Differential electric protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a differential electrical protection device (10) configured to be connected between a source (3) and a load (5), the device (10) comprising: a power supply circuit (16) configured to be powered by the source (3) at a voltage, referred to as a power supply voltage (Ue), varying over time; a disconnect mechanism (12) configured to switch to a disconnect configuration; an electronic control unit (18) including a differential fault detection module (68); and a power regulation module (42) connected to the power circuit (16). The supply regulation module (42) includes a current detector (62) configured to measure an internal strength representative of the supply voltage (Ue), and the electronic control unit (18) is configured to determine a set of parameters of the supply voltage (Ue) from the measurement of the internal strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a differential electrical protection device.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of fault monitoring and protection in electrical equipment. Background Art

[0003] It is known to use differential protection devices, also called residual current devices (RCDs), to detect differential faults, such as insulation faults or current leakages occurring in an electrical circuit. These differential protection devices incorporate in a known manner an electronic control unit for detecting the occurrence of a differential fault in the electrical circuit by means of measurements performed by sensors and for commanding the differential protection device to trip. An input voltage is applied to the terminals of the electronic control unit and is regulated by the electronic control unit by varying an internal current flowing through the electronic control unit. The input voltage is obtained from the supply voltage of the differential protection device. Measuring the supply voltage allows the integration of supplementary functions into the differential electrical protection device.

[0004] In order to determine the supply voltage, it is known to measure it directly, but this makes the electronic control unit more complex and more expensive since it must have a dedicated input for the measurement of the supply voltage and additional components need to be provided in order to reduce the supply voltage to a level that can be safely used by the electronic control unit, which makes the differential electrical protection device more complex and reduces the reliability of the device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a differential electrical protection device which makes it possible to overcome these disadvantages and to measure the supply voltage in a simple manner.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a differential electrical protection device configured to be connected between a source and a load, the device comprising:

[0007] - a power supply circuit configured to be connected to a source and powered by the source at a voltage called the supply voltage that varies with time;

[0008] - a differential detector configured to measure a differential current flowing through the load;

[0009] - a disconnect mechanism configured to switch from a closed configuration, in which the source and the load are connected to each other, to an open configuration, in which the source and the load are isolated from each other;

[0010] -Electronic control unit, including:

[0011] o a differential fault detection module connected to the differential detector and the disconnect mechanism, the differential fault detection module configured to receive a measurement of the differential current and to command the disconnect mechanism to switch to a disconnect configuration when the differential fault detection module detects a differential fault; and

[0012] oPower conditioning module, which is connected to the power supply circuit.

[0013] According to the present invention, the differential electrical protection device enables the power regulation module to include a current detector, which is configured to measure the internal intensity of the internal current flowing through the power regulation module, and the internal intensity represents the power supply voltage. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a set of parameters of the power supply voltage based on the measurement of the internal intensity performed by the current detector.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, there is no need to provide the electronic control unit with supplementary inputs. In particular, the measurement of the internal current is carried out directly in the electronic control unit, which avoids adding an input dedicated to the measurement of the supply voltage. Furthermore, since the internal current is already suitable for use by the electronic control unit, there is no need to provide components suitable for the supply voltage, which would be the case if the measurement were carried out directly. Thus, the differential electrical protection device maintains an equivalent level of complexity while integrating the measurement of a set of parameters of the supply voltage, allowing to add supplementary functions to the device without making the architecture of the device more complex.

[0015] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the differential electrical protection device comprises one or more of the following features, alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0016] - the set of parameters comprises a first parameter determined by the control unit, the first parameter being an RMS value of the supply voltage, and wherein the electronic control unit is configured to operate in a normal mode and in at least one degraded mode, the power consumed by the electronic control unit in the degraded mode being less than the power consumed by the electronic control unit in the normal mode, the electronic control unit being further configured to switch from the normal mode to the degraded mode when the first parameter is less than a voltage threshold.

[0017] - The power supplied to the electronic control unit when the RMS value is less than the voltage threshold is less than the power consumed by the electronic control unit in normal mode.

[0018] - the electronic control unit is configured to operate in a first degradation mode, and the voltage threshold is a first voltage threshold, the electronic control unit is further configured to operate in a second degradation mode, the power consumed by the electronic control unit in the second degradation mode is less than the power consumed by the electronic control unit in the first degradation mode, and the electronic control unit is further configured to switch from the first degradation mode to the second degradation mode when the first parameter is less than a second voltage threshold that is strictly less than the first voltage threshold.

[0019] - the set of parameters comprises a second parameter determined by the control unit, the second parameter being a zero crossing of the supply voltage, and wherein the electronic control unit implements a counter, the electronic control unit being configured to increase a value of the counter each time a zero crossing of the supply voltage is detected, the electronic control unit being further configured to issue an alarm when the value of the counter is equal to a counter threshold value.

[0020] - When the disconnect mechanism switches to the disconnect configuration after the differential fault detection module detects a differential fault, the value of the counter is reset to zero.

[0021] - When the supply voltage is zero, the value of the counter is not increased and is stored by the electronic control unit.

[0022] -The electronic control unit is implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

[0023] -The electronic control unit includes:

[0024] - a determination module configured to determine an RMS value;

[0025] - an RMS value comparison module configured to compare the RMS value with a voltage threshold; and

[0026] a command module configured to command the electronic control unit to enter a normal mode if the RMS value is greater than or equal to a voltage threshold, and configured to command the electronic control unit to enter a degraded mode if the RMS value is less than the voltage threshold.

[0027] -The electronic control unit includes:

[0028] a zero-crossing detection module configured to detect the zero-crossing of the internal intensity and to derive therefrom the zero-crossing of the supply voltage;

[0029] - a calculation module configured to increase the value of a counter upon detection of a zero crossing of the supply voltage;

[0030] - a counter comparison module configured to compare the value of the counter with a counter threshold; and

[0031] - A publishing module configured to publish an alert when the value of the counter is equal to a counter threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will become more apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] - Figure 1 is a circuit diagram including a differential electrical protection device according to the present invention;

[0034] - Figure 2is a block diagram of a power supply regulating module according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] - Figure 3 Here are the internal current diagrams for three different supply voltages;

[0036] - Figure 4 is a flow chart of a first method implemented by the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0037] - Figure 5 is a flow chart of a second method implemented by the apparatus according to the present invention; and

[0038] - Figure 6 is a block diagram of a power regulation module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric circuit 1, comprising a source 3 and a load 5 connected to each other via a phase conductor 7 and a neutral conductor 8. The source 3 provides electrical power and is, for example, a generator or a national grid. The load 5 is typically a device that consumes electrical power, such as a household appliance or industrial equipment.

[0040] A differential electrical protection device 10 , also referred to as protection device 10 , is connected between the source 3 and the load 5 .

[0041] The protection device 10 includes a disconnect mechanism 12 , a differential detector 14 , a power circuit 16 , and an electronic control unit 18 connected to the disconnect mechanism 12 , the differential detector 14 , and the power circuit 16 .

[0042] In an embodiment, the disconnect mechanism 12 comprises a coil 21, two contacts 23 and 24 and a thyristor 26. The contacts 23 and 24 are respectively a phase contact 23 and a neutral contact 24. The disconnect mechanism 12 is configured to switch to an disconnect configuration in which the contacts 23 and 24 are open, thereby isolating the source 3 and the load 5 from each other. The protection device 10 is then referred to as tripping.

[0043] The disconnect mechanism 12 is also configured to switch to a closed configuration, in which the contacts 23 and 24 are closed, the source 3 and the load 5 being thus electrically connected to each other. The protection device 10 is then said to be activated, in other words closed.

[0044] Coil 21 acts as a tripping device to switch contacts 23 and 24 from a closed configuration to an open configuration. Specifically, when thyristor 26 is commanded, it generates an electrical pulse, generates a magnetic field in coil 21, and the magnetic field interacts mechanically with contacts 23 and 24 and opens contacts 23 and 24.

[0045] The differential detector 14 is configured to measure the differential current flowing between the phase conductor 7 and the neutral conductor 8 of the load 5, and includes a transducer. Figure 1 In the example of the toroidal coil 30, the toroidal coil 30 is a toroidal coil 30. When there is a differential fault through the load 5 or possibly through a connector between the protection device 10 and the load 5, the sum of the currents flowing through the phase conductor 7 and the neutral conductor 8 is non-zero, generating an induced current in the toroidal coil 30. The differential detector 14 also includes a conditioning unit 32. The conditioning unit 32 is connected to the toroidal coil 30 and in particular includes a filter in order to stabilize the current induced in the toroidal coil 30 and improve the quality of the differential current measurement between the phase conductor 7 and the neutral conductor 8.

[0046] The power supply circuit 16 is connected to the phase conductor 7 and the neutral conductor 8 downstream of the contacts 23 and 24. Thus, when the disconnect mechanism 12 is in the closed configuration, a current referred to as the power supply current flows through the power supply circuit 16, whereas when the disconnect mechanism 12 is in the open configuration, the power supply current does not flow through the power supply circuit 16. In the described embodiment, the power supply circuit 16 comprises a varistor 34, a power supply component 36 such as a capacitor or a resistor, a filter capacitor 38, a resistor 39 and a diode bridge 40. According to an alternative embodiment, the power supply circuit 16 is connected to the phase conductor 7 and the neutral conductor 8 upstream of the contacts 23 and 24.

[0047] When the disconnect mechanism 12 is in the closed configuration, the supply voltage U e is applied to the power supply circuit 16, in particular to the terminals of the varistor 34. The power supply voltage U e is equal to the voltage delivered by source 3 and is an AC voltage with an RMS value U ef , also called RMS voltage U ef , for example equal to 230V.

[0048] RMS voltage U ef may vary unpredictably over time, for example due to slight fluctuations in the grid supplying source 3, or after a fault in source 3 or in the grid supplying source 3. Therefore, the supply voltage U e is time-varying because of its alternating nature and because of its RMS value U ef May be variable over time.

[0049] The power supply circuit 16 converts the power supply current into a rectified input current of a voltage, which is called the input voltage, and its RMS value V in Less than the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef The input voltage is applied to the input of the electronic control unit 18. The power supply circuit 16 thus ensures a power supply suitable for the electronic control unit 18, that is to say that the current and voltage are rectified and less than those delivered by the source 3, so as to avoid damaging the electronic control unit 18 when it is powered with excessively high and alternating voltages and currents of intensity.

[0050] The electronic control unit 18 includes a power regulation module 42. The power regulation module 42 Figure 2 The power supply regulating module 42 includes resistors 52, 53 and 54, an operational amplifier 56, a voltage reference 58 and a control element 60. The control element 60 is implemented by, for example, a MOS transistor or a bipolar transistor. Here, the power supply regulating module 42 is a shunt regulating module controlled by the operational amplifier 56.

[0051] Resistors 53 and 54 are connected in series with each other and in parallel with control element 60. A non-inverting terminal of an operational amplifier 56 is connected between resistors 53 and 54, an inverting terminal of the operational amplifier 56 is connected to a voltage reference 58, and control element 60 is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier 56.

[0052] When the disconnect mechanism 12 is in the closed configuration, the input voltage V in is applied to the input terminal of the power regulation module 42, and an output voltage V is generated at the output terminal of the power regulation module 42 out and output intensity I out , and the strength is called the internal strength I r The internal current flows through the control element 60.

[0053] The operational amplifier 56 functions as a comparator and compares the reference voltage V applied to the inverting terminal by the voltage reference 58 with the reference voltage V ref and the sampled voltage V obtained between resistors 53 and 54 s The difference between.

[0054] If the input voltage V in changes, the sampling voltage V s changes and becomes different from the reference voltage V ref The operational amplifier 56 controls the opening or closing of the control element 60 to a greater or lesser extent so as to change the internal strength I flowing through the control element. r , thereby maintaining a constant output voltage V out .

[0055] The power regulation module 42 also includes a current detector 62, such as Figure 2 The current detector 62 includes a measuring device 63, an operational amplifier 64 connected to the measuring device 63, and an analog-to-digital converter 66 connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier 64. The measuring device 63 is, for example, a shunt resistor or a current mirror component, and measures the internal intensity I r For the power supply voltage U e Three different RMS values ​​U ef ,exist Figure 3 The internal strength I r1 ,I r2 and Ir3 Three examples of .

[0056] The operational amplifier 64 amplifies the measurement performed by the measuring device 63 and the analog-to-digital converter 66 converts the received signal into a digital signal used by the electronic control unit 18. Internal intensity I r Represents the power supply voltage U e , and the electronic control unit 18 is configured to determine a set of parameters including the power supply voltage U e Therefore, the electronic control unit 18 is configured to obtain one or more parameters of the internal strength I r The supply voltage U is derived from the measurement of e The set of parameters.

[0057] Supply voltage U e The parameters depend on the supply voltage U e And describe the supply voltage U e The value of one or more characteristics or measurable phenomena.

[0058] Advantageously, the set of parameters comprises a first parameter which is the supply voltage U e RMS value U ef .

[0059] For example, the supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Obtained by the following formula:

[0060] U ef =Z×I rmax +K

[0061] Where, Z is the equivalent impedance of the power circuit 16, and Z is known,

[0062] I rmax is the internal strength I r The maximum value of

[0063] K is a constant such that K = Z × I out +V d +V out ,

[0064] V d is the voltage drop across the power conditioning module 42, which is known.

[0065] Advantageously, the set of parameters also includes a second parameter, which is the supply voltage U e A zero crossing of a quantity is understood to mean that the quantity reaches zero.

[0066] Supply voltage U e The zero crossing of the supply voltage U eis related to the fact that it is alternating, and on the other hand to the supply voltage U e The frequency of the power supply voltage U e By detecting the internal strength I r The zero crossing of the power supply voltage U e zero crossing.

[0067] Regardless of the supply voltage U e RMS value U ef How, when the power supply voltage U e When it reaches zero, the internal strength I r also reaches zero, such as Figure 3 Three different RMS supply voltages U ef Therefore, the internal strength I r The point where the internal intensity I r The zero crossing of the supply voltage U e The point at which the supply voltage U e zero crossing.

[0068] The electronic control unit 18 further comprises an information processing unit 90 connected to the analog-to-digital converter 66 .

[0069] The information processing unit 90 comprises a differential fault detection module 68 connected to the regulating unit 32 and the thyristor 26 .

[0070] Furthermore, advantageously, the information processing unit 90 includes a plurality of modules configured to perform functions.

[0071] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the information processing unit 90 includes a determination module 70, an RMS value comparison module 72, a command module 74, a zero crossing detection module 76, a calculation module 78, a counter comparison module 80 and a publishing module 82.

[0072] The determination module 70, the RMS value comparison module 72 and the command module 74 cooperate to determine the power supply voltage U e The first parameter implements the function of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18, as described in more detail below.

[0073] The zero-crossing detection module 76, the calculation module 78, the counter comparison module 80 and the publishing module 82 cooperate to generate a zero-crossing detection signal based on the power supply voltage U e The second parameter implements the function of testing the performance of self-monitoring the correct operation of the protection device 10, as described in more detail below.

[0074] In reference Figure 2In the described embodiment, the electronic control unit 18 implements the function of testing the performance of the self-monitoring protection device 10 for correct operation and the function of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18 .

[0075] According to a variant, the electronic control unit 18 implements a function of testing the performance of the self-monitoring of the correct functioning of the protection device 10 , or a function of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18 .

[0076] Advantageously, the information processing unit 90 is formed, for example, of a memory 92 and a processor 94, the processor 94 being coupled to the memory 92. As a variant, the processor 94 is a wired logic unit.

[0077] exist Figure 2 In the example of , the differential fault detection module 68 and, as an optional addition, the determination module 70, the RMS value comparison module 72, the command module 74, the zero crossing detection module 76, the calculation module 78, the counter comparison module 80 and the release module 82 are each implemented in the form of software or software blocks executable by the processor 94. The memory 92 of the electronic control unit 18 is therefore capable of storing differential fault detection software and, as an optional addition, determination software, RMS value comparison software, command software, zero crossing detection software, calculation software, counter comparison software and release software.

[0078] As a variant, each module 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 can be implemented in the form of a programmed or wired logic unit, using, for example, combinational and / or sequential logic, such as a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0079] The processor 94 is therefore capable of executing each of the differential fault detection software and, as an optional addition, the determination software, the RMS value comparison software, the command software, the zero crossing detection software, the calculation software, the counter comparison software and the issuing software.

[0080] The differential fault detection module 68 receives the differential current measurement performed by the differential detector 14 and determines whether there is a differential fault in the load 5. If a differential fault is detected, for example if the intensity of the differential current measured by the differential detector 14 is greater than a few milliamperes, the differential fault detection module 68 commands the disconnect mechanism 12 so that it switches to the disconnect configuration. More specifically, the differential fault detection module 68 commands the thyristor 26 to generate an electrical pulse and generate a magnetic field in the coil 21, which causes the contacts 23 and 24 to open, as described above.

[0081] Advantageously, the zero crossing detection module 76 detects the internal intensity I r The point at which the internal intensity I rThe zero crossing of the supply voltage U e zero crossing.

[0082] If the internal strength I r and supply voltage U e out of phase, the zero crossing detection module 76 is advantageously configured to detect the zero crossing whenever the internal intensity I r When it reaches zero, the corresponding constant is added to the phase shift in order to correctly derive the supply voltage U e zero crossing.

[0083] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 18 implements a counter and is configured to initialize the counter when a switching of the disconnection mechanism 12 to the disconnection configuration occurs due to a differential fault detected by the differential fault detection module 68. Thus, the counter is initialized when a real differential fault occurs or when a differential fault induced during testing of the protection device 10 occurs. The counter is also configured so that whenever the power supply voltage U e When the zero crossing occurs, the counter value C increases.

[0084] Advantageously, the calculation module 78 implements a counter and each time the supply voltage U e The counter value is incremented at the zero crossing of

[0085] The electronic control unit 18 is advantageously configured to issue an alarm when the value C of the counter is greater than or equal to the counter threshold Cs.

[0086] Particularly advantageously, the counter comparison module 80 is configured to compare the counter value C with a counter threshold value Cs.

[0087] When the value C of the counter is greater than or equal to the counter threshold Cs, the issuance module 82 issues an alarm, for example in the form of a visual or audible alarm, for example via an LED arranged on the protection device 10 .

[0088] According to another embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a communication module (not shown). The publishing module 82 is then configured to publish an alarm message to a receiving device via the communication module, the alarm message including information corresponding to the alarm. The alarm message is published, for example, via a wired connection or by radio frequency transmission. The receiving device is configured to display a message corresponding to the alarm and / or trigger an auditory signal.

[0089] Realizing the counter makes it possible in particular to measure the time, for example and particularly advantageously the time when the differential electrical protection device was last tripped, that is to say the time when the disconnection mechanism 12 was last switched into the disconnected configuration.

[0090] The counter threshold Cs is selected so that the time between the last tripping and issuing the alarm corresponds to the recommended time for performing a test of the differential electrical protection device 10. Thus, the alarm informs the user that they must test the differential electrical protection device 10 to verify its correct tripping.

[0091] When the differential electrical protection device 10 trips, or if the source 3 stops supplying current, or more generally, when the supply voltage U e When it is zero, the electronic control unit 18 is no longer powered. Advantageously, when the electronic control unit 18 is not powered, the calculation module 78 does not increase the value C of the counter, but stores the value C of the counter. The time between the tripping of the protection device 10 and the issuance of the alarm corresponds to the operating time, which avoids testing the protection device 10 when it is not used or is not used frequently.

[0092] Particularly advantageously, the counter threshold Cs is recalculated based on parameters external to the protection device 10 , such as the external temperature, the number of trips caused by differential faults, the ambient humidity, or is reduced over time in order to take into account the aging of the protection device 10 and the need to shorten the time between two consecutive tests.

[0093] The determination module 70 determines the power supply voltage U according to the signal transmitted by the current detector 62. e RMS value U ef .

[0094] Advantageously, the electronic control unit 18 is also configured to operate in the normal mode M n , first degradation mode M 1 and optional second downgrade mode M 2 and one of a possible third degraded mode. As a variant not shown, the electronic control unit is configured to operate in a normal mode and in a single degraded mode, or in more than two degraded modes.

[0095] The electronic control unit 18 is in the normal mode M n The power consumed by the electronic control unit 18 in the first degraded mode M 1 The electronic control unit 18 is in the first degradation mode M 1 The power consumed by the electronic control unit 18 in the second degraded mode M 2 The power consumed.

[0096] The electronic control unit 18 is configured to ef Less than the first voltage threshold U 1 In normal mode M n and the first degradation mode M 1 Switch between, and when the RMS value U efLess than the second voltage threshold U 2 In normal mode M n Or the first degradation mode M 1 and the second degradation mode M 2 The first and second voltage thresholds U 1 and U 2 are different from each other, and the first voltage threshold U 1 Greater than the second voltage threshold U 2 .

[0097] For example, the first voltage threshold U 1 is equal to 85% of the nominal grid voltage, for example, if the nominal grid voltage is 230V, it is 195V, and the second voltage threshold U 2 Equal to 50V.

[0098] Particularly advantageously, the determination module 70, the RMS value comparison module 72 and the command module 74 are configured to switch the electronic control unit 18 to the normal mode M. n Or downgrade mode M 1 or M 2 The RMS value comparison module 72 is configured to convert the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef With the first and second voltage thresholds U 1 and U 2 Make a comparison.

[0099] The command module 74 is configured to: if the RMS value of the power supply voltage U ef Greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold U 1 , then the electronic control unit 18 is commanded to enter the normal mode M n , if the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Less than the first voltage threshold U 1 But greater than the second voltage threshold U 2 , then the electronic control unit 18 is commanded to enter the first degradation mode M 1 , and if the RMS value of the power supply voltage U ef Less than the second voltage threshold U 2 , the electronic control unit 18 is commanded to enter the second degradation mode M 2 .

[0100] According to another embodiment, the electronic control unit 18 is configured to also operate in the third degraded mode. The third degraded mode is at the supply voltage U eIntervention in case of overvoltage. If the power circuit 16 is connected downstream of the contacts 23, 24, the contacts 23, 24 are disconnected to protect the protection device 10 and the load 5. If the power circuit 16 is connected upstream of the contacts 23 and 24, the contacts 23 and 24 are disconnected to protect the load 5 and send a fault alarm.

[0101] The electronic control unit 18 ensures the operation of the differential fault detection module 68 regardless of its operating mode. Therefore, regardless of the mode in which the electronic control unit 18 operates, the differential electrical protection device 10 ensures protection against differential faults. e This is particularly advantageous in the event of momentary fluctuations, for example in the case of a voltage drop of the current provided by the source 3, since the protection device 10 continues to ensure its main function, namely protection against differential faults, regardless of the supply voltage U e RMS value U ef .

[0102] Particularly advantageously, the differential fault detection module 68 is configured to implement various algorithms of different complexity in order to detect differential faults. The power consumed by the electronic control unit 18 varies according to the algorithm implemented; in particular, complex algorithms are higher than simple algorithms.

[0103] Therefore, it is particularly advantageous when the electronic control unit 18 is in the normal mode M n When operating in the first degraded mode M, the differential fault detection module 68 implements a complex algorithm to detect when the electronic control unit 18 is in the first degraded mode M. 1 When operating in the second degraded mode M, the differential fault detection module 68 implements an algorithm of medium complexity, and when the electronic control unit 18 is in the second degraded mode M 2 When operating in this mode, the differential fault detection module 68 implements a simple algorithm to adapt the power consumed to the power provided to the electronic control unit 18 .

[0104] In normal mode M n In the first or second degraded mode M, all modules 70 to 82 of the electronic control unit 18 are powered and operate normally. 1 or M 2 Advantageously, some modules are not powered. For example, when the electronic control unit 18 is in the degraded mode M 1 or M 2 When operating in one of the following modes, the counter comparison module 80 and the issuing module 82 are not powered. In this case, only when the electronic control unit 18 is in the normal mode M n This makes it possible in particular to ensure that the differential fault detection module 68 has the electrical power required for its operation, regardless of the normal mode M n Or downgrade mode M 1 、M 2 .

[0105] Advantageously, when the electronic control unit 18 is in the normal mode M n When the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Less than the first voltage threshold U 1 , the power consumed by the electronic control unit 18 is greater than the power supplied to the electronic control unit 18 by the power supply circuit 16. Therefore, the power consumed by the electronic control unit 18 is dynamically adapted to the supplied power, and the electronic control unit 18 implements a complementary function if all functions must be run regardless of the supply voltage U e RMS value U ef , the supplementary function cannot be realized.

[0106] Now combine Figure 4 The electronic control unit 18 is described based on the power supply voltage U e The second parameter of the protection device 10 is used to self-monitor the test performance of the correct operation.

[0107] After the differential fault has been detected and the protection device 10 has tripped, a step 102 of initializing a counter to detect a zero crossing of the supply voltage is performed by the calculation module 78 , in other words resetting the value C of the counter to zero.

[0108] The zero-crossing detection module 76 detects the power supply voltage U e The zero crossing of step 104 is performed.

[0109] After step 104 , that is to say when a zero crossing is detected, the calculation module 78 executes a step 106 of increasing the value C of the counter.

[0110] The step 108 of comparing the counter value C with the counter threshold value Cs is performed by the counter comparison module 80 .

[0111] If the counter value C is greater than or equal to the counter threshold Cs, the issuing module 82 executes a step 110 of issuing an alarm. Otherwise, the method is repeated starting from step 104 and the next zero crossing is detected.

[0112] Now combine Figure 5 A method of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18 is described.

[0113] The determination module 70 determines the RMS value U ef Step 202.

[0114] The comparison module 72 compares the RMS value U ef and the first voltage threshold U 1 Step 204.

[0115] If the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold U 1 , the command module 74 commands the electronic control unit 18 to switch to the normal mode M n Step 206.

[0116] If the RMS value of the power supply voltage U ef Less than the first voltage threshold U 1 , the comparison module 72 implements the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef and the second voltage threshold U 2 Step 208 of comparing between.

[0117] If the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold U 2 , the command module 74 commands the electronic control unit 18 to switch to the first degraded mode M 1 Step 210.

[0118] If the power supply voltage U e RMS value U ef Less than the second voltage threshold U 2 , the command module 74 commands the electronic control unit 18 to switch to the second degraded mode M 2 Step 212.

[0119] Advantageously, the method of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18 is performed continuously, that is to say once step 212 is finished, the method of determining the operating mode is performed again and this while the protection device 10 is connected between the source 3 and the load 5 .

[0120] Figure 6 A power module 342 is shown, which is a second embodiment of the power module 42. Figure 6 In the figure, the reference numeral is increased by 300 to indicate Figures 1 to 5 Features corresponding to but distinct from those described in .

[0121] The power supply module 342 includes a current detector 362 instead of the current detector 62. The current detector 362 includes an operational amplifier 364 and an analog-to-digital converter 366, which is connected to the output of the operational amplifier 364. The operational amplifier 364 is connected in parallel with the resistor 52 so as to measure the voltage across the terminals of the resistor 52 and to deduce therefrom the current flowing through the resistor 52. This current is equal to the intensity I r and I out Therefore, due to the intensity I outis constant, so the internal strength I r The value of can be derived by the determination module 70.

[0122] As a variant not shown, the source 3 and the load 5 are connected to each other via two phase conductors. According to another variant not shown, for example in the case of a three-phase or multi-phase power supply, the source 3 and the load 5 are connected to each other via a plurality of phase conductors 7 and a neutral conductor 8.

[0123] As a variant, the supply voltage U e In this case, the internal intensity I r The zero crossing cannot be derived; because the supply voltage U e is direct current, so it does not reach zero at regular intervals. The self-monitoring method of the test performance is therefore not implemented by the electronic control unit 18. However, the RMS voltage U ef , and thus a method of determining the operating mode of the electronic control unit 18 is performed.

[0124] Advantageously, the internal strength I is measured r It is thus possible to deduce the supply voltage U by modifying only the electronic control unit 18 without adding to its auxiliary inputs e Thus, a supplementary function can be implemented in the protection device 10 in a simple manner, without adding supplementary external components to the electronic control unit 18 and thus at the same time limiting the costs of the differential electrical protection device 10 .

Claims

1. A differential electrical protection device (10) configured to be connected between a source (3) and a load (5), the device (10) comprising: - a power supply circuit (16) configured to be connected to the source (3) and to be supplied by the source (3) with a voltage called the supply voltage (U e ) is supplied with power at a voltage of ; - a differential detector (14) configured to measure a differential current flowing through the load (5); - a disconnect mechanism (12) configured to switch from a closed configuration, in which the source (3) and the load (5) are connected to each other, to an open configuration, in which the source (3) and the load (5) are isolated from each other; - an electronic control unit (18), comprising: o a differential fault detection module (68) connected to the differential detector (14) and the disconnect mechanism (12), the differential fault detection module (68) being configured to receive a measurement of the differential current and to command the disconnect mechanism (12) to switch to a disconnect configuration when the differential fault detection module (68) detects a differential fault; and o a power conditioning module (42; 342) connected to the power supply circuit (16), The differential electrical protection device (10) is characterized in that the power conditioning module (42) includes a current detector (62) configured to measure the internal intensity (I r ), internal strength (I r ) represents the power supply voltage (U e ), the electronic control unit (18) is configured to generate an internal intensity (I r ) is measured to determine the power supply voltage (U e ) is a set of parameters.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The power regulation module (42; 342) includes a control element (60) and an operational amplifier (56), the operational amplifier (56) being configured to control a greater or lesser opening or closing of the control element (60) so as to vary the internal intensity (Ir) to maintain a constant output voltage (Vout) generated at the output of the power regulation module (42).

3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The set of parameters comprises a first parameter determined by the control unit (18), the first parameter being the supply voltage (U e )’s RMS value (U ef ), and wherein the electronic control unit (18) is configured to operate in a normal mode (M n ) and at least one degraded mode (M1, M2), the electronic control unit (18) consuming less power in the degraded mode (M1, M2) than in the normal mode (M n ), the electronic control unit (18) is further configured to switch from the normal mode (M) to the normal mode (M) when the first parameter is less than the voltage threshold (U1, U2). n ) switches to degraded mode (M1,M2).

4. The device (10) according to claim 3, wherein: When the RMS value (U ef ) is less than the voltage threshold (U1, U2), the power supplied to the electronic control unit (18) is less than the power supplied to the electronic control unit (18) in the normal mode (M n ) is the power consumed under .

5. The device (10) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein: The electronic control unit (18) is configured to operate in a first degradation mode (M1), and the voltage threshold is a first voltage threshold (U1). The electronic control unit (18) is further configured to operate in a second degradation mode (M2), the power consumed by the electronic control unit (18) in the second degradation mode (M2) is less than the power consumed by the electronic control unit (18) in the first degradation mode (M1), and the electronic control unit (18) is further configured to switch from the first degradation mode (M1) to the second degradation mode (M2) when the first parameter is less than a second voltage threshold (U2) that is strictly less than the first voltage threshold (U1).

6. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The set of parameters comprises a second parameter determined by the control unit (18), the second parameter being a zero crossing of the supply voltage, and wherein the electronic control unit (18) implements a counter, the electronic control unit (18) being configured to count each time a zero crossing of the supply voltage (U e ), the electronic control unit (18) is further configured to issue an alarm when the counter value (C) is equal to the counter threshold value (Cs).

7. The device (10) according to claim 6, wherein: When the disconnect mechanism (12) switches to the disconnect configuration after the differential fault detection module (68) detects a differential fault, the value (C) of the counter is reset to zero.

8. The device (10) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein: When the power supply voltage (U e ) is zero, the value (C) of the counter does not increase and is stored by the electronic control unit (18).

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The electronic control unit (18) is implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

10. The device (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The electronic control unit (18) comprises: - a determination module (70) configured to determine said RMS value (U ef ); -RMS value comparison module (72), which is configured to compare the RMS value (U ef ) is compared with the voltage threshold (U1); and - a command module (74) configured to: if the RMS value (U ef ) is greater than or equal to the voltage threshold (U1), the electronic control unit (18) is commanded to enter the normal mode (M n ), and is configured so that if the RMS value (U ef ) is less than the voltage threshold (U1), the electronic control unit (18) is commanded to enter the degradation mode (M1, M2).

11. The device (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The electronic control unit (18) comprises: - a zero crossing detection module (76) configured to detect the internal intensity (I r ) and derive the supply voltage (U e )’s zero crossing; - a calculation module (78) configured to detect the power supply voltage (U e ) zero crossing, the value of the counter is increased; - a counter comparison module (80) configured to compare the value of the counter (C) with said counter threshold value (Cs); and - a publishing module (82) configured to publish said alarm when the value of the counter (C) is equal to the counter threshold (Cs).

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