System and method for detecting distribution transformer overload
A system, device, and method of detecting an overload condition of a distribution transformer that supplies power to one or more customer premises via a low voltage subnet is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining the power output of the transformer; storing in a memory a threshold power value for the transformer; determining whether the power output exceeds the threshold power value; and, if the output power exceeds the threshold power value, providing a notification. Providing the notification may include wirelessly transmitting the notification and/or transmitting the notification over a medium voltage power line. The low voltage subnet may comprise a low voltage feeder that supplies power to a plurality of low voltage supply lines that extend to the customer premises in which case determining the output power may comprise measuring a voltage of the low voltage feeder and measuring a current traversing the low voltage feeder. The method may also comprise storing in the memory a plurality of threshold power values associated with a plurality of transformers, such as different models of transformers; receiving data of the power output of a multitude of transformers; and determining whether the power output of each of the multitude of transformers exceeds the threshold value associated with the transformer, which steps may be performed at a central computer system such as a power line server.
1. A method, implemented at least in part by a computer system, of detecting an overload condition of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises, comprising:
determining an output current of the distribution transformer while the distribution transformer is supplying power to the one or more customer premises;
storing in a memory a threshold current value for the distribution transformer;
determining whether the output current exceeds the threshold current value for a predetermined time period; and
if the output current exceeds the threshold current value for the predetermined time period, outputting a first notification.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
measuring an output voltage of the distribution transformer;
storing in the memory a threshold voltage;
comparing the output voltage with the threshold voltage; and
outputting a second notification if the output voltage is beyond the threshold voltage.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said outputting a first notification comprises transmitting the first notification over a medium voltage power line.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said outputting a first notification comprises wirelessly transmitting the first notification.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said outputting a first notification comprises transmitting information sufficient for determining a location of the distribution transformer.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting data of the determined output current to a remote device.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said determining whether the current output exceeds the threshold current value is performed by the remote device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining the output current comprises measuring a current traversing a power line via a sensor device that includes a Rogowski coil.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
storing in the memory a plurality of threshold current values associated with a plurality of transformers;
receiving data of the output current of a multitude of transformers; and
determining whether the output current of each of the multitude of transformers exceeds the threshold current value associated with each transformer.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving program code via a communication from a remote device;
storing the received program code in a memory; and
executing the program code.
11. A method of detecting an overload condition of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises, comprising:
measuring a current output of the distribution transformer over a time period;
computing a power output based, at least in part, on the measured current output;
storing in a memory a threshold power value for the distribution transformer;
determining whether the power output exceeds the threshold power value for a predetermined time period; and
if the output power exceeds the threshold power value for the predetermined time period, transmitting a first notification.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising measuring a voltage output of the distribution transformer.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said transmitting the first notification comprises transmitting the first notification over a medium voltage power line.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said transmitting the first notification comprises wirelessly transmitting the first notification.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein said transmitting the first notification comprises transmitting the first notification via a fiber optic communication.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising transmitting data of the computed power output to a remote device.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said comparing the power output with the threshold power value is performed by the remote device.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein said measuring a current comprises measuring a current traversing a power line via a sensor device that includes a Rogowski coil.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining the power output comprises averaging the measured current over the time period.
20. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
measuring the output voltage of the distribution transformer;
comparing the output voltage with a threshold voltage; and
transmitting a second notification if the output voltage is beyond the threshold voltage.
21. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving program code via a communication from a remote device;
storing the received program code in a memory; and
executing the program code.
22. A device for detecting an overload condition of a distribution transformer supplying power to one or more customer premises, comprising:
a sensor module configured to measure the power output of the distribution transformer;
a modem;
a memory storing a threshold power value;
a controller in communication with said sensor module, said modem, and said memory and programmed to determine whether the power output exceeds the threshold power value for a predetermined time period; and
wherein said controller is programmed to cause said modem to transmit a first notification if the output power exceeds the threshold power value for the predetermined time period.
23. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said modem comprises a wireless modem configured to wirelessly transmit the first notification.
24. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said sensor module includes a Rogowski coil.
25. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said sensor module is configured to measure the output current and the output voltage of the distribution transformer.
26. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said modem comprises a fiber optic transceiver configured to transmit the first notification as a fiber optic communication.
27. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause said modem to transmit data of the determined power output to a remote device.
28. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said sensor module is configured to measure the output voltage of the distribution transformer;
wherein said memory stores a voltage threshold;
wherein said controller is programmed to determine whether the output voltage is beyond the voltage threshold; and
wherein said controller is programmed to cause said modem to transmit a second notification if the output voltage is beyond the voltage threshold.
29. The device according to claim 22 , wherein the first notification includes information sufficient for determining a location of the distribution transformer.
30. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said memory stores interval data for taking one or more measurements.
31. The device according to claim 22 , wherein said controller is programmed to:
receive program code via said modem;
store received program code in said memory; and
execute said program code.