Autoloop system and method of operation
First Claim
1. An automatic loop system for an electrical distribution system comprising:
- a first branch circuit powered by a first feeder, said first branch circuit having a first feeder recloser and a first midpoint recloser electrically coupled in series, said first branch circuit having a first segment opposite said first feeder;
a second branch circuit powered by a second feeder, the second branch circuit having a second feeder recloser and a second midpoint recloser electrically coupled in series, said second branch circuit having a second segment disposed opposite said second feeder;
a tie recloser electrically coupled between said first segment and said second segment wherein the tie recloser closes in response to the detection of a fault when the fault is not in the said segment or said second segment; and
,a first controller associated with said first branch circuit and said second branch circuit, said first controller being disposed in communication with said first feeder recloser, said second feeder recloser, said first midpoint recloser, said second midpoint recloser and said tie recloser, said first controller including a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for providing an alternate profile indicative of a delay period to said second feeder recloser in response to receiving a fault signal from said first branch circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for operating an autoloop system on an electrical distribution system is provided. The system includes a first branch circuit having a first recloser and a midpoint recloser and a second branch circuit having a second feeder recloser and a midpoint recloser. A tie recloser is electrically coupled between the first branch circuit and the second branch circuit wherein the tie recloser closes only after a fault is detected. A master controller associated with the first and second branch circuits communicates with the reclosers of the first and second branch circuits. The master controller includes a processor for blocking a fast tripping function of a feeder recloser in response to the detection of a fault on the other branch circuit. The portion of a circuit where a fault is detected may be isolated to minimize the portion of the first and second branch circuits without power.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An automatic loop system for an electrical distribution system comprising:
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a first branch circuit powered by a first feeder, said first branch circuit having a first feeder recloser and a first midpoint recloser electrically coupled in series, said first branch circuit having a first segment opposite said first feeder; a second branch circuit powered by a second feeder, the second branch circuit having a second feeder recloser and a second midpoint recloser electrically coupled in series, said second branch circuit having a second segment disposed opposite said second feeder; a tie recloser electrically coupled between said first segment and said second segment wherein the tie recloser closes in response to the detection of a fault when the fault is not in the said segment or said second segment; and
,a first controller associated with said first branch circuit and said second branch circuit, said first controller being disposed in communication with said first feeder recloser, said second feeder recloser, said first midpoint recloser, said second midpoint recloser and said tie recloser, said first controller including a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for providing an alternate profile indicative of a delay period to said second feeder recloser in response to receiving a fault signal from said first branch circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating an automatic loop system for an electrical distribution system, said method comprising:
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monitoring an electrical characteristic of a first branch circuit; detecting a change in said electrical characteristic indicative of a fault condition; transmitting a first signal to a first controller; polling devices on said first branch circuit for voltage and current measurements and switch positions at said devices; transmitting said voltage and current measurements to said first controller; transmitting an alternate profile signal to a first feeder recloser on a second branch circuit; and
,switching said first feeder recloser to operate under said alternate profile; delaying for a time period the performance of a one fast trip function of said first feeder recloser in response to said switching to said alternate profile. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An automatic loop system controller for an electrical distribution system having a first branch circuit and a second branch circuit coupled by a tie recloser, said controller comprises:
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a processor; and
,a communications connection electrically coupled to said processor; wherein said processor receives data and instructions as inputs and provides data and instructions as outputs; said data inputs describing a detected fault condition, a plurality of voltages measured at a corresponding plurality of branch circuit devices, a plurality of currents measured at said corresponding plurality of branch circuit devices, a feeder recloser position, a midpoint recloser position, and a tie recloser position; and said output instructions include an alternate profile in delaying a tripping response of a feeder recloser for a defined period of time to allow said tie recloser device to close and electrically couple said first branch circuit and said second branch circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification