H02H3/07

Self-Powered IED for a Pole-Mounted Auto-Recloser
20230011609 · 2023-01-12 · ·

A self-powered IED for a pole-mounted auto-recloser connected to an electric line includes a main control module and a lockout indication module. The main control module determines a fault in the electric line and trips the auto-recloser. During a permanent fault in the electric line, the auto-recloser is remained open, and the main control module activates a lockout state by generating a lockout set signal. The lockout indication module comprises a light source and super-capacitors. The super-capacitors provide stored charges to the light source when the lockout state is activated to provide notification throughout the lockout state.

Test-Boost Electric Power Recloser

Embodiments of the present invention include a test-boost electric power recloser that limits the duration of the test current imposed on the power line to less than two electric power cycles, and preferably less than one electric power cycle, when attempting to reclose into a fault. The test-boost recloser sends a test pulse causing a non-latching close followed by a boost pulse causing a latching close if waveform analysis based on the test close indicates that the fault has likely cleared. The test-boost approach can typically be implemented through a software and calibration upgrade to a conventional single-coil recloser, accomplishing results comparable to a dual-actuator recloser at a much lower cost. The recloser may perform iterative and feedback learning feedback processes to automatically improve its operation over time in response to measured fault and non-fault conditions and its success in predicting whether faults have cleared.

RESIDUAL CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER
20220416532 · 2022-12-29 · ·

The present invention relates to a residual current circuit breaker, RCCB, (100) for an electrical circuit (300). The RCCB comprises a first switching device (106) and a second switching device (140) coupled in series with each other between the power supply (302) and the load (304). The first switching device (106) is configured to switch into an OFF mode, in which no current is fed to the load (304), upon detecting that a value of a current i fed to the load (304) is larger than a switching current is of the first switching device (106). The second switching device (140) is configured to switch into an ON mode, in which the load (304) is short cut, upon detecting a leakage of the current i fed to the load (304). Thereby, a novel RCCB architecture is provided. When a current leakage is detected a short cut is introduced which means that the voltage will be zero over the load and no person will be harmed by the current in the circuit. Flowever, when the load is short cut there will be a current rush in the circuit which will trigger the first switching device to break the circuit and no current will thereafter flow in the circuit. The invention also relates to a circuit comprising such a residual current circuit breaker and a corresponding method.

Single-phase equipotential self-powered low-cost easy-to-install recloser

The invention relates to a single-phase, equipotential, self-powered recloser with a load life of more than 20 years, for installing in 15 KV medium-voltage networks, directly on Matthews-type fuse bases, using hooksticks, and without requiring the interruption of the energy supply. Said recloser uses a bistable electromagnetic actuator that controls a vacuum bulb for interrupting the current in the event of a fault. It stores energy in ultracapacitor banks which receive the first charge by means of an induction coil.

Recloser control with distributed energy resource synchronization

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.

Ground fault circuit interrupter using frequency recognition and measurement

A wiring device including an interrupting device and a controller. The interrupting device electrically connects one or more line terminals to one or more load terminals when the interrupting device is in a reset condition and disconnects the line terminals from the load terminals when the interrupting device is in a tripped condition. The controller is configured to, determine a frequency of an input voltage at the one or more line terminals, determine whether the frequency is within a predetermined range, and when the frequency is within the predetermined range, perform a test of the wiring device.

Ground fault circuit interrupter using frequency recognition and measurement

A wiring device including an interrupting device and a controller. The interrupting device electrically connects one or more line terminals to one or more load terminals when the interrupting device is in a reset condition and disconnects the line terminals from the load terminals when the interrupting device is in a tripped condition. The controller is configured to, determine a frequency of an input voltage at the one or more line terminals, determine whether the frequency is within a predetermined range, and when the frequency is within the predetermined range, perform a test of the wiring device.

SELECTIVE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD, AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
20170346275 · 2017-11-30 ·

A selective protection circuit includes a current-limiting module and a control module, where the current-limiting module includes a switch unit, and the switch unit includes a first end, a second end, and a control end; the first end is connected to a positive electrode of a bus voltage of an HVDC power supply, and the second end is connected to a positive electrode of a power supply of a voltage pre-regulator circuit in a load branch connected to the current-limiting module; the control end is connected to the control module; and the control module is configured to output a control signal to the control end when a value of a total current flowing through the switch unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, so as to switch off the switch unit.

SELECTIVE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD, AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
20170346275 · 2017-11-30 ·

A selective protection circuit includes a current-limiting module and a control module, where the current-limiting module includes a switch unit, and the switch unit includes a first end, a second end, and a control end; the first end is connected to a positive electrode of a bus voltage of an HVDC power supply, and the second end is connected to a positive electrode of a power supply of a voltage pre-regulator circuit in a load branch connected to the current-limiting module; the control end is connected to the control module; and the control module is configured to output a control signal to the control end when a value of a total current flowing through the switch unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, so as to switch off the switch unit.

Electric power distribution sectionalizing in high-risk areas using wireless fault sensors

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for safe electric power delivery protection within a high-risk area while maintaining electric power availability in non-faulted areas. Fault signals from wireless sensors are used at a recloser to block reclosing onto a faulted high-risk zone. Fault signals from wireless sensors are used at a recloser to permit reclosing when the reclosing operation will not close onto a fault location within the high-risk zone. Portions of the power system may be selectively openable by sectionalizers. When a fault is reported by a wireless sensor as being on a portion of the power system selectively openable, a recloser may be permitted to attempt a reclose operation affecting the high-risk zone and the selectively openable portion.