Low fault current isolator system

摘要

A low fault current isolation arrangement senses a loss of voltage and automatically isolates and de-energizes a down live primary wire if overcurrent protection devices have not cleared the high impedance fault in an electric power distribution network. Incorporating an operator selectable time delay response, the low fault current isolation arrangement permits overcurrent protection devices to attempt to detect and shut down the affected conductor, and then isolates and shuts down the low current fault if the overcurrent devices are not successful. The isolation arrangement continuously monitors AC voltage as remotely provided by smart meters even after a fault location is de-energized, and serves as a back up, and not as a replacement, for existing overcurrent protection schemes. A host computer operates in conjunction with plural smart meters each coupled to an associated customer distribution transformer in conjunction with the fault isolator to detect and shut down high impedance faults.

主权项

1. For use in an electric power distribution network, apparatus for coupling an electric meter to an electric meter socket either in a first in-service position or in a second out-of-service status position, wherein said electric meter is rotationally displaced relative to said electric meter socket between said first and second positions, said electric meter having plural contact blades and said electric meter socket having plural terminals coupled to a source of electric power, said apparatus comprising:
a non-conductive housing having a generally planar base with a first side in facing relation with the electric meter and a second opposing side in facing relation with the electric meter socket, said planar base having plural spaced first apertures therein; plural spaced conductive flanges disposed on the first surface of the housing's planar base, wherein each of said conductive flanges is inserted through a respective aperture in said planar base and is adapted to receive a respective electric meter contact blade in a removable manner; plural conductive tabs disposed on the second opposed surface of the housing's planar base each electrically coupled to a respective one of said conductive flanges through a respective aperture in said planar base, wherein each of said conductive tabs is adapted for insertion in a respective conductive flange for electrical coupling to a respective terminal in the electric meter socket, and wherein each electric meter contact blade is electrically coupled to a respective one of the electric meter socket's terminals via the combination of a conductive flange and an associated conductive tab with the electric meter in said first in-service position; plural spaced, non-conductive receiving means disposed on the first surface of said planar base, wherein each receiving means is adapted to receive and securely retain a respective electric meter contact blade in a tight-fitting manner with the electric meter rotationally displaced relative to the electric meter socket so as to assume said second out-of-service position; and first and second conductors disposed on the second opposed surface of said planar base and adjacent a respective aperture therein and electrically coupled to a respective one of said conductive tabs, wherein each of said first and second conductors includes respective projections each extending through a respective first aperture in said planer base and engaging a respective one of said non-conductive receiving means for establishing electrical contact with an electric meter contact blade disposed in said non-conductive receiving means, wherein with the electric meter in said second position the electric meter is removed from the electric power distribution network in an out-of-service status, with an AC voltage provided to the electric meter to allow the electric meter to continue to receive and transmit RF information.