Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of remotely monitoring a status of a surge arrester disconnector via a long-range wireless mesh communication system of surge arrester disconnectors organized in clusters, each cluster including disconnectors that are physically located within a same cluster area, at least one of the disconnectors in each cluster being coupled to communication means of a predetermined communication range for transmitting a signal indicative of the disconnector status, the method comprising: transmitting, from a first cluster, a status signal indicative of a status of a first disconnector in the first cluster to a second cluster located within the predetermined communication range from the first cluster; consecutively transmitting the status signal from the cluster that receives said signal to an adjacent cluster within the predetermined communication range, until reaching an end cluster on the long-range mesh communication system; transmitting, from the end cluster, the status signal to a monitoring station and monitoring the status of the first disconnector, at the monitoring station, based on a result of transmission of the status signal. The present invention also provides an energy harvester apparatus for harvesting energy from a leakage current of a surge arrester, comprising: first and second input terminals adapted to be coupled in series with the surge arrester and ground potential to collect the leakage current that flows from the surge arrester; and an energy storage circuit comprising a storage capacitor adapted to store charge from the collected leakage current and to supply the stored charge, via first and second output terminals coupled to the storage capacitor, to an electronic device. Also provided is a method of detecting a failed surge arrester from a monitoring station remote to the surge arrester.
Abstract:
An alternating current transducer. The transducer may be placed onto a powerline to detect the presence of an electric current and electromagnetic field in the powerline. An alternating current transducer including a transformer and a flexible antenna may detect and measure the electric current and detect the presence of the electromagnetic field, respectively, present in/near the powerline. The transformer and flexible antenna in electric communication with a system on a chip networking module. The networking module may transmit to a remote location, fault conditions in connection with failing to detect an electric current or electromagnetic field to be associated with a powerline.
Abstract:
A surge reduction filter (SRF) includes a cartridge having a cartridge housing, a first active connection point for connection to an active line of an AC power supply, and a neutral connection point for connection to a neutral line of the AC power supply. The active and neutral connection points are located to be accessible from outside the cartridge. A first fuse and a first surge protection element are electrically connected in series between the active and neutral connection points. A status circuit is connected to monitor the surge protection element and an indicator is connected to the status circuit to indicate at least a normal status and a fault status of the surge protection element. The status circuit detects a change in voltage at a point between the fuse and the protection element and creates a fault indication if a voltage change is detected due to the fuse operating.
Abstract:
A system for geographically locating a component of utility equipment may comprise a geo- location interface (GL1) in communication with and in proximity to the component, the GL1 having a navigation system that provides geo-location data, wherein the GL1 receives an input relating to an operating state of the component and transmits an output containing the geo- location data and an alert relating to the operating state, and at least one remote station that receives a digital message based on the output from the GL1 and generates a display based on the digital message.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a low burden visual POWER ON indicator for a self-powered electrical circuit protection device. The visual indicator includes a current transformer for producing an induced current in direct proportion to the current supplied to an electrical device protected by the protection device. The induced current is summed and rectified. An energy accumulator stores a predetermined voltage required to operate the protection device. The stored voltage is controlled by an accumulation switch wich in turn is controlled by a hysteresis control circuit. The hysteresis control circuit includes an operational amplifier which is biased by a stable reference voltage. When the voltage on the eneregy accumulator is equal to the stable reference voltage the operational amplifier produces a HIGH output signal. When the voltage on the energy accumulator is less than the stable reference voltage the operational amplifier produces a LOW output signal. A HIGH output signal causes the power accumultation switch to close thereby diverting current away from the energy accumulator. A LOW output signal opens the power accumulation switch causing current to flow to the energy accumulator thereby charging it. An LED is electrically connected to the operational amplifier such that it is illuminated only when the operational amplifier produces a HIGH output signal and thereby provides a visual indication of the POWER on state of the protection device.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system then receives a second input from the software application indicating that specified functions are to be performed on the electronically-controlled appliance, and transmits instructions to the electronically-controlled appliance to perform the specified functions. These functions are then interpreted and carried out by a hardware controller on the electronically-controlled appliance.
Abstract:
An electric fence monitor 100 is operable to provide an audible and/or visual indicator of an operating condition (i.e., falter no-fault) of an electric fence 102 and electric fence box 120. The electric fence monitor 100 is operable to remain continuously connected between the electric fence 102 and earth ground 150 during normal operation of the fence 102.
Abstract:
An underground data communication apparatus, system, and method are described. The data communication system includes a transceiver disposed on an entrance port to an underground vault or enclosure, where the transceiver includes a rugged housing, where at least a portion of the rugged housing extends above the surface of the entrance port. A monitoring device is disposed in the vault. The monitoring device can be a sensor that provides data related to a real-time condition within the vault. In addition, the data communication system includes a gateway unit that relays the data to the transceiver. The gateway/transceiver can take a combination of wireless and/or wired signals from the monitoring device which provides real-time data regarding environmental, component, and/or other electronic equipment conditions for those components/equipment disposed within the vault.
Abstract:
A method of detecting disturbance in a metallic conductor (34), comprises the steps of providing an inductance sensing circuit (12) in mechanically and electrically connected to a metallic conductor (34) having a monitorable inductance, tuning the inductance sensing circuit (12) based on an electromagnetic field impressed upon the metallic conductor (34) and an internally generated circuit oscillation, and outputting an alert signal when a tuned output signal from the tuned inductance sensing circuit (12) becomes detuned due to a change in inductance of the metallic conductor (34) by addition to or removal of at least a portion of the metallic conductor (34). A metallic conductor disturbance detection device (10) for such a method is also provided, the device (10) comprising an amplitude and/or frequency tuneable inductance sensing circuit (12), and an alarm circuit (16) for outputting an alarm signal based on an output of the inductance sensing circuit (12).