Method and apparatus for detecting and responding to downed conductors
AssigneeKearney-National, Inc.
InventorsArthur C. Westrom, A. P. Meliopoulos, George J. Cokkinides
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for detecting a high impedance fault in a phase conductor having a potential device connected to the phase conductor, the system including a signal injection device having an input from the potential device which detects a reduction in voltage at the phase conductor and outputs a first signal in response to detecting a reduction in voltage at the phase conductor and a signal receiver which receives the first signal and provides a second signal to an interruption device in response to having received the first signal to cause the interruption device to open the circuit to the phase conductor.
Claims39
A method of de-energizing an outdoor overhead electric power distribution conductor, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the voltage at the power distribution conductor to detect a reduction in voltage indicating an opening in the power distribution conductor;
- outputting a current pulse signal into a distribution current neutral conductor in response to having detected a reduction in voltage in the power distribution conductor;
- detecting the outputted current pulse signal;
- and
- de-energizing the power distribution conductor in response to the detected signal.
An apparatus for de-energizing an outdoor overhead electric power distribution conductor comprising:
- means for detecting a reduction in voltage in the power distribution conductor indicating an opening in the power distribution conductor;
- means for outputting a current pulse signal into a distribution current neutral conductor in response to having detected a reduction in voltage in the power conductor;
- means for detecting the outputted current pulse signal, and
- means for activating an interruption device in response to the detected current pulse signal to de-energize the power distribution conductor.
A system for detecting a high impedance fault in a phase conductor, a potential device being connected to said phase conductor, comprising:
- a signal injection device having an input from the potential device and having means for detecting a reduction in voltage at the phase conductor and means for outputting a signal in response to having detected a
- a signal receiver for receiving said outputted reduction in voltage at the phase conductor;
- and signal and providing a second signal to an interruption device in response to having received said outputted signal to cause the interruption device to open the circuit to said phase conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.