Abstract:
A protective relay system for a power system having protective relays at specific locations in the system. Each location has specific setting information for the relay for operation of the relay at that location. Each relay in the protective relay system includes in memory all of the setting information for all of the locations in the power system. Connection of the relay to a key identifier member at a desired location, in one embodiment, provides an identification of that location to the relay. The identification may also be provided by a system computer to which the relay is connected at the desired location. The relay uses the information to obtain the correct setting information for the desired location from its memory for proper protection operation at the desired location, eliminating programming of replacement relays.
Abstract:
A system and method for protecting an output transistor in an audio amplifier output stage includes a protection circuit (10) that protects the output transistor (22) from excessive currents and voltages, and does not interfere with the normal operation of the output transistor (22). The protection circuit (10) generates an estimate of the power dissipated by the output transistor (22), adjusts that estimate so that it varies with the temperature of the output transistor, and filters the time varying power estimate to obtain a filtered estimate of the power dissipated by the output transistor. When the filtered estimateexceeds a predetermined transistor power limit, the protection circuit (10) reduces the power dissipated by the output transistor (22).
Abstract:
Power is provided from an energy storage device to a utility network based on a detected condition, such as a fault, in the network. Specifically, it is determined whether a fault on the utility network is a near fault or a far fault relative to the energy storage device. Whether a fault is classified as "near" or "far" is determined based on a voltage drop in the utility network. Power is then supplied to the utility network based on whether the fault is a near fault or a far fault.
Abstract:
A method for protecting a DC generator against overvoltage in the event of a loss of load. A voltage limit value is defined and, when starting the current generator, one or a few small current pulses are generated during an initial phase. The voltage is measured across the output of the current generator during the initial phase and the voltages measured across the output of the current generator are compared with the voltage limit value. There is a changeover to normal operation only if all the voltages across the output of the current generator measured during the initial phase are below the voltage limit value. The current generation is interrupted and a loss of load is indicated if any one of the voltages across the output of the current generator measured during the initial phase exceeds the voltage limit value.
Abstract:
The invention concerns the field of low voltage (LV) secondary circuits connected on very high voltage (VHV), high voltage (HV) or medium voltage (MV) primary power networks for transporting electric power. More particularly, the invention concerns a secondary circuit characterised in that it comprises an overvoltage protective device provided between the current or voltage transformer and a measuring and protective device.
Abstract:
An arrangement for protecting low-voltage control circuitry from externally applied high voltages comprises a voltage source (30) and a current-sourcing circuit (40). Current-sourcing cicuit (40) provides current to an external controller (18) in a normal manner when an external source of high voltage is not applied to the output connections (42, 44), protects itself (40) and the voltage source (30) from damage when an external source of high voltage is applied to the output connections (42,44), and provides current to the external controller (18) in a normal manner after the external source of high voltage is subsequently removed from the output connections (42, 44). The arrangement may be employed as the dimming interface circuit (900) of an electronic dimming ballast (60) for gas discharge lamps to protect ballast circuitry from damage due to wiring errors during installation.
Abstract:
An electronic transformer (10) for lighting inlcudes a rectifier (13) coupled to an inverter (18, C2, C3, Q1, Q2) an output transformer (T1, T10) and a drive transformer (T2, T11). A protection mechanism (VR1, VR2) is responsively coupled to a winding of the output transformer and to a winding of the drive transformer such that the voltage across each of the windings are approximately equal and opposite during normal operation but differ substantially during a short-circuit.
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in electrostatically applying coating material to an object includes a nozzle (21) which directs a flow of coating material toward the object (28). A power supply unit (9) provides an electric field to electrostatically charge the coating material. Control circuitry (16) is provided to monitor the operating efficiency of the power supply unit (9) and to provide an output signal when there is an impending failure of the power supply unit (9). The control circuitry monitors the relationship between an input current to the power supply unit (9) and an output current from the power supply unit (9). When the relationship between the input current to the power supply unit (9) and the output current from the power supply unit (9) is outside of a predetermined range, the control circuitry is effective to provide an output signal to notify an operator that there is an impending power supply unit failure.
Abstract:
An arching fault protection system for a switchgear enclosure (10) includes a switching device (32) for rapidly diverting current from the source bus (22) of an electrical distribution system (12) in response to the detection of arcing faults in the system. The switching device (32), which may comprise a mechanical switch, a solid-state switch or hybrid device, quickly diverts current carried on the source bus (22) to effectively extinguish arcing fault currents present in the distribution system (12), preventing the generation of gases at high pressures and/or temperatures so as to protect the switchgear equipment from damage.
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in electrostatically applying coating material to an object includes a nozzle (21) which directs a flow of coating material toward the object (28). A power supply unit (9) provides an electric field to electrostatically charge the coating material. Control circuitry (16) is provided to monitor the operating efficiency of the power supply unit (9) and to provide an output signal when there is an impending failure of the power supply unit (9). The control circuitry monitors the relationship between an input current to the power supply unit (9) and an output current from the power supply unit (9). When the relationship between the input current to the power supply unit (9) and the output current from the power supply unit (9) is outside of a predetermined range, the control circuitry is effective to provide an output signal to notify an operator that there is an impending power supply unit failure.