Automatic reclosing of a fault interrupting device is overridden by establishing communication with a control system for a fault interrupting device operable to open responsive to a fault on an electric distribution system and automatically reclose after a predetermined time delay, and analyzing data for the electric distribution system by an apparatus separate from the fault interrupting device control system and having higher performance than the fault interrupting device control system, to determine whether to block the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device before the fault interrupting device automatically recloses. An autoreclosing block command is generated by the apparatus if the apparatus determines the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device should be blocked. The autoreclosing block command is sent from the apparatus to the fault interrupting device control system to prevent the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device after the predetermined time delay.

The object of the invention is a device for detecting an overcurrent, having a current meter, a first counter, and a switch, wherein the current meter measures a current through the device, with the switch being capable of interrupting a current flow through the device, wherein, if the current meter measures a current that exceeds a first current threshold, the first counter is changed by a first increment in a first direction, wherein, if the current meter measures a current that exceeds a second current threshold, the first counter is changed by a second increment in the first direction, with the second current threshold being quantitatively greater than the first current threshold, and with the second increment being quantitatively greater than the first increment, wherein, after a change in the counter, the first counter is compared with a first counter threshold, and if the counter threshold has been reached or exceeded, the switch is actuated continuously such that the current flow is interrupted, and otherwise the switch is actuated for a predetermined time such that the current flow is interrupted.

A wiring device including an interrupting device, a fault detection circuit, and a testing circuit. The interrupting device electrically connects a line terminal to a load terminal when the interrupting device is in a reset condition and disconnects the line terminal from the load terminal when the interrupting device is in a tripped condition. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition and generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting the fault condition, the fault detection signal is provided to the interrupting device to place the interrupting device in the tripped condition. The testing circuit is configured to determine a frequency of an input voltage at the one or more line terminals, perform a first test of the interrupting device at a first period of the frequency, and perform a second test of the fault detection circuit at a second period of the frequency.

A wiring device including an interrupting device, a fault detection circuit, and a testing circuit. The interrupting device electrically connects a line terminal to a load terminal when the interrupting device is in a reset condition and disconnects the line terminal from the load terminal when the interrupting device is in a tripped condition. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition and generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting the fault condition, the fault detection signal is provided to the interrupting device to place the interrupting device in the tripped condition. The testing circuit is configured to determine a frequency of an input voltage at the one or more line terminals, perform a first test of the interrupting device at a first period of the frequency, and perform a second test of the fault detection circuit at a second period of the frequency.

There is a method of fault clearance for a voltage source converter that interconnects a DC network and an AC network. The voltage source converter is connected to the DC network via one or more DC circuit interruption devices. The method comprises the steps of: (a) detecting a fault in the DC network; (b) carrying out a primary protection sequence, wherein the step of carrying out the primary protection sequence involves carrying out a first sub-sequence that includes the steps of: i. opening the or each DC circuit interruption device, ii. setting a DC power order of the voltage source converter to zero, iii. controlling the voltage source converter to exchange re-circuit breaker active power with the AC network.

There is a method of fault clearance for a voltage source converter that interconnects a DC network and an AC network. The voltage source converter is connected to the DC network via one or more DC circuit interruption devices. The method comprises the steps of: (a) detecting a fault in the DC network; (b) carrying out a primary protection sequence, wherein the step of carrying out the primary protection sequence involves carrying out a first sub-sequence that includes the steps of: i. opening the or each DC circuit interruption device, ii. setting a DC power order of the voltage source converter to zero, iii. controlling the voltage source converter to exchange re-circuit breaker active power with the AC network.

Aspects of the disclosure can relate to detecting and accounting for fault conditions affecting electronic devices. In implementations, electronic devices can be coupled to one another in series with a common power line linking the electronic devices together. For example, the electronic devices can include down hole tools/equipment of a drill string. In embodiments, a system can include circuitry configured to couple a first electronic device with a second electronic device. The circuitry can detect or receive information regarding a fault condition and can set a switch to an open position, where the first electronic device and the second electronic device are electrically disconnected from one another, when a fault condition affects or is caused by the second electronic device.

An electrical assembly includes a conductor; a switch electrically connected to the conductor; and a control circuit connected to the switch, the control circuit including at least one of an electronic controller, a sensor, or a filter. The control circuit can be configured to operate the switch according to a maximum energy capacity of the conductor and a net energy of the conductor.

An electrical assembly includes a conductor; a switch electrically connected to the conductor; and a control circuit connected to the switch, the control circuit including at least one of an electronic controller, a sensor, or a filter. The control circuit can be configured to operate the switch according to a maximum energy capacity of the conductor and a net energy of the conductor.