A device for detecting response time of an electric energy meter

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of electric energy meter pull-in and out gate response time detection device, it is related to electric energy meter test technical field, and the device includes load switch pull-in and out gate detection unit circuit, RS485 communication unit, MCU processing unit and power conversion unit;Wherein, one end of the load switch pull-in and out gate detection unit circuit is connected with carrier wave interface on electric energy meter, another end of the load switch pull-in and out gate detection unit circuit is connected with the MCU processing unit;The RS485 communication unit is connected with the MCU processing unit and external 485 equipment respectively;The power conversion unit is connected with the load switch pull-in and out gate detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit and the MCU processing unit respectively.The utility model embodiment uses modular design, plug and play, wiring is simple, and general-purpose is high, and the detection of electric energy meter pull-in and out gate response time can be efficiently, accurately and automatically completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electricity meter testing technology, and in particular to an electricity meter switch-on / off response time detection device. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial metering device in the power system, electricity meters have undergone a technological evolution from mechanical to electronic and then to intelligent systems. Currently, smart IoT electricity meters, as a new generation of electricity meter products, employ an operating system architecture and multi-module expansion design, possessing advanced functions such as load identification and power quality monitoring. They can identify abnormal power consumption conditions on the user side through big data analysis. When equipment failure or overload hazards are detected, the system can remotely disconnect the line quickly, effectively ensuring power safety.

[0003] In traditional smart meter design, due to the relatively simple system architecture and small data processing volume, the response time of the load switch's opening and closing operations is short, and performance verification can usually be completed by random sampling with an oscilloscope. This testing method requires extracting the signal under test from the circuit board and using an oscilloscope to capture the time difference between the issuance of the control command and the completion of the switch action to evaluate the system response speed. However, with the increasing complexity of smart IoT meters and the introduction of operating system architectures, the amount of data that the system needs to process has increased significantly, leading to a growing prominence of operating system response latency issues. This places higher demands on the control response speed of the meter's load switch. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a device for detecting the opening and closing response time of a power meter based on a power meter carrier interface. This device is plug-and-play, has simple wiring, high versatility, and can efficiently, accurately, and automatically detect the opening and closing response time of a power meter.

[0005] This utility model provides a power meter opening and closing response time detection device, the device including a load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, an RS485 communication unit, an MCU processing unit and a power conversion unit; One end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the carrier interface on the energy meter, and the other end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the MCU processing unit. The RS485 communication unit is connected to the MCU processing unit and an external RS485 device, respectively. The power conversion unit is connected to the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit, and the MCU processing unit, respectively.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the carrier interface on the energy meter includes an RXD pin and a TXD pin, which are used to connect to the MCU processing unit; wherein the MCU processing unit sends a circuit breaker control command to the energy meter through the RXD pin and the TXD pin and records the time when the command is issued.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the carrier interface on the energy meter includes a VCC pin and a VSS pin for connection to the power conversion unit; wherein, the power conversion unit converts the power provided by the VCC pin and the VSS pin into the power required by the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit and the MCU processing unit.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the carrier interface on the energy meter includes an N pin, which is used to connect to the input terminal of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, and to provide a reference signal for the load switch status feedback signal to the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the output terminal of the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit is connected to pin 37 of the MCU processing unit, and is used to transmit the RELAY signal output by the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit to the MCU processing unit.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the RS485 communication unit includes an enable pin, an RO pin, a DI pin, an A pin, and a B pin; The enable pin is used to receive control signals sent by the MCU processing unit. The RO pin is used to receive data sent by external 485 devices via pins A and B, and forward it to the MCU processing unit; The DI pin is used to forward the data sent by the MCU processing unit to an external 485 device via the A and B pins.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the MCU processing unit further includes a programming port, which is used to program the MCU processing unit chip.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a housing; the housing is provided with a carrier interface plug, the pin definitions of which match the carrier interface on the energy meter, for obtaining operating power from the energy meter and establishing a communication connection.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the MCU processing unit is used to send a circuit breaker control command to the energy meter through the carrier interface plug and record the command issuance time, obtain the status signal after the load switch is activated through the load switch circuit breaker activation detection unit circuit and record the activation completion time, and determine the circuit breaker response time based on the command issuance time and the activation completion time.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is further provided with a communication interface for connecting an external RS485 device and a wiring terminal for connecting a load switch.

[0015] The present invention provides the following beneficial effects: This utility model provides a device for detecting the opening and closing response time of an electricity meter. Utilizing the inherent carrier interface of the electricity meter, it achieves true plug-and-play testing without disassembling or soldering the meter, and without causing any physical damage to the product. The MCU processing unit automatically controls the testing process, records the time, and calculates the results, completely eliminating human reading errors and meeting high-precision testing requirements.

[0016] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will be set forth in the following description, or some features and advantages may be inferred from the description or determined without doubt, or may be learned by practicing the techniques described above.

[0017] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a power meter circuit breaker response time detection system provided in this embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a power meter circuit breaker response time detection device provided in this embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 The carrier interface pin definition for the load switch built-in energy meter provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 4 A circuit diagram of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit provided for an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 5 A circuit diagram of an RS485 communication unit provided for an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 6 A circuit diagram of the MCU processing unit provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 7 A circuit diagram of a power conversion unit provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0020] Illustration: 100-Load switch with built-in energy meter; 200-Energy meter opening and closing response time detection device; 300-External 485 equipment; 201-Load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit; 202-RS485 communication unit; 203-MCU processing unit; 204-Power conversion unit. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0022] The development of electricity meters has gone through four stages: mechanical electricity meters, ordinary electronic electricity meters, smart electricity meters, and smart IoT electricity meters, continuously moving towards intelligence, modularity, and networking. Compared to traditional smart electricity meters, smart IoT electricity meters are the first to adopt an operating system and a multi-extension module design. Relying on the big data sensing capabilities of modules such as load identification and power quality, they can identify some power faults in the field. When equipment failure, excessive power load, or other problems occur at the user end, the line can be remotely disconnected to avoid some potential power hazards and protect the user's property. However, along with the increased functionality, the response delay of the operating system is longer than that of traditional electricity meters, which places new demands on the load switch control and its rapid response capability.

[0023] Traditional smart meters are not operating systems and do not require processing large amounts of data. Their response time for switching operations is short, therefore there are no specific requirements for this response time. The industry generally uses oscilloscope sampling for testing. This method involves connecting relevant signals from the printed circuit board with leads for testing, and using an oscilloscope to capture the time from the issuance of the control command to the completion of the load switch action to determine the system's responsiveness.

[0024] Based on this, the present invention provides a power meter opening and closing response time detection device, which adopts a modular design, is plug-and-play, has simple wiring, and high versatility, and can efficiently, accurately and automatically complete the detection of power meter opening and closing response time.

[0025] To facilitate understanding of this embodiment, a detailed description of the power meter's opening and closing response time detection system disclosed in this utility model embodiment will be provided first.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a power meter's opening and closing response time detection system provided in this embodiment of the utility model. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a load switch with a built-in energy meter 100, an energy meter opening and closing response time detection device 200, and an external 485 device 300.

[0027] The load switch-embedded energy meter 100 includes a carrier interface, an MCU processing unit, and a load switch connected in sequence. The energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200 is connected to both the carrier interface in the load switch-embedded energy meter 100 and the load switch. An external 485 device 300 is connected to the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200.

[0028] Specifically, the electricity meter opening and closing response time detection device 200 can be connected to the carrier interface of the electricity meter 100 built into the load switch via wiring. The feedback signal interface of the electricity meter opening and closing response time detection device 200 is connected to the feedback signal interface of the load switch via a feedback signal line. The external 485 device 300 is connected to the 485 communication interface on the electricity meter opening and closing response time detection device 200.

[0029] The system operates as follows: After system operation, the external 485 device 300 sends a circuit breaker command. This command is transmitted from the external 485 device 300 to the MCU processing unit in the electricity meter circuit breaker response time detection device 200 via the 485 communication interface. The MCU processing unit in the electricity meter circuit breaker response time detection device 200 then transmits the command to the MCU processing unit in the load switch's built-in electricity meter 100 via a carrier interface. Simultaneously, the MCU processing unit in the electricity meter circuit breaker response time detection device 200 records the time T1 when the last frame of the circuit breaker command frame is sent. After receiving the circuit breaker command, the load switch's built-in electricity meter 100 performs security authentication parsing. Once the authentication is confirmed, the command is sent to the built-in load switch. Specifically, the implementation method for security authentication parsing can refer to existing technologies. The load switch receives the circuit breaker command and responds, completing the corresponding action (closing or opening). After the action is completed, the feedback signal changes accordingly. The feedback signal from the load switch is returned to the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200 via the feedback signal line. The MCU processing unit in the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200 determines the opening and closing status of the load switch based on the feedback signal and records the time T2. Based on T1 and T2, the response time T (T = T2 - T1) of the energy meter 100 built into the load switch from receiving the opening and closing command to the load switch completing the action is calculated. The opening and closing status of the load switch and the corresponding response time T are categorized and recorded. After executing n opening and closing operations, the MCU processing unit in the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200 records the maximum, minimum, and average values ​​of the n opening and closing response time data, as well as the response time data for each operation. At this point, the operator completes the test and completes the acceptance test based on the maximum, minimum, and average values ​​of the opening and closing response time data.

[0030] It should be noted that, Figure 1 This demonstrates a case where the load switch is built into the energy meter. In another feasible embodiment of this invention, the load switch can also be external, forming an external energy meter. The external energy meter includes a carrier interface and an MCU processing unit connected in sequence. In this case, the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection system includes the external energy meter, the load switch, the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200, and an external 485 device 300. The load switch is electrically connected to the MCU processing unit in the external energy meter, while other connection methods remain unchanged. Its working principle is the same as... Figure 1 The working principle of the system shown is the same, so it will not be described again here.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power meter's opening and closing response time detection device provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 2As shown, the device includes a load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit 201, an RS485 communication unit 202, an MCU processing unit 203, and a power conversion unit 204; One end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the carrier interface on the energy meter, and the other end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the MCU processing unit. The RS485 communication unit is connected to the MCU processing unit and an external RS485 device, respectively. The power conversion unit is connected to the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit, and the MCU processing unit, respectively.

[0032] In this embodiment of the utility model, the electricity meter is... Figure 1 The load switch with built-in energy meter 100 shown is an example. Figure 3 This invention provides the carrier interface pin definitions for a load switch with a built-in energy meter, as described in this embodiment. The carrier interface includes a set of UART pins (RXD and TXD pins), which can be used to connect to the MCU processing unit, establish communication with the energy meter's MCU processing unit, and perform tasks such as exchanging load switch opening and closing commands and reading data. A set of VCC and VSS pins are used to connect to the power conversion unit, providing 12±1V power to the energy meter's opening and closing response time detection device 200. The N pin serves as a reference point for the load switch's feedback signal; combined with the load switch's feedback signal, it can be used to determine the load switch's operating status.

[0033] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a circuit diagram of the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 4As shown, the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit 201 connects to the N pin of the carrier interface via its N pin. Specifically, a connecting wire connects the N pin (feedback signal interface) of the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit 201 to the N pin (feedback signal interface) of the carrier interface. The reference signal for the load switch status feedback signal is transmitted through this connecting wire. It can be understood that the N pin of the carrier interface is the neutral line; therefore, the reference signal is the neutral line signal. The load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit 201 is connected to the load switch via the REL input terminal. Specifically, the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit 201 consists of the feedback signal REL input terminal (external load switch feedback signal terminal), resistor Rg3, rectifier bridge B1, optocoupler Eg1, resistors Rg4, Rg5, Rg6, Rg16, and capacitor Cg1. When the load switch is in the closed state, the load switch feedback signal terminal outputs phase line L voltage. The feedback signal REL input terminal receives the phase line L voltage, and after passing through resistor Rg3, rectifier bridge B1, optocoupler Eg1, resistors Rg4, Rg5, and Rg6, the optocoupler is turned on, outputting the RELAY signal. At this time, the MCU processing unit 203 can detect that the RELAY signal is a 100Hz periodic signal. When the load switch is in the open state, the load switch feedback signal terminal has no output signal, the optocoupler is not turned on, and the RELAY signal remains at a high level. The MCU processing unit 203 can detect the open / closed state of the external load switch by judging the RELAY signal status.

[0034] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a circuit diagram of the RS485 communication unit provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 5 As shown, the RS485 communication unit includes an enable pin, an RO pin, a DI pin, an A pin, and a B pin. The enable pin is used to receive control signals sent by the MCU processing unit. The RO pin is used to receive data sent by an external 485 device through the A pin and the B pin, and forward it to the MCU processing unit. The DI pin is used to forward the data sent by the MCU processing unit to the external 485 device through the A pin and the B pin.

[0035] Specifically, the RS485 communication unit 202 and the MCU processing unit 203 are directly connected, supporting a communication rate of 115200bps or higher. When the MCU processing unit 203 needs to send data, the control signal CTRL is high, meaning the input of the enable pin is high. At this time, the RS485 chip's DE pin is enabled, the internal driver is turned on, and the data is sent out from the DI pin via the driver through the A and B pins. When the MCU processing unit 203 needs to receive data, the control signal CTRL is low, meaning the input of the enable pin is low. At this time, the RS485 chip's RE pin is enabled, the internal receiver is turned on, and the data is received back from the A and B pins via the receiver through the RO pin. This circuit is used for communication and interaction with external 485 devices, and can send load switch control commands and read the opening and closing response time data stored in the MCU, etc.

[0036] Figure 6 A circuit diagram of the MCU processing unit provided in an embodiment of this utility model. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 As shown, pins 24 and 25 of the MCU processing unit 203 are connected to the RXD and TXD pins of the carrier interface, respectively, establishing a connection between the energy meter and the MCU processing unit 203. The MCU processing unit sends circuit breaker control commands to the energy meter via the RXD and TXD pins and records the command issuance time. Pin 37 of the MCU processing unit 203 is connected to the output of the load switch circuit breaker detection unit circuit 201, used to receive the RELAY signal output by the load switch circuit breaker detection unit circuit. When the MCU processing unit 203 needs to send data, the control signal CTRL output by pin 46 is high, and the data is sent out via pin 45; when the MCU processing unit 203 needs to receive data, the control signal CTRL output by pin 46 is low, and the data is received back via pin 44.

[0037] Furthermore, the MCU processing unit 203 also includes a programming port, namely the RST pin, the SWCLK_RN pin, and the SWIO_RN pin, through which the program is programmed into the chip of the MCU processing unit. In this embodiment of the present invention, the programmed program is used to implement the working principle of the aforementioned power meter opening and closing response time detection system.

[0038] Figure 7 A circuit diagram of a power conversion unit provided in an embodiment of this utility model. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 As shown, the LDO chip converts the 12V power supply (VCC, VSS) provided by the carrier interface into a 5V power supply for the chip and external devices. The LDO chip can provide a working current of more than 100mA to ensure the normal operation of the device.

[0039] Furthermore, the electricity meter's on / off response time detection device may also include a housing. The housing internally houses the load switch on / off detection unit circuit 201, the RS485 communication unit 202, the MCU processing unit 203, and the power conversion unit 204. The housing is equipped with a carrier interface plug for connecting to an external RS485 device, and terminals for connecting to the load switch. The pin definitions of the carrier interface plug match the carrier interface on the electricity meter, used to obtain operating power from the electricity meter and establish a communication connection. The communication interface for connecting to the external RS485 device establishes a connection between the A and B pins of the RS485 communication unit and the external RS485 device. The terminals for connecting to the load switch establish a connection between the load switch on / off detection unit circuit 201 and the load switch's feedback signal interface via the REL input terminal.

[0040] The electricity meter opening and closing response time detection device provided in this embodiment can directly utilize the electricity meter's carrier interface, eliminating the most time-consuming physical operation steps such as disassembling and assembling the meter casing, locating test points, and soldering leads. The entire testing process (sending commands, monitoring status, timing, calculation, and recording) is automatically completed by the MCU processing unit, replacing tedious steps such as manually operating oscilloscopes, capturing waveforms, and manually measuring time, thus improving testing efficiency and greatly reducing quality problems caused by sampling risks. The device casing has a pre-installed carrier interface plug for connecting to external RS485 devices and wiring terminals for connecting load switches. Testers only need to identify the interfaces and connect the wires to perform the test, reducing training costs and operational difficulty. Ordinary production line employees can complete high-quality testing, reducing reliance on senior technicians and improving personnel deployment flexibility. During the testing process, a complete data report containing multiple test raw data, maximum values, minimum values, and average values ​​is obtained, establishing a complete test data archive for each product, enabling precise traceability of quality problems, and providing data support for production process improvement. The device provided by this utility model, through its modular design, achieves plug-and-play functionality, simple wiring, and high versatility, and can efficiently, accurately, and automatically detect the response time of the power meter's opening and closing.

[0041] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely specific implementations of this utility model, used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, and not to limit it. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can still modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features, within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model. These modifications, changes, or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and should all be covered within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for detecting the opening and closing response time of an electricity meter, characterized in that, The device includes a load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit, an RS485 communication unit, an MCU processing unit, and a power conversion unit; One end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the carrier interface on the energy meter, and the other end of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit is connected to the MCU processing unit. The RS485 communication unit is connected to the MCU processing unit and an external RS485 device, respectively. The power conversion unit is connected to the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit, and the MCU processing unit, respectively.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier interface on the energy meter includes an RXD pin and a TXD pin, which are used to connect to the MCU processing unit; wherein the MCU processing unit sends opening and closing control commands to the energy meter through the RXD pin and the TXD pin and records the time when the commands are sent.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier interface on the energy meter includes a VCC pin and a VSS pin, which are used to connect to the power conversion unit; wherein, the power conversion unit converts the power provided by the VCC pin and the VSS pin into the power required by the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit, the RS485 communication unit and the MCU processing unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier interface on the energy meter includes an N pin, which is used to connect to the input terminal of the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit to provide a reference signal for the load switch status feedback signal to the load switch opening and closing detection unit circuit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output terminal of the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit is connected to pin 37 of the MCU processing unit, and is used to transmit the RELAY signal output by the load switch opening / closing detection unit circuit to the MCU processing unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The RS485 communication unit includes an enable pin, an RO pin, a DI pin, an A pin, and a B pin. The enable pin is used to receive control signals sent by the MCU processing unit. The RO pin is used to receive data sent by external 485 devices via pins A and B, and forward it to the MCU processing unit; The DI pin is used to forward the data sent by the MCU processing unit to an external 485 device via the A and B pins.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The MCU processing unit also includes a programming port, which is used to program the chip of the MCU processing unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a housing; the housing is provided with a carrier interface plug, the pin definitions of which match the carrier interface on the energy meter, for obtaining operating power from the energy meter and establishing a communication connection.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The MCU processing unit is used to send a circuit breaker control command to the energy meter through the carrier interface plug and record the command issuance time, obtain the status signal after the load switch is activated through the load switch circuit breaker activation detection unit and record the activation completion time, and determine the circuit breaker response time based on the command issuance time and the activation completion time.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The housing is also provided with a communication interface for connecting external RS485 devices, and wiring terminals for connecting load switches.

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