The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and a signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

A device for measuring electric currents includes multiple current sensors of Rogowski type, each suitable for measuring an electric current flowing through an electrical conductor, these current sensors being in adjacent pairs and each including coils for measuring the current and a central aperture for receiving the corresponding electrical conductor. Each current sensor includes two of the coils, which coils are positioned in parallel and facing one another on opposite edges of the central aperture and two ferromagnetic bars extending between ends of the coils, perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the coils.

A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current values and waveforms, phase voltage, conductor current, phase-to-phase voltage, conductor temperatures, ambient temperatures, vibration, wind speed and monitoring device system diagnostics. The sensing devices can include an equipotential surface configured to reduce incumbent E-field disturbance of the conductor. The sensing devices can include a monitor-device conductor shell sized and shaped to position the equipotential surface at a distance with respect to the conductor regardless of diameter of the conductor. Methods of installing and protecting the system are also discussed.

A non-contact electric potential meter system to determine voltage between an AC conductor and a reference potential without direct electrical contact to the conductor. A housing provides a shielded measurement region that excludes other conductors and holds power supply means; an AC voltage sensing mechanism includes a conductive sense plate and an electrical connection to the reference potential. Waveform-sensing electronic circuitry obtains an AC voltage waveform induced by capacitive coupling between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Capacitance-determining electronic circuitry obtains a scaling factor based on the coupling capacitance formed between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Signal processing electronic circuitry uses the AC voltage waveform and the coupling capacitance-based scaling factor to obtain the voltage between the conductor and the reference potential.

One or more implementations of the present disclosure are directed to sensor probes of measurement systems for measuring a plurality of electrical parameters, (e.g., voltage, current) of a conductor and methods for measuring same. In at least one implementation, the sensor probe integrates a Rogowski coil and a non-contact voltage sensor that are arranged relative to each other such that when positioned to measure a conductor, such as a wire, the Rogowski coil and the non-contact voltage sensor are held in proper position for measurement.

A capacitive voltage sensor assembly includes a first electrode extending along a longitudinal axis, the first electrode including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a second electrode surrounding the second end of the first electrode, the second electrode including a tubular portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a base portion coupled to the first end of the tubular portion, and a mass of dielectric insulating material at least partially encapsulating the first electrode and the second electrode. The tubular portion includes a plurality of cantilevered tabs interconnected at the first end of the second electrode. Each tab of the plurality of cantilevered tabs is circumferentially separated from an adjacent tab of the plurality of cantilevered tabs to define a gap therebetween at the second end of the second electrode.

Systems and methods herein automate detection of switched-capacitor bank operation on a power grid. At least one power line sensor (106) may be positioned on a power line to measure electric field strength and current. A processor may be in communication with the power line sensor and memory storing a capacitor bank analyzer as computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the processor to: receive electric field data and current data from the power line sensor. The processor may extract key characteristics from the electric field data and the current data, compare the key characteristics to a library of key characteristics of a predictive model, and output, based on the predictive model, a label indicating presence of, or lack of, a capacitor switching event. E-field and current data from multiple line sensors may be aggregated to provide additional insight to capacitor bank operation.

A sensor probe includes a body, a sleeve that is moveable along the body between open and closed positions, a clamp having first and second jaws that contain an interior region within the clamp, and a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a perimeter of the interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the open position, the first and second jaws create a gap that allows an insulated conductor to pass into the interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the closed position, the first and second jaws close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clamp. The size of the interior region is reduced when the sleeve is moved toward the closed position. The non-contact sensor is configured to detect an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

A non-contact electric potential meter system to determine voltage between an AC conductor and a reference potential without direct electrical contact to the conductor. A housing provides a shielded measurement region that excludes other conductors and holds power supply means; an AC voltage sensing mechanism includes a conductive sense plate and an electrical connection to the reference potential. Waveform-sensing electronic circuitry obtains an AC voltage waveform induced by capacitive coupling between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Capacitance-determining electronic circuitry obtains a scaling factor based on the coupling capacitance formed between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Signal processing electronic circuitry uses the AC voltage waveform and the coupling capacitance-based scaling factor to obtain the voltage between the conductor and the reference potential.

Electrical current and/or voltage monitoring powered by induction and/or conductive spike, and related devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. An electricity monitoring device can include a measuring conductor electrically coupled to a monitored energy source to detect/read voltage of the monitored energy source. The electricity monitoring device can include an electrical component in which a fluctuating magnetic field is induced from a fluctuating flow of electrical current in the monitored energy source, the fluctuating magnetic field to produce an electromotive force to provide electrical energy. The electricity monitoring device can include a controller that can further include processing circuitry to be powered by the provided electrical energy, the controller coupled to the measuring conductor to determine a present run-time electrical voltage of the monitored energy source based on a reading of the measuring conductor. In some embodiments, the electrical component can be a Rogowski coil.