1118results about "Parameter calibration/setting" patented technology

A microprocessor based overcurrent trip unit which generates trip signals as an adjustable function of current and time, has a visual representation of the trip function on a front panel with 2-color LEDs associated with the trip function serving as indicators of trip conditions when red, and of a selected programmable parameter when green. The green LEDs flash to indicate parameter selected for modification in a program mode and illuminate steady in a view mode.

An over-power protection apparatus with programmable over-current threshold for a power converter is provided. The over-power protection apparatus further provides an over-temperature threshold for protection purposes. The over-power protection apparatus is able to achieve over-power and over-temperature protection in response to the level of the driving signal of the power converter. In addition, the programmable over-current threshold of the present invention can be adjusted in response to various load conditions.

System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter.

Disclosed is an adjustable over current protection circuit which advances the timing of enabling an over current protection mechanism according to an input voltage, therefore the delay problem resulting from the non-instant response of the over current protection circuit is compensated with a low power loss. The over current protection circuit includes a voltage divider, a voltage-to-current converting circuit, an adjusting circuit and a comparing circuit. The voltage divider divides an input voltage to generate an adjusted input voltage, and the adjusted input voltage is converted into an adjusted input current by the voltage-to-current converting circuit. The adjusting circuit then adjusts a current sensing voltage according to the adjusted input current to generate an adjusted current sensing voltage. Finally, the comparing circuit compares the adjusted current sensing voltage with a predetermined over current protection reference voltage to selectively enable the over current protection mechanism according to a comparison result.

A self-organizing protection coordination system within a power network is provided. The self-organizing protection coordination system in the power network includes a plurality of distribution devices communicatively coupled to each other in a power network. The power network also includes a protection device coupled to each of the plurality of distribution devices configured to transmit power in the distribution network. The power network further includes a controller coupled to each of the plurality of distribution devices. The controller receives communication channel characteristics from a plurality of distribution devices in a distribution network at an interval of time. The controller also computes a delay in time for receiving the communication characteristics. The controller further determines a plurality of reliability indicators at each of the plurality of distribution devices. The controller adjusts tripping characteristics of the plurality of distribution devices to minimize the reliability indicators based on the computed delay.

Systems and methods for providing overcurrent circuit protection are disclosed. A method of providing overcurrent circuit protection may include setting a threshold current value according to an operational state of a motor and sensing an amount of current being supplied to the motor. The method may further include electrically isolating the motor from a current source if the sensed current amount is greater than the threshold current value.

The disclosure concerns a method and an apparatus for adapting at least one set of parameters to at least one Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) of an electrical power network having a plurality of switching devices (CB). The method includes: a) reading the current network status of the electrical power network, wherein the network status includes the status of the plurality of switching devices; b) simulating at least one network fault in the electrical power network; c) deducing at least one new set of parameters for the at least one IED using a simulated fault current induced by the at least one simulated network fault under consideration of the present network status and the network topology of the electrical power network; and d) setting the at least one set of parameters in at least one of the at least one IED. The apparatus a) reads the current network status of the electrical power network, b) selects the at least one set of parameters for the at least one Intelligent Electronic Device out of a plurality of sets of parameters depending of the current network status; and c) sets the at least one set of parameters in the at least one IED.

An electrical power distribution system for connecting an electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting the electrical device therefrom. The system includes a PCD tag associated with the electrical device, and a PCD reader associated with a receptacle electrically connectable to the source of electrical power. The PCD tag has a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by the PCD reader, the data including an electrical device load rating. The system also has a switch device for connecting and disconnecting the receptacle to the power source. In addition, the system has a measuring device for measuring actual load and a control circuit for comparing actual load to the electrical device load rating. The control circuit provides a disconnect signal to the switch device upon the actual load exceeding the electrical device load rating.

There is provided a processing system for a power distribution system. The processing system includes a first processor for executing a first task having a first priority, and a second processor for executing a second task having a second priority.

A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm / control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm / control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm / control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm / control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

A configurable overload relay selectively operable in a single-phase mode of operation and a multi-phase mode of operation is configured to sense current flow through power conductors. The relay is further configured to determine a parameter related to the current flow, such as average current, vector sum of phase currents, and current imbalance, based on selection of either the single-phase or multi-phase mode of operation. Regardless of the selected mode of operation, the relay can provide protection for multiple types of power conductor fault conditions, including ground faults, overloads, and phase loss. The relay further can be configured to provide a reporting signal indicative of the value of the determined current-related parameter and / or the occurrence of the fault condition.

Provided is an intelligent electronic device for protection, monitoring, controlling, metering or automation of lines in an electrical power system is provided. The intelligent electronic device is adapted to communicate with a variety of other intelligent electronic devices. In one embodiment, the intelligent electronic device includes a communication configuration setting configured to allow communication with one of the other intelligent electronic devices. An input element is further provided in communication with the communication configuration setting, whereupon a signal from the input element selects a particular communication configuration setting therein, thereby allowing for communication with one of the other intelligent electronic devices.

A current switch is automatically calibrated when a flow of electric current is initiated in a power cable.

A circuit interrupter having an integrated variable timer circuit for alerting an end-user of an impending test of the circuit interrupter which expands the function of a basic circuit interrupter by adding visual / audible warning indicators and the capability of the circuit interrupter to test itself is described herein. The integrated variable timer circuit includes a variable resistor where the user can adjust the current flowing to a capacitor. The variable resistor enables the ability for the user to adjust the predetermined testing time. When the charge across the capacitor surpasses the voltage of a parallel, connected Zener diode, a transistor turns on a self-test subcircuit or visual / audible warning indicator. A switch across capacitor is used to discharge the capacitor and to reset the timer. A switch is included to enable a manual trip after the self test has completed.

A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.

A DC and / or an AC power transmission circuit protection system is for protection of a cabling medium. The circuit protection system includes a power supply, a powered device and a circuit protection module that includes an over-current and / or over-voltage circuit module and / or a heat circuit protector. The protection system is disposed between the power supply and the powered device, and interrupts an electrical current that flows through the cabling medium when the over-current and / or over-voltage circuit module and / or the circuit protector exceeds a predetermined level. There is also provided a method to dispose the circuit protection system and the circuit protection module within the circuit and to interrupt the circuit when over-current and / or over-voltage circuit module and / or heat circuit protector exceeds a predetermined level.

Centralized coordination of setting and adjusting trip settings of electronic circuit breakers in an electrical distribution system by monitoring short circuit current availability (SCCA) and adjusting trip settings based on received SCCA estimates from SCCA monitoring devices installed at main, feeder, and branch nodes of the distribution system. The SCCA monitoring devices are capable of automatically estimating the SCCA in the circuit or node at which the SCCA device is installed and transmitting SCCA estimates to a controller, which uses the SCCA estimates to coordinate adjustments to trip settings for the various circuit breakers. Depending on the node position of the circuit breaker and the corresponding SCCA at that node, the controller adjusts in real-time the short-circuit trip settings for the circuit breakers so that they are below the SCCA value. Optional user-inputted settings can affect the trip setting adjustments, such as transient loading conditions that can influence the SCCA estimates.

An electrical power distribution system is disclosed that includes a gateway module (100) including logic (112) to interface to a vehicle management computer (VMC) (50) via a dual redundant standard data bus (1). The gateway module (100) has redundant microcontrollers (114, 116) operably connected to the VMC (50) for selectively controlling supply of electrical power to a plurality of separate electrical loads (120). A plurality of Load Management Modules (300) is provided. Each Load Management Module (300) includes a local microcontroller (310); power switching devices (320); and application specific integrated circuits ASICs (330) for interfacing the power switching devices (320) to the local microcontroller (310). Each ASIC (330) can be connected to a corresponding digital potentiometer (600) that is used to program an over current protection characteristic. Additionally, each ASIC (330) can include a voltage to frequency converter (381) that provides a true RMS current value to the local microcontroller (310).

An automatic configuration tool for use with power protection and restoration devices such as reclosers and switches in power transmission and distribution systems. An automatic configuration application provides a plurality of menus to a user on a graphical user interface to enable the user to select a plurality of options that are processed by various calculation engines to determine the configuration settings for a specific power protection and restoration device. The configuration settings that are generated are downloaded directly into the power protection and restoration device to provide protection, control and monitoring.

An electrical distribution system is disclosed that includes a gateway module (100) including logic (112) to interface to a vehicle management computer (VMC) (50) via a dual redundant standard data bus (1). The gateway module (100) has redundant microcontrollers (114, 116) operably connected to the VMC (50) for selectively controlling supply of electrical power to a plurality of separate electrical loads (120). The electrical power distribution center also has two internal serial data buses (2,3) that are of two different types. The redundant microcontrollers (114, 116) are each connected to the two internal buses (2,3). A plurality of Load Management Modules (300) is provided. Each are connected to the internal serial data buses (2,3) for receiving control commands via the gateway module (110). Each Load Management Module (300) includes a local microcontroller (310); a plurality of power switching devices (320); and a plurality of application specific integrated circuits (330) corresponding to the plurality of power switching devices (320) for interfacing the power switching devices (320) to the local microcontroller (310).

A pinch detection system and method controls the speed of a motor moving an object by first calculating the actual motor force and then comparing the actual motor force with a reference force value in a reference field. A pinch condition is indicated if the difference between the actual force and the reference force exceeds a selected pinch threshold. The difference is also used to update the reference field, the pinch threshold and the desired speed of the motor so that the reference field will eventually reflect the actual force profile of the object. The updated pinch threshold is also used to control the motor speed so that the pinching force remains constant regardless of the pinch threshold value.

An arc fault and / or ground fault circuit interrupter includes an operating mechanism structured to open and close separable contacts, a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, a test button structured to test the operating mechanism, an indicator, and a controller structured to configure a setting of the circuit interrupter and operate the indicator to indicate the setting in response to an actuation of the test button.

A circuit breaker includes current detectors, a microprocessor-controlled tripping device, and a bypass circuit that interacts with a watchdog circuit that monitors the proper functioning of the microprocessor. A switchable reference voltage is made available to the bypass circuit as a function of the momentary supply voltage. During short circuits, the bypass circuit, immediately upon being switched on, responds to very high limit current values, whereas after the switch-on phase, it already responds at moderately high limit current values.

An apparatus and a method detect arc faults in an electrical power distribution system of a vehicle. In one implementation, the apparatus (320) includes: a load current input (340) arranged to obtain a measurement of current being supplied to a load (140) via a solid state power switching device (310) of the electrical power distribution system; and an arc fault detector (330) arranged to compare the measured load current with a load signature, the load signature being a function of characteristics of the load (140) being supplied current via the solid state power switching device (310) and operating conditions of the solid state power switching device (310). The arc fault detector (330) outputs an arc fault indication signal when the measured current is outside an allowable range of the load signature to provide protection against arc faults.

There is disclosed a protection system for a power distribution system having a plurality of breakers arranged in a hierarchy. The protection system has a network and a breaker coupled to the power distribution system. A module is coupled to the network and the breaker is at a first level in the hierarchy. The module samples an electrical condition of the power distribution system at the breaker and monitors the electrical condition for a predetermined trip condition. The module, upon detection of the predetermined trip condition, trips said breaker if the first level is a lowest level of the hierarchy, but monitors the network for a notification message if the first level is not the lowest level of the hierarchy.

A method and system for a power distribution system are provided. The method includes determining at a central controller normal mode configuration settings for a plurality of circuit breakers of the power distribution system and determining at the central controller alternate mode configuration settings for the plurality of circuit breakers of the power distribution system. The method further includes controlling with the central controller the operation of the plurality of circuit breakers based on the normal mode configuration settings and the alternate mode configuration settings.

Systems and methods for providing overcurrent circuit protection are disclosed. A method of providing overcurrent circuit protection may include setting a threshold current value according to an operational state of a motor and sensing an amount of current being supplied to the motor. The method may further include electrically isolating the motor from a current source if the sensed current amount is greater than the threshold current value.