Abstract:
An instrumented electric power arrester includes a temperature sensor, wireless transmitter, and a visual over-temperature indicator. A disk shaped module, a replacement varister block, or a dummy block containing the sensor/transmitter is placed between varister blocks inside the arrester housing. A strap-on module is attached to the outside of the arrester housing. The sensor/transmitter utilizes a harvesting power supply that draws electric power for the electronics from the power line protected by the arrester. An ambient temperature sensor may be utilized to enhance accuracy. The temperature sensor/transmitter typically sends arrester monitoring data wirelessly to an RTU or handheld unit located outside the arrester, which relays the monitoring data to an operations control center that scheduled replacement of the arrester based on the monitoring data. A surge counter keeps track of the number of equipment and lightening related temperature surges experienced by the arrester.
Abstract:
An electric power line monitoring, communication and response system schedules the transmission of packets to occur during voltage zero-crossing intervals when corona is minimized. The transmitters may be located at high voltage hanging directly from the power line conductors along with associated current transformers and voltage sensors. A system of these transmitters distributed throughout the power grid communicate with each other in a data-forward manner to bring complete, real-time current and voltage waveform, device status and fault monitoring information to data aggregation waypoints, such as transmission substations where supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment is installed. The power line monitoring data is then transmitted from the data waypoints to a central monitoring and control center, typically using existing SCADA equipment, to provide h detailed power line monitoring data for a large number of data monitoring points distributed throughout the power grid.
Abstract:
A capacitor switch including a power contactor and an impedance contactor located within a relatively slender container filled with dielectric gas. The container may be a “dead tank” or an insulator. For the insulator configuration, the switch also includes a conductive cap housing a charging impedance located on the end of the insulator. The power contactor includes a relatively fixed probe contact and a linearly moving socket. The impedance contactor is ring-type butt contactor surrounding the penetrating contactor that includes a retracting (but otherwise fixed) contact that surrounds the fixed probe, and a traveling ring contact that surrounds and moves with the moving socket contact. The impedance contactor closes before the power contactor on the closing stroke to introduce the charging impedance into the circuit. A puffer mechanism retards the expansion of the retracting contact on the opening stroke, which causes the impedance contactor to open before the power contactor.
Abstract:
The present invention may be embodied in an in-line high voltage electric power line monitor including a DC current sensor, an AC current sensor, a voltage sensor, an energy harvesting power supply, and a communication device configured. The in-line power line monitor includes a bus bar that connects in series with the monitored power line. For example, the in-line power line monitor may be connected at the junction point between the monitored power line and a support structure, such a sectionalizing switch that supports the monitor positioned between the switch and the power line. A pair of DC current measurement pickups are spaced apart on the bus bar and operatively connected to the microprocessor. The in-line power line monitor also includes an AC current sensor coil and an energy harvesting device (e.g., inductive coil) that surround the bus bar. The AC current sensor coil, the power supply coil and the voltage sensor positioned adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the bus bar.
Abstract:
A high voltage electric power line monitor includes a current sensor, and voltage sensor, an energy harvesting power supply, and communication device. The monitor is configured to be supported by a structure, such a sectionalizing switch disposed within an insulator cylinder. The current sensor coil and an energy harvesting coils are configured to surround and be positioned transverse to the monitored power line with the power line extending through an aperture formed by the current sensor. A foil patch voltage sensor is carried on an electronics board configured to be positioned parallel to the monitored power line, typically below the current sensor. Both the current sensor and the voltage sensor are configured to positioned adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the monitored power line. The sensors are housed within a Faraday cage to shield the current sensor from electromagnetic contamination.
Abstract:
A capacitor status monitor that attaches across the bushings on the exterior of a capacitor container (commonly referred to as a "can"). The capacitor status monitor, which draws operating power from the power line, detects the internal impedance of the capacitor can to detect internal failures down to the level of a single capacitor pack. The monitor may include a radio transmitter and/or a visual status indicator, such as an electronic flag, indicating the detection of an internal capacitor failure. The monitor may also include a power supply current transformer providing power to the monitor from the power line. Capacitor status monitors throughout the capacitor bank may communicate with a remote transmission unit (RTU), which communicates with a central control station that schedules capacitor maintenance based on the data received from the status monitors.
Abstract:
An electric power switch suitable as a capacitor, line and load switch for transmission and distribution voltages includes an external actuator controlled by current transformers (CTs) mounted on live tanks comprising insulators forming dielectric containers that house the contactors of the switch. The CTs are located on the outside of the insulators in the regions of the insulators overlying the internal contactors between the upper and lower high voltage line taps. The actuator and controller may also be located outside the dielectric container, as desired. This configuration minimizes the size of the dielectric container and removes the severe size constraint inherent in design conventional "live tank" switch designs, while also avoiding the need for separate line-mounted CTs. This design also avoids the need for a separate grounded "dead tank" to house the CTs, which are more conveniently located in the outside of the insulators.
Abstract:
A smart switch allows distributed generators to "ride through" non-three-phase faults by very quickly detecting a non-three-phase phase fault, locating the fault, identifying the "responsive sectionalizer switches" that will be involved in clearing or isolating the fault, and selecting one of the responsive sectionalizer switches to direct back-feed tie switch operations. The responsive sectionalizer switches trip only the faulted phase(s), and the selected sectionalizer switch instructs a back-feed tie switch to close to back-feed the distributed generators prior to conducting the typical fault response operation. This typically occurs within about three cycles, and is completed before the normal fault clearing and isolation procedures, which momentarily disconnect all three phases to the distributed generators from the normally connected feeder breaker. The looped connection to an alternate feeder breaker during these operations allows the distributed generators to "ride through" the normal fault clearing and isolation procedures.
Abstract:
A sealed solenoid, magnetically operated electric power switch is suitable for use as capacitor, line and load switch operating at transmission and distribution voltages that includes no seals through the sealed container housing the contactor portion of the switch. The sealed solenoid switch includes a magnetically operated drive system with an actuator that magnetically couples across the container wall to avoid the use of a moving or sliding seal as part of the drive system. The sealed solenoid switch may also include a ballast resistor and resistor contact located inside the sealed container to avoid another seal as part of the ballast system. A magnetic latch holds the switch in a closed position, and a spring holds the switch in the closed position, to avoid the need for an energizing current to maintain the switch in either position.