Method and apparatus for preventing overloads of power distribution networks
AssigneeAmerican Power Conversion Corporation
InventorsJames Spitaels, Neil Rasmussen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring power in power distribution systems are provided. In one aspect, a system for monitoring power includes a power monitoring device that measures a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of a power distribution system. The power monitoring device includes an output that provides the value measured. The system further includes a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch to send a maximum power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a percentage of maximum power.
Claims52
A system for monitoring power in a power distribution system, the system comprising:
- a power monitoring device located in the power distribution system to measure a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of the power distribution system, the power monitoring device having an output that provides the value measured;
- and
- a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch of the power distribution system to send a power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power.
A method for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system that has a plurality of circuit branches for providing power to a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
- controlling a first device on a first circuit branch to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power;
- detecting a first value for a characteristic of power provided to the first circuit branch;
- controlling a second device on a second circuit branch to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power;
- detecting a second value for a characteristic of power provided to the second circuit branch;
- adding the first value to the second value to obtain a total value;
- comparing the total value to an overload value to detect an overload condition;
- indicating an alarm condition when the total value exceeds the overload value.
A system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system that has a plurality of circuit branches for providing power to a plurality of devices, the system including:
- means for controlling each of the plurality of devices to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power;
- means for detecting a value of a characteristic of power provided to each of the plurality of circuit branches.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.