Dead-line phase identification system and method thereof

Abstract

A system and method for dead-line conductor phase identification is provided. The system includes a receiver unit having a set of current sensors, such as current transformers. The receiver unit current sensors are coupled to conductors having a known phase in a multiphase power line. The current sensors are positioned adjacent a transformer connected to a section of the power line having an open circuit condition. A transmitter unit transmits a current signal on to a conductor at the open circuit section of the power line. The current sensors detect the current signal and the receiver unit transmits a signal to the transmitter unit identifying the phase on which the current signal was transmitted.

1 . A method of determining an electrical phase of a conductor in a three phase cable having a first end and a second end, said method comprising:
 coupling a first current sensor to a first conductor on said first end;   coupling a second current sensor to a second conductor on said first end;   coupling a third current sensor to a third conductor on said first end;   applying an electrical current to a conductor on said second end;   transmitting a signal in response to detecting said electrical current on said first conductor, said second conductor, or said third conductor on said first end; and,   providing a visual indication if said electrical current was detected on said first conductor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing a visual indication if said electrical current was detected on said second conductor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of providing a visual indication if said current was detected on said third conductor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electrical current is between a first and second current threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said electrical current is at a predefined voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said electrical current has a frequency in a predefined frequency range below a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said electric current has a frequency in a predefined frequency range above a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         8 . A method of joining conductors in a multiphase electrical power line having a section with an open circuit condition, said method comprising:
 grounding a first transformer;   coupling a first set of current sensors to said conductors of said multiphase electrical power line adjacent to said first transformer, wherein each of said current sensors in said first set of current sensors is associated with one of said conductors;   transmitting a first current to one of said conductors adjacent said multiphase electrical power line section;   detecting said first current with one of said current sensors in said first set of current sensors; and,   transmitting a first signal indicating which of said conductors detected said first current, wherein said first signal also includes a signal indicating that said first current was detected adjacent to said first transformer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 grounding a second transformer;   coupling a second set of current sensors to said conductors of said multiphase electrical power line adjacent to said second transformer, wherein each of said current sensors in said second set of current sensors is associated with one of said conductors;   transmitting a second current to one of said conductors adjacent said multiphase electrical power line section;   detecting said second current with one of said current sensors in said second set of current sensors; and,   transmitting a second signal indicating which of said conductors detected said second current, wherein said second signal also includes a signal indicating that said current was detected adjacent to said first transformer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 identifying a phase for each of said conductors in said multiphase electrical power line section as indicated by said first signal and said second signal;   splicing together said conductors having an identical phase;   transmitting a third current to said spliced together conductors;   detecting said third current with said first set of current sensors;   detecting said third current with said second set of current sensors;   transmitting a third signal indicating which phase conductor said third current was detected by said first set of current sensors; and,   transmitting a fourth signal indicating which phase conductors said third current was detected by said second set of current sensors.   
     
     
         11 . A system for identifying an electrical phase of a conductor, said system comprising:
 a receiver unit having at least one current sensor, a controller operably coupled to said current sensor and a communications transmitter operably coupled to said controller;   a transmitter unit having at least one test lead and a neutral lead, said transmitter unit having a controller operably coupled to said test lead and said neutral lead, and a communications receiver operably coupled to said controller and said communications transmitter, wherein:   said transmitter controller receives data and instructions as inputs and provides data and instructions as outputs;   said transmitter controller data inputs describing, a phase identification that a current signal was detected, an identification of a transformer where said current signal was detected, a location of a failure, a number of conductors involved with the failure, a type of repair, a repair start time, a repair end time, and an identity of a repair personnel;   said transmitter controller instruction inputs enabling said transmitter controller to determine when to transmit data;   said transmitter controller output data describing said location of a failure, said number of conductors involved with the failure, said type of repair, said repair start time, said repair end time, and said identity of a repair personnel; and,   said transmitter controller instruction outputs enabling the activation of an indicator associated with said identified phase conductor.