Methods of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component of an electrical grid are provided. A method of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component includes, responsive to a plurality of trips occurring at the switching or isolating component during a predetermined time window, incrementing, by the switching or isolating component, a plurality of counters, respectively, and determining whether a number of the trips meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Moreover, the method includes, responsive to meeting or exceeding the predetermined threshold, driving the switching or isolating component to lockout. Related switching or isolating components are also provided.

In one example, a ground fault circuit interrupter is provided. It may include a current imbalance detection circuit configured to provide a leakage signal and a main processing circuit including a processor. The leakage signal may correspond to a current imbalance between a supply path and a return path. The processor may be configured to receive the leakage signal, analyze a time pattern of the leakage signal, determine whether a ground fault exists based on analysis of the time pattern, and generate a first trigger signal if the ground fault is determined to exist. The ground fault circuit interrupter may further include a back-EMF detection circuit configured to provide a back-EMF detection signal. Methods for detecting and responding to a ground fault are also provided.

In one example, a ground fault circuit interrupter is provided. It may include a current imbalance detection circuit configured to provide a leakage signal and a main processing circuit including a processor. The leakage signal may correspond to a current imbalance between a supply path and a return path. The processor may be configured to receive the leakage signal, analyze a time pattern of the leakage signal, determine whether a ground fault exists based on analysis of the time pattern, and generate a first trigger signal if the ground fault is determined to exist. The ground fault circuit interrupter may further include a back-EMF detection circuit configured to provide a back-EMF detection signal. Methods for detecting and responding to a ground fault are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a recloser control that provides autosynchronization of a microgrid to an area electric power system (EPS). For example, a recloser control may include an output connector that is communicatively coupled to a recloser at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the area EPS and the microgrid. The recloser control may include a processor that acquires a first set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the area EPS and acquires a second set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the microgrid. The recloser control may send synchronization signals to one or more distributed energy resource (DER) controllers to synchronize one or more DERs to the area EPS based on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.

Methods of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component of an electrical grid are provided. A method of controlling lockout of a switching or isolating component includes, responsive to a plurality of trips occurring at the switching or isolating component during a predetermined time window, incrementing, by the switching or isolating component, a plurality of counters, respectively, and determining whether a number of the trips meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Moreover, the method includes, responsive to meeting or exceeding the predetermined threshold, driving the switching or isolating component to lockout. Related switching or isolating components are also provided.

In a DC feed system configured by a plurality of DC electrical circuits being combined, when an arc fault occurs, it is difficult to identify a DC electrical circuit in which an arc has occurred. For this reason, a DC electrical circuit protection apparatus includes: a plurality of DC electrical circuits, each of which has a current sensor provided in at least one of a positive or a negative electrical path and has arc noise absorbing mechanism on the upstream side of the current sensor; and an arc detection device which compares respective arc noise signal strengths of the DC electrical circuits from current signals detected by the current sensors of the DC electrical circuits, and based on the signal strengths, identifies a circuit in which an arc has occurred, wherein a DC electrical circuit in which an arc has occurred is identified.

In a DC feed system configured by a plurality of DC electrical circuits being combined, when an arc fault occurs, it is difficult to identify a DC electrical circuit in which an arc has occurred. For this reason, a DC electrical circuit protection apparatus includes: a plurality of DC electrical circuits, each of which has a current sensor provided in at least one of a positive or a negative electrical path and has arc noise absorbing mechanism on the upstream side of the current sensor; and an arc detection device which compares respective arc noise signal strengths of the DC electrical circuits from current signals detected by the current sensors of the DC electrical circuits, and based on the signal strengths, identifies a circuit in which an arc has occurred, wherein a DC electrical circuit in which an arc has occurred is identified.

A single-phase electric meter having a phase conductor intended to be connected to a phase of an electric line located upstream of the single-phase electric meter and to a phase of an electric installation located downstream of the single-phase electric meter, the single-phase electric meter further including a breaking unit mounted on the phase conductor, an upstream voltage sensor arranged to periodically measure an upstream voltage upstream of the breaking unit, and a processing device arranged to acquire upstream voltage measurements and to open the breaking unit when the upstream voltage drops below a first predetermined threshold voltage.

A single-phase electric meter having a phase conductor intended to be connected to a phase of an electric line located upstream of the single-phase electric meter and to a phase of an electric installation located downstream of the single-phase electric meter, the single-phase electric meter further including a breaking unit mounted on the phase conductor, an upstream voltage sensor arranged to periodically measure an upstream voltage upstream of the breaking unit, and a processing device arranged to acquire upstream voltage measurements and to open the breaking unit when the upstream voltage drops below a first predetermined threshold voltage.

A power distribution system adapted for high current fault management during a fault event utilizes reclosing switches configured for a quick-slow-quick reclosing sequence in which the reclosing switch initially responds to the fault condition by tripping open, and then after a delay recloses for a first duration of time (slow) prior to tripping open. After another delay, the reclosing switch recloses for a second duration of time (quick) that is less than the first duration of time prior to tripping open for an indefinite interval. When installed in new segments or retrofitted in place of a fuse, reclosing switches configured with quick-slow-quick reclose timing allows for reduction of downstream customer outages, reduced I.sup.2T exposure for elements upstream of a fault event and a reduction in the duration of voltage sags experienced by customers during fault events while allowing for improved fault management configurations of the power distribution system.