Patent ID: 9638733
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: G01K,G01R

Claim:
1. A method of detecting thermal hotspots in a power distribution system, wherein the power distribution system includes a conductive hub including a connection point for coupling to an electrical distribution component, said method comprising: measuring a first temperature of the conductive hub at the connection point; measuring values for at least one parameter over a predetermined time period, wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the amount of current flowing through the conductive hub, a temperature measurement of the conductive hub, and an ambient temperature measurement of an area surrounding the conductive hub; calculating a representative value for each parameter; determining a stable operating point when a difference between the representative value for each parameter and the measured value for each parameter is within a first predetermined tolerance; estimating a second temperature of the conductive hub at the connection point, the estimation based at least partially on an amount of electric current flowing through the conductive hub; and determining when a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature exceeds a first predetermined threshold.