Surge protector life cycle monitor system and method
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorJohn R. Baldwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method are provided for determining an expected life of an electric surge protection component. The system and method monitors preferably each surge that an electric surge protection component experiences. Each surge is measured to determine magnitude and duration, and a cumulative surge measurement history is maintained for each component. Based upon an analysis of the cumulative surge measurement history, an expected life of the component is determined, and an end user is alerted at or preferably near an end of the expected life of the device.
Claims12
A method for monitoring surges experienced by a surge protector and generating a cumulative history to determine the remaining life of the protector, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a peak impulse level applied to at least one surge protector;
- measuring an impulse period of the measured impulse;
- storing measured peak impulse levels and impulse periods in a database;
- and
- determining an expected remaining life of the surge protector based upon an analysis of at least one of a present and stored measured peak impulse levels and impulse periods.
An apparatus for monitoring surges experienced by a surge protector and generating a cumulative history to determine the remaining life of the protector, comprising:
- a first measurement element to measure a peak impulse level applied to at least one surge protector;
- a second measurement element to measure an impulse period of the measured peak impulse;
- and
- a microprocessor for storing measured peak impulse levels and impulse periods in a database and for determining an expected remaining life of the surge protector based upon an analysis of at least one of a present and stored measured peak impulse levels and impulse periods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.