Methods and devices for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor for a three-phase TN-CS power supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and devices for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor in a three-phase TN-CS power supply system to which a single-phase or three-phase device is connected. A voltage measurement is performed at a virtual neutral point configured according to the invention on a device with three-phase terminals, and the measured neutral point voltage is evaluated. If the neutral point voltage exceeds a critical voltage, the device is disconnected. The invention thus eliminates the need for a structurally complex local reference earth. For devices with single-phase terminals, a load voltage is measured in a first and a second load case, and a loop impedance is calculated from the voltage change and the differential current change.The loop impedance value determined in this way allows a statement to be made as to whether a functional PEN conductor is present.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor for a three-phase TN-CS power supply system with phase conductors, a neutral conductor (N conductor), a protective conductor (PE conductor) and the PEN conductor.

[0002] In a first application case, a device with three-phase terminal blocks (3AC device with 3AC terminal blocks) and with a 3AC switching element can be connected to at least one of the phase conductors, the neutral conductor and the protective conductor in this TN-CS power supply system.

[0003] Or in a second application of the invention, an operating device with single-phase connection terminals (AC operating device with AC connection terminals) is connected to one of the outer conductors, the neutral conductor and the protective conductor.

[0004] The TN-CS power supply system and the connected equipment each represent a required application environment for the method according to the invention and the device implementing this method, and are not part of the invention.

[0005] Electrical consumers are supplied with power via distribution systems, which are implemented as distribution systems in various network configurations. This paper focuses on a TN-C network configuration and primarily on the TN-CS network configuration. In the TN-C system, a PEN conductor serves simultaneously as the neutral and protective conductor. The PEN conductor performs the functions of both the neutral and protective conductors throughout the entire (TN-C) installation or only in certain sections (TN-CS). In the TN-CS power supply system, the feed-in from the distribution network operator to a property boundary occurs via a TN-C system with an earthed (transformer) neutral point. This connection is made via a service cable (e.g., service entrance cable) with three live conductors and the PEN conductor. The PEN conductor can be earthed at multiple points. Within the building's internal wiring, the PEN conductor is then separated into the PE conductor and the N conductor.

[0006] In the TN-CS system, the neutral and protective conductor functions are thus realized in a higher-level subsystem (TN-C) via the PEN conductor, while in lower-level subsystems (TN-S) the neutral and protective conductor functions are implemented separately in the N conductor and the PE conductor.

[0007] From an electrical safety perspective, personal protection must be considered in the event of a fault where the PEN conductor is interrupted or damaged to such an extent that it no longer has a sufficiently low resistance connection to the transformer neutral point to fulfill its function. Particular attention must be paid to the fault scenario where several cable sections with equipment are connected to each other via an interrupted or damaged PEN conductor section.

[0008] Based on the state of the art, the following methods for fault detection are proposed in normative standards, e.g. in the UK standard BS 7671: • Establish a local earthing system (external reference earth), measure the voltage between this local earth and the PEN conductor and disconnect the live conductors and the protective earth if this voltage exceeds 70V within a tripping time of 5s. • For single-phase installations, measure the voltage between the live conductor and the neutral conductor and disconnect the live conductors and the protective earth if this voltage is outside a range of 207V to 253V within a tripping time of 5s.

[0009] The patent application GB 2 578 339 A discloses a system for detecting a broken PEN conductor and disconnecting the power supply in a TN-CS power supply system. A virtual neutral point is formed, across which a voltage measuring device 6 is used to measure the voltage, and if a predefined limit value is exceeded, a disconnecting device is activated.

[0010] Patent WO 2020 / 174217 A1 describes an approach in which a current sensor is positioned in the current path between the protective conductor terminal of a device and the connection of the protective conductor to accessible conductive parts within the device (e.g., the housing or the protective conductor in a charging cable). In the event of a dangerously high PE conductor current, the live conductors and the inner protective conductor are disconnected within a tripping time of 5 seconds. This solution is only effective, however, if a sufficiently large fault current is already flowing, e.g., through a human body.

[0011] Patent EP 0 806 825 A2 provides an improved residual current circuit breaker capable of detecting fault conditions in the protective conductor and bringing about an all-pole disconnection of the main circuit. In particular, the detection of fault conditions in the protective conductor is achieved by using a sensor that triggers switching operations upon contact with a near-potential ground.

[0012] In principle, the local reference earth required in the UK standard BS 7671 is replaced here by a person who stands with their feet at earth potential and, upon touching a contact surface on the circuit breaker, enables a differential voltage measurement between the protective earth of the installation and the earth potential of the person.

[0013] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing methods and devices that allow a reliable assessment of the continuity of the PEN conductor connection for the purpose of quality control, and in particular enable the reliable detection of PEN conductor conditions that are capable of causing dangerous touch voltages on protective earthed, accessible parts of the equipment under unfavorable load conditions. The installation of a local earthing system is to be avoided. To ensure personal protection in the event of a fault, hazardous PEN conductor conditions are to be detected without a dangerous fault current having yet flowed through the human body.

[0014] For equipment with single-phase terminals – referred to in this second application as AC equipment – ​​the task is accomplished by: measuring a first load voltage between the connected phase conductor and the neutral conductor in a first load case using a voltage measuring device; measuring a first neutral conductor differential current flowing in the neutral conductor using a differential current measuring device in the first load case; measuring a second load voltage between the connected phase conductor and the neutral conductor in a second load case using the voltage measuring device; measuring a second neutral conductor differential current flowing in the neutral conductor using the differential current measuring device in the second load case;Calculating a loop impedance from a voltage change, formed from the first load voltage and the second load voltage, divided by a differential current change, formed from the first neutral conductor differential current and the second neutral conductor differential current, using an evaluation device; assessing whether the loop impedance has a sufficiently low value using the evaluation device and sending a disconnect signal to an AC switching element to disconnect the connected live conductor, neutral conductor and protective conductor of the AC equipment if the loop impedance value exceeds a loop impedance limit value.

[0015] For the application of single-phase connected equipment (AC equipment) – which, by definition, does not have three AC terminals where a virtual neutral point could be established – the method according to the invention is based on the idea of ​​measuring the load voltage drop across a load (AC equipment or a measuring resistor) between the connected phase conductor and the neutral conductor, as well as the neutral conductor differential current flowing in the neutral conductor, under two load conditions, and estimating a loop impedance from this – as viewed from the terminals of the connected load. The loop impedance value determined in this way allows a statement to be made as to whether a functional PEN conductor is present.

[0016] In the first load case, the first load voltage and the first neutral conductor differential current are measured. After a load change, the second load voltage and the second neutral conductor differential current are measured under the second load. The loop impedance is calculated from the voltage change (formed from the first and second load voltages) divided by the differential current change (formed from the first and second neutral conductor differential currents).

[0017] If this loop impedance does not have a sufficiently small loop impedance value - such a sufficiently small loop impedance value only results in parallel connection with an existing, i.e. intact, PEN conductor - then the evaluation direction sends a switching signal to the AC switching element to disconnect the connected AC device.

[0018] The method claimed for single-phase connected equipment enables reliable preventive fault detection and shutdown in case of fault without the risk of dangerous body currents, compared to the prior art.

[0019] Furthermore, the differential current measuring device enables combined load and fault current measurement in order to perform both loop impedance determination and emergency shutdown in the event of an excessively high fault current.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the first load case is switched by opening the AC switching element of the AC device (6) and the second load case by closing the AC switching element of the AC device (6).

[0021] In the simplest case, the AC switching element (load switch) of the single-phase connected AC equipment is used to generate the load change by opening and closing the AC switching element, with the AC equipment itself acting as the load.

[0022] As an alternative to opening and closing the AC switching element of the AC device, the first and second load cases are switched by opening and closing a separate measuring branch with a measuring resistor and a switch, arranged between one of the outer conductors and the neutral conductor.

[0023] If there are technical concerns or operational reasons for not using the AC switching element of the AC equipment directly for loop impedance measurement, the required load change can be carried out by a separate measuring circuit.

[0024] In this case, the first / second load voltage and the first / second neutral conductor differential current are generated by opening and closing the separate measuring branch using a switch in the measuring circuit, with the measuring resistor in the measuring branch forming the load.

[0025] The solution according to the invention enables a preventive separation of the active conductors and the protective conductor before a person can come into dangerous contact with live parts.

[0026] A problematic protective earthing condition due to an interrupted or impaired PEN conductor is thus detected preventively, and a body current through contact with conductive parts that may be at dangerous voltage relative to earth is avoided.

[0027] The further claimed structural features of the device according to the invention each carry out the corresponding process steps of the method according to the invention. Thus, the technical effects achieved with the method and the resulting advantages apply equally to the device.

[0028] Further advantageous design features will become apparent from the following description and the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention using exemplary simulation setups. They show Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b: a 3AC-TN-CS power supply system in the fault-free case ( Fig. 1a) and in the event of an interruption of the PEN conductor ( Fig. 1b), Fig. 2: the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system in the event of a PEN conductor interruption and inactive AC equipment upon contact with a protective earthed enclosure which assumes a dangerous voltage to earth, Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b: the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system with virtual neutral point for 3AC equipment with three-phase connection terminals in case of interruption of the PEN conductor and in case of active ( Fig. 3a) and inactive ( Fig. 3b) 3AC equipment, Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b: the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system with load switching according to the invention for AC equipment with single-phase connection terminals when the PEN conductor is interrupted in the first load case ( Fig. 4a) and in the second load case ( Fig. 4b), Fig. 5: the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system with load switching according to the invention for AC equipment with single-phase connection terminals in the event of a compromised PEN conductor and in the event of contact, Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b: the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system with load switching and measuring branch according to the invention for AC equipment with single-phase connection terminals with intact PEN conductor in the first load case ( Fig. 6a) and in the second load case ( Fig. 6b).

[0029] The Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. Figure 2 shows simulation setups with results of the current and voltage distribution for a 3AC-TN-CS power supply system 2, to which, as an example, a 3AC device 4 and an AC device 6 are connected. The results shown in the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. The simulation setups shown in the two illustrations represent the required application environments for the method according to the invention and the device for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1a shows a three-phase (3AC) TN-CS power supply system 2 under fault-free conditions. Fig. Figure 1b shows the TN-CS power supply system 2 in the event of a fault with an interruption 5 of the PEN conductor.

[0031] The TN-CS power supply system is configured as a TN-C system with a grounded transformer neutral point at the feed-in point. In this subsystem, the PEN conductor simultaneously serves as the neutral conductor (N) and the protective earth conductor (PE). In the subsequent TN-S system, the PEN conductor is split into the neutral conductor (N) and the protective earth conductor (PE) – in the simulation setup, this separation is performed at the respective equipment 4 and 6.

[0032] The 3AC device 4 has 3AC terminal blocks in the form of a three-phase 3AC terminal block. L1 , K L2 , K L3 , K N , K PE, which can be connected to the live conductors L1, L2, L3, the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE. In the simulation, for simplicity, only the live conductor (phase) L2 is connected, so only the load connected to it is effective.

[0033] The AC device 6 has AC terminal blocks in the form of a single-phase AC terminal block. L3 , K N , K PE and is connected to the live conductor L3, the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE. The body of this AC device 6 could, for example, be the body of an electric vehicle whose energy storage system is being charged at a charging station.

[0034] If the body of the electric vehicle is touched by a person, then in a faultless state ( Fig. 1a) only harmless low voltages (400mV) are to be expected, in the faulty state with an interruption 5 ( Fig. 1b) However, dangerously high voltages (122V) can occur between the PEN conductor and earth, which can cause health-endangering physiological effects in humans, up to and including cardiac arrest.

[0035] The simulations show that an interruption of the PEN conductor can lead to unfavorable load distributions in those parts of the system that are also connected to the section of the interrupted PEN conductor, which can result in a dangerous voltage (122V) on touchable, conductive parts that are protective earthed. Fig. 1b) occurs against earth, while the voltage (240V) between the outer conductor L3 and the neutral conductor N on the AC equipment 6 is still within a normal range of 207V to 253V.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system 2 in the event of an interruption 5 of the PEN conductor PEN and inactive AC equipment 6 (charging station) when touching a protective earthed enclosure which assumes a dangerous voltage to earth.

[0037] The simulations show that in the worst case, if the PEN conductor is interrupted, a dangerous voltage (229 V) can occur on touchable conductive parts connected to the PEN conductor, even with the AC equipment 6 (charging station) inactive (separated).

[0038] Since charging station 6 is already switched off in this case, additional protection by a residual current device (RCD) is not advisable. An RCD would, as intended, disconnect the live conductors L3 and N, and in unfavorable circumstances, this disconnection, because no current can then flow through charging station 6, could even increase the touch voltage. The potentially hazardous physiological effects on the human body would be exacerbated if a vehicle body is touched which, even when the charging plug is inserted and the vehicle is inactive, is connected to the PEN conductor.

[0039] The Fig. 3a, Fig. Figure 3b shows the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system 2 with virtual neutral point 8 for a 3AC device 4 with three-phase connection terminals K. L1 , K L2 , K L3 , K N , K PE in case of interruption 5 of the PEN conductor PEN and in case of active ( Fig. 3a) and inactive ( Fig. 3b) 3AC equipment 4.

[0040] The virtual neutral point 8 is formed from a network of capacitors 9 that have approximately the same capacitance. By establishing the virtual neutral point 8, the complex construction of a local grounding system (external reference earth) can be dispensed with.

[0041] The simulations show that the measurement result for the neutral point voltage U measured by means of a voltage measuring device 12 between the virtual neutral point 8 set up on the 3AC equipment 4 and the PEN conductor PEN is VNP with 122V ( Fig. 3a) and 229V ( Fig. 3b) both with active 3AC device 4 and with inactive 3AC device 4 significantly above a critical voltage U lim is 70V.

[0042] The evaluation unit 14 records the neutral point voltage U VNP, evaluates these and sends a signal when the critical voltage U is exceeded. lim a shutdown signal 16 to a 3AC switching element 18 for disconnecting the live conductors L1, L2, L3, the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE on the 3AC device 4.

[0043] In the Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b is a solution according to the invention for an AC device 6 with single-phase AC connection terminals K L3 , K N , K PE In case of interruption 5 of the PEN conductor, the PEN is shown.

[0044] According to the invention, a load change occurs between a first load case ( Fig. 4a) and a second load case ( Fig. 4b) instead.

[0045] In the first load case, the AC switching element 30 on the AC device 6 is open. Therefore, no load current flows through the AC device 6, and a first load voltage U1 (398V) is measured by the voltage measuring device 22. The differential current measuring device 24 indicates that there is no first neutral conductor differential current I d1 (0A) flows.

[0046] After closing the AC switching element 30 on the AC device 6, the second load voltage U2 (240V) and the second neutral conductor differential current I are established in the second load case. d2 (10.5A) one.

[0047] The loop impedance Z can be determined from the voltage change ΔU and the differential current change ΔI that result from the load change. Loop (Loop impedance value) can be estimated: ZLoop=ΔUΔI=398V−240.5V10.5A≈15Ω

[0048] Since the PEN conductor in the case shown was severed with high resistance by the interruption 5, the loop impedance Z Loop The load is formed solely by the load of the 3AC device 4 connected to the outer conductor L2, which is connected to the common part of the interrupted PEN conductor. From this, it can be concluded that no further parallel low-resistance connection exists via a functioning PEN conductor, and therefore an interruption 5 of the PEN conductor PEN is present.

[0049] The evaluation unit 26 performs this evaluation and sends a shutdown signal 28 to the AC switching element 30 to disconnect the connected live conductor L3, the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE on the AC equipment 6.

[0050] This allows a robust assessment of a critical condition of the PEN conductor and the separation of the AC equipment 6 can be effected, for example, within a tripping time of 5s.

[0051] Fig. Figure 5 shows the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system 2 with load switching according to the invention for AC equipment 6 with single-phase connection terminals K L3 , K N , K PE in case of a damaged PEN conductor and in case of contact.

[0052] The human body is subject to a body impedance Z k (1kΩ) is shown and the PEN conductor is not completely interrupted here, but has an impermissibly high value of 15.4Ω.

[0053] In the inactive state of the single-phase device 6, i.e., with the AC switching element 30 open, the residual current measuring device 24 can be used to measure the fault current through a person in the event of contact (touch current I). b) can be determined. Here too, a separation of the active conductor and the protective earth can be achieved, for example, within a tripping time of 5 seconds.

[0054] The voltage between the live conductor L3 and the neutral conductor N is in the range of 207V to 253V. The touch voltage U b The voltage on the protective earthed AC equipment 6 to earth is greater than 70V.

[0055] The Fig. 6a, Fig. Figure 6b shows the 3AC-TN-CS power supply system 2 with load switching according to the invention and measuring branch 32 for AC equipment 6 with single-phase connection terminals K L3 , K N , K PE With an intact PEN conductor, the PEN in the first load case ( Fig. 6a) and in the second load case ( Fig. 6b).

[0056] Unlike the representations in Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, which document an interruption of the PEN conductor, the PEN conductor shows no interruption in this simulation to demonstrate its functionality.

[0057] The load change is effected by opening and closing a switch 36 in a separate measuring branch 32 arranged between one of the outer conductors L3 and the neutral conductor N, wherein the load is formed by a measuring resistor 34.

[0058] In the first load case ( Fig. 6a) With switch 36 open, the first load voltage U1 (211.6V) is set, in the second load case ( Fig. 6b) The second load voltage U2 (206.6V) is applied between the live conductor L3 and the neutral conductor N. The measured differential current I of the first or second neutral conductor is... d1 or I d2 The current is 0A or 1.03A.

[0059] The loop impedance Z Loop The loop impedance value is estimated as follows: ZLoop=ΔUΔI=211.6V−206.6V1.03A≈4.85Ω

[0060] Since the PEN conductor in the shown case has an (increased) PEN conductor resistance value R PEN (15.4Ω) was simulated, the loop impedance Z Loop formed by the parallel connection of the loads on the outer conductors L1 and L3 of the 3AC device 4 and the PEN conductor resistance.

[0061] The following value can be expected based on calculations: ZLoop=1113Ω+115Ω+115.4Ω≈4.83Ω

[0062] For installations protected by a 16A fuse, the loop impedance Z should be Loop below approximately 2Ω.

Claims

[1] Method for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor (PEN) for a three-phase TN-CS power supply system (2) with phase conductors (L1, L2, L3), a neutral conductor (N), a protective conductor (PE) and the PEN conductor (PEN) to which an AC device (6) with single-phase AC terminals (K) is connected L3 , K N , K PE ) is connected to one of the external conductors (L3), the neutral conductor (N) and the protective conductor (PE), comprising the following procedure steps: Measuring a first load voltage (U1) between the connected phase conductor (L3) and the neutral conductor (N) in a first load case using a voltage measuring device (22), Measuring the differential current (I) flowing in the first neutral conductor (N). d1 ) by means of a differential current measuring device (24) in the first load case, Measuring a second load voltage (U2) between the connected phase conductor (L3) and the neutral conductor (N) in a second load case using the voltage measuring device (22), Measuring the differential current (I) flowing in a second neutral conductor (N) d2 ) using the differential current measuring device (24) in the second load case, Calculating a loop impedance (Z) Loop ) from a voltage change (ΔU), formed from the first load voltage (U1) and the second load voltage (U2), divided by a differential current change (ΔI), formed from the first neutral conductor differential current (I) d1 ) and the second neutral conductor differential current (I d2 ), by means of an evaluation unit (26), Assess whether the loop impedance has a sufficiently low loop impedance value using the evaluation device (26) and send a shutdown signal (28) to an AC switching element (30) to disconnect the connected live conductor (L3), neutral conductor (N) and protective conductor (PE) of the AC equipment (6) if the loop impedance value exceeds a loop impedance limit value (Z). lim ) exceeds. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first load case is switched by opening the AC switching element (30) of the AC equipment (6) and the second load case by closing the AC switching element (30) of the AC equipment (6). [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first and second load cases are switched by opening and closing a separate measuring branch (32) arranged between one of the outer conductors (L3) and the neutral conductor (N) with a measuring resistor (34) and a switch (36). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a touch current is measured at the inactive AC equipment (6). [5] Device for testing and monitoring the continuity of a PEN conductor (PEN) for a three-phase TN-CS power supply system (2) with phase conductors (L1, L2, L3), a neutral conductor (N), a protective conductor (PE) and the PEN conductor (PEN), to which an AC device (6) is connected single-phase via AC terminals (K L3 , K N , K PE ) is connected to one of the outer conductors (L3), the neutral conductor (N) and the protective conductor (PE), with an AC switching element (30) for disconnecting the AC equipment (6), characterized by a voltage measuring device for measuring a first and a second load voltage (U1, U2) between the connected phase conductor (L3) and the neutral conductor (N) in a first and a second load case, a differential current measuring device (24) for measuring a first and second N-conductor differential current (I) flowing in the neutral conductor (N) d1 , I d2 ) in the first and second load cases, an evaluation unit (26) which is designed to calculate a loop impedance (Z Loop ) from a voltage change (ΔU), formed from the first load voltage (U1) and the second load voltage (U2) divided by a differential current change (ΔI), formed from the first neutral conductor differential current (I) d1 ) and the second neutral conductor differential current (I d2 ) and to send a shutdown signal (28) to the AC switching element (30) to disconnect the connected live conductor (L3), neutral conductor (N) and protective conductor (PE) on the AC equipment (6) if the loop impedance value exceeds a loop impedance limit value (Z lim ) exceeds. [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized bya separate measuring branch (32) arranged between one of the outer conductors (L3) and the neutral conductor (N) with a measuring resistor (34) and a switch (36) for switching the first and second load cases by opening and closing the measuring branch (32). [7] Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the differential current measuring device (24) is designed to measure a touch current (I b ) on the inactive AC equipment (6).

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