Multiphase electrical power phase identification

• US 8,922,192 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stem, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stem, Inc.
• Inventors: Erhart, David, Southeren, Craig, Reineccius, Stacey
• Primary Examiner(s): He, Amy
• Application Number:
  US13/340,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20130141075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 324/66, 324/86
• US Class Current: 324/66
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/18 Indicating phase sequence; Indicating synchronism
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/60 Identification of wires in a multicore cable
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/26 Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/50 Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks

Abstract

A method for multiphase electrical power phase identification by a monitoring component includes: receiving a request for the power phase identification for a given power component phase connection from a power component; in response, sending signal characteristics to the power component; monitoring power signals on distribution panel phase connections; determining that the signal characteristics are found on a given distribution panel phase connection; and in response, sending an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection to the power component. In receiving the signal characteristics, the power component: selects the given power component phase connection; applies a signal with the signal characteristic on the given power component phase connection; receives an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection from the monitoring component; and associates the identifier with the given power component phase connection.

Claims

1. A method for multiphase electrical power phase identification, comprising:

(a) receiving a request for a power phase identification for a given power component phase connection from a power component by a monitoring component;

(b) in response to the request, sending signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component by the monitoring component;

(c) monitoring power signals on a plurality of distribution panel phase connections by the monitoring component;

(d) determining by the monitoring component that the signal characteristics are found on a given distribution panel phase connection; and

(e) in response to finding the signal characteristics on the given distribution panel phase connection, sending an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection to the power component by the monitoring component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending (b) comprises:

(b1) in response to the request, determining unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification by the monitoring component, wherein the unique signal characteristics allow a signal with the unique signal characteristics to be uniquely identifiable at the distribution panel; and

(b2) sending the unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component by the monitoring component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring (c) comprises:

(c1) receiving a start indication from the power component by the monitoring component; and

(c2) in response to receiving the start indication, begin monitoring the power signals on the plurality of distribution panel phase connections by the monitoring component.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving (c1) comprises:

(c1i) applying a signal with the signal characteristics on the given power component phase connection by the power component; and

(c1ii) sending the start indication to the monitoring component by the power component.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining (d) comprises:

(d1) analyzing power signals on each of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections by the monitoring component; and

(d2) determining whether the signal characteristics are found on any of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections by the monitoring component.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

(f) in response to determining that the signal characteristics are not found on any of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections, sending an error indication to the power component by the monitoring component.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) receiving the signal characteristics for the power phase identification from the monitoring component by the power component;

(g) selecting the given power component phase connection for the power phase identification by the power component;

(h) applying a signal with the signal characteristics on the given power component phase connection by the power component;

(i) determining whether an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection is received from the monitoring component by the power component; and

(j) in response to receiving the identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection, associating the identifier with the given power component phase connection by the power component.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining (i) comprises:

(i1) ceasing application of the signal with the signal characteristics on the given power component phase connection according to the signal characteristics by the power component; and

(i2) sending a complete indication to the monitoring component by the power component.

9. A system, comprising:

a monitoring component comprising;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium comprising a memory, the memory comprising computer readable program code for multiphase electrical power phase identification, wherein the computer readable program code when executed by the processor causes the monitoring component to;

receive a request for a power phase identification for a given power component phase connection from a power component;

in response to the request, send signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component;

monitor power signals on a plurality of distribution panel phase connections;

determine that the signal characteristics are found on a given distribution panel phase connection; and

in response to finding the signal characteristics on the given distribution panel phase connection, send an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection to the power component.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sending of the identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection comprises:

in response to the request, determine unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification, wherein the unique signal characteristics allow a signal with the unique signal characteristics to be uniquely identifiable at the distribution panel; and

send the unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the monitoring of the power signals on the plurality of distribution panel phase connections comprises:

receive a start indication from the power component; and

in response to receiving the start indication, begin to monitor the power signals on the plurality of distribution panel phase connections.

12. The system method of claim 11, further comprising the power component, wherein the power component:

applies a signal with the signal characteristics on the given power component phase connection; and

sends the start indication to the monitoring component.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the determining that the signal characteristics are found on the given distribution panel phase connection comprises:

analyze power signals on each of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections; and

determine whether the signal characteristics are found on any of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer readable program code when executed by the processor further causes the monitoring component to:

in response to determining that the signal characteristics are not found on any of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections, send an error indication to the power component by the monitoring component.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising the power component, wherein the power component:

receives the signal characteristics for the power phase identification from the monitoring component;

selects the given power component phase connection for the power phase identification;

applies a signal with the signal characteristic on the given power component phase connection;

determines whether an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection is received from the monitoring component; and

in response to receiving the identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection, associates the identifier with the given power component phase connection.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the determining of whether the identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection is received from the monitoring component comprises:

ceases application of the signal with the signal characteristics on the given power component phase connection according to the signal characteristics; and

sends a complete indication to the monitoring component.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having a memory, the memory having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

receive a request for a power phase identification for a given power component phase connection from a power component;

in response to the request, send signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component;

monitor power signals on a plurality of distribution panel phase connections;

determine that the signal characteristics are found on a given distribution panel phase connection; and

in response to finding the signal characteristics on the given distribution panel phase connection, send an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection to the power component.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer readable program code to send the identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection further causes the computer to:

in response to the request, determine unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification, wherein the unique signal characteristics allow a signal with the unique signal characteristics to be uniquely identifiable at the distribution panel; and

send the unique signal characteristics for the power phase identification to the power component.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer readable program code to determine that the signal characteristics are found on the given distribution panel phase connection further causes the computer to:

analyze power signals on each of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections; and

determine whether the signal characteristics are found on any of the plurality of distribution panel phase connections.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer readable program code to monitor the power signals on the plurality of distribution panel phase connections further causes the computer to:

receive a start indication from the power component; and

in response to receiving the start indication, begin to monitor the power signals on the plurality of distribution panel phase connections.