Adjustable load AC-DC arc generator and arc simulation test method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a load-adjustable alternating current and direct current arc generator and an arc simulation test method thereof. The load-adjustable alternating current and direct current arc generator comprises a main control unit, an optocoupler isolation driving unit, a silicon controlled rectifier unit and a load unit. The device is connected with a measured loop, the master control unit is used for setting parameters and outputting random PWM signals, the silicon controlled rectifier unit is driven to be conducted through the optical coupling isolation driving unit, the load unit generates large-current pulses simulating an electric arc, and accurate regulation and control over the intensity, duration and random fluctuation characteristics of load current are achieved; irregular fluctuation of a real arc can be accurately simulated, the arc detection capability of the arc fault protector in a detected loop can be effectively detected, and the operation is simple and convenient. Compared with a traditional mechanical adjustment method, the arc simulation test method provided by the invention is simpler, can directly simulate an arc current pulse, carries out an arc detection capability test on an arc fault protector in a detected loop in a targeted manner, and is high in test efficiency and wide in application range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of arc simulation testing technology, specifically to an adjustable load AC / DC arc generator and its arc simulation testing method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's economy and the improvement of residents' living standards, the electricity consumption for residential use and social production has been increasing. The types and numbers of electrical equipment used in daily life and production are also increasing, and the composition and working status of the power system are becoming more complex. Under these circumstances, the probability of power system faults will increase. Among the many factors that lead to power system faults, fault arcs are one of the factors that cannot be ignored.

[0003] To effectively detect electric arc faults, electric arc generating devices have been introduced on the market, such as the invention patent with publication number "CN116780348A" entitled "An AC Fault Electric Arc Generating Device". This device discloses an AC fault electric arc generating device in which a first insulating column and a fixed column are disposed on the end face of a fixed base; the fixed base has a sliding groove, and a slider is slidably connected to the sliding groove; a second insulating column is vertically fixed to the slider; a stationary electrode is fixed to the end of the first insulating column; a movable electrode is disposed at the end of the second insulating column, and the stationary and movable electrodes are disposed on the same horizontal plane. The stationary electrode is connected to the external power supply terminal; the movable electrode is connected to the external load terminal; the adjusting rod has an external thread, and the adjusting rod is connected to the fixed column by the external thread; at the same time, one end of the adjusting rod is shaft-connected to the side wall of the slider; the adjusting knob is fixed to the end face of the other end of the adjusting rod; although it can generate an electric arc by turning the adjusting knob to change the distance between the stationary electrode and the movable electrode, it cannot simulate the random current change of the electric arc, or the electric arc effect of different intensities and durations. Moreover, it requires turning the adjusting knob many times, which is relatively troublesome to operate and difficult to control. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention aims to provide an easy-to-operate adjustable load AC / DC arc generator and its arc simulation testing method.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] An adjustable load AC / DC arc generator includes a main control unit, an optocoupler-isolated drive unit, a thyristor unit, and a load unit; wherein the main control unit is used to generate a random PWM control signal with adjustable amplitude, frequency, and conduction time.

[0007] The optocoupler isolation drive unit is used to receive the PWM control signal from the main control unit and control the conduction of the thyristor unit;

[0008] The thyristor unit is connected in series with the load unit and the external circuit under test, and is used to turn on or off according to the control signal of the optocoupler isolation drive unit to adjust the current of the load unit.

[0009] The load unit is used to generate a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test when the thyristor unit is turned on.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main control unit is an MCU of model HC32F460 or SD8016, which is readily available.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optocoupler isolation drive unit is an optocoupler of model MOC3052 or TLP160, whose input terminal is electrically connected to the PWM output terminal of the main control unit, resulting in good control effect.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thyristor unit is a silicon crystal thyristor of model Q4004D or Q4004LT, which has good conduction and cutoff characteristics, can accurately respond to control signals, and realize precise adjustment of the load unit current.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the load unit is a load resistor with a resistance of 2 to 20 ohms. A load resistor with a suitable resistance value can accurately simulate the large current situation when an electric arc is generated, ensuring the realism of the simulation effect.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a temperature control unit for real-time detection of the temperature of the load unit and outputting a temperature signal to the main control unit. This enables real-time monitoring of the load unit temperature, preventing equipment damage due to excessive temperature.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature control unit is a thermistor. Thermistors are low in cost, have a fast response speed, and are small in size, making them easy to integrate into devices and achieve accurate temperature monitoring.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a screen display module, a button module, a sound module, a wireless communication module, and a storage module, all of which are connected to the main control unit. The screen display module displays the device's operating status, parameters, and other information; the button module is used to input operation commands; the sound module emits prompts; the wireless communication module enables wireless data transmission between the device and external devices; and the storage module stores the device's operating data. The main control unit is responsible for coordinating the work of each module.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication module is any one or more of WIFI, Bluetooth, 4G, or 5G communication modules. This provides multiple communication options to meet the wireless communication needs of different scenarios, improving the flexibility and versatility of the device.

[0018] An arc simulation test method for the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator, comprising the following steps:

[0019] S1. Connect the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator to the circuit under test;

[0020] S2. The target current amplitude, pulse frequency, and duration are set through the main control unit;

[0021] S3. The main control unit outputs a random PWM signal, which drives the thyristor unit to conduct at a set conduction angle after passing through the optocoupler isolation drive unit, so that the load unit generates a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test, thereby realizing the arc detection capability test of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator provided by this invention connects to the circuit under test, uses a main control unit to set parameters and output a random PWM signal, which drives the thyristor unit to conduct via an optocoupler isolation drive unit, causing the load unit to generate a large current pulse simulating an electric arc. This achieves precise control over the intensity, duration, and random fluctuation characteristics of the load current, accurately simulating the irregular fluctuations of a real electric arc. It effectively tests the arc detection capability of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test, and is simple and convenient to operate. The arc simulation testing method provided by this invention is simpler than traditional mechanical adjustment methods, can directly simulate arc current pulses, and specifically test the arc detection capability of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test. It has high testing efficiency and a wide range of applications. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is the circuit schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator of the present invention. Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0026] Example: See Figure 1The present invention provides an adjustable load AC / DC arc generator, which includes a main control unit 1, an optocoupler isolation drive unit 2, a thyristor unit 3, a load unit 4, a temperature control unit 5, a screen display module, a button module, a sound module, a wireless communication module, and a storage module.

[0027] The main control unit 1 is used to generate random PWM control signals with adjustable amplitude, frequency, and conduction time. The main control unit 1 is preferably an MCU of model HC32F460 or SD8016, both of which are high-performance microcontrollers readily available and commercially available. The HC32F460 is based on a Cortex-M4 core and supports high-speed PWM peripherals (frequency up to MHz), ADC sampling, and complex algorithm operation; while the SD8016 features low power consumption and integrates a PWM generation module, making it suitable for low-to-medium power control scenarios. Both MCUs support flexible PWM parameter adjustment, are technologically mature and reliable, and require no additional hardware to generate PWM signals, simplifying the circuit structure. Compared to the mechanical adjustment structure of existing devices, they are smaller, more reliable, and can stably generate the required control signals, ensuring the stable operation of the entire arc generator.

[0028] The optocoupler isolation drive unit 2 is used to receive the PWM control signal from the main control unit 1 and control the conduction of the thyristor unit 3. Preferably, the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2 is an optocoupler of model MOC3052 or TLP160, and its input terminal is electrically connected to the PWM output terminal of the main control unit 1. The input terminal of the optocoupler receives the PWM control signal output by the main control unit 1, and transmits the signal to the output terminal through photoelectric conversion, thereby controlling the conduction of the thyristor unit 3, resulting in good control effect.

[0029] The thyristor unit 3 is connected in series with the load unit 4 and the external circuit under test. It is used to turn on or off according to the control signal from the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2, thereby regulating the current of the load unit 4. In this embodiment, the thyristor unit 3 is preferably a silicon thyristor of model Q4004D or Q4004LT. The control electrode of the silicon thyristor is electrically connected to the output terminal of the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2. The cathode of the silicon thyristor is connected to the first power supply interface 6 via the load unit 4, and the anode of the silicon thyristor is connected to the second power supply interface 7. The output signal of the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2 acts on the control electrode of the thyristor unit 3, controlling its on or off state. When the thyristor unit 3 is on, current flows from the anode through the load unit 4 to the cathode, regulating the current of the load unit 4. It has good on and off characteristics, accurately responds to control signals, and achieves precise regulation of the current of the load unit 4.

[0030] The load unit 4 is used to generate a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test when the thyristor unit 3 is turned on. The load unit 4 is a load resistor RL with a resistance of 2 to 20 ohms. A load resistor RL with a suitable resistance can accurately simulate the large current situation when an electric arc is generated, ensuring the realism of the simulation effect. When the thyristor unit 3 is turned on, the load resistor is connected to the circuit under test, generating a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test, simulating the current change when an electric arc is generated.

[0031] The temperature control unit 5 is used to detect the temperature of the load unit 4 in real time and output a temperature signal to the main control unit 1. This real-time monitoring of the load unit 4's temperature prevents damage due to overheating, improving the equipment's safety and reliability. In this embodiment, the temperature control unit 5 is preferably a thermistor. Thermistors are low-cost, fast-response, and small in size, allowing for easy integration into the device and accurate temperature monitoring. The thermistor's resistance changes with the temperature of the load unit 4, converting this resistance change into a temperature signal, which is then output to the main control unit 1.

[0032] The screen display module, button module, sound module, wireless connection module, and storage module are all connected to the main control unit 1. The screen display module displays the device's operating status and parameters, such as current PWM parameters (frequency, duty cycle), load current, and temperature, facilitating user monitoring. The button module is used to input operation commands, such as setting the arc duration. The sound module emits prompts, such as audible feedback when buttons are pressed and an alarm sound when the temperature exceeds limits, alerting the user. The wireless communication module enables wireless data transmission between the device and external devices. This wireless communication module can be any one or more of WIFI, Bluetooth, 4G, or 5G communication modules. By selecting a suitable wireless communication module according to actual needs, wireless connection and data transmission between the device and external devices (such as mobile phones and computers) can be achieved, enabling remote parameter setting and data viewing. Multiple communication options are provided to meet the wireless communication needs of different scenarios, improving the device's flexibility and versatility.

[0033] The storage module stores the device's operating data, records historical test parameters and temperature data, facilitating subsequent analysis. The main control unit 1 coordinates the work of each module. This enriches the device's functionality, improves its usability and operability, and makes it easier for users to monitor the device, set parameters, and manage data.

[0034] An arc simulation test method for the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator, comprising the following steps:

[0035] S1. Connect the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator to the circuit under test; see [link / reference] Figure 2For example, a test probe 8 is connected to the first power interface 6 and the second power interface 7 of the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator. The circuit under test is a household AC circuit, which includes appliances such as a socket and an arc fault protector. The test probe 8 is inserted into the socket to connect the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator to the circuit under test. For other embodiments, see [link to other embodiments]. Figure 3 Alternatively, clips 9 can be connected to the first power interface 6 and the second power interface 7. The clips 9 can be connected to the live wire and neutral wire in the AC line or to the positive and negative poles in the DC line, thereby enabling the testing of the arc fault protector connected in the AC line or DC line.

[0036] S2. Based on the rated operating parameter range of the arc fault protector to be tested, the target current amplitude, pulse frequency, and duration are set through the main control unit 1;

[0037] S3. The main control unit 1 outputs a random PWM signal, which drives the thyristor unit 3 to conduct at a set conduction angle, such as current amplitude, pulse frequency, and duration, after passing through the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2. This allows different current values ​​to flow through the load unit 4, simulating a large current response similar to that generated by an "electric arc." This generates a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test, enabling arc detection capability testing of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test. The thermistor detects the heat generated by the load unit 4 in real time during operation. When the heat exceeds a certain tolerance range of the load unit 4, the main control unit 1 senses the temperature signal emitted by the thermistor and issues a stop command to the optocoupler isolation drive unit 2. Preferably, the main control unit 1 also disconnects the connection between the thyristor unit 3 and the circuit under test.

[0038] The arc simulation test method provided by this invention can generate a large current pulse simulating an arc in the load unit 4, and effectively test the arc detection capability of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test. It is simpler, more efficient and effective than the traditional mechanical adjustment method.

[0039] Based on the disclosure and teachings of the above specification, those skilled in the art can make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes to the present invention should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. Furthermore, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of explanation and do not constitute any limitation on the present invention. Other instruments or methods obtained using the same or similar structures as described in the above embodiments of the present invention are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable load AC / DC arc generator, characterized in that, It includes: The main control unit is used to generate random PWM control signals with adjustable amplitude, frequency, and conduction time; Optocoupler isolated drive unit, used to receive PWM control signal from main control unit and control the conduction of thyristor unit; The thyristor unit, connected in series with the load unit and the external circuit under test, is used to turn on or off according to the control signal of the optocoupler isolation drive unit to adjust the current of the load unit. A load unit is used to generate a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test when the thyristor unit is turned on.

2. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control unit is an MCU with model number HC32F460 or SD8016.

3. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optocoupler isolation drive unit is an optocoupler of model MOC3052 or TLP160, and its input terminal is electrically connected to the PWM output terminal of the main control unit.

4. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thyristor unit is a silicon thyristor of model Q4004D or Q4004LT. The control electrode of the silicon thyristor is electrically connected to the output terminal of the optocoupler isolation drive unit. The cathode of the silicon thyristor is connected to the first power supply interface through the load unit, and the anode of the silicon thyristor is connected to the second power supply interface.

5. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load unit is a load resistor with a resistance of 2 to 20 ohms.

6. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature control unit, which is used to detect the temperature of the load unit in real time and output a temperature signal to the main control unit.

7. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature control unit is a thermistor.

8. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, It also includes a screen display module, a button module, a sound module, a wireless communication module, and a storage module, all of which are connected to the main control unit.

9. The adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wireless communication module is any one or more of WIFI, Bluetooth, 4G or 5G communication modules.

10. A method for simulating and testing the arc of an adjustable load AC / DC arc generator according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: S1. Connect the adjustable load AC / DC arc generator to the circuit under test; S2. The target current amplitude, pulse frequency, and duration are set through the main control unit; S3. The main control unit outputs a random PWM signal, which drives the thyristor unit to conduct at a set conduction angle after passing through the optocoupler isolation drive unit, so that the load unit generates a large current pulse simulating an electric arc in the circuit under test, thereby realizing the arc detection capability test of the arc fault protector in the circuit under test.

Images