Test-boost electric power recloser

A method for operating an electric power recloser comprising recloser contacts, an actuator, and a switch controller comprising a non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the switch controller, the method comprising:

• detecting an electric fault flowing through the recloser contacts;
• tripping the recloser contacts to interrupt the fault;
• initiating a timer-based reclose sequence comprising a pre-set time for a timer-based reclose trial;
• prior to the pre-set time for the timer-based reclose trial, sending a test pulse to the actuator causing a non-latching close of the recloser contacts causing a test current to flow through the recloser contacts during a test current period;
• during the test current period, determining through waveform analysis whether the fault has likely cleared;
• in response to determining the fault has likely not cleared, continuing the timer-based reclose sequence;
• in response to determining the fault has likely cleared, sending a boost pulse to the actuator causing a latching close of the recloser contacts prior to the pre-set time for the timer-based reclose trial;
• wherein the boost pulse reverses movement of the recloser contacts from an opening transition to a closing transition causing a latching close of the recloser contacts before the initial reclose of the timer-based reclose sequence is set to occur.

An electric power switch comprising:

• a recloser comprising recloser contacts;
• an actuator;
• and
• a switch controller comprising a non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the switch controller, causes the switch controller to perform a method comprising:
• detecting an electric fault flowing through the recloser contacts;
• tripping the recloser contacts to interrupt the fault;
• initiating a timer-based reclose sequence comprising a pre-set time for a timer-based reclose trial;
• prior to the pre-set time for the timer-based reclose trial, sending a test pulse to the actuator causing a non-latching close of the recloser contacts causing a test current to flow through the recloser contacts during a test current period;
• during the test current period, determining through waveform analysis whether the fault has likely cleared;
• in response to determining the fault has likely not cleared, continuing the timer-based reclose sequence;
• in response to determining the fault has likely cleared, sending a boost pulse to the actuator causing a latching close of the recloser contacts prior to the pre-set time for the timer-based reclose trial;
• wherein the boost pulse reverses movement of the recloser contacts from an opening transition to a closing transition causing a latching close of the recloser contacts before the initial reclose of the timer-based reclose sequence is set to occur.