Load Shed Module
First Claim
1. A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power source and a load, the load shed module comprising:
- an input configured to receive a first electrical connection from the power source;
an output configured to provide a second electrical connection for the load;
a switch operatively connected in series between the input and the output, wherein the switch receives a control signal to selectively open and close the switch;
a sensor configured to generate a feedback signal corresponding to an alternating current (AC) voltage present at the input;
a priority selector operable to generate a priority signal for the load shed module,a controller connected to the sensor to receive the feedback signal, connected to the priority selector to receive the priority signal, and connected to the switch to supply the control signal, wherein the controller is operable to;
determine whether the power source is a utility power source or an alternate power source as a function of the feedback signal,compare the feedback signal to a threshold when the power source is the alternate power source,generate the control signal to open the switch when the feedback signal exceeds the threshold for a first predetermined time, andgenerate the control signal to close the switch when the power source is the alternate power source and when a second predetermined time has passed, wherein the second predetermined time is selected as a function of the priority signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power supply and a load is disclosed. A separate load shed module is connected in series between each load and the power supply. The load shed module determines the frequency of the voltage supplied from the power supply. Based on the frequency, the load shed module determines if utility power is connected or if a generator is connected. If the generator is connected and the frequency of the voltage goes outside of a desired operating range for a preset time, the load shed module disconnects the load from the power supply. Each load shed module includes a priority setting and reconnects its corresponding load after a predetermined time corresponding to the priority setting.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A load shed module configured to be connected in series between a power source and a load, the load shed module comprising:
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an input configured to receive a first electrical connection from the power source; an output configured to provide a second electrical connection for the load; a switch operatively connected in series between the input and the output, wherein the switch receives a control signal to selectively open and close the switch; a sensor configured to generate a feedback signal corresponding to an alternating current (AC) voltage present at the input; a priority selector operable to generate a priority signal for the load shed module, a controller connected to the sensor to receive the feedback signal, connected to the priority selector to receive the priority signal, and connected to the switch to supply the control signal, wherein the controller is operable to; determine whether the power source is a utility power source or an alternate power source as a function of the feedback signal, compare the feedback signal to a threshold when the power source is the alternate power source, generate the control signal to open the switch when the feedback signal exceeds the threshold for a first predetermined time, and generate the control signal to close the switch when the power source is the alternate power source and when a second predetermined time has passed, wherein the second predetermined time is selected as a function of the priority signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of connecting a load to a power source in a power distribution system, comprising the steps of:
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reading a feedback signal corresponding to a voltage received at an input of a load shed module from the power source; determining a frequency of the voltage from the feedback signal with a controller in the load shed module; comparing the frequency to a threshold frequency; generating a control signal with the controller to open a switch connected in series between the input and an output of the load shed module when the frequency of the voltage at the input is outside of the threshold frequency for a first predetermined time, wherein the output of the load shed module is connected to the load; determining a priority level of the load shed module; and generating the control signal with the controller to close the switch connected in series between the input and the output of the load shed module after a second predetermined time when the frequency of the voltage is within the threshold frequency, wherein the second predetermined time is a function of the priority level of the load shed module. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A load shed system configured to be connected in series between an output of a transfer switch and a plurality of loads, wherein the transfer switch selectively connects one of a utility power source and an alternate power source to the output of the transfer switch, the load shed system comprising:
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a plurality of load shed modules, each load shed module electrically connected between the output of the transfer switch and one of the plurality of loads, wherein each load shed module includes; a housing configured to be mounted independently of each of the other load shed modules; an input configured to receive a first electrical connection from the transfer switch; an output configured to provide a second electrical connection for the corresponding load; a switch operatively connected in series between the input and the output, wherein the switch receives a control signal to selectively open and close the switch; a sensor configured to generate a feedback signal corresponding to an alternating current (AC) voltage present at the input; a priority selector operable to generate a priority signal for the load shed module; and a controller connected to the sensor to receive the feedback signal, connected to the priority selector to receive the priority signal, and connected to the switch to supply the control signal, wherein the controller is operable to determine whether the power source is the utility power source or the alternate power source as a function of the feedback signal and to generate the control signal to close the switch when the power source is the alternate power source and when an initial predetermined time has passed, the initial predetermined time is selected as a function of the priority signal; and each of the plurality of load shed modules has no communication with the other of the plurality of load shed modules. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification