Electronic protection switch and computer program therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic protection switch having a plurality of separate output channels, at each of which an output voltage for connecting at least one load is provided, at least one actuating element and at least one display element being associated with each of the output channels, said actuating elements being manually actuatable by a user. Wherein the rated current of the output channel can be set by means of the at least one actuating element. The maximum output current of the output channel is limited through the set rated current, and the maximum allowable current can be provided for the load through the output channel. The invention also relates to a computer program for such a protection switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic circuit breaker, which has a plurality of separate output channels, at which output voltages for connecting at least one load are provided respectively, wherein at least one operating element and at least one display element which can be manually operated by a user are respectively associated with the output channels, wherein the rated current of the output channel can be set via the at least one operating element. The maximum output current of the output channel is defined by the set rated current, that is, the maximum permissible current that can be provided by the output channel to the load. The present invention also relates to a computer program for such a circuit breaker. Background Art

[0002] Such multi-channel electronic circuit breakers, as are known, for example, from the applicant's device series 787-1668, distribute the load current on the output side to a plurality of separate output channels and reliably monitor the output channels for overloads and short circuits. When an overload or short circuit is detected, the circuit breaker can individually disconnect the output channels involved. In this way, the electronic circuit breaker has the function of a plurality of electronic fuses, similar to a residual current circuit breaker (FI-Schalter). Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on the object of specifying a further improved electronic circuit breaker and an advantageous computer program therefor.

[0004] The object is achieved in an electronic circuit breaker of the type mentioned at the outset in that the circuit breaker has a warning function, by which a warning signal can be displayed to the user by means of at least one display element of the circuit breaker directly after the adjustment of at least one operating element, when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating elements is greater than the maximum current allowed by the circuit breaker. The invention has the advantage that, by means of the warning function, a check is made at the beginning of the installation or initialization of the circuit breaker by the user: whether a critical load situation will occur in the subsequent operation, which will cause the maximum current allowed by the circuit breaker to be exceeded. Therefore, this problematic situation is not recognized in the ongoing operation when it occurs, as in the prior art, but is already recognized in advance when the electronic circuit breaker is set by the user by means of the operating elements. Therefore, monitoring is already carried out when the circuit breaker is initially installed, thus without load, so that overload situations caused by incorrect rated current settings on the user side can be reliably prevented from the beginning of normal operation.

[0005] In such a circuit breaker, it is possible for the maximum permissible device rated load, which is determined by the components of the input electronics and which can limit the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker, to be smaller than the sum of the maximum rated loads that can be set at the individual output channels, since usually not all output channels are set to the maximum value of the rated load to be set via the operating element.

[0006] The warning function can be implemented by a corresponding hardware circuit of the protection switch, such as an analog circuit or a digital circuit. In an advantageous design, the warning function can be implemented by a corresponding computer program, which runs on a computer of a control device of the protection switch. The control device of the protection switch can be configured, for example, to control each output channel of the protection switch.

[0007] Whenever a display element is mentioned within the scope of the present application, this may be an optical, acoustic and / or tactile display element. In the case of an optical display element, this may be, for example, an illuminated display, such as an LED. The circuit breaker may be equipped with an illuminated display configured to output light signals of different colors.

[0008] The warning signal can be displayed, for example, on any display element of the circuit breaker, for example on a display device which is used to display fault states.

[0009] In the normal operating state of the circuit breaker, all output channels are connected. When an overload or a short circuit is detected on an output channel, the corresponding output channel can be disconnected. No output voltage is then provided at the disconnected output channel.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the warning signal is output on the display element of the output channel whose operating element was last operated. This has the advantage that the user is directly informed in a simple manner of the set position of the operating element which caused the triggering of the warning signal. Accordingly, the user can also react quickly in order to select a permissible configuration of the electronic circuit breaker, for example by correspondingly reversing the operating element or another operating element.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the warning function is configured to no longer output a warning signal when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating element is no longer higher than the maximum permissible current. Accordingly, when the situation for triggering the warning signal no longer exists, for example, because the user has adjusted the operating element to a position that reduces the rated current of the output channel, the user is also directly notified.

[0012] When the warning signal is initially output, the aforementioned switching off of the warning signal can take place immediately or with a certain delay, for example in order to achieve a hysteresis between two switching states.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the warning function is configured to disconnect at least one output channel of the protection switch when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating element is greater than the maximum current allowed by the protection switch, so that the sum of the rated currents of the output channels that continue to be connected is lower than the maximum current allowed. By disconnecting the output channels, the protection switch is protected against an overload situation, that is, a situation in which the sum of the currents flowing through the output channels is greater than the maximum current allowed by the protection switch.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the output channel whose operating switch was last actuated is disconnected. This has the advantage that the operating capability of the remaining output channels is not impaired.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the warning function is configured to switch at least one of the switched-off output channels back on when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating element is no longer higher than the maximum permissible current. In this way, the output channels are activated again. The activation can be performed immediately or with a certain delay, similar to the switching on and off of the warning signal, for example in order to achieve a hysteresis between the switching states.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker has at least four output channels or at least eight output channels. In this way, a plurality of electronically protected load branches can be realized in an electrical installation by means of the circuit breaker.

[0017] According to an advantageous design scheme of the present invention, the protection switch is configured to output a warning signal and / or limit the output current of the output channel to the rated current and / or cut off the output channel by means of at least one display element of the protection switch when the output current of the output channel exceeds the rated current set for the output channel by the operating element. In this way, the electronic safety function of the protection switch can be realized, that is, the monitoring of overload and short circuit and the corresponding reaction thereto. Here, the corresponding reaction, that is, outputting a warning signal or limiting the rated current or cutting off the output signal can be performed immediately after the event occurs. In an advantageous design scheme, the reaction is not performed directly after the event occurs, but only after a limited trigger time. The trigger time can be a fixed time period. The trigger time can also be determined in relation to the degree to which the output current of the output channel exceeds the set rated current. When slightly exceeded, a longer trigger time can be determined, and when exceeded to a greater extent, a shorter trigger time can be determined.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the protection switch has at least one supply voltage input, wherein the protection switch is configured to provide the input voltage provided at the supply voltage input as an output voltage to at least one output channel. The protection switch can provide the input voltage provided at the supply voltage input, in particular, also to a plurality of or all output channels. In this way, the protection switch is used as a load distribution device, through which the input voltage can be distributed to a plurality of connected loads. The input voltage can be provided, for example, by a power supply connected to the protection switch, or when the protection switch has a plurality of supply voltage inputs, the input voltage is provided by a plurality of power supply elements connected thereto.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the respective output channel has at least one electronic switching element, by which the output voltage can be selectively switched on or off. This allows reliable and rapid switching off of the respective output channel. In addition, the electronic switching element has the following advantage: compared with a mechanical switching element, the electronic switching element is wear-free and thus multiple switching processes can be realized.

[0020] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a computer program for a circuit breaker of the type explained above, which comprises the following instructions which cause the circuit breaker to execute a warning function having the following features:

[0021] a) Check the following conditions: whether the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating elements is greater than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker,

[0022] b) displaying a warning signal by means of at least one display element of the circuit breaker when the condition according to feature a) is met,

[0023] c) No warning signal is displayed in other circumstances.

[0024] The advantages explained above can also be achieved in this way. The computer program can be run on a computer of the circuit breaker.

[0025] For example, the computer program can be stored in a memory built into the protection switch.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels by means of the operating element is greater than the maximum current allowed by the protection switch, at least one output channel of the protection switch is disconnected so that the sum of the rated currents of the output channels that continue to be connected is lower than the maximum current allowed. In this way, the protection switch is protected against damage caused by overload.

[0027] The protection switch can have a current monitoring circuit for each output channel, by which the output current emitted via the output channel is detected and evaluated. If the output current exceeds the rated current set for the output channel by means of the operating element, the function described for protecting against overload and short circuit can become effective, by which the output channel is disconnected after a triggering time.

[0028] The protection switch may also have additional operating elements. Thus, for example, each output channel may be associated with an additional operating element, such as a button, by means of which a disconnected output channel can be connected again. The protection switch may also have a signal contact for each output channel, via which a disconnected output channel can be connected again by feeding in a corresponding signal.

[0029] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the protection switch has an early warning function, and when the output current of the output channel exceeds the early warning current value lower than the set rated current, the early warning function can display an early warning signal to the user by means of at least one display element of the protection switch during the ongoing operation of the protection switch. For example, the early warning current value can be specified to be 90% of the set rated current. In this way, the user is informed of the impending overload of the output channel by a signal before the protection switch function of the corresponding output channel, i.e., the electronic fuse, is triggered. Correspondingly, the user can take countermeasures early before the output channel is cut off.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protection switch has a load management function, by which the capacitance of the capacitive load connected to the output channel is detected and the output channel is switched on in a time-delayed and / or time-shifted manner in dependence on the detected capacitive load. In this way, load peaks caused by the capacitive load can be intercepted.

[0031] Generally, each output channel is configured to operate separately and independently of other output channels. According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the protection switch has a parallel mode, in which two or more channels are configured to supply a common output terminal of a load connected to the output channel. Therefore, the output channels operating in the parallel mode are connected in parallel. The parallel circuit can be implemented within the protection switch. In an advantageous design, the parallel circuit is implemented by corresponding parallel wiring of the output terminals of the corresponding output channels, that is, the hardware parallel circuit is implemented by the user outside the protection switch.

[0032] To activate the parallel mode, for example, a manual operating element of the circuit breaker can be correspondingly actuated. The rated current is then set by setting at least one manual operating element, which setting applies to all output channels connected together in the parallel mode.

[0033] The circuit breaker can have a monitoring function, by which it is monitored whether the corresponding output current is also emitted to the load via all output channels connected together in parallel mode. The monitoring function can in particular check whether the output channels connected in parallel are loaded with the output current in a substantially symmetrical manner. For example, in the case of slightly asymmetrical loading of the output channels, a warning can first be output and, in the case of increased asymmetry of the loading, the output channels connected in parallel can be disconnected.

[0034] The functions mentioned can also be implemented as a computer program of the circuit breaker.

[0035] In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Thus, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". If an angle is specified in degrees, the angle specification relates to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0036] If a computer is mentioned, the computer can be configured to run a computer program, for example in the sense of software. The computer can be designed as a commercially available computer, for example as a PC, laptop, notebook, tablet or smartphone, or as a microprocessor, microcontroller or FPGA, or as a combination of these elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on exemplary embodiments using the drawings.

[0038] The accompanying drawings show:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an electronic protection switch,

[0040] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 The housing side of the electronic protection switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] exist Figure 1The electronic protection switch 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 2 in which a circuit system is arranged. The circuit system has a plurality of separate output channels A, B, ... H, which are collectively denoted by reference numeral 3. Each output channel may, for example, have an output terminal 30 arranged at a housing wall of the housing 2, at which the output voltage of the output channel 3 is provided. For example, the output terminals 30 for connecting electrical conductors may each have a spring force clamping terminal, for example, using push-in technology. In particular, the spring force clamping terminal may be configured as a tension spring terminal.

[0042] Each output channel can have, for example, an electronic switching element 31 , a display element 32 and a manual operating element 33 . Furthermore, each output channel 3 can have a safety device 34 .

[0043] The circuit breaker 1 also has a supply voltage input 4, for example in the form of a plurality of electrical terminals arranged on the housing 2 for feeding in an input voltage. The circuit system of the circuit breaker 1 also includes a control device 5, which can have a computer, through which a computer program is run. The control device 5 is connected to the individual circuit components of the output channel 3 via a line 6. The control device 5 can switch the switch element 31 and the display element 32 on and off via the line 6. In addition, the control device 5 can query the corresponding operating position of the operating element 33 via the line 6. The circuit system has other components, which are Figure 1 Not depicted in detail in the schematic diagram is, for example, a current monitoring circuit for each output channel 3 .

[0044] Figure 1 It is shown that the protection switch 1 is connected to a power supply 8 by means of its supply voltage input 4, which provides a DC voltage as an input voltage. A corresponding load 7 is connected to the output terminal 30 of the output channel 3. Therefore, the load 7 is supplied by the input voltage provided at the supply voltage input 4 via the protection switch 1.

[0045] The computer of the control device 5 runs a computer program which contains the warning function already described above.

[0046] Figure 2 The housing side of the housing 2 is shown, at which the corresponding output terminals 30 , the display elements 32 and the operating elements 33 of the output channels 3 are grouped so that they can also be easily associated with the corresponding output channels 3 in terms of visual aspects. Figure 2 In FIG, the output channels 3 are additionally provided with the labels A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H for differentiation. It can be seen that, for example, the switch can be designed as a multi-stage rotary switch and the operating element 33 for setting the setpoint current can be placed in different positions by the user.

[0047] By way of example, it is assumed that the circuit breaker 1 is designed for a maximum permissible current of 70 amperes. Figure 2 The eight output channels 3 identifiable in FIG. 3 can each be set to a rated current value of up to 10 amperes via the operating element 33. If all output channels 3 are thus set to a maximum rated current of 10 amperes, then 80 amperes can be drawn accordingly, which is higher than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker 1.

[0048] Now suppose that the user sets three output channels 3 to a rated current of 10 amperes and the remaining five output channels 3 to a rated current of 8 amperes. This corresponds to a rated current of 70 amperes in total, which therefore does not yet result in a maximum permissible current exceeding 70 amperes. Now if the user, for example, adjusts the operating element 33 of the output channel 3 that has been set to 8 amperes to 10 amperes, this results in a maximum permissible current exceeding 70 amperes. The warning function implemented in the circuit breaker 1 immediately recognizes this situation when the operating element 33 is adjusted and signals this situation to the user by outputting a warning signal on the display element 32 of the output channel 3 whose operating element 33 was last adjusted to 10 amperes, for example by lighting up a red display lamp. In addition, the associated output channel 3 can be disconnected in that the electronic switching element 31 of the output channel is disconnected so that the output terminal 30 is no longer supplied with voltage.

[0049] If the rated current is now reduced again at one or more output channels 3 by actuating one or more operating elements 33 so that the sum of the rated currents no longer exceeds a value of 70 amperes, the previously switched-off output channels 3 are switched back on. Output of the warning signal on display element 32 is terminated.

[0050] Reference numerals list

[0051] 1 Protection switch

[0052] 2 Housing

[0053] 3 output channels

[0054] 4 Supply voltage input

[0055] 5 Control device

[0056] 6 lines

[0057] 7 Load

[0058] 8 Power supply

[0059] 30 output terminals

[0060] 31 Switching elements

[0061] 32 display components

[0062] 33 Manual operating elements

[0063] 34 Safety device

Claims

1. An electronic circuit breaker (1), comprising a plurality of separate output channels (3), at each of which an output voltage for connecting at least one load (7) is provided, wherein each of the output channels (3) is associated with at least one operating element (33) and at least one display element (32) which can be manually operated by a user, wherein a rated current of the output channel (3) can be set via the at least one operating element (33), It is characterized in that The circuit breaker (1) has a warning function, and when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating elements (33) is greater than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker (1), the warning function can display a warning signal to a user by means of at least one display element (32) of the circuit breaker (1) directly after adjusting at least one operating element (33).

2. The protection switch according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The warning signal is output on a display element (32) of the output channel (3) whose operating element (33) was last actuated.

3. A protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The warning function is configured to no longer output the warning signal when the sum of the setpoint currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating element (33) is no longer higher than the permissible maximum current.

4. A protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The warning function is configured to disconnect at least one output channel (3) of the circuit breaker (1) when the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating element (33) is greater than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker (1), so that the sum of the rated currents of the output channels (3) that continue to be connected is lower than the maximum permissible current.

5. The protection switch according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The outlet channel (3) whose operating element (33) was last actuated is disconnected.

6. The protection switch according to any one of claims 4 to 5, It is characterized in that The warning function is configured to switch at least one switched-off output channel (3) back on when the sum of the setpoint currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating element (33) is no longer higher than the permissible maximum current.

7. A protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The protection switch (1) has at least four output channels (3) or at least eight output channels (3).

8. A protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The protection switch (1) is configured to output a warning signal and / or limit the output current of the output channel (3) to the rated current and / or disconnect the output channel (3) by means of at least one display element (32) of the protection switch (1) when the output current of the output channel (3) exceeds the rated current set for the output channel (3) by the operating element (33).

9. A protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The protective switch (1) has at least one supply voltage input (4), wherein the protective switch (1) is configured to provide an input voltage provided at the supply voltage input (4) to at least one output channel (3) as an output voltage.

10. The protection switch according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The respective output channel (3) has at least one electronic switching element (31), by means of which the output voltage can be selectively switched on or off.

11. A computer program for a circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the computer program comprising instructions which cause the circuit breaker (1) to implement a warning function having the following features: a) checking the following condition: whether the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating element (33) is greater than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker (1), b) displaying a warning signal by means of at least one display element (32) of the circuit breaker (1) when the condition according to feature a) is met, c) In other cases, the warning signal is not displayed.

12. The computer program according to claim 11, It is characterized in that When the sum of the rated currents set for the output channels (3) by means of the operating element (33) is greater than the maximum permissible current of the circuit breaker (1), at least one output channel (3) of the circuit breaker (1) is disconnected so that the sum of the rated currents of the output channels (3) that continue to be connected is lower than the maximum permissible current.

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