Energy harvest split core design elements for ease of installation, high performance, and long term reliability
A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
1. A power line sensing device, comprising:
a split-core transformer comprising a first core half having a first core face and a second core half having a second core face;
a clamping mechanism that, when the power line sensing device is installed, joins the first core face to the second core face around a power line conductor;
a seal positioned between the first core face and the second core face; and
a sacrificial metal applied outside of the seal and in galvanic contact with material of the split-core transformer.
2. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the power line sensing device further comprising electronics configured to receive energy harvested from the split-core transformer to power the power line sensing device.
3. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , further comprising a grip pad disposed on an interior of the split-core transformer, the grip pad configured to increase friction between the split-core transformer and the power line conductor.
4. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal comprising a first seal and a second seal each independently sealing the first core face and the second core face, respectively.
5. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , further comprising an o-ring or gasket providing an additional seal around a perimeter of the first core face and the second core face.
6. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal being an adhesive seal.
7. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal being a gel.
8. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal being a fluid.
9. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal being a wax.
10. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal being a ferro-fluid.
11. The power line sensing device of claim 1 , the seal filling one or more voids between the first core face and the second core face.
12. A power line sensing device, comprising:
a split-core transformer comprising a first core half having a first core face and a second core half having a second core face;
a hinge attached to one adjoining side of the first core half and the second core half, the hinge being sealed, the hinge being sealed via a flexible boot applied around a gap between the first core half and the second core half; and
a clamping mechanism that, when the power line sensing device is installed, joins the first core face to the second core face around a power line conductor.
13. The power line sensing device of claim 12 , the power line sensing device further comprising electronics configured to receive energy harvested from the split-core transformer to power the power line sensing device.
14. The power line sensing device of claim 12 , further comprising a seal positioned between the first core face and the second core face.
15. The power line sensing device of claim 14 , the seal comprising a first seal and a second seal each independently sealing the first core face and the second core face, respectively.
16. The power line sensing device of claim 14 , further comprising an o-ring or gasket providing an additional seal around a perimeter of the first core face and the second core face.
17. The power line sensing device of claim 14 , the seal being an adhesive seal.
18. The power line sensing device of claim 14 , the seal being selected from a group of materials consisting of a gel, a fluid, a wax, and a ferro-fluid.
19. A power line sensing device, comprising:
a split-core transformer comprising a first core half having a first core face and a second core half having a second core face;
a clamping mechanism that, when the power line sensing device is installed, joins the first core face to the second core face around a power line conductor;
a seal positioned between the first core face and the second core face;
a grip pad disposed on an interior of the split-core transformer, the grip pad configured to increase friction between the split-core transformer and the power line conductor; and
a spring configured to push the power line conductor into the grip pad.
20. The power line sensing device of claim 19 , the grip pad being an elastomeric grip pad.