Traffic signals can become skewed due to car crashes, severe winds, vandalism, earthquakes and other man-made or natural phenomena. Severe skewing is termed a conflict. An advantageous position detection mechanism is configured to mount inside a traffic light signal head. If signal head movement is outside of predefined limits, an electrical signal is generated indicating a conflict, i.e. traffic signal skewing so severe that drivers and pedestrians are endangered. Normal operation of the intersection is terminated and automatic communications to an appropriate command and control facility are made. For example, a conflict may cause the traffic signal to generate a flashing red light until the traffic signal is repaired.

The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting an electric arc in an electrical system (100), comprising the following steps: a) acquiring a signal (104) coming from at least one sensor (102) detecting acoustic waves in the system (100); b) calculating, using an electronic processing device (106), a first value representative of the error between the signal and a first projection of the signal in a first representation space defined by a first dictionary matrix; b) calculating, using the electronic processing device (106), a second value representative of the error between the signal and a second projection of the signal in a second representation space defined by a second dictionary matrix; and d) determining, from the first and second values, whether an electric arc has been produced in the system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable an electrical component within an electrical distribution equipment cabinet to be audibly monitored via an electrical fault detection device mounted on the housing of the cabinet. The electrical fault detection device may comprise a sensor to detect a signal emitted from an electrical fault within the cabinet, a transducer to convert the detected signal into an electrical audio signal, and an output socket adapted for an external device that may generate an audible sound based on the detected signal. The detected sensor may be an ultrasound sensor and the detected signal may be an ultrasound emitted from the electrical fault.

Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof.

An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.

Provided herein are semiconductor dies including multiple controllers for operating over an extended temperature range. In certain embodiments, a semiconductor die includes multiple circuit modules, a temperature sensor that generates a detected temperature signal, an interface that communicates with an external host, a primary controller coupled to the interface and operable to control the circuit modules, and a secondary controller coupled to the interface. In response to the detected temperature signal indicating that the temperature of the semiconductor die exceeds a threshold temperature, the primary controller enables the secondary controller, which in turn disables the primary controller and at least a portion of the plurality of circuit modules to reduce heat dissipation.

An electrical installation includes: a switchgear cabinet; a protective switch arranged in the switchgear cabinet; at least one optical triggering device which is operatively connected to the protective switch and for triggering or switching off the protective switch upon optical detection of an arc; a detection device for detecting an access or an access request to a secured area of the electrical installation by detecting a presence of the at least one optical triggering device in a danger area of the electrical installation; and an electronic circuit which is connected to the detection device and allows, and otherwise prevents, a triggering or switching off of the protective switch by the at least one optical triggering device upon detection of the access or the access request, when the at least one optical triggering device is present in the danger area.

A method and associated device for detecting arcs in a photovoltaic system with an inverter and with a plurality of current collector circuits connected in parallel with the inverter via collector lines, wherein a plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules are connected in parallel with each current collector circuit via string lines. The method includes acquiring measured values of electrical variables and analyzing the measured values of the electrical variables for the presence of signs of an arc in the photovoltaic system using an analysis circuit and generating an arc signal which indicates the presence of an arc if the analyzed measured values meet predefined criteria. The method also includes acquiring measured values of acoustic variables using one or more acoustic sensors, and analyzing the measured values of the acoustic variables for the presence of signs of an arc in the photovoltaic system using the analysis circuit.

An online, double-conversion uninterruptible power supply includes: a UPS input; a rectifier, whose input is connected to the UPS input; an inverter, whose input is connected to an output of the rectifier; a UPS output connected to an output of the inverter; a bypass switch connected between the UPS input and the UPS output; a control unit for closing the bypass switch in case of excessive output current and/or excessive voltage drop and/or excessive power demand at the UPS output; and an override input, which, when activated, inhibits closing the bypass switch.

An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.