System, device and method for determining power line equipment degradation

• US 8,566,046 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Deaver, Brian J. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US12/353,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20090187358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,742 Days
• Field of Search: 702/58
• US Class Current: 702/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/085 in power transmission or distribution lines, e.g. overhead
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

A system, method and device for detecting power grid equipment degradation is provided. In one embodiment, a method of using a device comprises measuring a first voltage of a first energized conductor of a power line connected to the output of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises, processing data of the measured voltage to detect a trigger condition wherein the trigger condition comprises, at least in part, a change in the first voltage that extends for at least a first duration, and transmitting a notification of a detection of a trigger condition to a remote computer. The method may further include measuring a second voltage of a second energized conductor and wherein the trigger condition comprises detecting concurrently for at least the first duration a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that exceeds a first threshold, and a sum of the first voltage and the second voltage that is within a predetermined voltage range. In addition, processing data of the measured voltage to detect a trigger condition may include comprise processing the data to determine whether the first voltage changes beyond a first threshold within a first predetermined maximum time period and remains beyond the first threshold for at least a second duration.

Claims

1. A method using a device to detect power grid equipment degradation, comprising:

measuring a first voltage of a first energized conductor of a power line connected to the output of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises;

processing data of the measured voltage to detect a trigger condition;

wherein the trigger condition comprises, at least in part, a change in the first voltage that extends for at least a first duration;

transmitting a notification of a detection of a trigger condition to a remote computer; and

measuring a second voltage of a second energized conductor,

wherein the notification includes data for use in identifying a location of the distribution transformer,

wherein the power line carries a nominal voltage on each energized conductor and wherein the trigger condition comprises concurrently for at least the first duration;

a) a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that exceeds a first threshold; and

b) a sum of the first voltage and the second voltage that is within a predetermined range of twice the nominal voltage.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing data of the measured voltage to detect a trigger condition comprises:

processing the data to determine whether the first voltage changes beyond a first threshold within a first predetermined maximum time period and remains beyond the first threshold for at least a second duration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing the notification comprises transmitting the notification over a communication path that includes a medium voltage power line.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing the notification comprises wirelessly transmitting the notification.

5. A device for detecting power grid equipment degradation, comprising:

a first measurement circuit for measuring a first voltage of a first energized conductor of a power line connected to the output of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises;

a second measurement circuit configured to measure a second voltage of a second energized conductor of the power line connected to the output of the distribution transformer;

a processor in communication with said first measurement circuit and said second measurement circuit and configured to process data of the measured first voltage and second voltage to detect a trigger condition;

wherein the trigger condition that said processor is configured to detect comprises (a) and (b) concurrently for at least a first duration;

(a) a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that exceeds a first threshold; and

(b) a sum of the first voltage and the second voltage that is within a predetermined voltage range; and

wherein said processor is configured to transmit a notification of a detection of the trigger condition to a remote computer.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said processor is configured to process data to determine whether the first voltage changes beyond a first threshold within a first predetermined time period and remains beyond the first threshold for at least a second duration.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said notification is transmitted wirelessly.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the notification includes data sufficient for determining a location of the distribution transformer.

9. A method using a device to detect power grid equipment degradation, comprising:

measuring a first voltage of a first energized conductor of a power line connected to the output of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises;

processing data of the measured voltage to detect a trigger condition;

wherein the trigger condition comprises, at least in part, a change in the first voltage that extends for at least a first duration;

transmitting a notification of a detection of a trigger condition to a remote computer; and

measuring a second voltage of a second energized conductor,

wherein the notification includes data for use in identifying a location of the distribution transformer,

wherein the trigger condition comprises concurrently for at least the first duration;

a) a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that exceeds a first threshold; and

b) a sum of the first voltage and the second voltage that is within a predetermined voltage range.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said providing the notification comprises transmitting the notification over a communication path that includes a medium voltage power line.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said providing the notification comprises wirelessly transmitting the notification.