Electrical installation and building containing such an installation

Abstract

Electrical installation and building comprising such an installation The installation (1) comprises: - electrical power outlets (30); - wired communication outlets (40); - an electrical power cable (3) connected to an electricity supply network (120) and to each of the electrical power outlets by a first branch conductor (4); - an electrical cable (7) separate from the power cable (3), connected to the electricity supply network and connected to an Internet connection box (105) via an upstream PLC box (106), and forming a PLC communication cable; - a first downstream PLC box (11) connected to said electrical cable (7) by a second branch conductor (8); - a network switch (13) having an upstream port connected to the communication port of the first downstream PLC box, and several downstream ports (14) each connected to a wired communication outlet. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical installation and building comprising such an installation

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical installation and to a building comprising such an installation.

[0002] The invention finds its application in the case of buildings comprising an area in which there is no Internet access, or very poor access, even when the building has a good Internet connection. This may be a residential or office building, a hotel, a supermarket, or any other building, the area in question being, for example, an underground car park.

[0003] However, it is often necessary or desirable to be able to communicate with certain equipment present in this area of ​​the building, and this communication requires Internet access. This is particularly the case for electric vehicle charging stations. Indeed, companies managing installations for charging electric vehicles need to be able to exchange information with each charging station, in particular to be able to bill each user the amount corresponding to their consumption during recharges carried out over a given period of time. Furthermore, certain equipment must be able to be consulted or controlled by their user, such as for example a camera or an access control device.

[0004] To enable Internet access in the vicinity of the equipment installed in the aforementioned area of ​​the building, the solution consisting of using Wifi or 4G repeaters is expensive and inefficient, or even ineffective depending on the size of the area to be covered and its layout (presence of walls or baffles for example).

[0005] Other problems exist when the area of ​​the building in question comprises, on the one hand, a space common to the occupants of the building and, on the other hand, a plurality of private spaces, each reserved for a subset of occupants. Thus, in addition to the normative constraints to which it must respond, the electrical installation has, depending on its structure, different implications on the distribution of costs between occupants.

[0006] The invention aims to provide Internet access in all desired areas of a building, allowing quality communication.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical installation, comprising: - a plurality of electrical power outlets; - a plurality of wired communication sockets, such as sockets Ethernet; - an electrical power cable, intended to be connected to a network of electricity supply, and connected to each of the electrical power outlets by a first branch conductor, the electrical power outlets being mounted in parallel; - an electrical cable separate from the power cable, intended to be connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network and on the other hand to an Internet connection box via an upstream PLC (powerline communication) box; - at least one first downstream PLC box which is connected to said electrical cable by a second branch conductor separate from the first branch conductor, and which comprises a communication port; - for the or at least one of the first downstream PLC boxes, a network switch, such as an Ethernet switch, having on the one hand an upstream port connected to the communication port of the first downstream PLC box, and on the other hand a plurality of downstream ports;

[0008] each wired communication socket being connected to a downstream port of the network switch of the or one of the first downstream PLC boxes, said electrical cable forming a PLC communication cable.

[0009] In other words, the invention makes it possible to transmit data from / to each wired communication socket, i.e. from / to each piece of equipment connected to said socket, over the Internet network, via PLC technology, on a dedicated electrical cable. The communication established in this way is of very good quality. This is due to PLC technology, but also to the fact that the data transmission is carried out via an electrical cable which is only used for this transmission. In particular, this cable is not additionally used to transmit electrical power, this function being provided by the power cable. As a result, the presence of interference which would harm the quality of data transmission is avoided or considerably limited. This significant advantage largely compensates for the disadvantage linked to the need to provide an additional cable dedicated to communication.

[0010] The installation according to the invention is also particularly interesting in that it has a simplified implementation, requiring few operations. In addition, these operations can be carried out by an electrician who does not have expertise in the field of radio communications, which is generally the case for operators who work on installations for recharging electric vehicles, for example. Indeed, as far as communication is concerned, that is to say the transmission of data, the connection of a terminal is a simple electrical connection operation by derivation, as is the case for the connection of the terminal to the power cable.

[0011] The installation also has the advantage of being robust and durable, with easy maintenance. It is scalable, since, for the addition of a new socket wired communication in the installation, to connect new equipment, it is sufficient to make a branch for the power connection and another branch for the communication connection, without it being necessary to provide a new electrical communication cable.

[0012] It follows from the above-mentioned advantages that the costs of initial implementation, maintenance and development of the installation are reduced.

[0013] Furthermore, the installation according to the invention has the considerable advantage of being compatible with any telecommunications operator and any service operator linked to the management of equipment connected or connectable to wired communication sockets.

[0014] Another significant advantage of the invention lies in the sharing of the first downstream PLC box for several devices. This results in savings and a substantial simplification of the installation. The Ethernet switch, or other network switch, makes it possible to multiply the connection point to the PLC communication cable.

[0015] Furthermore, the fact of not integrating the first downstream PLC into a given piece of equipment, for example into an electric vehicle charging station, makes it possible to make the installation more modular, since different pieces of equipment can be connected to the installation as required.

[0016] For example, when the electrical installation is initially intended as an electric vehicle charging installation, it can then also be used for other purposes, by allowing the connection of desired equipment to a power supply socket and to a wired communication socket. This expansion of the use of the installation beyond its initial function does not require any particular electrical arrangement. This is also made possible by the fact that the Internet connection provided by the PLC communication cable is very stable, and therefore makes it possible to envisage uses such as a wifi hotspot, video surveillance or fire system.

[0017] The installation therefore comprises a plurality of wired communication sockets to which equipment is connected, or awaiting the connection of equipment.

[0018] The installation may comprise at least one piece of equipment connected to a power supply socket and to a wired communication socket, said equipment belonging to the group consisting of: a charging station for an electric vehicle, an alarm, a video surveillance device, an access control device, a fire detection device, an loT (“Internet of Things”) sensor.

[0019] The installation may comprise at least one charging station for an electric vehicle, which is connected to an electrical power outlet and to a power outlet. wired communication, the installation further comprising, for the or each terminal, an electrical panel which includes a box and, housed in the box, at least one of the following devices: a fuse switch, a meter, a circuit breaker.

[0020] At least one terminal may be located outside the corresponding electrical panel. At least one terminal may be located inside the corresponding electrical panel.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first downstream PLC box and the network switch connected to it are housed in a box which also receives a circuit breaker and / or a differential.

[0022] The installation may include a cable tray type support through which both the power cable and the PLC communication cable pass. In other words, the power cable and the PLC communication cable pass through a single cable tray. This is legally possible because the PLC communication cable is at the same voltage of 230 V as the power cable.

[0023] The installation may further comprise at least one wireless connection device, capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device. The wireless connection device is connected to or includes a second downstream PLC box which is distinct from the or each of the first downstream PLC boxes and which is connected to the PLC communication cable via a third branch conductor.

[0024] In other words, the wireless connection device is connected to the PLC communication cable via the second PLC box.

[0025] Such an installation thus allows the transmission of data between each piece of equipment connected to a wired communication socket and a user present in the vicinity of the equipment, or even further away in the relevant area of ​​the building.

[0026] Depending on the environment around the equipment, a single wireless connection device may be sufficient to cover the entire area of ​​the building. If there are walls or other structures that interfere with wireless transmissions, multiple wireless connection devices may be provided.

[0027] Thus, thanks to the invention, radio communication, via 4G and / or wifi, is preferably possible anywhere in the relevant area of ​​the building.

[0028] In the case where a piece of equipment is a charging station for an electric vehicle, the installation also allows the transmission of data between the charging station and the vehicle connected to said station. This transmitted data may include information (for example on the state of charge of the vehicle, the remaining charging time, etc.) and / or commands (for example for triggering charging, whether immediate or delayed).

[0029] The wireless connection device comprises, for example, a WiFi module or a femtocell box.

[0030] The invention also relates to a building comprising an installation such as previously described, the building including a first zone and a second zone, the second zone comprising a space common to the occupants of the building and a plurality of private spaces each reserved for a subset of occupants.

[0031] The building includes: - in the first zone, an Internet connection box and an upstream PLC box connected to said Internet connection box, said upstream PLC box also being electrically connected to the PLC communication cable; - in the second area, which is separate from the first area and out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box, for example a basement:

[0032] — in the common space, the first downstream PLC box(es) and the com(es) network switches;

[0033] — in at least some of the private spaces, at least one power outlet electrical and a wired communication socket.

[0034] Certain regulatory constraints related to the premises may impose connections only at very low safety voltage. Thanks to the invention, each private space can have an electrical power outlet, the only source of 230 V current, and a wired communication outlet, which is at low current, in compliance with the standards. Indeed, the first downstream PLC being located in the common space, there is no second source of 230 V current which reaches the private spaces.

[0035] Several possible embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures:

[0036] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a building comprising an electrical installation according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a building comprising an electrical installation according to a variant.

[0038] [Fig.l] represents a building 100 equipped with an electrical power supply system 110. By “building” is meant any construction (residential or tertiary building, factory, etc.), whether for private or public use.

[0039] The electrical power supply system 110 is electrically connected to an electricity supply network 120, via a general cut-off device 125 which is for example located at the edge of the property and may further comprise a protection device.

[0040] The building 100 comprises a main area 104 which may typically comprise the living and / or working spaces and be located above ground. The electrical rooms or equipment located in this main area 104 are supplied by a main electrical supply cable 103 which belongs to the electrical supply system 110 and which is connected to the electricity supply network 120 via the general cut-off device 125.

[0041] The building 100 further comprises a first zone 101 in which an Internet connection box 105 is located which is connected to the main power supply cable 103. The power supply system 110 further comprises an upstream PLC box 106 which is connected on the one hand to the main cable 103 and on the other hand to the Internet connection box 105. The upstream PLC box 106 is preferably located in the first zone 101 of the building 100.

[0042] The first zone 101 may typically be a technical room, which may be located either above ground or below.

[0043] The terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used with reference to the direction of the downlink from the Internet network to the Internet connection box 105 and then to the user, it being specified that the communication can also take place in the upstream direction, that is to say in the reverse direction.

[0044] The building 100 also includes a second zone 102 which is distinct from the first zone 101 and which is out of the signal range of the Internet connection box 105. The second zone 102 is typically located underground.

[0045] The first and second zones 101, 102 may be separated by a wall, such as here a horizontal wall 107 located at ground level, in general.

[0046] The second zone 102 comprises a common space 108 and a plurality of private spaces 109. The common space 108 is common to the occupants of the building 100, while each private space 109 is reserved for a subset of occupants, for example the owners or tenants of a given apartment of the building 100. A private space 109 is for example a garage or a parking space.

[0047] In [Fig. 1], line A schematizes the boundary between the common space 108 and the private spaces 109, and line B schematizes the boundary between two adjacent private spaces 109.

[0048] The electrical power supply system 110 comprises an electrical installation 1.

[0049] The installation 1 comprises a plurality of electrical power outlets 30 and a plurality of wired communication outlets 40, such as Ethernet outlets, these outlets being located in the second zone 102 of the building 100, in at least some of the private spaces 109. For example, an electrical power outlet 30 is located in each private space 109 and a wired communication outlet 40 is located in each private space 109.

[0050] The installation 1 further comprises an electrical power supply cable, also called a power supply cable 3, which is connected to the electricity supply network 120 and connected to each of the electrical power supply sockets 30 by a first branch conductor 4. The electrical power supply sockets 30 are thus mounted in parallel, and connected to the power supply cable 3 by a plurality of first branch conductors 4.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the power cable 3 comprises a neutral wire and three phase wires, these wires preferably being housed in an insulating sheath. Furthermore, each first branch conductor 4 is single-phase, that is to say it comprises a wire connected to the neutral wire and a wire connected to one of the phase wires.

[0052] Concretely, the power cable 3 can be connected to the electricity supply network 120 via the general cut-off device 125 and via a cut-off device 5, generally located in the second zone 102 of the building 100.

[0053] In addition, the installation 1 comprises an electrical cable 7 separate from the power supply cable 3, also called the PLC communication cable.

[0054] The PLC communication cable 7 is connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network, for example to the main cable 103, and on the other hand to the Internet connection box 105 via the upstream PLC box 106. In other words, the PLC communication cable 7 is connected to the upstream PLC box 106, itself connected to the Internet connection box 105.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the PLC communication cable 7 comprises a neutral wire and a single phase wire as well as, optionally, an earth wire. These wires are preferably housed in an insulating sheath.

[0056] Furthermore, the installation 1 comprises at least one first downstream PLC box 11 which is connected to the PLC communication cable 7 by a second branch conductor 8 which is separate from the first branch conductor 4. The first downstream PLC boxes 11 are thus mounted in parallel, and connected to the PLC communication cable 7 by a plurality of second branch conductors 8. Each second branch conductor 8 is single-phase, that is to say it comprises a wire connected to the neutral wire and a wire connected to one of the phase wires of the PLC communication cable 7.

[0057] In [Fig. 1] two first downstream CPL boxes 11 are illustrated, but this embodiment is not limiting.

[0058] In addition, a network switch 13, such as an Ethernet switch, is connected to each of the first downstream PLC boxes 11, or at least to one of them. Concretely, a network switch 13 has: - on the one hand an upstream port which is connected to the communication port of the first downstream PLC box 11; - and on the other hand a plurality of downstream ports 14, each wired communication socket 40 being connected to a downstream port 14 of a network switch 13 by a computer connection cable 9 such as an Ethernet cable.

[0059] The first downstream PLC box(es) 11 as well as the network switch(es) 13 are located in the common space 108 of the second zone 102 of the building 100, i.e. outside the private spaces 109.

[0060] The installation 1 thus preferably comprises, in each of the spaces private 109, a power supply socket 30 and a wired communication socket 40 which are either awaiting the connection of a device 2, or actually connected to a device 2.

[0061] Such equipment 2 may for example be: a charging station 2a for an electric vehicle, an alarm, a video surveillance device, an access control device, a fire detection device, an loT sensor.

[0062] Thus, each equipment 2: - receives the electrical power necessary for its operation through the power cable 3, via the power supply socket 30; - and, in addition, can receive and send data via the Internet network, via the upstream PLC box 106, the PLC communication cable 7, the first downstream PLC box 11, the network switch 13 and the wired communication socket 40.

[0063] Data transmission is therefore carried out on an electric cable which is dedicated to this function, and which does not also fulfil the function of supplying electric power.

[0064] The power cable 3 and the PLC communication cable 7, although distinct, can both pass through the same cable tray 10, or other support, which simplifies the structure and maintenance of the installation 1.

[0065] [Fig.2] illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the installation 1 includes certain optional features.

[0066] In at least one of the private spaces 109, the equipment 2 connected to the electrical power socket 30 and to the wired communication socket 40 may consist of a terminal 2a for recharging an electric vehicle. The terminal 2a is provided with a socket (not shown) to which a vehicle recharging cable can be connected. The terminal 2a may further comprise a system for managing access to the terminal and / or for managing consumption.

[0067] Terminal 2a may be associated with an electrical panel 20. The electrical panel 20 may comprise a box that can be closed by a door, and various electrical devices (not shown) housed in the box, including: a fuse switch, a meter, a circuit breaker. These devices are connected in series between the power cable 3 and terminal 2a, preferably in the order in which they are listed.

[0068] According to a possible embodiment, the terminal 2a can be located outside the electrical panel 20 or inside the electrical panel 20.

[0069] Furthermore, at least one of the first downstream PLC boxes 11 and the network switch 13 connected to it can be housed in a box 25 which can also contain a circuit breaker and / or a differential (not shown).

[0070] Furthermore, the installation 1 may comprise at least one connection device without wire 15, capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device 50. The wireless connection device 15 is connected to a second downstream PLC box 12 (the wireless connection device 15 can then comprise a wifi module) or includes such a second downstream PLC box 12 (the wireless connection device 15 can then comprise a femtocell box). The second downstream PLC box 12 is distinct from the or each of the first downstream PLC boxes 11; it is connected to the PLC communication cable 7. Concretely, each of the second downstream PLC boxes 12 is connected to the PLC communication cable 7 via a third branch conductor 6.

[0071] The wireless connection device(s) 15, located in the second zone 102 of the building 100, therefore allows a user to have access to the Internet in this second zone 102 which is out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box 105.

[0072] In the embodiment of [Fig.2], the wireless connection device 15 is fixed on and outside the electrical panel 20 associated with the terminal 2a, and allows access to the Internet at least in the corresponding private space 109.

[0073] The installation 1 may comprise a single wireless connection device 15 common to several private spaces 109 when these private spaces 109 are not far from each other and there is no obstacle to the transmission of the radio signal. This is the case in [Fig. 2] where the private spaces 109 are open parking spaces, i.e. not located in a closed box whose walls could block the signal.

[0074] Thus, the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art, thanks to the implementation of an electrical cable which is distinct from the electrical power cable and which forms a PLC communication cable. This makes it possible to create a communication channel between each piece of equipment and the Internet and, optionally, to create for users a wireless Internet access point in an area with very disturbed or even non-existent Internet access. These functionalities are obtained in a simple, qualitative (i.e. with little or no interference), scalable manner, independent of telecommunications operators and services linked to the equipment.

[0075] Furthermore, due to the sharing of the first downstream PLC box and its location in the common space, the invention offers a technical solution reconciling in particular the constraints of: - number of devices to be connected to the Internet in an area normally having no or poor quality Internet access; - overall cost of the electrical installation; - compliance of the premises concerned with electrical standards.

[0076] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but that it includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical installation (1), comprising: - a plurality of electrical power outlets (30); - a plurality of wired communication outlets (40), such as Ethernet outlets; - an electrical power cable (3), intended to be connected to an electricity supply network (120), and connected to each of the electrical power outlets (30) by a first branch conductor (4), the electrical power outlets (30) being mounted in parallel; characterized in that it further comprises: - an electrical cable (7) separate from the power cable (3), intended to be connected on the one hand to the electricity supply network (120) and on the other hand to an Internet connection box (105) via an upstream PLC (power line communication) box (106);- at least one first downstream PLC box (11) which is connected to said electrical cable (7) by a second branch conductor (8) separate from the first branch conductor (4), and which comprises a communication port; - for the or at least one of the first downstream PLC boxes (11), a network switch (13), such as an Ethernet switch, having on the one hand an upstream port connected to the communication port of the first downstream PLC box (11), and on the other hand a plurality of downstream ports (14); each wired communication socket (30) being connected to a downstream port (14) of the network switch (13) of the or one of the first downstream PLC boxes (11), said electrical cable forming a PLC communication cable (7).;

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of equipment (2) connected to an electrical power socket (30) and to a wired communication socket (30), said piece of equipment (2) belonging to the group consisting of: a terminal (2a) for recharging an electric vehicle, an alarm, a video surveillance device, an access control device, a fire detection device, an loT (“Internet of Things”) sensor.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one terminal (2a) for recharging an electric vehicle, which is connected to an electrical power socket (30) and to a wired communication socket (30), the installation (1) comprising in furthermore, for the or each terminal (2a), an electrical panel (20) which comprises a box and, housed in the box, at least one of the following devices: a fuse switch, a meter, a circuit breaker.

4. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one terminal (2a) is located outside the corresponding electrical panel (20), and / or in that at least one terminal (2a) is located inside the corresponding electrical panel (20).

5. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first downstream PLC box (11) and the network switch (13) connected to it are housed in a box (25) which also receives a circuit breaker and / or a differential.

6. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a cable tray type support (10) in which both the power cable (3) and the PLC communication cable (7) pass.

7. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises at least one wireless connection device (15), capable of allowing a user to connect to the Internet, wirelessly and via a mobile device (50), said wireless connection device (15) being connected to or including a second downstream PLC box (12) which is distinct from the or each of the first downstream PLC boxes (11) and which is connected to the PLC communication cable (7) via a third branch conductor (6).

8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the wireless connection device (15) comprises a wifi module or a femtocell box.

9. Building (100) comprising an installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the building (100) including a first zone (101) and a second zone (102), the second zone (102) comprising a common space (108) for the occupants of the building (100) and a plurality of private spaces (109) each reserved for a subset of occupants, the building (100) comprising: - in the first zone (101), an Internet connection box (105) and an upstream PLC box (106) connected to said Internet connection box (105), said upstream PLC box (106) being further electrically connected to the PLC communication cable (7); - in the second zone (102), which is distinct from the first zone (101) and out of range of the signal from the Internet connection box (105), for example a basement: — in the common space (108), the first downstream PLC box(es) (11) and the network switch(es) (13); — in at least some of the private spaces (109), at least one electrical power outlet (30) and one wired communication outlet (30).

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