Patent ID: 8537516
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: G08B,H02B,H02H,H02J

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring a ground loop circuit in an electrical system comprising components that are buried underground in earth and components that are accessible by personnel, the method comprising: a. isolating the components that are buried underground in the ground loop circuit wherein at least a portion of the ground loop circuit comprises a path through the earth; b. measuring impedance in the ground loop circuit to derive a baseline impedance for the ground loop circuit; c. imposing signals on the ground loop circuit at differing times and/or differing frequencies; d. receiving the imposed signals and determining impedance in the ground loop circuit from the received imposed signals; e. comparing determined impedance relative to baseline impedance; and f. taking an action if the comparison meets a predetermined condition wherein the action comprises one or more of: