Power line communication and power distribution parameter measurement system and method

A power line communication device for communicating over an un-insulated medium voltage power line carrying voltage greater than one thousand volts, comprising:

• a parameter sensor device configured to be physically attached to the un-insulated medium voltage power line and to measure a parameter of the un-insulated medium voltage power line;
• wherein said parameter sensor device comprises
• a sensor;
• an integrator circuit connected to said sensor;
• and
• an analog-to-digital converter connected to said integrator circuit;
• a modem configured to transmit data of the measured parameter;
• a controller communicatively coupled to said sensor device and said modem;
• said controller is programmed to receive data representing the measurement data from said analog-to-digital converter;
• wherein said controller is programmed to store data of a plurality of measurements in a memory;
• wherein said controller is programmed to retrieve the plurality of measurements from said memory and to cause said modem to transmit the data representing the plurality of measurements in a single transmission to a second device;
• and
• wherein said parameter sensor device is electrically isolated from said the second device.

A method of determining electrical parameter data of a power distribution system that includes an uninsulated medium voltage power line, comprising:

• operating a current sensor device in a reduced power state;
• initiating a timer;
• upon an expiration of said timer, operating said current sensor device in a second state that is not a reduced power state;
• while operating said current sensor device in said second state, measuring the current of the un-insulated medium voltage power line with the current sensor device;
• while operating said current sensor device in said second state, storing a plurality of current measurements in a memory;
• while operating said current sensor device in said second state, transmitting data of the plurality current measurements stored in the memory in a single transmission to a communication device;
• wherein the current sensor device is electrically isolated from the communication device;
• and
• wirelessly transmitting data of the measured current with the communication device.

A power line communication device, comprising:

• a current sensor device configured to be physically attached to an un-insulated medium voltage power line and to measure the current of the un-insulated medium voltage power line;
• wherein said current sensor device includes a first wireless transceiver;
• a second device comprising:
• a second wireless transceiver configured to communicate with said first wireless transceiver;
• a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of a low voltage power line;
• a modem configured to transmit data related of the measured current;
• a controller communicatively coupled to said modem, said voltage sensor, and said second wireless transceiver and having a memory with executable program code stored in said memory;
• wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said controller to cause said modem to transmit data of the measured current received from said current sensor device and voltage data received from said voltage sensor;
• wherein said current sensor device is electrically isolated from said second device;
• wherein said current sensor device is configured to store data of a plurality of current measurements in a memory and, subsequent to storing data of the plurality of measurements, transmit data of the plurality of current measurements to said second device in a single transmission;
• and
• wherein said current sensor device and said second device are co-located at a utility pole.

A power line communication device for providing information related to a medium voltage power line carrying power with a voltage greater than one thousand volts, comprising:

• a first current sensor device configured to be physically attached to the medium voltage power line and to measure the current of the medium voltage power line;
• said first current sensor device including an isolated power source for supplying operating power to one or more components of said current sensor device;
• wherein said power source is configured to inductively draw power from the medium voltage power line;
• said first current sensor including a first wireless modem;
• a second device comprising:
• a second wireless modem configured to communicate with said first wireless modem;
• a third modem configured to transmit data related to the measured current;
• a controller communicatively coupled to said second wireless modem and said third modem and having a memory with executable program code stored in said memory;
• wherein said first current sensor device and said second device are co-located at a utility pole;
• and
• wherein said first current sensor device is configured to store data of a plurality of current measurements in a memory and, subsequent to storing data of the plurality of measurements, transmit data of the plurality of current measurements to said second device in a single transmission.