An electrical system can include a diagnostic device that generates a first test signal. The electrical system can also include multiple energy transfer links coupled to the diagnostic device, where the first test signals flows through a first subset of the energy transfer links. The electrical system can further include a first monitoring device coupled to the first subset of energy transfer links, where the first monitoring device receives the first test signal from the diagnostic device through the first subset of the energy transfer links. The electrical system can also include a first electrical device coupled to the first monitoring device. The first monitoring device can implement a first test procedure based on the first test signal, where the first test procedure helps determine a first condition of the first electrical device.

In aspects of the present disclosure, a circuit interrupter includes a housing, a conductive path, a switch which selectively interrupts the conductive path, sensor(s), memory, and a controller within the housing. The sensor(s) measure electrical characteristic(s) of the conductive path. The memory stores an arc detection program that implements a machine learning model and includes a field-updatable program portion and a non-field-updatable program portion, where the field-updatable program portion includes program parameters used by the non-field-updatable program portion to decide between presence or absence of an arc fault. The controller executes the arc detection program to compute input data for the machine learning model based on the sensor measurements, decide between presence of an arc event or absence of an arc event based on the input data, and cause the switch to interrupt the conductive path when the decision indicates presence of an arc event.

A circuit breaker monitoring system and method includes a vibration sensor, a processing unit, and an output unit. The vibration sensor is configured to be mounted to a circuit breaker and to acquire a temporal vibration signal over at least a temporal portion of a closing operation of the circuit breaker. The closing operation comprises: initiation of the closing operation; latch release; movement of a moveable contact towards a fixed contact; contact touch of the moveable contact with the fixed contact; stop of movement of the moveable contact. The sensor provides the temporal vibration signal to the processing unit, which determines a plurality of physical switch events and corresponding plurality of time points of the plurality of physical switch events over the closing operation of the circuit breaker.

A system and method for monitoring a circuit breaker monitoring system includes a vibration sensor, a processing unit, and an output unit. The vibration sensor is mounted to a circuit breaker acquires a temporal vibration signal over at least a temporal portion of a closing operation of the circuit breaker, wherein the closing operation comprises: initiation of the closing operation, latch release, movement of a moveable contact towards a fixed contact, contact touch of the moveable contact with the fixed contact, and stop of movement of the moveable contact. The vibration sensor provides the temporal vibration signal to the processing unit, which determines a plurality of features of the closing operation and an indication of operational functionality of the circuit breaker.

A fault current limiter may include a current limiting leg to transmit a first current and a control leg in parallel with the current limiting leg, the control leg to transmit a second current. The control leg may include a plurality of power electronic modules arranged in electrical series with one another, and a bypass power electronic module arranged in electrical series with the plurality of power electronic modules. The control leg may further include a plurality of current monitors arranged electrically in series with the plurality of power electronic modules and the bypass power electronic module, and at least one triggering circuit, wherein the plurality of current monitors is electrically coupled to the at least one triggering circuit, and wherein the at least one triggering circuit is coupled to at least one of: the plurality of power electronic modules, and the bypass power electronic module.

A fault detector for an anti-parallel thyristor includes: a power supply unit configured to supply power to the first and second thyristors; a first current sensor configured to output a first current measurement value that flows through the first thyristor; a second current sensor configured to output a second current measurement value that flows through the second thyristor; and a detector which notifies a fault of a thyristor when the first and second current measurement values satisfy a set fault condition,

This application relates to the technical field of electronics, and discloses a detection circuit and a detection method of an electrical control device, and an electric vehicle. In some embodiments of this application, the detection circuit includes a drive circuit configured to detect an electrical control device. The drive circuit includes a drive power module and a low-side switch unit. The detection circuit includes: a first detection module, a second detection module, and a control module. The control module is configured to obtain an electrical signal at a third end of the first detection module, and/or an electrical signal at a second end of the second detection module; and determine, based on the electrical signal at the third end of the first detection module, and/or the electrical signal at the second end of the second detection module, whether the drive circuit of the electrical control device is faulty.

Systems and methods to detect that a protective device is operating outside of a time inverse overcurrent tolerance region are described. For example, a central monitoring station may obtain a time inverse overcurrent tolerance region of a protective device on a power line. The central monitoring station may obtain a fault magnitude measurement and a fault duration measurement of a wireless line sensor on the power line. The central monitoring station may determine that the protective device is operating outside of the tolerance region based at least in part on the fault magnitude measurement and the fault duration measurement. The central monitoring station may provide a signal indicating that there is a potential issue with the protective device.

A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

An arc detection circuit includes a current detector and arc determination unit. The current detector detects a current flowing through a transmission line which connects an electric power supply device and an electric power conversion circuit. The arc determination unit calculates, from a result of measurement of the current, an area of interest and an area for comparison. The area of interest is an area of a region of interest defined by a predetermined frequency range and predetermined time for determination. The area for comparison is an area of a portion in which detected strength exceeds a predetermined strength threshold in the region of interest. The arc determination unit determines an electric arc has occurred when a ratio between the area of interest and the area for comparison exceeds a predetermined area-ratio threshold.