Electrical energy distribution system with a display unit

Abstract

Switchgear for distributing electrical energy to several plant branches using switches (CB1-CB8), with a data server (DS) that is communicatively connected to the switches (CB1-CB8) and receives data (DA) relating to the operation of the switches (CB1-CB8), and with a display unit (A) that is communicatively connected to the data server (DS) and displays the data (DA) of the switches (CB1-CB8), where dynamic management of multiple switches with the display is provided and the internal data structure is adapted to the number of switches (CB1-CB8) and the display is automatically adapted to the number of switches (CB1-CB8) in each case, where each switch (CB1-CB8) is designed as a circuit breaker and includes: at least two mechanically separable switching elements, a sensor unit that detects the current flowing through the switching elements, an electronic trip unit which triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition associated with the switch is met, and a mechanical switching unit that separates the switching elements when the triggering condition is met.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for distributing electrical energy, which has a display unit.

[0002] Systems for distributing electrical energy to several system branches, to which consumers are connected, are known. The distribution is carried out using switches designed as circuit breakers. Each switch has at least one switching contact, which is formed from two mechanical switching elements that contact each other when the switching contact is closed. The basis for the protective function is the current flowing through the switching elements, which is detected by a sensor unit. An electronic trip unit evaluates the detected current and triggers a separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition assigned to the switch is met. In the simplest case, the tripping condition is when a current threshold is exceeded. A mechanical switching unit, for example,in the form of a pre-tensioned switching shaft separates the switching elements when the triggering condition is met and the triggering unit has generated a corresponding triggering signal.

[0003] The disadvantage is that the switches in the switchgear are usually installed in control cabinets, with their display elements, such as displays, not visible when the cabinet door is closed. This makes it impossible to read the switch parameters without additional effort. The same applies to the variables measured by the switches, such as the load currents and voltages of the individual phases, as well as the power data.

[0004] One solution to overcome these disadvantages is to provide appropriate recesses or openings in the control cabinet door and to arrange the switch(es) in such a way that the display elements are visible from the outside.

[0005] Another solution uses a separate external display for each switch, which is only connected to the corresponding switch for communication purposes. These displays are mounted outside the control cabinet, for example, on the control cabinet door. With this solution, a separate display is managed for each switch.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 696 20 667 T2 discloses an electrical switch with current protection with an interface to the remote station and a portable local unit.

[0007] The SICAM SCC catalog from Siemens AG (Nuremberg, February 2013) describes a switchgear system for distributing electrical energy to multiple branch systems using switches. This system includes a data server that is communicatively connected to the switches and receives data related to the switch operation, and a display unit that is communicatively connected to the data server and displays the switch data.

[0008] The object of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0009] The solution is given by the features of claim 1.

[0010] The solution concerns switches that are designed as circuit breakers and each include: at least two mechanically separable switching elements, a sensor unit which detects the current flowing through the switching elements, an electronic tripping unit which triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition assigned to the switch is met, and a mechanical switching unit which separates the switching elements when the tripping condition is met.

[0011] With regard to the display unit, the solution specifically provides for the display unit to be communicatively connected to the switches and receive data relating to the operation of the switches, with the data being displayed by the display unit. Dynamic management of multiple switches with the display is provided, for which the internal data structure is adapted to the number of switches in use. The display automatically adapts to the number of switches in use.

[0012] This allows switch data such as their switching status (switched on, switched off, tripped), their current load current, as well as their protection parameters, measured values, alarm and error messages to be displayed at a glance. This provides a direct overview of the switching status of the individual switches and thus of the entire switchgear system.

[0013] It is useful to display data from all switches.

[0014] Technically it is simple if a display is provided for the indication.

[0015] For simplification, it is proposed that the communication connections be designed as bus connections.

[0016] Technically, it is simpler if the display unit is connected to the switches via a data server and the data server sends and receives the data.

[0017] A simple exchange is possible if the display unit together with the data server forms a display-data unit.

[0018] The effectiveness of the display increases when the data is displayed in priority.

[0019] To implement a protective function, it is proposed that each switch comprises: at least two mechanically separable switching elements, a sensor unit which detects the current flowing through the switching elements, an electronic tripping unit which triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition assigned to the switch is met, and a mechanical switching unit which separates the switching elements when the tripping condition is met.

[0020] With regard to the switchgear for distributing electrical energy to a plurality of system branches with the aid of switches, the solution provides in particular that a data server is communicatively connected to the switches and receives data relating to the operation of the switches, and that a display unit is communicatively connected to the data server and displays the data of the switches, wherein each switch comprises: a) at least two mechanically separable switching elements, b) a sensor unit which detects the current flowing through the switching elements, c) an electronic tripping unit which triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition assigned to the switch is met, and d) a mechanical switching unit which separates the switching elements when the tripping condition is met.Wiring effort is relatively minimal, as only one display unit (an additional display or display module) needs to be connected, which also requires minimal space. Furthermore, switch data can be compared more easily, as all data is shown on a single display unit, allowing, for example, the currents and voltages of several system branches to be easily compared.

[0021] Preferably, a dynamic management of several switches with this display unit is provided, ie the internal data structure is adapted to the number of switches and the data of the switches is then clearly displayed (made available).

[0022] The breaker data on this display is advantageously prioritized. For example, the "tripped (TRIP)" switching status can be highlighted as flashing text to provide a simple, quick, and warning signal for problems in the switchgear. Furthermore, the phase of the breaker with the highest phase current can be highlighted.

[0023] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The single figure of the drawing schematically shows circuit breakers CB1, CB2, ..., CB8, a data server DS, and a display unit A of a switchgear assembly (not shown) designed as a module, wherein the display unit A has a display D and is designed here as a display module. In the exemplary embodiment, eight switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 are connected via the data server DS to the display unit A via a bus connection B (a corresponding data bus).

[0024] The switchgear is used to distribute electrical energy to several system branches (not shown) using the switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8, which are designed here as circuit breakers.

[0025] Each switch CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 comprises two mechanically separable switching elements, a sensor unit that detects the current flowing through the switching elements, an electronic trip unit that triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent trip condition associated with the switch CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 is met, and a mechanical switching unit that separates the switching elements when the trip condition is met (not shown). The switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 can be switched on and off manually using a handle H.

[0026] The data server DS receives, upon request, selected data DA from the switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8, which relate to their operation, and supplies the display unit A with the data DA via the bus connection B. To display the data DA, the display D of the display unit A is divided into eight windows W1, W2, ..., W8, corresponding to the number of switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8.

[0027] In the top left of windows W1, W2, ..., W8, the switch CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 is shown, the DA data of which is displayed in this window W1, W2, ..., W8. Display unit A shows the DA data of all switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 in order of priority. In other words, based on the currents of the three phases L1, L2, L3, the current of phase L1, L2, L3, which is the highest in each case. For switches CB1 and CB2, CB4 and CB5, as well as CB7 and CB8, the current of phase L1 is displayed, since for all switches CB1, CB2, CB4, CB5, CB7, CB8 the current of phase L1 is the highest and the current of the other two associated phases L2, L3 is lower. The digital current value in amperes is shown next to each one.

[0028] Furthermore, display unit A indicates that switch CB3 has tripped (TRIP indication in the corresponding window W3) and that switch CB6 is off (OFF indication in the corresponding window W6). The TRIP indication has the highest display priority; when switch CB6 is off, the OFF indication is the only information available for the display (and is therefore displayed).

[0029] The display unit A can therefore display the DA data of all switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8, such as their switching state (switched ON, switched OFF, TRIP triggered), the phases L1, L2, L3 and their current load current in amperes, as well as protection parameters (thresholds), measured values ​​(currents), alarm and error messages (flashing TRIP display), so that they are visible at a glance. This provides a direct overview of the respective switching state of the individual switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 and thus of the entire switchgear. For this reason, the DA data of all switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 are displayed simultaneously.

[0030] The F1, F2, F3, and F4 keys serve as navigation elements. The right-hand F4 key selects menus and submenus, while the two directional keys F2 and F3 located to the left of it make the selection. The windows T arranged above, with the small triangles pointing upwards and downwards, and the schematic menu, indicate the desired selection direction.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the display unit A and the data server DS together form a display data unit U, ie the display unit A and the data server DS are “merged” into a display data unit.

[0032] The switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8 of the display data unit U are managed dynamically, ie the internal data structure and the display of the display unit A (on the display D) are automatically adapted to the respective number of switches CB1, CB2, ..., CB8.

Claims

[1] Switchgear for distributing electrical energy to several branches of the system using switches (CB1-CB8), with a data server (DS) which is communicatively connected to the switches (CB1-CB8) and receives data (DA) relating to the operation of the switches (CB1-CB8), and with a display unit (A) which is communicatively connected to the data server (DS) and displays the data (DA) of the switches (CB1-CB8), whereby a dynamic management of several switches with the display is provided and for this purpose the internal data structure is adapted to the number of switches (CB1-CB8) and an adaptation of the display to the number of switches (CB1-CB8) is carried out automatically, wherein each switch (CB1-CB8) is designed as a circuit breaker and comprises: at least two mechanically separable switching elements, a sensor unit which detects the current flowing through the switching elements, an electronic trip unit which triggers the separation of the switching elements when a current-dependent tripping condition assigned to the switch is met, and a mechanical switching unit which separates the switching elements when the trigger condition is met. [2] Switchgear according to claim 1, characterized by that data (DA) of all switches (CB1-CB8) is displayed. [3] Switchgear according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a display (D) is provided to show the data (DA). [4] Switchgear according to one of claims 1-3, characterized by that the communication connections are designed as bus connections (B). [5] Switchgear according to one of claims 1-4, characterized by that the display unit (A) is communicatively connected to the switches (CB1-CB8) via a data server (DS) and the data server (DS) sends and receives the data (DA). [6] Switchgear according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by that the display unit (A) together with the data server (DS) forms a display data unit (U). [7] Switchgear according to one of claims 1-6, characterized by that the display of the data (DA) is prioritized.

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