Patent classifications
H01H2071/044
Power Contact Health Assessor Apparatus and Method
A system includes a dry contact with a first pair of switchable electrodes, a wet contact with a second pair of switchable electrodes, an arc suppressor, and a controller circuit operatively coupled to the arc suppressor and the first and second pairs of switchable electrodes. The controller circuit is configured to detect a failure of the wet contact and determine a stick duration associated with the first pair of switchable electrodes. The stick duration is based on a duration between an instance when a coil of the dry contact is deactivated and an instance of separation of the first pair of switchable electrodes during deactivation of the coil. The controller circuit generates, in-situ and in real-time, health assessment for the first pair of switchable electrodes based on a comparison of the determined stick duration with an average stick duration associated with a window of observation.
METHOD OF DETERMINING LIFETIME OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
The disclosure is directed to systems and methods by which the lifetime, e.g., remaining life or amount of life used, of variable use items, such as rechargeable batteries, battery relays, vehicles and power tools, can be determined that takes into account the conditions of the use of the item. The systems and methods involve an algorithm that can be described as accumulating points based on the real time utilization of the item, e.g., rechargeable battery, battery relay, vehicle, or power tool, and when an agreed-upon number of points have been accumulated, the item can be considered to be at end of life or end of warranty.
MOTION SENSING DEVICE FOR VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER AND VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPRISING SAME
The present disclosure relates to a motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker and a vacuum circuit breaker comprising same. A motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises: a sensor module, installed adjacent to a main shaft, for sensing an operation state of the main shaft; and a bracket, coupled to the sensor module, for supporting the sensor module.
Methods for estimating a property of an electrical switching device, devices for implementing these methods
A method for estimating a property of an electrical switching device includes: detecting a movement of electrical contacts of the switching device beyond an opening threshold; measuring, for at least one phase of the electrical device, the electric current through this phase; evaluating, for at least one phase of the electrical device, the voltage of an electric arc between the electrical contacts that are associated with this phase; and calculating, for at least the phase of the electrical device, an energy value associated with the electric arc, by numerically integrating the product of the measured electric current and of the evaluated voltage, the integration being performed over a time interval starting from the detection of the movement of the electrical contacts.
RELAY STATE DETERMINATION DEVICE, RELAY STATE DETERMINATION SYSTEM, RELAY STATE DETERMINATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM
A relay state determination device includes a voltage value acquisition unit, a contact bounce time acquisition unit, and a state determination unit. The voltage value acquisition unit acquires a voltage value between one pair of contacts mutually opened and closed in a relay. The contact bounce time acquisition unit obtains a contact bounce time indicated by the one pair of contacts based on the temporal change in the voltage value after the ON instruction to the relay. The state determination unit compares the contact bounce time with a time threshold value to determine whether or not the relay 4 has deteriorated.
METHODS FOR ESTIMATING A PROPERTY OF AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE, DEVICES FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE METHODS
A method for estimating a property of an electrical switching device includes: detecting a movement of electrical contacts of the switching device beyond an opening threshold; measuring, for at least one phase of the electrical device, the electric current through this phase; evaluating, for at least one phase of the electrical device, the voltage of an electric arc between the electrical contacts that are associated with this phase; and calculating, for at least the phase of the electrical device, an energy value associated with the electric arc, by numerically integrating the product of the measured electric current and of the evaluated voltage, the integration being performed over a time interval starting from the detection of the movement of the electrical contacts.
METHOD FOR RESETTING LIFE DIAGNOSIS ALARM OF A CONTACT OF A CONTACTOR
The present disclosure relates to a method for resetting life diagnosis alarm of a contact of a contactor, including the following steps:
Step A: detecting a reset signal by a microcontrol unit;
Step B: when the microcontrol unit has detected the reset signal, checking the state of the diagnosis alarm through the microcontrol unit;
and when the diagnosis alarm is in an active state, the microcontrol unit: Step C: controlling the indicator to give a first indication signal for confirming a reset operation of the diagnosis alarm; Step D: resetting life diagnosis data; Step E: controlling the opening and closing of the contact of the contactor through an actuator.
Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) with arc signature detection
In one example, an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is provided. The AFCI may include a plurality of current arc signature detection blocks configured to output a plurality of corresponding current arc signatures, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive each of the plurality of current arc signature from each of plurality of current arc signature detection blocks, respectively, and generate a first trigger signal. The processor may be further configured to assess each of the current arc signatures, determine whether an arc fault exists based on the assessment, and generate the first trigger signal if an arc fault is determined to exist. A method for detecting an arc fault is also provided.
METHOD FOR MONITORING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL COMPONENT OF AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM
The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an electromechanical component of an automation system. The method includes sensing a current mechanical state variable of the electromechanical component, sensing a current electrical state variable of the electromechanical component and determining a state of the electromechanical component based at least in part on a behaviour model of the electromechanical component, wherein the behaviour model takes into account an effect of the sensed current mechanical state variable on the sensed current electrical state variable.
Smart circuit breaker, system including the same, and method of managing power
A smart circuit breaker includes a communication interface, separable contacts, a processing unit having a memory with a routine stored therein which, when executed by the processing unit causes the processing unit to: sense a power outage in an electrical grid, control a meter to open contacts to disconnect from the electrical grid, sense power restoration to the electrical grid, control contacts corresponding to a secondary power source to open, control the meter to close contacts to reconnect to the electrical grid, sense that a frequency of power from the electrical grid matches a frequency of power from the secondary power source, and control the contacts corresponding to the secondary power source to close.