Voltage regulator test set for the power distribution industry

• US 5,537,030 A
• Filed: 07/21/1994
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Union Electric Company (Ameren Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Union Electric Company (Ameren Corporation)
• Inventors: Haffecke, William L., Snodgrass, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KHOSRAVI, KOURO
• Application Number:
  US08/278,491
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158.1, 324/772, 324/771, 324/73.1, 324/133
• US Class Current: 324/756.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/42 AC power supplies

Abstract

A portable test set for testing the voltage regulators used by utilities in the power distribution industry for regulating a voltage level of electrical power supplied over a transmission line comprises a first electrical lead adapted for connection to the source bushing on the regulator, a second electrical lead adapted for connection to the load bushing on the regulator, and a third electrical lead adapted for connection to the S/L bushing on the regulator. The test set also includes an electrical terminal adapted for connecting a voltage continuity tester between the second lead and the third lead, an electrical terminal adapted for connection to an alternating current source, and an electrical terminal adapted for connection to a voltmeter. A first switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the terminal for the alternating current source to the first lead and a second operational state which selectively connects the terminal for the alternating current source to the second lead. A second switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the terminal for the voltmeter to the first lead and a second operational state which selectively connects the terminal for the voltmeter to the second lead. Other versions of the portable test set are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An electrical system for regulating a voltage level of electrical power to be supplied by a utility, the electrical system comprising:

a voltage regulator used in a power distribution system for regulating the voltage level of the electrical power, the voltage regulator having a source bushing, a load bushing and an S/L bushing;

a first electrical lead for electrical connection to the source bushing;

a second electrical lead for electrical connection to the load bushing;

a third electrical lead for electrical connection to the S/L bushing;

a first electrical terminal for electrically connecting a voltage continuity tester between the second lead and the third lead;

a second electrical terminal for electrical connection to an alternating current source;

a third electrical terminal for electrical connection to a voltmeter;

a first switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead and the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source;

wherein the first switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source to the first lead and wherein the first switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source to the second lead; and

a second switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead and the third electrical terminal for the voltmeter;

wherein the second switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminal for the voltmeter to the first lead and wherein the second switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminal for the voltmeter to the second lead.

2. The electrical system of claim 1 comprising said voltage continuity tester connected to the first electrical terminal, an alternating current source connected to the second electrical terminal, and said voltmeter connected to the third electrical terminal.

3. A testing device for testing a voltage regulator used in a power distribution system, the voltage regulator for regulating a voltage level of electrical power supplied over a transmission line, the voltage regulator having a source bushing, a load bushing and an S/L bushing, the testing device comprising:

a first electrical lead for electrical connection to the source bushing;

a second electrical lead for electrical connection to the load bushing;

a third electrical lead for electrical connection to the S/L bushing;

a first electrical terminal for electrically connecting a voltage continuity tester between the second lead and the third lead;

a second electrical terminal for electrical connection to an alternating current source;

a third electrical terminal for electrical connection to a voltmeter;

a first switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead and the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source;

wherein the first switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source to the first lead and wherein the first switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal for the alternating current source to the second lead; and

a second switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead and the third electrical terminal for the voltmeter;

wherein the second switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminal for the voltmeter to the first lead and wherein the second switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminator the voltmeter to the second lead.

4. The testing device of claim 3 further comprising a fourth electrical lead for electrical connection to the voltage regulator to supply electrical power to the voltage regulator for powering the operation of the voltage regulator in raising and lowering the regulated voltage during the test.

5. The testing device of claim 3 comprising said alternating current source connected to the second electrical terminal.

6. The testing device of claim 3 comprising said voltmeter connected to the third electrical terminal.

7. The testing device of claim 3 comprising said voltage continuity tester connected to the first electrical terminal.

8. The testing device of claim 3 comprising said voltage continuity tester connected to the first electrical terminal, said continuity tester comprising:

a relay having a first and a second electrical contact and a relay coil for controlling said electrical contacts;

an electrical switch; and

an alarm indicator;

wherein the relay coil is connected in series with the electrical switch between the second lead and the third lead;

wherein the first electrical contact is connected in parallel with the electrical switch; and

wherein the second electrical contact is connected in series with the alarm indicator between the second lead and the third lead.

9. The testing device of claim 3 wherein the second switch circuit comprises a relay having a first operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminal to the first lead and a second operational state which selectively connects the third electrical terminal to the second lead.

10. The testing device of claim 3 wherein the first switch circuit comprises a relay having a first operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal to the first lead and a second operational state which selectively connects the second electrical terminal to the second lead.

11. The testing device of claim 3 further comprising:

a fourth electrical terminal for electrical connection to a potential transformer in the voltage regulator;

wherein the second switch circuit is connected to the fourth electrical terminal; and

wherein the second switch circuit has a third operational state which selectively connects the fourth electrical terminal to the third electrical terminal.

12. The testing device of claim 3 further comprising a portable chassis;

wherein each of said electrical terminals and each of said switch circuits is mounted to the portable chassis.

17. The testing device of claim 3 comprising:

a keyed plug supporting first, second and third electrical conductors;

wherein the first electrical lead is connected to the first conductor, the second electrical lead is connected to the second conductor, and the third electrical lead is connected to the third conductor; and

a keyed receptacle for releasably engaging the keyed plug, the keyed receptacle supporting first, second and third electrical contacts;

wherein the first electrical terminal is connected between the second contact and the third contact, the second electrical terminal is connected between the first contact and the third contact, and the third electrical terminal is connected between the second contact and the third contact.

18. The testing device of claim 3 wherein the voltage regulator further comprises a potential transformer for sensing the voltage appearing at the load bushing and wherein said device further comprises:

a second keyed plug supporting fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh electrical conductors;

a fourth and fifth electrical leads for electrical connection to the voltage regulator at one end to supply electrical power to said regulator during a test and separately connected to the fourth and fifth conductors at the other end;

a sixth and seventh electrical leads for electrical connection to the potential transformer at one end to sense an output voltage of said transformer during a test and separately connected to the sixth and seventh conductors at the other end;

a second keyed receptacle for releasably engaging the second keyed plug, the second keyed receptacle supporting fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh electrical contacts;

a wire for connecting the fourth and fifth leads to the alternating current source, and

an electrical switch for selectively connecting the sixth and seventh electrical contacts to the voltmeter.

13. A testing device for testing a voltage regulator used in a power distribution system, the voltage regulator for regulating a voltage level of electrical power supplied over a transmission line, the voltage regulator having a source bushing, a load bushing, an S/L bushing and a potential transformer for sensing the voltage appearing at the load bushing, the testing device comprising:

a first electrical lead for electrical connection to the source bushing;

a second electrical lead for electrical connection to the load bushing;

a third electrical lead for electrical connection to the S/L bushing;

a voltage continuity tester connected between the second lead and the third lead;

an alternating current source;

an electrical terminal for electrical connection to a voltmeter;

a first switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead and the alternating current source;

wherein the first switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the alternating current source to the first lead and wherein the first switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the alternating current source to the second lead; and

a second switch circuit connected to the first lead, the second lead, the potential transformer and the electrical terminal;

wherein the second switch circuit has a first operational state which selectively connects the electrical terminal to the first lead;

wherein the second switch circuit has a second operational state which selectively connects the electrical terminal to the second lead; and

wherein the second switch circuit has a third operational state which selectively connects the electrical terminal to the potential transformer.

14. The testing device of claim 13 further comprising a fourth electrical lead for electrical connection to the voltage regulator to supply electrical power to the voltage regulator for powering the operation of the voltage regulator in raising and lowering the regulated voltage during the test.

15. The testing device of claim 13 wherein the alternating current source comprises a variable output alternating current source.

16. The testing device of claim 13 wherein the voltage continuity tester comprises:

a relay having a first and a second electrical contact and a relay coil for controlling said electrical contacts;

an electrical switch; and

an alarm indicator;

wherein the relay coil is connected in series with the electrical switch between the second lead and the third lead;

wherein the first electrical contact is connected in parallel with the electrical switch; and

wherein the second electrical contact is connected in series with the alarm indicator between the second lead and the third lead.