Lightning protection device monitoring circuit and lightning protection device

Abstract

This application relates to a surge protector monitoring circuit and a surge protector, comprising a surge protector element and a monitoring unit connected in parallel with the surge protector element. The monitoring unit includes multiple parallel monitoring branches with different voltage trigger thresholds. Each monitoring branch includes a fuse, a gas discharge tube assembly, a light-emitting diode (LED), and a photoelectric relay. When the surge protector element deteriorates and its voltage gradually reaches the preset threshold of each monitoring branch, the gas discharge tube assembly of the corresponding monitoring branch conducts, causing the fuse to blow, the LED to turn off, and the photoelectric relay to generate an alarm signal. This application achieves graded early warning and accurate identification of the degree of performance degradation of the surge protector element by monitoring the voltage protection level of the surge protector element at multiple levels, providing an accurate basis for timely replacement and improving the reliability of equipment protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of surge protector monitoring technology, and in particular to a surge protector monitoring circuit and a surge protector. Background Technology

[0002] Surge protectors, as key devices protecting electronic equipment from surge current damage, play a vital role in numerous fields such as power, communications, and industrial automation. They effectively discharge surge current and clamp voltage, providing a safe operating environment for downstream equipment, ensuring the normal operation of various systems, and reducing the risk of equipment damage and system failures caused by surge events such as lightning strikes. This is of great significance for improving the reliability and stability of equipment.

[0003] Currently, to determine the operating status of surge protectors, relevant technologies use indicator lights or switch signals to indicate complete failure due to short circuits or overheating. When a surge protector experiences a short circuit or overheating, the indicator light and alarm contacts will emit corresponding signals, alerting the user that the protector is no longer functioning properly. However, when the surge protector's voltage protection level subtly rises and exceeds the withstand voltage of the downstream equipment, the surge protector, though not physically damaged, has lost its protective function.

[0004] The aforementioned technologies have the drawback of only being able to indicate that the surge protector has failed due to a short circuit or overheating. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to monitor and provide early warning of an increase in the voltage protection level of a surge protector, this application provides a surge protector monitoring circuit and a surge protector.

[0006] This application provides a surge protector monitoring circuit, which adopts the following technical solution: A surge protector monitoring circuit includes: Lightning protection components are used to connect to external circuits; The monitoring unit, connected in parallel with the surge protection element, includes multiple parallel monitoring branches. Each monitoring branch includes a fuse, a gas discharge tube assembly, a light-emitting diode (LED1), and a photoelectric relay (VOL1). The first end of the fuse is connected to the first end of the surge protection element, and the second end of the fuse is connected to the first end of the gas discharge tube assembly. The second end of the gas discharge tube assembly is connected to the second end of the surge protection element. The anode of the LED1 is connected to the first end of the gas discharge tube assembly, and the cathode of the LED1 is connected to the second end of the gas discharge tube assembly. The first pin of the control coil of the photoelectric relay (VOL1) is connected to the anode of the LED1, and the second pin of the control coil is connected to the cathode of the LED1. When the voltage of the surge protection element is greater than or equal to a preset voltage trigger threshold of the monitoring branch, the gas discharge tube assembly conducts, the fuse de-energizes to extinguish the LED1, and the control coil of the photoelectric relay (VOL1) is de-energized, thereby generating an alarm signal.

[0007] By employing the above technical solution, a monitoring unit connected in parallel with the surge protection element is set up, and a multi-stage gas discharge tube assembly is used to precisely adjust the breakdown voltage to preset the voltage trigger value. When the surge protection element's performance deteriorates due to aging or repeated surges, and the residual voltage of the surge protection element under surge exceeds the preset voltage trigger threshold, the gas discharge tube assembly quickly conducts to form a low-resistance path. The current in the monitoring branch increases instantaneously, causing the fuse to blow and the LED1 to turn off. Simultaneously, the photoelectric relay VOL1 de-energizes the control coil to generate an alarm signal. Through the parallel structure of multiple monitoring branches, segmented monitoring can be performed within different threshold ranges, enabling precise identification of the degree of performance degradation of the surge protection element and providing maintenance personnel with accurate replacement guidelines.

[0008] Optionally, the gas discharge tube assembly includes multiple gas discharge tubes connected in series.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, by connecting multiple gas discharge tubes in series, the overall trigger voltage threshold of the monitoring branch can be flexibly adjusted and increased as needed to accurately match surge protection components of different specifications and operating voltage levels, thereby enhancing the flexibility of circuit design and adaptability to different application scenarios.

[0010] Optionally, the monitoring branch further includes a first diode D1 and a first inductor L1, the anode of the first diode D1 is connected to the second end of the fuse FU1, the cathode of the first diode D1 is connected to the first end of the first inductor L1, and the second end of the first inductor L1 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, by adding the first diode D1 and the first inductor L1, the first inductor L1 can effectively suppress the surge current fed into the subsequent circuit, so that the surge current flows completely through the main discharge circuit, thereby playing a surge suppression and protection role for sensitive components such as the light-emitting diode LED1 and the photoelectric relay VOL1 in the subsequent stage; the first diode D1 can prevent reverse current impact, further enhancing the surge resistance capability of the monitoring branch and the overall reliability of operation.

[0012] Optionally, the monitoring branch further includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, and a third resistor R3. The first end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the second end of the first inductor L1, the second end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the first end of the second resistor R2, the first end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the first pin of the control coil of the photoelectric relay VOL1, the first end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the second end of the first inductor L1, and the second end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, by adding the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3, appropriate current limiting is provided for the light-emitting diode LED1 and the photoelectric relay VOL1, ensuring that they operate within a safe range, avoiding damage due to excessive current, and improving the stability of circuit operation and the service life of each component.

[0014] Optionally, the first inductor L1 is a winding type inductor.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution and selecting a winding-type inductor, the high inductive reactance of the coil winding can be used to effectively delay, suppress and absorb the instantaneous high-intensity surge current generated by lightning strikes, ensuring that most of the surge energy is confined in the main discharge circuit, thereby providing reliable isolation protection for downstream components such as LED1 and VOL1.

[0016] Optionally, the monitoring branch further includes a first capacitor C1, with a first end of the first capacitor C1 connected to the first end of the first resistor R1, and a second end of the first capacitor C1 connected to the cathode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, by adding the first capacitor C1, it can form an LC filter circuit together with the first inductor L1, which can enhance the circuit's anti-electromagnetic interference capability and ensure that a stable and continuous driving current is provided for the light-emitting diode LED1, thereby effectively suppressing the problem of LED indicator flickering that may be caused by small fluctuations in line voltage.

[0018] Optionally, the monitoring branch further includes a second diode D2, the anode of the second diode D2 being connected to the cathode of the light-emitting diode LED1, and the cathode of the second diode D2 being connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, by connecting the second diode D2 in reverse parallel across the two ends of the light-emitting diode LED1, a low-impedance discharge path is provided for any possible reverse instantaneous high voltage, thereby clamping the reverse voltage across the light-emitting diode LED1 to a very low level and effectively protecting the light-emitting diode LED1 from reverse breakdown damage.

[0020] Optionally, the surge protection element is a varistor.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution and limiting the lightning protection element to a varistor, an early warning can be given when the varistor's protective performance deteriorates but it is not completely damaged.

[0022] Optionally, the fuse FU1 is a fast-melting fuse.

[0023] By employing the above technical solution and using a fast-blow fuse, the monitoring branch can be quickly cut off when the gas discharge tube assembly is turned on. This limits the surge energy flowing into the subsequent circuits, thus protecting components such as LED1 and VOL1 photoelectric relay. The rapid fuse action also helps to make the LED1 extinguish and the status change of the VOL1 alarm signal more timely and clear.

[0024] On the other hand, this application also provides a surge protector, which adopts the following technical solution: A surge protector, including a surge protector monitoring circuit.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, and integrating the surge protector monitoring circuit into the surge protector, not only can the surge protection element effectively discharge overvoltage energy during surge events, but the monitoring circuit can also detect changes in the voltage protection level Up value of the surge protection element itself in real time. This integrated design enables the surge protector to perform basic protection functions while also possessing self-diagnostic and early warning capabilities.

[0026] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. By setting up a monitoring unit connected in parallel with the surge protection element, and using a multi-stage gas discharge tube assembly to precisely adjust the breakdown voltage to preset the voltage trigger value, when the surge protection element's performance deteriorates due to aging or repeated surges, and the residual voltage of the surge protection element under surge exceeds the preset voltage trigger threshold, the gas discharge tube assembly quickly conducts to form a low-resistance path. The current in the monitoring branch increases instantaneously, causing the fuse to blow and the LED1 to turn off. Simultaneously, the photoelectric relay VOL1 control coil is de-energized to generate an alarm signal. The parallel structure of multiple monitoring branches allows for segmented monitoring within different threshold ranges, enabling precise identification of the degree of performance degradation of the surge protection element and providing maintenance personnel with accurate replacement guidelines. 2. By connecting multiple gas discharge tubes in series, the overall trigger voltage threshold of the monitoring branch can be flexibly adjusted and increased as needed to accurately match surge protection components of different specifications and operating voltage levels, thereby enhancing the flexibility of circuit design and adaptability to different application scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the surge protector monitoring circuit of Embodiment 1 of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of the surge protector monitoring circuit of Embodiment 1 of this application.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10, lightning protection element; 20, monitoring unit. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 This application will be described in further detail.

[0031] Example 1 This application discloses a surge protector monitoring circuit. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The surge protector monitoring circuit includes a surge protector element 10 and a monitoring unit 20. The surge protector element 10 is used to connect to an external circuit, and the monitoring unit 20 is connected to the surge protector element 10 to monitor the status of the surge protector element 10.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 The surge protection element 10 is used to connect to an external circuit. The surge protection element 10 is a varistor RV1. The varistor RV1 has a non-linear volt-ampere characteristic; its resistance is very high under normal voltage, but when the voltage exceeds a certain value, the varistor RV1 rapidly decreases, thereby discharging the surge current and clamping the voltage. Alternatively, a transient voltage suppression diode can be used as an alternative structure for the surge protection element 10. A transient voltage suppression diode can limit the surge voltage to a safe range in a very short time.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 The monitoring unit 20 includes multiple parallel monitoring branches. The number of monitoring branches can be flexibly set according to the requirements of the monitoring level to achieve graded monitoring with different accuracies. The first-level monitoring branch includes a first fuse FU1, a first gas discharge tube assembly, a first diode D1, a second diode D2, a first light-emitting diode LED1, a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, a first inductor L1, a first capacitor C1, and a first photoelectric relay VOL1. The first end of the first fuse FU1 is connected to the first end of the surge protection element 10, and the second end of the first fuse FU1 is connected to the first end of the first gas discharge tube assembly. The first fuse FU1 can be a fast-blow fuse. The rapid melting characteristic of the fast-blow fuse helps to quickly cut off the monitoring branch when the gas discharge tube assembly is turned on, thereby limiting the impact of surge energy on downstream components and protecting the first light-emitting diode LED1 and the first photoelectric relay VOL1.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 The first gas discharge tube assembly includes a first gas discharge tube G1 and a second gas discharge tube G2. The first end of the first gas discharge tube G1 is connected to the first fuse FU1, and the second end of the first gas discharge tube G1 is connected to the first end of the second gas discharge tube G2. The second end of the gas discharge tube G2 is connected to the second end of the surge protection element 10. The anode of the first diode D1 is connected to the first end of the first gas discharge tube assembly, and the cathode of the first diode D1 is connected to the first end of the first inductor L1. The first diode D1 has unidirectional conductivity, ensuring that the current flows in a specific direction. The first diode D1 can be a common silicon diode or a Schottky diode, etc., with alternative structures. Schottky diodes are characterized by low forward voltage drop and fast switching speed.

[0035] Reference Figure 2The first terminal of the first inductor L1 is connected to the cathode of the first diode D1, and the second terminal of the first inductor L1 is connected to the first terminal of the third resistor R3. The second terminal of the third resistor R3 is connected to the anode of the first light-emitting diode LED1, and the cathode of the first light-emitting diode LED1 is connected to the second terminal of the second gas discharge tube G2. The anode of the second diode D2 is connected to the cathode of the first light-emitting diode LED1, and the cathode of the second diode D2 is connected to the anode of the first light-emitting diode LED1. The function of the second diode D2 is to prevent reverse current from damaging the light-emitting diode LED1. The second diode D2 can be a common silicon diode or a Schottky diode, etc., as a replacement structure. The first inductor L1 is a wound inductor, which can effectively suppress the surge current fed into the subsequent circuit by utilizing the high inductive reactance characteristics of the coil winding, so that the surge current flows completely through the main discharge circuit, thereby providing surge suppression and protection for the sensitive components such as the light-emitting diode LED1 and the photoelectric relay VOL1 in the subsequent stage.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 The first light-emitting diode (LED1) serves as an indicator light, turning off when the corresponding monitoring branch is triggered. The anode of LED1 is connected to the second terminal of the third resistor R3, and the cathode of LED1 is connected to the second terminal of the first gas discharge tube assembly. The first terminal of the first resistor R1 is connected to the second terminal of the first inductor L1, and the second terminal of the first resistor R1 is connected to the first terminal of the first capacitor C1. The second terminal of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the cathode of LED1. The first capacitor C1 typically consists of two conducting plates and an insulating dielectric in between, used for charge storage and filtering. Ceramic capacitors, mica capacitors, etc., can be used as alternative structures for the first capacitor C1. The first terminal of the second resistor R2 is connected to the second terminal of the first resistor R1, and the second terminal of the second resistor R2 is connected to the first pin of the coil of the first photoelectric relay VOL1. The first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3 are all used for current limiting.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 The first pin of the coil of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the anode of the first light-emitting diode LED1, and the second pin of the coil of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the cathode of the first light-emitting diode LED1. The first end of the normally open contact of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the first output terminal T1, and the second end of the normally open contact of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the second output terminal T2. Both the first output terminal T1 and the second output terminal T2 are used for connection to a remote monitoring system.

[0038] Reference Figure 2The second-level monitoring branch of monitoring unit 20 is basically the same as the first-level monitoring branch. The preset voltage trigger threshold of each monitoring branch can be set independently by selecting gas discharge tubes of different specifications, thereby forming a multi-level threshold sequence. For example, by selecting gas discharge tubes with different breakdown voltages or adjusting the number of gas discharge tubes connected in series, the preset voltage trigger threshold of the second-level monitoring branch can be made higher than that of the first-level monitoring branch, thereby achieving graded monitoring. As needed, third, fourth, and other monitoring branches can also be set, and their thresholds can be increased sequentially.

[0039] When the voltage protection level Up of surge protection element 10 is within the normal range (e.g., less than 1.8kV), the voltage of surge protection element 10 is less than the preset voltage trigger threshold of any monitoring branch. The gas discharge tube assembly disconnects, and current flows sequentially through the first fuse FU1, the first diode D1, and the first inductor L1, finally flowing out from the second terminal of the first inductor L1 to the third resistor R3 and the first resistor R1. On one hand, after current is limited by the third resistor R3, it drives the first light-emitting diode LED1 to remain lit, indicating that the voltage protection level Up of surge protection element 10 is within the normal range. On the other hand, after current is limited by the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, it supplies power to the control coil of the first photoelectric relay VOL1, keeping the normally open contacts inside the first photoelectric relay VOL1 closed.

[0040] Due to repeated surge impacts, the surge protection element 10 ages, and its voltage protection level Up value gradually increases. When the voltage of the surge protection element 10 exceeds the preset voltage trigger threshold of the first monitoring branch, the first gas discharge tube assembly breaks down and conducts, the first fuse FU1 blows, cutting off the power supply to the first monitoring branch. This causes the first light-emitting diode LED1 to turn off, and the control coil of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 is powered on. The normally open contact of the first photoelectric relay VOL1 opens, generating an alarm signal that is sent to the remote monitoring system. Similarly, if the performance of the surge protection element 10 continues to deteriorate, to the point that its voltage protection level Up value exceeds the higher breakdown voltage of the second monitoring branch, then the working principle of the second monitoring branch is basically the same as that of the first monitoring branch.

[0041] The implementation principle of a surge protector monitoring circuit in Embodiment 1 of this application is as follows: This embodiment achieves surge protector monitoring through the cooperation of surge protection element 10 and monitoring unit 20. In monitoring unit 20, multiple monitoring branches are connected in parallel, and the breakdown voltage of the gas discharge tube assembly of each monitoring branch can be set to increase sequentially or in a stepped manner as required, thereby achieving graded monitoring.

[0042] Example 2 This application also discloses a surge protector. The surge protector has the surge protector monitoring circuit described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0043] The implementation principle of a surge protector according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: by integrating the monitoring circuit of Embodiment 1 into the surge protector, not only can the surge protection element 10 effectively discharge overvoltage energy when a surge event occurs, but the monitoring circuit can also sense the change in the voltage protection level Up value of the surge protection element 10 itself in real time. The integrated design enables the surge protector to perform basic protection functions while possessing self-diagnosis and early warning capabilities.

[0044] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A surge protector monitoring circuit, characterized in that, include: Lightning protection element (10) is used to connect to an external circuit; The monitoring unit (20) is connected in parallel with the lightning protection element (10) and includes multiple parallel monitoring branches. Each monitoring branch includes a fuse FU1, a gas discharge tube assembly, a light-emitting diode (LED1), and a photoelectric relay VOL1. The first end of the fuse FU1 is connected to the first end of the lightning protection element (10), and the second end of the fuse FU1 is connected to the first end of the gas discharge tube assembly. The second end of the gas discharge tube assembly is connected to the second end of the lightning protection element (10). The anode of the light-emitting diode (LED1) is connected to the first end of the gas discharge tube assembly, and the cathode of the light-emitting diode (LED1) is connected to the second end of the gas discharge tube assembly. The first pin of the control coil of the photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode (LED1), and the second pin of the control coil of the photoelectric relay VOL1 is connected to the cathode of the light-emitting diode (LED1). When the voltage of the lightning protection element (10) is greater than or equal to the preset voltage trigger threshold of the monitoring branch, the gas discharge tube assembly is turned on, the fuse is turned off to extinguish the light-emitting diode (LED1), and the control coil of the photoelectric relay VOL1 is de-energized to generate an alarm signal.

2. The surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas discharge tube assembly includes multiple gas discharge tubes connected in series.

3. The surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring branch also includes a first diode D1 and a first inductor L1. The anode of the first diode D1 is connected to the second end of the fuse FU1, the cathode of the first diode D1 is connected to the first end of the first inductor L1, and the second end of the first inductor L1 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

4. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The system comprises a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, and a third resistor R3. The first end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the second end of the first inductor L1, the second end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the first end of the second resistor R2, the first end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the first pin of the control coil of the photoelectric relay VOL1, the first end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the second end of the first inductor L1, and the second end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

5. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first inductor L1 is a winding type inductor.

6. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a first capacitor C1, the first end of which is connected to the first end of the first resistor R1, and the second end of which is connected to the cathode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

7. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring branch also includes a second diode D2, the anode of which is connected to the cathode of the light-emitting diode LED1, and the cathode of which is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode LED1.

8. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lightning protection element (10) is a varistor.

9. A surge protector monitoring circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuse FU1 is a fast-melting type fuse.

10. A surge protector, characterized in that, Includes the surge protector monitoring circuit as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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