or more measurements may be obtained. The electrical parameter sensor probe may include a non-contact sensor coupled to at least one of the body or the flexible arm. A user may apply a force to an actuator (e.g., slide switch) which moves the flexible arm from the closed position into the open position against a bias force so that the insulated conductor under test may be positioned and secured in the measurement area of the sensor probe.
CLAMP PROBE FOR NON-CONTACT ELECTRICAL PARAMETER MEASUREMENT
Systems and methods for measuring electrical parameters (e.g., voltage, current, power) in an insulated or blank uninsulated conductor (e.g., insulated wire) without requiring a galvanic connection between the conductor and a clamp probe. A clamp probe may include a normally closed, spring loaded jaw having a flexible strap therein that includes one or more non-contact sensors. The jaw may also include a Rogowski coil to enable non-contact current measurements. A user may compress handles of the clamp probe to open its jaw. In the open position, the user may position the jaw around the conductor under test and release the handles. The jaw then closes and tightens the flexible strap around the insulated conductor such that the one or more non-contact sensors are positioned adjacent the insulated conductor to obtain an accurate measurement of an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor.
MULTI-SENSOR SCANNER CONFIGURATION FOR NON-CONTACT VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT DEVICES
Systems and methods for measuring AC voltage of an insulated conductor are provided, without requiring a galvanic connection between the conductor and a test electrode. A non-galvanic contact voltage measurement system includes a sensor subsystem, an internal ground guard and a reference shield. A common mode reference voltage source is electrically coupled between the internal ground guard and the reference shield to generate an AC reference voltage which causes a reference current to pass through the conductive sensor. Control circuitry receives a signal indicative of current flowing through the sensor subsystem due to the AC reference voltage and the AC voltage in the insulated conductor, and determines the AC voltage in the insulated conductor based at least in part on the received signal. The sensor subsystem includes a plurality of sensors that are polled to compensate for conductor position while allowing for measurement of physical characteristics of the conductor.
POSITION DEPENDENT NON-CONTACT VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MEASUREMENT
Systems and methods for operating and calibrating measurement devices are provided herein. The measurement devices generate reference current signals and sense the reference current signals in a conductor under test, which sensed signals are used to determine a calibration factor or a position of the conductor under test. A calibration system may control a calibration voltage source to selectively output calibration voltages in a calibration conductor. The calibration system may obtain data from the electrical parameter measurement device captured by the electrical parameter measurement device when measuring the calibration conductor. Such data may include one or more reference current measurements, one or more voltage measurements, etc. The calibration system utilizes the obtained measurements to generate calibration data which may be stored on the voltage measurement device for use thereby during subsequent operation. The calibration data may include one or more lookup tables, coefficients for one or more mathematical formulas, etc.
MULTI-SENSOR CONFIGURATION FOR NON-CONTACT VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT DEVICES
Systems and methods for measuring AC voltage of an insulated conductor are provided, without requiring a galvanic connection between the conductor and a test electrode or probe. A non-galvanic contact (or non-contact) voltage measurement system includes a sensor subsystem, an internal ground guard and a reference shield. A common mode reference voltage source is electrically coupled between the internal ground guard and the reference shield to generate an AC reference voltage which causes a reference current to pass through the conductive sensor. Control circuitry receives a signal indicative of current flowing through the sensor subsystem due to the AC reference voltage and the AC voltage in the insulated conductor, and determines the AC voltage in the insulated conductor based at least in part on the received signal. The sensor subsystem includes at least two independent sensors that are used to compensate for conductor position while improving accuracy and dynamic range.
Method, Sensor Apparatus and System for Determining Losses in an Electrical Power Grid
A field deployable sensor node for determining electrical usage in an electrical power grid comprises a sensor capable of removable engagement with a supply line electrical wire and capable of measurement of at least one of current and voltage to produce measurement data; an analog to digital conversion means; a microcontroller circuit; a transceiver; storage memory for data; and a means to communicate with other nodes and self-form into a communications network selected from the group consisting of a mesh, star, and tree network topology forming a Field Area Network (FAN).
Method, Sensor Apparatus and System for Determining Losses in an Electrical Power Grid
A field deployable sensor node for determining electrical usage in an electrical power grid comprises a sensor capable of removable engagement with a supply line electrical wire and capable of measurement of at least one of current and voltage to produce measurement data; an analog to digital conversion means; a microcontroller circuit; a transceiver; storage memory for data; and a means to communicate with other nodes and self-form into a communications network selected from the group consisting of a mesh, star, and tree network topology forming a Field Area Network (FAN).
LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A FAULTED CIRCUIT INDICATOR
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of locking a faulted circuit indicator (FCI). For example, the FCI may include a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a lock plate that selectively moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the lock plate blocks a lock link of the FCI from moving in a first direction to prevent the FCI from opening. When in an unlocked position, the lock plate enables the lock link of the FCI to move in the first direction to allow the FCI to open.