Safe Exposed Conductor Power Distribution System

10) A method for implementing a power distribution system for the transfer of energy from a source to a load, where the power distribution system can detect unsafe conditions that include electrically conducting foreign objects or individuals that have come in contact with exposed power distribution system conductors, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) executing an algorithm in the source controller to acquire a first measurement of the voltage across the source terminals using source terminal voltage sensing means, and storing the first voltage measurement in the memory a source controller;
• b) executing algorithms in the source controller and a load controller to generate signals responsive to open a source disconnect device means and a load disconnect device means, resulting in the interruption of the electrical connection between the source and the source terminals and from the source terminals to the load;
• c) after a predetermined time has expired, acquiring a second measurement of the voltage of the source terminals using the source terminal voltage sensing means and storing the second voltage measurement in the memory of the source controller;
• d) executing an algorithm in the source controller to calculate the mathematical difference between the first stored voltage measurement and the second stored voltage measurement, where the mathematical difference represents the discharge rate of the capacitance as seen across the source and load and terminals;
• e) generating signals from the source controller to close the source disconnect device means and the load disconnect device means only if the discharge rate of the capacitance falls within a predetermined set of values, and where a discharge rate outside of the predetermined set of values indicates that there is a conducting foreign object or individual making electrical contact with the source or load terminals, or a failure in the power distribution system hardware.