System controller and method for a power converter. For example, a system controller for a power converter includes a logic controller configured to generate a modulation signal, and a driver configured to receive the modulation signal, generate a drive signal based at least in part on the modulation signal, and output the drive signal to a switch to affect a current flowing through an inductive winding for a power converter. Additionally, the system controller includes a voltage-to-voltage converter configured to receive a first voltage signal, the modulation signal, and a demagnetization signal, and to generate a second voltage signal based at least in part on the first voltage signal, the modulation signal, and the demagnetization signal.

In a method of warning of a hazardous electrical condition at a dock with wiring coupled to a voltage source via a dock breaker, an electric voltage between a ground and at least one of the dock frame or the water is detected. A plurality of voltage values of the electric voltage is stored. When at least two successive voltage values of the plurality voltage values exceeds a baseline safe voltage by a preset margin, then a shock warning signal is asserted, a dock breaker is opened and a shock warning indication is transmitted to a remote unit via a communication chipset. When at a voltage is sensed in the dock wiring system after the dock breaker has been opened, then a faulty dock breaker warning indication is transmitted to the remote unit via the communication chipset.

In a method of warning of a hazardous electrical condition at a dock with wiring coupled to a voltage source via a dock breaker, an electric voltage between a ground and at least one of the dock frame or the water is detected. A plurality of voltage values of the electric voltage is stored. When at least two successive voltage values of the plurality voltage values exceeds a baseline safe voltage by a preset margin, then a shock warning signal is asserted, a dock breaker is opened and a shock warning indication is transmitted to a remote unit via a communication chipset. When at a voltage is sensed in the dock wiring system after the dock breaker has been opened, then a faulty dock breaker warning indication is transmitted to the remote unit via the communication chipset.

The present invention is directed towards a serially connected micro-inverter (SCMI) system comprising a plurality of power sources for producing DC power, a plurality of micro-inverters, where each micro-inverter is coupled to at least one power source of the plurality of power sources, for converting the DC power into AC power, an AC bus for coupling the plurality of micro-inverters in series to form a string and for coupling the AC power an AC line; and a controller, coupled to the string, for measuring an output signal of one or more strings of series coupled micro-inverters, comparing the measured output signal to a desired signal for the string; and adjusting a phase angle of an output from each micro-inverter in the one or more strings until a difference between the measured output signal and the desired signal is less than a predetermined threshold value.

The present invention is directed towards a serially connected micro-inverter (SCMI) system comprising a plurality of power sources for producing DC power, a plurality of micro-inverters, where each micro-inverter is coupled to at least one power source of the plurality of power sources, for converting the DC power into AC power, an AC bus for coupling the plurality of micro-inverters in series to form a string and for coupling the AC power an AC line; and a controller, coupled to the string, for measuring an output signal of one or more strings of series coupled micro-inverters, comparing the measured output signal to a desired signal for the string; and adjusting a phase angle of an output from each micro-inverter in the one or more strings until a difference between the measured output signal and the desired signal is less than a predetermined threshold value.

An electrical sensor is described. The electrical sensor including an electrical signal input configured to receive an electrical signal, an alarm, one or more inputs configured to set a configuration value and at least one display configured to display said configuration value. The monitor is coupled with the electrical signal input, the alarm, the display, and the one or more inputs. Further, the monitor is configured to determine a characteristic of the electrical signal received on the electrical signal input. The monitor is configured to activate the alarm based on the configuration value set by the one or more inputs and the characteristic of the electrical signal. And, the monitor configured to generate at least one display signal based on the configuration value to be used by the at least one display to display the configuration value.

An electrical sensor is described. The electrical sensor including an electrical signal input configured to receive an electrical signal, an alarm, one or more inputs configured to set a configuration value and at least one display configured to display said configuration value. The monitor is coupled with the electrical signal input, the alarm, the display, and the one or more inputs. Further, the monitor is configured to determine a characteristic of the electrical signal received on the electrical signal input. The monitor is configured to activate the alarm based on the configuration value set by the one or more inputs and the characteristic of the electrical signal. And, the monitor configured to generate at least one display signal based on the configuration value to be used by the at least one display to display the configuration value.

An apparatus includes a current sense resistor configured to receive a supply current for one or more devices. The apparatus also includes a current sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage across the current sense resistor. The apparatus further includes a comparator configured to compare the amplified voltage from the current sense amplifier to a reference voltage. In addition, the apparatus includes an octal driver configured to receive the supply current from the current sense resistor and to control one or more device outputs associated with the one or more devices. The apparatus may also include an optocoupler configured to receive an output from the comparator and, based on the output, control an output enable pin of the octal driver. There could be multiple resistors, amplifiers, comparators, drivers, and optocouplers arranged in multiple circuit branches, which could be configured to control multiple device outputs associated with different groups of devices.

An apparatus includes a current sense resistor configured to receive a supply current for one or more devices. The apparatus also includes a current sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage across the current sense resistor. The apparatus further includes a comparator configured to compare the amplified voltage from the current sense amplifier to a reference voltage. In addition, the apparatus includes an octal driver configured to receive the supply current from the current sense resistor and to control one or more device outputs associated with the one or more devices. The apparatus may also include an optocoupler configured to receive an output from the comparator and, based on the output, control an output enable pin of the octal driver. There could be multiple resistors, amplifiers, comparators, drivers, and optocouplers arranged in multiple circuit branches, which could be configured to control multiple device outputs associated with different groups of devices.

A method and apparatus for testing operability of a power converter with an existing power conversion assembly of a renewable energy system is disclosed. The method includes transferring a first pulse of energy from an existing power conversion assembly to a power filter of the power converter through first cells within a bridge circuit of the power converter. Another step includes determining a first current-voltage feedback associated with the first pulse. A next step includes transferring a second pulse of energy from the power filter to the existing power conversion assembly through second cells within the bridge circuit such that a portion of the first pulse moves back to the existing power conversion assembly. Another step includes determining a second current-voltage feedback associated with the second pulse. The first and second current-voltage feedbacks are compared with nominal tolerances of the power converter to ensure the power converter is operating properly.