Electrical arc detection for electric meter socket connections
AssigneeLandis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
InventorsMatthew E. Kraus, Frank J. Boudreau, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket is provided. The method may include receiving a vibration signal from a vibration sensor and an arc detection signal from an arc detector. The vibration signal may be correlated in time with the arc detection signal. An electrical arc may be detected based on the correlating the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.
Claims20
A method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a processor of the electric meter, a vibration signal from a vibration sensor, wherein the vibration signal is generated based on a mechanical vibration source external to the electric meter;
- receiving, by the processor, an arc detection signal from an arc detector;
- correlating in time, by the processor, the vibration signal with the arc detection signal;
- and
- determining, by the processor, that an electrical arc is detected based on the correlating of the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.
An electric meter, comprising:
- an arc detector configured to detect radio frequency (RF) emissions generated by an electrical arc;
- a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations;
- a communications module configured to transmit and receive communication signals;
- a memory configured to store executable instructions and data;
- and
- a processor in communication with the arc detector, the vibration sensor, the communications module, and the memory, the processor configured to:
- receive a vibration signal from the vibration sensor wherein the vibration signal is generated based on a mechanical vibration source external to the electric meter;
- receive an arc detection signal from the arc detector;
- correlate in time the vibration signal with the arc detection signal;
- and
- determine that the electrical arc is detected based on correlating the vibration signal with the arc detection signal.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein instructions for making one or more processors execute a method for electrical arc detection in an electrical connection between an electric meter and a socket, the processor executable instructions comprising instructions for performing operations including:
- receiving a vibration signal from a vibration sensor;
- receiving an arc detection signal from an arc detector;
- correlating in time the vibration signal with the arc detection signal;
- and
- determining that an electrical arc is detected based on the correlating of the vibration signal with the arc detection signal,
- wherein the vibration signal comprises:
- a low frequency vibration signal caused by a mechanical source external to the electric meter, and
- a frequency different than a frequency of a power line signal caused by initiation and extinguishment of the electrical arc at zero crossings of the power line signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.