Power line carrier (PLC) communication of standby generator status
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring a status of a standby generator operable to supply electrical power to a power distribution network in a home, the system comprising:
- a control unit contained within the standby generator for monitoring the status of the standby generator and generating error codes upon detection of fault conditions;
a power line carrier (PLC) transmitter coupled to the control unit to receive the error code and transmit the error code over the power distribution network using a PLC frequency; and
a remote status display device connected to the power distribution network and including a PLC receiver operable to receive the error code transmitted using the PLC frequency, wherein the remote status device displays the error code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for remotely monitoring the status of a standby generator. The system includes a PLC transmitter in communication with the control unit for the generator. The PLC transmitter receives error codes from the control unit of the generator and transmits encoded error codes over the power distribution network in a home using a PLC frequency. A remote status display device can be connected to the power distribution network in the home at any convenient location. The remote status display device includes a PLC receiver that decodes the error codes. The decoded error codes are displayed on a display of the remote status display device for viewing by the home occupant at a location remote from the standby generator.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a status of a standby generator operable to supply electrical power to a power distribution network in a home, the system comprising:
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a control unit contained within the standby generator for monitoring the status of the standby generator and generating error codes upon detection of fault conditions; a power line carrier (PLC) transmitter coupled to the control unit to receive the error code and transmit the error code over the power distribution network using a PLC frequency; and a remote status display device connected to the power distribution network and including a PLC receiver operable to receive the error code transmitted using the PLC frequency, wherein the remote status device displays the error code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17)
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12. A method of remotely monitoring a status of a standby generator operable to supply electrical power to a power distribution network in a home, the method comprising:
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monitoring the status of the standby generator with a control unit of the standby generator; generating an error code upon detection of a fault condition associated with the standby generator; transmitting the error code over the power distribution network of the home at a power line carrier (PLC) frequency; connecting a remote status display device to the power distribution network of the home; receiving and converting the error code in a PLC receiver of the remote status display device; and displaying the error code on a display of the remote status display device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 18)
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Specification