Intelligent electric energy meter integrated with fault arc detection function

By integrating the fault arc detection function into the smart power meters, using the main processor and dynamic algorithm upgrade technology, the problem of low popularity and insufficient intelligence among home users in the existing technology is solved, and high-precision and low-cost fault arc detection and smart grid management are achieved.

CN120142751APending Publication Date: 2025-06-13FUZHOU UNIV

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510594159.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-05-09
Publication Date
2025-06-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing fault arc detection devices are low in popularity among home users, complex installation, high cost, single functions, and difficult to deeply integrate with smart power meters, insufficient intelligence level, inconvenient maintenance, insufficient user experience and interaction.

Method used

The fault arc detection function is integrated into the smart power meter, and the detection-alarm-remote control closed-loop management is realized through the main processor dynamically scheduling data acquisition, A/D conversion, and communication modules. Dynamic algorithm upgrade and high-precision detection technology are adopted to support remote differential upgrades, combining spectrum analysis and waveform distortion feature recognition to enhance system integration and user interaction.

Benefits of technology

It reduces hardware costs and installation and maintenance costs, improves detection accuracy and adaptability, enhances system integration and management efficiency, optimizes compatibility and user experience, and ensures data security and operational reliability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention provides a solution for integrating a fault arc detection function into an existing intelligent electric energy meter, and aims at solving the problems that an independent fault arc detection device is low in popularization degree, complex in installation, high in cost, poor in compatibility and the like. The intelligent electric meter comprises a data acquisition module, an electric energy metering module, a fault arc detection sub-module, an A / D conversion module, a storage module, a communication and remote control module, a clock module, a display module, a key module, a power supply module and a main processor module. The data acquisition module acquires voltage and current signals through a voltage transformer and a current transformer, converts the voltage and current signals into digital signals, and extracts high-frequency characteristics and waveform distortion parameters. And the communication and remote control module realizes closed-loop control of fault alarm, user interaction and algorithm optimization. All the modules are coordinated to work through the main processor, and according to a real-time detection result, the following operations are automatically triggered: pushing alarm information; controlling a circuit breaker to cut off a power supply according to a preset threshold; and dynamic upgrading of the fault detection algorithm is completed based on an updating instruction issued by the remote management platform.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical fields of fault arc detection and smart grid, etc., and particularly relates to an intelligent electricity meter integrated with a fault arc detection function. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the household electrification level and the increase in the types and quantities of household electrical appliances, electrical safety issues have become increasingly prominent. In particular, fire accidents caused by fault arcs occur frequently, posing a serious threat to personal and property safety. Arc faults are usually caused by wire breakage, poor contact, aging, or other external environmental factors, etc., resulting in an arc phenomenon where current passes through the air between conductors in an abnormal manner, with the characteristics of strong concealment and high danger.

[0003] Currently, there are various fault arc detection devices (Arc Fault Detection Devices, AFDD) applied in electrical systems on the market. For example, the S-ARC1 and S-ARC1 M arc fault protectors launched by ABB, the SENTRON 5SY series of Siemens, the AAFD series of AnyWay, and devices such as TE3501 can quickly detect arc faults. In addition, the patent with publication number CN110908844B discloses an intelligent socket arc detection technology that matches load characteristics and supports remote upgrade. Audran Smart Technology Co., Ltd. has launched a new type of fault arc protection circuit breaker with publication number CN111711168B. These detection devices usually need to be installed at the connection positions of electrical equipment, cable joints, inside switch cabinets, or around the load neutral point. For low-voltage devices such as switch cabinets, sockets, and distribution boxes, they are usually installed around or inside the devices; while for high-voltage devices such as distribution systems, substations, and control electrical appliances, they are usually installed in appropriate positions to improve the detection sensitivity. Although the prior art provides various fault arc detection devices and systems, the comprehensive coverage and wide deployment for household users have not been achieved. The detection devices of most products usually need to be purchased and installed separately, with additional wiring and construction work as well as subsequent maintenance, which not only increases the cost, but may also interfere with the existing electrical system, and have a single function, making it difficult to meet the multiple requirements in an intelligent power system.

[0004] On the other hand, with the development of smart grids, smart electricity meters, as the end devices for electricity consumption information and energy distribution, and the core devices for household electricity consumption information collection and management, have been widely used in households. According to the research by Zong Jianhua et al. (Zong Jianhua, Yan Huaguang, Shi Shudong, Yu Haibo, eds. Smart Electricity Meters [M]. China Electric Power Press, 2010) and Yang Shiqi (Yang Shiqi. Research on the Extended Application of Smart Electricity Meters in Distribution Networks [D]. North China Electric Power University (Beijing), 2011), existing smart electricity meters not only possess the basic metering function of traditional electricity meters but also have multiple intelligent functions such as data storage, two-way communication, and remote control. This enables power companies to achieve more precise electricity consumption management and provide real-time electricity information to users.

[0005] Therefore, integrating the fault arc detection function into smart electricity meters, similar to detecting faults such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and overload in electrical equipment, and using the existing remote management platform to actively report fault information and interact with users, can thus prevent the occurrence of electrical fires at the lowest cost. It can not only meet the power monitoring requirements of smart grids but also provide safety protection, having important research and application value.

[0006] Although certain progress has been made in fault arc detection devices (AFDDs) and smart electricity meters in the existing technology, there are still the following significant defects and deficiencies in practical applications: Installation complexity and high cost: Existing AFDDs need to be purchased separately and deployed at specific locations (such as switch boxes, sockets, etc.). When installing, additional wiring or modification of the existing circuit is required, which not only increases the construction cost but may also damage the home decoration structure. At the same time, the scattered deployment of multiple devices leads to high maintenance costs and is difficult to popularize to ordinary household users.

[0007] Single function and poor system integration: Traditional AFDDs can only achieve a single arc detection function and cannot be deeply integrated with the metering, communication, and other functions of smart electricity meters. As a result, users need to manage multiple independent devices simultaneously, which is cumbersome to operate and difficult to achieve data interconnection. In addition, the existing devices have insufficient compatibility and are difficult to adapt to different power distribution environments (such as old lines and new smart home systems), restricting their application scope.

[0008] Insufficient intelligence level: Existing AFDDs mostly use fixed thresholds or single features (such as the amplitude of high-frequency harmonics) to judge faults, resulting in a relatively high false alarm rate and being unable to dynamically optimize the detection logic. At the same time, traditional devices lack remote management capabilities, and algorithm updates require on-site manual operation, making them unable to adapt to complex and changeable electricity consumption scenarios (such as sudden load increases and harmonic interference).

[0009] Inconvenient maintenance and limited expandability: Although existing smart electricity meters have communication and data storage functions, they do not integrate a safety protection module. Users need to purchase an AFDD separately, resulting in system redundancy. In addition, the processors of traditional electricity meters have limited computing power, making it difficult to support the real-time operation of high-precision arc detection algorithms, and their hardware scalability is poor, so they cannot be adapted to new detection requirements through remote upgrades.

[0010] Insufficient user experience and interaction: In the existing technology, fault alarm information is usually only locally prompted by sound and light or uploaded unidirectionally to the power platform, lacking two-way interaction with users (such as real-time push on the mobile side and generation of electricity usage suggestions), resulting in a lag in users' response to potential safety hazards and making it difficult to achieve proactive prevention.

[0011] The above defects seriously restrict the popularity and practicality of the fault arc detection technology. There is an urgent need for a highly integrated, low-cost, intelligent and easy-to-maintain solution to fill the gap in home electricity safety protection. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Aiming at the defects and deficiencies of the existing technology, the present invention provides an intelligent electricity meter integrated with a fault arc detection function, and its innovative designs include: Deep integration of functions and collaborative control: Embed the fault arc detection algorithm into the main processor of the intelligent electricity meter, seamlessly collaborate with the electricity metering function, and dynamically schedule data acquisition, A / D conversion, and communication modules through the main processor to achieve a closed-loop management of "detection - alarm - remote control", avoiding the problems of complex installation and high cost of independent devices; Dynamic algorithm upgrade and high-precision detection: Suppress power frequency interference based on band-pass filtering, extract high-frequency components and waveform distortion features through FFT, identify fault arcs in combination with a pre-trained model, and the false alarm rate is less than 10%; support remote differential algorithm upgrade to continuously optimize the detection accuracy; Intelligent remote management: Report arc fault information to the power management platform in real time through a dual-channel communication mechanism and synchronize it to the "State Grid Online" APP, and at the same time trigger a sound and light alarm. In addition, the system can dynamically adjust the breaker action threshold, and the response time ≤ 500ms; Optimization of hardware compatibility and reliability: The data acquisition module is adapted to various distribution interfaces and supports plug-and-play; the storage module reduces space occupancy through sharding compression technology, and the backup power supply ensures data integrity after power failure; the clock module provides μs-level time synchronization to ensure the accuracy of fault traceability; User interaction and proactive protection: The mobile side supports viewing electricity usage data, alarm reset, and receiving electricity usage suggestions. Users can grasp potential safety hazards in real time, and the power company can remotely issue control strategies to achieve proactive safety protection.

[0013] The present invention takes algorithm-hardware-protocol co-design as the core, and through function integration and dynamic optimization, solves the pain points of complex installation, single function, and insufficient intelligence in traditional solutions, and realizes low-cost and highly reliable home electricity safety protection.

[0014] The technical solution specifically adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is as follows: An intelligent electric energy meter integrating a fault arc detection function, comprising: A main processor module, which is used to coordinate the power metering and fault arc detection tasks in real time, run the embedded fault arc detection algorithm, dynamically identify fault arcs based on spectrum analysis and current waveform distortion characteristics, and support online upgrade of the algorithm through a remote management platform; A data acquisition module, which synchronously acquires voltage and current signals in the circuit through a voltage transformer and a current transformer, and inputs the analog signals into an A / D conversion module; An A / D conversion module, which communicates directly with the main processor module, converts the analog signals into digital signals, and extracts high-frequency component characteristics and waveform distortion parameters for real-time analysis by the main processor module; A communication and remote control module, under the coordination of the main processor, ensures the effective two-way transmission of fault arc information, electricity consumption data, and algorithm upgrade instructions between the remote management platform and the mobile terminal application. This provides closed-loop control support for fault alarm, user interaction, and algorithm optimization; The main processor module automatically triggers the following operations according to the real-time detection results: Push alarm information; Control the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply according to a preset threshold; Complete the dynamic upgrade of the fault detection algorithm based on the update instructions issued by the remote management platform.

[0015] Furthermore, the main processor module is based on an ARM core, can communicate with the power metering chip, and supports dynamically adjusting the calculation priority of the fault arc detection algorithm through the remote management platform to adapt to the real-time requirements of different load scenarios.

[0016] Furthermore, the fault arc detection function includes the following steps: Perform band-pass filtering and normalization processing on the voltage and current signals to suppress power frequency interference and retain the high-frequency characteristics of the arc; Extract the high-frequency component amplitude within a 10ms time window through fast Fourier transform and calculate the waveform distortion rate parameter; Based on a pre-trained liquid neural network model, jointly identify the high-frequency amplitude, waveform distortion rate, and time series characteristics, and output the fault probability; When the failure probability exceeds the preset threshold and meets the 14 half - cycles / 1s arc trigger condition of the GB - 14287.4 standard, an audible and visual alarm is triggered within 10 seconds and the failure data is uploaded.

[0017] Further, the communication and remote control module further includes: Dynamic threshold control function, which dynamically adjusts the action threshold of the circuit breaker according to the current amplitude and duration of the fault arc. When a fault arc is detected, it automatically controls the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply; Power consumption analysis report generation function, which statistically analyzes the user's power consumption data through the main processor module, identifies abnormal power consumption patterns and generates energy - saving suggestions; Dual - channel communication mechanism, which reports the fault arc information to the remote management platform and simultaneously sends an alarm notification to the mobile terminal application; User interaction interface, which supports viewing power consumption data, receiving alarm information and remotely resetting the alarm status through the mobile terminal application.

[0018] Further, it further includes: Storage module, which is used to store the fault records and power consumption data for a long time, and supports maintaining data storage through the backup power supply after power failure; Power supply module, which integrates a backup power supply to maintain data storage and alarm functions when the main power supply is abnormal; Clock module, which provides high - precision time synchronization to ensure the matching of the fault timestamp and metering data.

[0019] Further, the remote algorithm update function includes: Differential upgrade technology, which reduces the data transmission volume of algorithm upgrade; Encryption mechanism, which ensures the security of the upgrade process.

[0020] Further, the data acquisition module adapts to a variety of distribution equipment interfaces and supports plug - and - play.

[0021] Further, the mobile terminal application is the "State Grid Online" APP, which supports users to remotely view power consumption data, receive alarm notifications and perform reset operations.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention and its preferred solutions at least include the following beneficial effects: Significantly reduce costs and simplify deployment: By deeply integrating the fault arc detection function into the smart electricity meter, it avoids the need to purchase additional independent detection equipment, reduces the installation and wiring requirements, and lowers the hardware investment and construction and maintenance costs; Improve detection accuracy and adaptability: Based on the dynamic algorithm upgrade technology, the fault detection logic can be remotely optimized. Combining the dual - feature recognition of spectrum analysis and waveform distortion can effectively distinguish normal loads from fault arcs and reduce false alarms and missed alarms; Enhance system integration and management efficiency: Relying on the existing communication capabilities of intelligent electricity meters, realize real-time reporting of fault information, user interaction, and remote control closed-loop, meeting the dual requirements of the smart grid for power monitoring and security protection; Optimize compatibility and user experience: Adapt to various distribution interfaces and line configurations, support plug-and-play deployment, and at the same time provide power consumption data visualization and alarm management functions through mobile terminals to improve the convenience of user operation; Ensure data security and operation reliability: Through segmented storage, backup power supply, and high-precision clock module, ensure data integrity and fault time traceability in the case of power failure, and enhance system robustness. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments: Figure 1 It is the architecture diagram of the intelligent electricity meter integrating arc fault detection function according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is the internal block diagram of the intelligent electricity meter integrating arc fault detection function according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is the flow chart of arc fault detection according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is the schematic diagram of the arc fault current waveform of the vacuum cleaner load according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 It is the schematic diagram of the arc fault current waveform of the microwave oven load according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is the schematic diagram of the arc fault current waveform of the electric kettle load according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is the schematic diagram of the arc fault current waveform of the refrigerator load according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specific Embodiments

[0024] To make the features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments are given below for detailed description as follows: It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are all illustrative and are intended to provide further explanations for the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present application belongs.

[0025] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] The present invention aims to solve the problems in the prior art, such as low market popularity of fault arc detection devices, complex installation, high cost, poor compatibility and system integration, and insufficient intelligence. By integrating the fault arc detection function into an intelligent electricity meter, an integrated and intelligent power monitoring solution is provided.

[0027] Its main optimized designs include: Integration of the fault arc detection function: Based on the existing intelligent electricity meter, by adding an A / D analog-to-digital converter, the collected analog signals are converted into digital signals to extract the fault arc characteristics. The fault arc detection algorithm is embedded in the main processor of the existing intelligent electricity meter, and the detection accuracy is improved by remotely upgrading and updating the fault detection algorithm without on-site manual intervention. The main processor can be upgraded to a high-performance one as needed. This integration method greatly reduces the hardware cost and installation difficulty.

[0028] Technical solutions for optimizing installation and space utilization: Install an intelligent electricity meter with an integrated fault arc detection function at the power inlet of each household to cover the entire power consumption environment, simplify the installation process and save space. The intelligent electricity meter has good compatibility and is suitable for a variety of power distribution equipment and line configurations, reducing the inconvenience of users during installation and use.

[0029] Realization of system integration and versatility: Realize the seamless integration of the fault arc detection function and the real-time electricity metering function of the intelligent electricity meter to avoid interfering with the existing electrical system. Provide diverse functions to meet the needs of the intelligent power system and improve the overall stability and reliability of the system.

[0030] Improvement of the intelligent level and remote management function: Utilize the existing remote management platform and the "State Grid Online" APP to realize the real-time reporting of fault arc information and user interaction. Support refined monitoring and intelligent management through the intelligent electricity meter, improve the safety and management efficiency of the household electrical system, and continuously optimize the fault detection algorithm through remote upgrade.

[0031] The technical problems to be solved and the solutions provided by the present invention include: (1) Cost reduction and simplified installation. Based on the existing smart electricity meters, the present invention adds an A / D analog-to-digital converter to convert the collected analog signals into digital signals for extracting the characteristics of faulty arcs. Only by embedding the fault detection algorithm into the main processor of the smart electricity meter can the function integration of faulty arc detection be realized. With the continuous development of intelligent algorithms such as deep learning, it can be upgraded to a new type of processor with high computing power, strong parallel processing ability and low power consumption according to requirements to handle more complex fault detection tasks; in the future, the newly developed faulty arc detection algorithm can also be deployed into the existing smart electricity meters through remote upgrade methods, and the detection accuracy can be improved without on-site manual intervention. This greatly reduces the hardware cost and at the same time reduces the installation and maintenance costs, facilitating large-scale popularization and application.

[0032] (2) Optimized user experience and space saving. The present invention requires users to install only one smart electricity meter with the integrated faulty arc detection function at the original meter position (the power inlet of each household), which can cover the entire power consumption environment, simplifies the installation process and saves space. At present, smart electricity meters have been widely used in households and have good compatibility, capable of adapting to various distribution equipment and line configurations, optimizing the user experience.

[0033] (3) Enhanced system integration and versatility. The present invention integrates the faulty arc detection function into the existing smart electricity meter to achieve seamless integration, avoiding interference with the existing electrical system. The smart electricity meter not only has the function of real-time electricity metering, but also can realize the real-time detection of faulty arcs, meeting the diverse needs of the smart power system.

[0034] (4) Improved intelligent level and remote management realization. The present invention realizes the real-time reporting of fault information and two-way interaction with users by using the existing remote management platform and combining the communication and monitoring capabilities of the "State Grid Online" APP. The smart electricity meter enables users to carry out refined monitoring and intelligent management, thereby improving the safety and management efficiency of the household electrical system.

[0035] More specifically, the intelligent electric energy meter integrating the arc fault detection function includes a data acquisition module, an electric energy metering module, an arc fault detection sub-module, an A / D conversion module, a storage module, a communication and remote control module, a clock module, a display module, a button module, a power supply module, a main processor module, etc. Each module operates coordinately through the main processor to jointly complete processes such as detection, analysis, and alarm, ensuring the efficient operation of the intelligent electric energy meter. First, the voltage transformer and current transformer in the original data acquisition module of the intelligent electric energy meter are used to collect the voltage and current signals in the circuit respectively. The electric energy metering module uses the analog-to-digital converter built in the electric energy metering chip to convert the sampled data into digital signals, and calculates electric energy parameters such as active power, reactive power, and power factor through internal algorithms. Then, the data of the electric energy metering chip is read through the dedicated communication interface of the main processor to achieve the electric energy metering function. For the arc fault detection function, the main processor extracts the spectral characteristics of voltage and current from the sampled data after A / D analog-to-digital conversion using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) through the dedicated communication interface, and detects the arc fault by analyzing the amplitude of the high-frequency component and the distortion of the current waveform. When an arc fault occurs, the current waveform of the household load generates significant distortion characteristics in a short time. This significant and easily recognizable characteristic enables the intelligent electric energy meter to accurately distinguish the arc fault. Once an arc fault is detected, the intelligent electric energy meter will record the fault information, upload the data to the remote management platform through the communication and remote control module, trigger an audible and visual alarm at the same time, and display a warning message on the LCD display screen. And the "Online State Grid" APP will also send an alarm to the user, and can automatically control the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply according to the preset threshold to prevent potential fire risks. Users can view the power consumption data and alarm information through the APP, and the power company monitors the device status and analyzes the fault data through the remote management platform to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system.

[0036] The intelligent electric energy meter integrating the arc fault detection function includes a data acquisition module, an electric energy metering module, an arc fault detection sub-module, an A / D conversion module, a storage module, a communication and remote control module, a clock module, a display module, a button module, a power supply module, a main processor module, etc. Each module operates coordinately through the system main processor to jointly complete processes such as detection, analysis, and alarm. The overall architecture diagram is as Figure 1As shown in the figure. An intelligent electricity meter with the function of fault arc detection and location is installed at the power inlet of each household. Each intelligent electricity meter is connected to the corresponding user and various electrical loads of the user. The multiple intelligent electricity meters are powered by the L live wire and the N neutral wire. The intelligent electricity meter has the functions of electricity metering and arc fault detection, can measure the electricity consumption of users, detect potential arc faults, and monitor the electricity use safety of users in real time. The electricity use data and fault information obtained by each intelligent electricity meter are transmitted to the server in real time through the communication and remote control module for further data analysis and management. Users can view their electricity use conditions and fault alarm information through the "Online State Grid" APP on the mobile phone side, while the power supply company uses the remote management platform to centrally monitor and manage the system to ensure the efficient and stable operation of the system, so as to realize intelligent power monitoring and comprehensive safety guarantee.

[0037] The internal block diagram of the intelligent electricity meter is as Figure 2 shown, and the main contents of each module are as follows: Main processor: The main processor serves as the core control unit of the intelligent electricity meter system, coordinates the operation of each module, receives and processes data from different sensors and modules, and is responsible for the operation and control of multiple tasks such as electricity metering and fault arc detection, ensuring that the system can respond to complex power environments in real time, and realizing efficient data processing and task allocation. The main processor in the existing intelligent electricity meters is based on the ARM core, has the characteristics of low power consumption, and integrates various peripheral interfaces such as LCD drivers, adapts to the existing computing and storage capabilities, and runs the integrated fault arc detection algorithm. However, with the development of intelligent algorithms such as deep learning and the improvement of fault arc detection accuracy, it can be upgraded to a chip with high computing power, strong parallel processing ability and low power consumption characteristics according to actual needs to meet higher detection requirements in the future.

[0038] Data acquisition module: Collect voltage and current signals through current transformers and voltage transformers to provide accurate data for electricity metering. At the same time, it can capture the transient signals of current and voltage, especially the fluctuation signals caused by arc discharge, so as to provide necessary data support for the detection of fault arcs.

[0039] Electricity metering module: Convert the sampled data into digital signals through the analog-to-digital converter built in the electricity metering chip, and use internal algorithms such as the effective value algorithm and power factor correction to calculate electrical parameters such as active power and reactive power, so as to record the electricity consumption of users in different time periods in detail. The system provides accurate electricity metering results, supports functions such as time-of-use billing and peak-valley electricity prices, and helps users optimize their electricity costs. The main processor reads the data of the electricity metering chip through a dedicated communication interface to realize the electricity metering function.

[0040] Fault arc detection sub-module: This module processes the data collected by the data acquisition module based on the algorithm embedded in the main processor, including steps such as fault arc feature extraction, pattern recognition, fault discrimination, and alarm control. The flowchart of fault arc detection is as shown in Figure 3 shown.

[0041] a. First, the data acquisition module uses voltage and current sensors to convert the original strong voltage and large current analog signals into weak voltage and small current analog signals, and digitizes them using the A / D module; b. Then, the signal processing module processes the obtained voltage and current signals through methods such as band-pass filtering and normalization; c. Subsequently, the fault arc feature extraction module performs a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to extract the spectral features of voltage and current, and analyzes the amplitude of high-frequency components and the distortion of the current waveform to capture different features of the fault arc. For example: duration, high-frequency characteristics, zero-break characteristics, and high-frequency pulses, etc.

[0042] d. The pattern recognition module uses intelligent algorithms such as pre-trained deep learning to identify fault arcs; e. According to the alarm performance requirements for arc detectors in Section 5.4.1 of the GB-14287.4-2014 standard (when there are 14 or more half-cycle fault arcs in the detected line within 1 s, the detector should send an alarm signal within 30 s and light up the alarm indicator), fault arc judgment is carried out.

[0043] f. Once an arc fault is determined, the system automatically triggers an audible and visual alarm, and transmits the alarm information to the remote management platform or the user-side "Online State Grid" APP through the communication and remote control module, prompting the user to take measures such as power-off in a timely manner; otherwise, continue to collect data and continuously monitor the fault arc to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system.

[0044] g. When a new arc fault detection algorithm is developed, the power company can update the new algorithm to the user's smart electricity meter through remote upgrade to further improve the safety and monitoring capabilities of the electrical system.

[0045] Storage module: Responsible for long-term preservation of key data during system operation, including historical electricity consumption data, fault detection records, and alarm information, to ensure data persistence. Even in extreme situations such as power-off, it can provide data backup to ensure that users can perform retrospective analysis later.

[0046] Communication and remote control module: When a fault arc occurs, the current waveform of the household load generates significant distortion characteristics within a short period of time. This significant and easily recognizable characteristic enables the smart electricity meter to accurately distinguish fault arcs. As shown in Figures 4 to 7As shown in the schematic diagram of the fault arc current waveforms of vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, kettles, and refrigerators, where (a) is the current waveform of the load and (b) is the high-frequency coupled current waveform of the load. From the waveform diagram, when a fault arc occurs (around 0.1 s), it can be observed in Figure (a) that the load current begins to show significant fluctuations and obvious spikes. These spikes indicate that the current exhibits irregular changes under the influence of the fault arc, reflecting the instantaneous high current generated by the fault arc in the circuit. In Figure (b), it can be observed that the load current becomes unbalanced and is accompanied by frequent spikes. This imbalance and spikes are usually caused by the fault arc because the fault arc will cause the current in the system to rise instantaneously and interfere with the normal current flow. These phenomena further prove the existence of the fault arc and its perturbation to the high-frequency current component.

[0047] Once a fault arc is detected, the smart electricity meter will record the fault information and upload the electricity consumption data and fault information to the remote management platform through communication with the remote control module, realizing two-way data transmission between the smart electricity meter, the power management platform, and the user terminal, facilitating the power company to respond in a timely manner and perform remote operations. At the same time, it gives an audible and visual alarm and displays a warning message on the LCD display screen of the display module. With the help of the "Online State Grid" APP, the smart electricity meter can actively report fault information and provide functions such as real-time electricity consumption data, electricity consumption analysis, and receiving electricity consumption suggestions, realizing real-time interaction with users. It improves the intelligence and convenience of smart electricity meter management.

[0048] Display module: This module provides an intuitive interface for users to display the current electricity consumption data, power metering information, and fault status information, enabling users to clearly understand the operation of the device.

[0049] Button module: This module allows users to set the system through physical input devices, such as modifying parameters or resetting alarms, enhancing the operability and user interaction of the system.

[0050] Power supply module: This module provides a stable power supply for the system to ensure the normal operation of each functional module. It also integrates a backup power supply function, so that even in the event of an accidental power outage of the main power supply, the system can still maintain basic functions, ensuring data storage and security alarms.

[0051] Clock module: This module provides high-precision time information for the system to ensure the time synchronization of all data records. Especially during power metering and fault arc detection, it provides a reliable time reference for data comparison and long-term analysis.

[0052] The beneficial effects and advantages of the solution of this embodiment include: (1) Significantly reduce costs and simplify installation. Based on the existing smart electricity meters, an A / D analog-to-digital converter is added to convert the collected analog signals into digital signals for extracting the characteristics of faulty arcs. Integrating the faulty arc detection function into the existing smart electricity meters eliminates the need to purchase additional independent detection devices separately, reducing the costs of equipment procurement and wiring. With the development of intelligent algorithms, the smart electricity meters can be upgraded to high-efficiency and low-power new processors to handle more complex fault detection tasks. The detection accuracy can also be improved by remotely upgrading the intelligent algorithms without on-site intervention. This greatly reduces the hardware costs and installation and maintenance costs, and extremely simplifies the installation process. Such cost and installation advantages facilitate the large-scale promotion and application in a more economical and efficient manner.

[0053] (2) Optimize the user experience and save space. Users only need to install a smart electricity meter integrated with the faulty arc detection function at the original meter position (the entrance of the household power supply), without occupying additional space or performing complex equipment adaptation. Smart electricity meters have been widely used in households and have good compatibility, capable of adapting to various power distribution equipment and line configurations, reducing the inconvenience for users during installation and use. In terms of the convenience of use, compatibility, and aesthetics of the equipment, the user satisfaction is further enhanced.

[0054] (3) Enhance system integration and versatility. By seamlessly integrating the faulty arc detection function with the real-time electricity metering function of the smart electricity meter, this invention avoids interference with the existing electrical system and improves the overall stability and reliability of the system. It meets the requirements of the smart power system for diverse functions and improves the comprehensive performance of the system.

[0055] (4) Improve the intelligent level and achieve remote management. Utilizing the communication and remote control modules inside the smart electricity meters, with the help of the existing remote management platform and the communication and monitoring capabilities of the "State Grid Online" APP, real-time reporting of fault information and user interaction are achieved, enabling users to conduct refined monitoring and intelligent management of the household electrical system. In practical applications, the remote upgrade function enables continuous optimization of the fault detection algorithm without on-site manual intervention, greatly improving the management efficiency and the safety of the electrical system.

[0056] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present invention should have the ordinary meanings understood by those with ordinary skills in the field to which the present invention pertains. The "first", "second" and similar terms used in the present invention do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Words such as "including" or "comprising" mean that the elements or objects appearing before this word cover the elements or objects listed after this word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are only used to represent relative position relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative position relationship may also change accordingly.

[0057] As described above, it is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is not a limitation to the present invention in other forms. Any person skilled in the art may use the technical content disclosed above to make changes or modifications into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution content of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above best implementation manner. Anyone can obtain other various forms of intelligent electricity meters integrating the function of detecting faulty arcs under the inspiration of the present invention. All equal changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the coverage scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function, characterized in that: include: The main processor module is used to coordinate the energy metering and arc fault detection tasks in real time, and run the embedded arc fault detection algorithm to dynamically identify arc faults based on spectrum analysis and current waveform distortion characteristics, and supports online upgrades of the algorithm through the remote management platform; The data acquisition module synchronously acquires the voltage and current signals in the circuit through the voltage transformer and the current transformer, and inputs the analog signals into the A / D conversion module; The A / D conversion module directly communicates with the main processor module, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and extracts high-frequency component characteristics and waveform distortion parameters for real-time analysis by the main processor module; The communication and remote control module, under the coordination of the main processor, ensures the effective two-way transmission of fault arc information, power consumption data and algorithm upgrade instructions between the remote management platform and the mobile terminal application, providing closed-loop control support for fault alarm, user interaction and algorithm optimization; The main processor module automatically triggers the following operations based on the real-time detection results: Push alarm information; Controlling the circuit breaker to cut off the power supply according to a preset threshold; Based on the update instructions issued by the remote management platform, the fault detection algorithm is dynamically upgraded.

2. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main processor module is based on the ARM core, communicates with the electric energy metering chip, and supports dynamic adjustment of the calculation priority of the fault arc detection algorithm through the remote management platform to adapt to the real-time requirements of different load scenarios.

3. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc fault detection function includes the following steps: Band-pass filtering and normalization processing are performed on the voltage and current signals to suppress power frequency interference and retain the high-frequency characteristics of the arc; The high-frequency component amplitude is extracted within a 10ms time window through fast Fourier transform, and the waveform distortion rate parameters are calculated; Based on the pre-trained liquid neural network model, the high-frequency amplitude, waveform distortion rate and time series characteristics are jointly identified to output the fault probability; When the fault probability exceeds the preset threshold and meets the arc triggering condition of 14 half cycles / 1s of GB-14287.4 standard, an audible and visual alarm will be triggered within 10 seconds and the fault data will be uploaded.

4. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The communication and remote control module further comprises: Dynamic threshold control function dynamically adjusts the action threshold of the circuit breaker according to the current amplitude and duration of the fault arc. When a fault arc is detected, the circuit breaker is automatically controlled to cut off the power supply. The power consumption analysis report generation function collects statistics on the user's power consumption data through the main processor module, identifies abnormal power consumption patterns and generates energy-saving suggestions; Dual-channel communication mechanism, reporting fault arc information to the remote management platform and sending alarm notifications to the mobile terminal application at the same time; The user interaction interface supports viewing power consumption data, receiving alarm information and remotely resetting alarm status through mobile terminal applications.

5. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Storage module, used to store fault records and power consumption data for a long time, and supports maintaining data storage through backup power after power failure; Power module, with integrated backup power supply, maintains data storage and alarm functions when the main power supply is abnormal; The clock module provides high-precision time synchronization to ensure that the fault timestamp matches the metering data.

6. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The remote algorithm update function includes: Differential upgrade technology reduces the amount of data transmission for algorithm upgrades; Encryption mechanism ensures the security of the upgrade process.

7. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data acquisition module is compatible with various power distribution equipment interfaces and supports plug-and-play.

8. The smart electric energy meter with integrated fault arc detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mobile terminal application is the "Online State Grid" APP, which supports users to remotely view electricity consumption data, receive alarm notifications and reset operations.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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  • Arc fault protection device

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