Self-Testing Features of Sensing and Control Electronics for a Power Grid Protection System
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a protection circuit electrically connected to a transformer neutral, the transformer electrically connected to a power grid, the protection circuit including a DC blocking component positioned between the transformer neutral and ground and one or more switches selectively actuated to form a path between the transformer neutral and ground in the event of unwanted DC current at the transformer neutral;
a control circuit electrically connected to the protection circuit and positioned to selectively actuate the switches based on observed conditions within the protection circuit;
a plurality of test connections disposed within the protection circuit and useable to test electrical properties of the protection circuit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and method for detecting potentially harmful harmonic and direct current signals at a transformer are disclosed. One system includes a protection circuit electrically connected to a transformer neutral, the transformer electrically connected to a power grid, the protection circuit including a DC blocking component positioned between the transformer neutral and ground and one or more switches selectively actuated to form a path between the transformer neutral and ground in the event of unwanted DC current at the transformer neutral. The system also includes a control circuit electrically connected to the protection circuit and positioned to selectively actuate the switches based on observed conditions within the protection circuit. The system further includes a plurality of test connections disposed within the protection circuit and useable to test electrical properties of the protection circuit.
33 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a protection circuit electrically connected to a transformer neutral, the transformer electrically connected to a power grid, the protection circuit including a DC blocking component positioned between the transformer neutral and ground and one or more switches selectively actuated to form a path between the transformer neutral and ground in the event of unwanted DC current at the transformer neutral; a control circuit electrically connected to the protection circuit and positioned to selectively actuate the switches based on observed conditions within the protection circuit; a plurality of test connections disposed within the protection circuit and useable to test electrical properties of the protection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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transmitting one or more electrical signals from a protection circuit to a remote system, the protection circuit electrically connected between a transformer neutral of a transformer in a power grid and ground, wherein the remote system periodically assesses operation of the protection circuit based on the one or more electrical signals; and receiving at a control circuit electrically connected to the protection circuit one or more commands from the remote system to actuate one or more switches in the protection circuit, thereby testing an alternative configuration of the protection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification