Multiple generator loadcenter and method of distributing power from multiple generators

• US 7,615,888 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Lathrop, Todd M., Wehrli, Jonathan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUTLAND WALLIS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/738,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 307/65, 307/64
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/248 UPS systems or standby or emergency generators

Abstract

A loadcenter for supplying power to a critical load is capable of isolating a distribution panel distributing power to the critical load from another distribution panel distributing power to a non-critical load to enable the isolated distribution panels being supplied with power from separate generator power sources in response to power supplied by a utility power source to both distribution panels becoming unacceptable.

Claims

1. A loadcenter for a first power source having a first status, a second power source having a second status, a third power source having a third status, a critical load and a non-critical load, said loadcenter comprising:

a first distribution panel having a first circuit breaker to selectively receive power from the first power source;

a second distribution panel having a second circuit breaker to selectively receive power from the second power source;

a third circuit breaker to selectively supply power from the third power source to the first distribution panel;

a fourth circuit breaker to selectively supply power from the first distribution panel to the non-critical load;

a fifth circuit breaker to selectively supply power from the second distribution panel to the critical load;

a circuit isolator to selectively supply power from the first distribution panel to the second distribution panel; and

a controller structured to monitor at least the second status and the third status, and in response to the third power source being unacceptable and the second power source being acceptable, being further structured to;

open the third circuit breaker;

open the circuit isolator;

close the first circuit breaker; and

close the second circuit breaker,

wherein the controller, in response to the second power source being unacceptable and the third power source being unacceptable, is further structured to;

open the third circuit breaker;

open the second circuit breaker;

close the circuit isolator; and

close the first circuit breaker.

2. The loadcenter of claim 1, wherein the fourth circuit breaker is structured to shed the non-critical load, and wherein the controller is further structured to signal the fourth circuit breaker to shed the non-critical load in response to the second power source being unacceptable and the third power source being unacceptable.

3. The loadcenter of claim 1, wherein the controller is structured to operate the fourth circuit breaker to shed the non-critical load in response to the second power source being unacceptable.

4. The loadcenter of claim 3, wherein the controller is structured to monitor the amount of power drawn from the first power source, and to be programmable to shed one or more loads supplied with power from the first power source in response to the amount of power drawn from the first power source.

5. The loadcenter of claim 4, wherein the first power source is a generator, and wherein the controller is further structured to be programmable with data concerning the power output capacity of the first power source.

6. A method of supplying power to a critical load from a loadcenter including a first distribution panel having a first circuit breaker to selectively supply power from a first power source to the first distribution panel, a second distribution panel distribution power, to the critical load and having a second circuit breaker to selectively supply power from a second power source to the second distribution panel, a third circuit breaker selectively supplying power from a third power source to the first distribution panel, and a circuit isolator selectively providing power from the first distribution panel to the second distribution panel, said method comprising:

monitoring a status of the second power source;

monitoring a status of the third power source; and

in response to the third power source being unacceptable and the second power source being acceptable;

opening the third circuit breaker;

opening the circuit isolator;

closing the first circuit breaker; and

closing the second circuit breaker,

said method further comprising in response to the third power source being unacceptable and the second power source being unacceptable;

opening the third circuit breaker;

opening the second circuit breaker;

closing the first circuit breaker; and

closing the circuit isolator.

7. The method of claim 6, said method further comprising in response to the third power source being unacceptable and the second power source being unacceptable, signaling a fourth circuit breaker of the first distribution panel supplying power to a non-critical load to shed the non-critical load.

8. The method of claim 7, said method further comprising in response to the third power source being unacceptable and the second power source being unacceptable, conditioning the signaling of the fourth circuit breaker to shed the non-critical load on an amount of power being drawn from the first power source.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein conditioning the signaling of the fourth circuit breaker to shed the non-critical load is at least partially dependent on data concerning the power capacity of the first power source.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the fourth circuit breaker is one of a plurality of fourth circuit breakers, wherein the non-critical load is one of a plurality of non-critical loads, wherein each of the non-critical loads corresponds to one of the fourth circuit breakers, and wherein a count of the fourth circuit breakers being signaled to open to shed a corresponding count of non-critical loads is conditioned on the amount of power being drawn from the first power source.