Switch

Abstract

A switch is proposed. This switch comprises an electronic overcurrent release (ETU), a memory (S) associated with the electrical overcurrent release (ETU) for storing fault-related log files, and a display (AZ). According to the invention, the switch is designed to convert information stored in fault-related log files into a graphic code and to output the code on a display (AZ). The invention simplifies the transmission of fault-related information, e.g., by photographing it with a mobile phone and sending it to a service center.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switch that allows the output of error-related data.

[0002] Modern ACB (Air Circuit Breaker) and MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker) circuit breakers are equipped with powerful and versatile electronic trip units (ETUs). They are often equipped with a display that provides a graphical interface for setting parameters and displaying measured values, data, and parameters. Such a display is described, for example, in DE 10 2020 210 973 A1.

[0003] Because overcurrent releases are complex devices that offer a multitude of setting parameters and must also interact with other components such as the Breaker Identification Module (BIM) and the Option Plug add-on module (a module for implementing additional functions, typically in the form of a rated current module or rating plug with expanded functionality), there is also the potential for misconfiguration and, in the event of a component malfunction, for the occurrence of internal errors. These are typically indicated to the user in the form of collective fault messages via LEDs (warning / fault) and display text messages. However, to avoid confusing the user - many of these errors cannot be rectified by the user - no detailed error messages are displayed in plain text, but rather collective fault messages.

[0004] The ETU knows the exact cause of the fault and stores it in internal logs or error reports with precise error information (cause, address, timestamp) in nonvolatile memory. These logs can only be read by a service technician using special equipment. Because the logs contain a large amount of data, they cannot be displayed in text form on the ETU display. This means that in some cases, a customer service technician must travel to the customer's location to analyze the fault (e.g., read the logs), or the device must be removed and sent to customer service.

[0005] In the event of a malfunction, the customer is often tied to the manufacturer's customer service. The manufacturer must contact the customer service department by phone or email, based on the customer's behavior or display information, to try to narrow down the possible cause of the malfunction and issue appropriate recommendations for action, or send configured spare parts for the customer. The customer can only forward the contents of the collective malfunction report to customer service. The detailed data in the logs cannot be read without special equipment, and especially not by the user.

[0006] The invention aims to improve the provision of error-related information by a switch.

[0007] The object is achieved by a switch according to claim 1 or a method according to claim 10. Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a switch, in particular a low-voltage switch such as an ACB or an MCCB, with an electronic overcurrent release or an ETU. This ETU is assigned an internal or external memory for storing error-related log files. In addition, the switch comprises a display. The switch according to the invention is designed for the conversion of information stored in error-related log files (e.g. the date and time of an error, an identification number of the corresponding log file entry, an error code, etc.) into a graphic code (e.g. one- or multi-dimensional graphic code such as a barcode, QR code, data matrix code, etc.) and for the output of the code on a display. The display can be the display of the switch. However, it is also conceivable for the switch to comprise a communication interface and to be designed for transmission to a terminal device (e.g.mobile phone) is equipped with a display for outputting the code on this display.

[0009] In the event of a fault, the user can, upon instruction from customer service, display the graphic code, take a photo of it, for example, using a mobile phone, i.e. without the need for a special additional device, and send it to customer service.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the switch is designed to convert information stored in fault-related log files into a graphic code by the electronic overcurrent release or a data processing unit (e.g. CPU or MCU) of a display of the switch.

[0011] According to a further development of the switch, the information contains an error code (e.g., collective fault message), and the switch is designed for extraction of the error code by the electronic overcurrent release and for output on the display of the switch. The switch can then be designed for an alternative display of the error code and the graphic code on the display. This means that a conventional error display (error code) is combined with the inventive display of a graphic code, whereby both are associated with each other (i.e., indicate the same fault), but can only be displayed alternately. This is a very ergonomic approach that avoids the misunderstandings that can arise from simultaneous display. The graphic code will contain more information than the conventional error display, but can in particular contain the error code. Switching to the display of the graphic code can, for example,a key combination on the display.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the display of the graphic code is password-protected. This password can be specific to the switch.

[0013] The invention also encompasses a method for outputting error-related information using a switch according to the invention. In the method, information stored in error-related log files is converted into a graphical code, and the graphical code is output on a display.

[0014] According to a further development of this method, the extraction or reading of an error code from an error-related log file entry and the extraction of further information from the error-related log file entry are provided. The error code and the further information are converted into a graphical code (the extraction of the error code and further information for the graphical code can be performed in a single step). Furthermore, the error code is provided for output on the display. The graphical code is also provided for output on the display, whereby it is possible to switch between the output of the error code and the graphical code on the display.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below within the framework of an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1: a part of a circuit breaker, with various units of the breaker shown schematically, Fig. 2: the front view of a circuit breaker with an indicator, Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the conversion of error-related information into a graphical code, and Fig. 4: a method according to the invention.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows part of a circuit breaker (LS), schematically illustrating various components of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is designed to interrupt electrical conductors L1, L2, and L3 of an electrical circuit, for example, a three-phase AC circuit. The first conductor L1 forms the first phase, the second conductor L2 the second phase, and the third conductor L3 the third phase of the three-phase AC circuit. A neutral conductor and a protective conductor may also be provided.

[0017] In the example according to Fig. 1, the third conductor L3 is connected to an energy converter EW in such a way that at least part of the current, i.e. a partial conductor current, or the entire current of the third conductor flows through the primary side of an energy converter EW. The energy converter EW is usually a transformer with a core. An energy converter EW can also be provided in each phase or in each conductor of the electrical circuit. The secondary side of the energy converter EW is connected to a power supply NT, which provides a power supply, for example in the form of a supply voltage, for an electronic overcurrent release ETU (Electronic Trip Unit). This overcurrent release ETU is formed with a memory S. A sensor unit SE is provided, which is formed with at least one sensor element, preferably a Rogowski coil, for determining the level of the electrical current.In a common configuration, the magnitude of the electric current of each phase conductor or conductor of the electrical circuit is determined.

[0018] The sensor unit SE is connected to the overcurrent release ETU and transmits to it the level of the electrical current of at least one or more conductors of the electrical circuit.

[0019] The transmitted current values ​​are compared in the electronic overcurrent release (ETU) with current limit values ​​and / or current-time limit values ​​that constitute the triggering factors. If these limits are exceeded, the electrical circuit is interrupted. This can be achieved, for example, by providing an interruption unit (UE) that is connected to the electronic overcurrent release (ETU) and has contacts for interrupting conductors L1, L2, L3, or other conductors of the electrical circuit. In this case, the interruption unit (UE) receives an interruption signal to open the contacts.

[0020] The electronic overcurrent release ETU is equipped with a display AZ on which values ​​of system-relevant quantities can be shown, e.g. current, voltage, energy, power, phase angle, etc. Some of these are measured, and some are calculated from measured values. Also shown is a communication interface KS (e.g. Zigbee, Wi-Fi or BLE radio interface or cable interface, e.g. for LAN cable), via which the recorded system-relevant values ​​can be transmitted, for example, to a monitoring point for display or analysis. Configurations are also conceivable in which no display is provided on the electronic overcurrent release ETU, but only a display by an external unit to which information is transmitted. The calculation of system-relevant values ​​from measured values ​​can be carried out either in the circuit breaker LS or by an external unit to which measured values ​​have been transmitted.It is also possible that the circuit breaker either has no display (AZ) or no communication interface (KS). In the first case, only a display would be provided on the circuit breaker (LS); in the second case, only a display would be provided by an external unit fed with data from the circuit breaker. Fig. Figure 2 shows the front view of a circuit breaker (ACB) with an AZ indicator.

[0021] The firmware for the AZ display is being expanded to include special menu pages, which enable coded display of data as a graphic code. This code encodes information stored in memory S into internal logs. These are displayed graphically, e.g., as a one- or multi-dimensional graphic code such as a barcode, QR code, data matrix code, or other. In the event of a malfunction, the user can, upon instruction from customer service, call up the special menu pages, photograph the displayed codes, e.g., using a mobile phone—i.e., without the need for special equipment—and transmit them to customer service. After evaluating the codes, the customer service can display and analyze the complete contents of the log and find a sound solution to the problem.

[0022] The electronic overcurrent release (ETU) includes software for generating the code, e.g., a QR code generator that converts text into a QR code. This type of software is state-of-the-art. (QR code generation is also sometimes offered as a service online, see https: / / www.qrcode-generator.de / solutions / text-qr-code / ).

[0023] Such QR code generators can display a simple text consisting of words, numbers, and special characters in the form of a QR code. A QR code can typically store up to 7,089 digits or 4,296 characters, including punctuation and special characters. Thus, each code can encode not only individual words but also longer expressions such as internet addresses.

[0024] It is an important finding underlying the invention that the core information of an error-related log file entry, which is too extensive for the conventional display on the switch, fits well into a graphical code, ie, the graphical code is a suitable representation. This core information is, for example, the following content of a log entry. - Date and time - Unique log ID (incrementing) - Error / Warning / Event Number - additional information if necessary

[0025] From this information, for example, a QR code is generated, which in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0026] The special menu pages can optionally - can be called up by pressing multiple keys simultaneously without being regularly available in the menu - be protected by a password that is only valid for this individual device and can be determined by customer service, e.g. from the serial number, and is only issued when service is requested.

[0027] Another option is to display the graphic code on an app (mobile phone, tablet, etc.), which communicates with the ETU via a wireless interface (e.g. Bluetooth) and evaluates the content of the logs.

[0028] In Fig.Figure 4 shows a method as an embodiment of the invention. Entries (including an error code) of a log entry are encoded in a QR code using a QR code generator. The error code ("E2439") is also read and processed for output on a display area AZ. The display of this information on the AZ is shown schematically at the bottom left. As indicated by dots, other information can also be output with the error code. Alternatively, the QR code is displayed on the display area (right). You can switch between these alternatives using a key combination.

[0029] The inventive solution allows customer service access to all data relevant to the fault known to the ETU without overwhelming the user with meaningless information on the display. Apart from a one-time implementation cost, there is no additional product cost, while maintainability is significantly increased. No additional special tools or diagnostic devices are required to read this data. The data is transmitted with the highest reliability, preventing transmission errors between the device and the service technician. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 210 973 A1

[0002] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / www.qrcode-generator.de / solutions / text-qr-code /

[0022]

Claims

[1] Switch, comprising - an electronic overcurrent release (ETU), - a memory (S) assigned to the electrical overcurrent release (ETU) for storing fault-related log files, and - an advertisement (AZ) characterized by , that - the switch is designed to convert information stored in error-related log files into a graphical code and to output the code on a display (AZ). [2] Switch according to claim 1, characterized by that the switch is designed to output the code on the display (AZ) of the switch. [3] Switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the switch comprises a communication interface (KS) and is designed for transmission to a terminal with a display for outputting the code on this display. [4] Switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the switch is designed for the conversion of information stored in fault-related log files into a graphic code by the electronic overcurrent release (ETU) or a data processing unit of a display (AZ) of the switch. [5] Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that - the information contains an error code, - the switch is designed for extraction of the fault code by the electronic overcurrent release (ETU) and for output on the display (AZ) of the switch. [6] Switch according to claim 5, characterized by that the switch is designed for an alternative output of the error code and the graphic code on the display (AZ) [7] Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the graphic code can be displayed on the display (AZ) using a key combination. [8] Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the output of the graphic code on the display (AZ) is password protected. [9] Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the information includes the date and time of an error, an identification number of the corresponding log file entry and an error code. [10] A method for outputting error-related information by means of a switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps - Converting information stored in error-related log files into graphical code and - Output of the code on a display (AZ). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by - Extracting an error code from an error-related log file entry, - Extracting further information from the error-related log file entry, - Converting the error code and other information into a graphical code, - Providing the error code for output on the display, and - Providing the graphic code for output on the display (AZ), whereby it is possible to switch between the output of the error code and the graphic code on the display (AZ).

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