S&c Electric Company

S+c Electric Co.

Raymond P. O'leary

Joseph W. Ruta

Michael G. Ennis

Michael G Ennis

Raymond P O'Leary

Joseph W Ruta

Richard P Mikosz

Raymond P O'leary

Jorge R Montante

Gregory C Mears

Ronald D Atanus

Glenn R Borchardt

Richard George Smith

Gary W Hardesty

Roy T Swanson

Alejandro Montenegro

Donald S Berkowitz

Todd W Klippel

Keith W Benson

Michael John Meisinger, Sr

James K Niemira

Jason R Bogusz

Martin A Warszawa

Thomas E Kovanko

Andrew D Pfister

William D Walburg

Thomas J Tobin

Yoav Sharon

Goran Djogo

Adam Gardner

Mark W Stavnes

Thomas J Bruns

Anthony F Segredo

Thomas J Burns

Michael J Meisinger

Anthony Segredo

Keith Iv Benson

A system and method for determining if a fault condition exists in an electrical network. The method includes determining that a fault protection device has been opened and monitoring a voltage angle of a voltage waveform across a vacuum gap switching arrangement if the fault protection device is open, where the vacuum gap switching arrangement includes at least one vacuum gap switching element. The method also includes triggering a breakdown of a vacuum gap in the at least one vacuum gap switching element when the voltage angle corresponds to a predetermined switching angle to enable a temporary current flow through the vacuum gap switching arrangement, measuring the current flow through the vacuum gap switching arrangement, and determining whether the fault condition exists based at least in part on the measured current flow.

Triggered vacuum gap fault detection methods and devices

A fault protection system for providing protection from fault current for components and devices on a lateral line proximate to a distribution transformer in a power distribution network. The system includes a single-phase recloser having a vacuum interrupter that is controlled by a controller. In one embodiment, the recloser has an insulating body that is molded in combination with an insulating body of a bushing that is connected to the distribution transformer. In this embodiment, the controller can be powered by a current transformer within the recloser. In another embodiment, the recloser is mounted to a utility pole separate from the distribution transformer, where the controller is powered by the low voltage side of the transformer and the current transformer is eliminated. An isolated power supply is provided between the transformer and the controller to provide voltage isolation.

Power distribution system lateral protection and method

Methods and apparatus are provided for fault detection and direction determination with a phase overcurrent relay using individual phase torques and the negative sequence torque, and with a ground overcurrent relay using the zero sequence torque. A directional element includes a ground element logic circuit, a negative element logic circuit and a phase element logic circuit to evaluate the operation state of the system, detect a fault condition and determine the direction of the fault condition in an electrical power distribution system having multiple sources on a power grid.

Fault detection and direction determination

A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.

Method of determining end-of-life of a fault interrupting device

A power distribution protection system and method uses communications to coordinate operation of fault protection devices. Communications may be prioritized wherein messages of a lower priority are held or discarded in favor of messages of a higher priority, for example, messages indicating a fault condition. The devices may use multiple channel access schemes in accordance with a priority of a message to be communicated.

Coordinated fault protection system

Fault interrupting and reclosing device

An exhaust control device includes a wear indicator disposed within a housing of the exhaust control device. The wear indicator is arranged to be exposed to a flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust control device. The wear indicator has a first observable state indicative of remaining useful life of the exhaust control device. The wear indicator is responsive to a flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust control device to assume a second observable state indicative of the exhaust control device having reached the end of its useful life.

Wear indicator for a circuit interrupter exhaust control device

A fault interrupter and a method of operating a fault interrupter to reduce arcing time during fault interruption. Fault interrupter operation is delayed following detecting a peak current such that its operation occurs at a point of the current wave resulting in reduced arcing during fault isolation.

Fault interrupter and operating method

A fuse incorporates a fusible element assembly and an auxiliary fusible element assembly in a solid arc extinguishing material configuration. The fusible element assembly has a first operating characteristic and the auxiliary fusible element has a second operating characteristic different than the first operating characteristic.

Fuse

A fuse incorporates a fusible element assembly and an auxiliary fusible element assembly in a solid arc extinguishing material configuration. The fusible element assembly has a first operating characteristic and the auxiliary fusible element has a second operating characteristic different than the first operating characteristic. An installation adapter may be used to adapt a fuse to a non-standard mounting for the fuse. The installation adapter may include first and second adapter members that secure to the fuse to provide contacts having an appropriate spatial relationship to engage the non-standard mounting. A fuse and an installation adapter may be packaged as a kit.

Installation adapter for a fuse and method of adapting a fuse for installation

A retention arrangement for a circuit interrupter to ensure that ensures the retention of the circuit interrupter in its mounting. The retention arrangement cooperates with a latch member of the mounting for the circuit interrupter. Accordingly, the circuit interrupter is retained in its mounting even where the dimensions of the circuit interrupter may vary from the nominal specified dimensions.

Retention arrangement for a circuit interrupter

A current sensor for installation on a conductor without breaking the conductor may include an insulating base having a conductor supporting portion and a conductive coil disposed within an outer surface of the insulating base. A magnetically permeable conductor retaining member includes a portion that passes through the coil and is secured to the insulating base. The retaining member defines a conductor receiving aperture portion with the aperture portion being disposed adjacent the conductor supporting portion of the insulating base. With a conductor positioned within the aperture portion, the conductor is secured by the retaining member to the conductor receiving portion of the insulating base and a substantially continuous permeable path is formed by the conductor retaining member about the conductor.

Current sensor

A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Monitoring and control for power electronic system

Growing community of inventors

Evanston, IL, United States of America

Michael G Ennis