Electrical system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a building (such as an office or a dwelling) having an electrical system with a remote access control unit, operated by the building’s owner / occupier. RCD, MCB, and RC

Description

The present application relates to a building having a control unit which can allow (temporary) remote access (to a third party) to the building’s electrical system. Buildings (such as offices, or houses) are becoming increasingly complex, as are their electrical systems. Such systems usually need to control all of the electrical appliances in the building, ranging from kitchen appliances to air conditioning units. Such systems will, over time, develop faults. Usually, a fault will require an electrician to attend, and visit, the building in order to diagnose the fault, and then perform a repair. However, this can be expensive and time consuming. The electrician needs to visit, or attend, the building or property. That can take time, and the electrician may not be able to attend a building immediately, which may be a disadvantage if there is an urgent fault which needs to be rectified. The invention seeks to mitigate or solve these problems. At its broadest, the invention providing a mechanism whereby an electrician can perform some of those functions (inspect, analyse, diagnose, repair and / or fix) while not present at the building (or property). Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling access to an electrical (or electronic) system in a building (or property, the terms are used interchangeably). The method can comprise: a) Allowing, permitting or granting (temporary) remote access to a (remote) third party to the electrical system (in the building), suitably by an access control unit, so that b) The third party can perform analysis, diagnosis and / or repairs to the system; and c) Optionally, terminating access of the third party to the system. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of installing or providing an access control unit in a building (or property). This can comprise providing to an e.g. existing building, an access control unit. The control unit can provide means for the building owner / occupier to (usually temporarily) grant access to the (electrical) system in said building to a third party (such as an electrician, technician or an engineer). Thus, the invention can provide an access control unit, which allows a building or property owner / occupier to grant or permit access to the building’s electrical control system, usually on a temporary basis. A third aspect of the invention relates to an electrical control unit for a building, which unit can temporarily grant remote access to a (remote) third party (such as an electrician or an engineer) in order to perform analysis, diagnosis and / or repairs to the electrical system (in the building). A fourth aspect relates to a building that has such an access control unit. The building will have an electrical system, and so the unit can allow the building owner / occupier to grant (temporary) remote access, to a third party, to said electrical system. The building (or property) may be a human dwelling such as a house, bungalow, flat or apartment. It may be a commercial building, such as an office or workplace. In fact, it can be any building or property with an electrical system, namely an electrical appliance(s) and / or an electrical (e.g. mains) power supply. The electrical system in the building may comprise one or more Residual Current Devices (RCDs), Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCBs) and / or appliances. The electrical system (in the property) may supply, or control, various electrical sockets, outlets and / or appliances. For example, if the building is an office, the appliances may comprise an air conditioning system, or an electric source for office or commercial use such as for computers, laptops, devices, mobile phones, heating and / or cooling devices, air conditioning units, fans, etc. The building may have lighting, in which case the electrical system may comprise lighting systems, such as lights, light switches or controls, light bulbs, etc. The building may have plumbing or water supply, such as in a bathroom and / or toilet. The property may have a kitchen, in which case appliances may include cooking means (cookers, electrical hobs, gas hobs), washing machine, dishwasher, fridges and / or freezers. The invention may allow a building (or property) owner / occupier to seek or obtain emergency assistance, for example if there is an electrical fault or problem. The third party may then be able to perform an analysis of the system. This may indicate the potential fault, issue and / or problem. The access may allow the third party to adapt, control or alter the electrical system, for example switching on or off points / outlets, switches and / or appliances. It may also allow optimisation and / or fine tuning of the electrical system, controls, supply and / or appliances. The invention usually allows temporary access or control. The third party may then be able to perform a diagnosis, suitably to identify the fault, and possibly repair and / or fix said fault. The third party may also be able to perform maintenance and / or ongoing monitoring. The control unit may allow access so as to monitor the electrical supply, or correct charges and / or billing. The access may also allow the third party to see, view, or otherwise access useful information. This information may comprise one or more: a) electrical plans, wiring plans and / or wiring designs; b) electrical circuits; c) fault logs and / or records; d) maintenance or performance of the system or information on the various elements, components and / or appliances; e) data collection and / or storage; f) useful diagrams and / or certificates. There may thus be a depository hub of information that may be useful for the third party. The control unit may comprise (e.g. interactive) software. This may be visible or accessible to the third party. The building owner / occupier (or client) can thus provide authorisation to the third party. It could be temporary, or indefinite, or the authorisation may be per task. The third party may therefore be able to perform repairs, analysis or diagnosis for example of failures and / or other faults. The building may have an intelligent main distribution box. There may be switches, operated by software, which allow access to various circuits. The client (or owner / occupier, the terms are used interchangeably) may therefore allow the third party remote access. The third party may be able to visualise or see any problems or faults and may be able to assist or guide the client in order to perform checks (either physically, manually or remotely). In this way there may be a two-way collaboration or communication between the third party (electrician) and the client (or owner / occupier). In one embodiment, a client may first contact the third party, such as a tradesman, or electrician. If the third party is able to assist, then there may be some interaction between the client and the third party. This may allow the third party to troubleshoot. The client may therefore allow remote access (to the electrician). The client may allow access to only certain specific parts of the system, for example the main board, and it may only be temporary. The third party or electrician may therefore only be able to access parts that the client is controlling, or controlling access to. A house owner may therefore be able give an e.g. electrician rights, for example to view, change, or access, the system and / or to diagnostics information. This may allow an electrician to handle a first analysis and / or diagnosis. Preferred features and characteristics of one aspect of the invention are applicable to another aspect mutatis mutandis. The invention will be described by reference to the drawings, which are not intended to be limiting, and in which: Figures 1 and 2 show an access control unit according to the invention, and in particular a display of how an electrician’s panel would look like when accessed remotely; Figure 3 and 4 show an EIMDS device according to the invention, showing components of the system; Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing how a client can create an account to allow an electrician remote access to a electrical system in a building; Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing how a control panel is installed and works in a building; Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing a gateway which is part of the installation portal; Figure 8 is a flow diagram of how to install or add an MCB to an existing building; Figure 9 is a flow diagram showing how permission can be granted to a remote electrician. The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying example. EXAMPLE 1 Energy has become one of the most heated subjects for society. Governments are geared to innovate, reduce waste coming out of energy consumption and increase the supply of energy. Technology has progressed in a way that has pushed manufacturing companies to create energy-efficient appliances and tools, but at the same time, the number of used appliances and tools has multiplied exponentially. In contrast, transportation of energy via grid systems has seen little to no innovation, and society is still using cables and wires in the same way as 100 years ago. The utility transports power from stations of various types, be it coal station, oil station, gas station or nuclear station, and recently there has been the introduction of wind and solar farming. This power is transported to commercial and residential areas via thick cables. The professional electrician (wiring engineer) will wire the commercial and / or residential area and then usually the Utility professionals will connect the dwelling to the wiring via a meter, which will keep and transmit records of the number of KwH (kilowatt hours) consumed by the dwelling. The individual circuits in the dwelling are managed and protected by individual MCBs, which in turn are collectively connected to an ROD (Residual Current Device) to protect against electrical shock and against appliance damage. These, in turn, are protected by a double pole main MCB, which are all placed into a distribution box. Once the electrician has tested and certified the installation, the household is in turn connected to the grid. There is usually no ongoing data collection, routine fine tuning, cross checks or further possibility of upgrading the circuits and systems within the dwelling unless something drastic like a continuous fault re-occurs and a whole redesign and a new installation is needed. In a digital world, data and data accessibility and interpretation is the key to progress, and that is what the (EIMDS of the) invention can offer. In addition, the EIMDS aims to link technology and service in energy / power distribution at the user end. Overview of the Electrical Installation Management and Diagnostic System (EIMDS) Domestic and business electrical installations are a rather new considering that households have had electricity only for the past 120 years. Still, like many technological areas, big advances in the hardware and the efficiency of transporting and supplying electricity have been seen in the last 30 years, especially with the availability of better materials and the introduction of systems enhanced by software development. Electricity is nearly everywhere and powers nearly everything and is therefore an indispensable part of daily lives. Having said that, there are still only basic approaches to supply electricity and providing electrical installations, and how such installations are serviced. The EIMDS offers an upgrade to such basic installations both in inter-operability and actionable data collection and analysis. Following the usual wiring of a domestic and / or commercial premises, an intelligent main board is installed. The mainboard collects and interfaces the available intelligent power distribution components and will facilitate the management and the diagnostics of the electrical systems inside the premises. The EIMDS creates an environment through interactive software from which the system is visible to the client and the client can hand over authorization, which could be either indefinite, or per task, to the relevant engineer, who will be tasked to repair or perform analysis of diagnostics of eventual circuit failures. Besides being a management and diagnostic tool, EIMDS will also serve as a depository of all the electrical plans, schematic diagrams, certificates and tests which are a part of the capital of the premises. The Aims of the Invention 1) Providing an environment which links the installation wireman / engineer to the end client / owner for an indefinite period of time, thus enabling an old, fragmented service industry to be more streamlined with better informed servicing, remote diagnostics, and maintenance capabilities. 2) Efficiently grouping up the various innovative monitoring and switching power devices into a hub and through a dedicated software product, which will enable remote diagnostics and maintenance. 3) Creating a depository hub in which all the electrical designs, schematics, circuit diagnostics, fault recordings and eventual updates are stored. The Components of EIMDS RCD, MCB and RCBO components are made SMART, i.e. that can be activated remotely using WIFI or other wireless transmission technological connections, and also have the capability to meter (calculate) the currents, voltages and power that is passing through them. These components are stripped of their original software, to enable programming, installation and configuration of the EIMDS. The EIMDS has an original software which couples up with the Main Distribution Box of a building, be it domestic or commercial. The application, which will be accessible via any mobile device, gives the owner of the building a complete view of the circuits, first-hand live overview of how power is distributed, will keeps details of any past failures and provide a digital storage space for all the plans of the electrical circuits, data and dates of the installations, and certificates of the dwelling. The owner can also give special authorization to their electrician or installation engineer via a username and a password for the latter to be able to access the software. Then specific diagnostics and / or emergency fault-finding and problem management can be performed. In vivo monitoring, consumption graphs and other special features are incorporated in the system, giving the owner a full spectrum overview of the efficiency of the installations. Supported Devices EIMDS is compatible with a range of electrical panel hardware, including single and 3-phase RCBOs, single and 3-phase RCDs, and adjustable amperage (1- 63A) relay-based MCBs. This support ensures that a user can effectively monitor and control a variety of devices, with the ability to extend compatibility to more innovative hardware in the future. User Interface The user interface consists of a web-based drag and drop builder that allows users to recreate their electrical panel visually. This interactive tool will enable them to see the live status of each device, including current, voltage, and wattage, and control devices as needed. A native app is also in development, which will provide a simpler interface for viewing data and enabling push notification alerts on mobile devices. Solar and BMS Integration EIMDS supports integration with solar energy systems and battery management systems (BMS), ensuring seamless energy monitoring and management for users with renewable energy sources. Specific solar hardware compatibility can be included. The system is being designed with a focus on flexibility and adaptability. Alerts and Notifications A range of customizable alerts is available to the user, including breaker tripping, over / under voltage, over / under current, high consumption over a specified period (currency or kWh), and power cut alerts from the utility company. Predictive maintenance alerts, based on usage patterns and historical data, is also provided to proactively identify potential issues before they escalate. Users will receive notifications through various channels, such as email, text messages, and app notifications. Live Power Bill Calculations The EIMDS system offers live power bill calculations to help users keep track of their energy expenses. Initially, the system uses hard-coded rates for a test market like Malta, but it is designed to accommodate customizable rates as the service expands to other markets. Reports, Stats, and Analytics EIMDS provides users with a comprehensive suite of reports, stats, and analytics. The status dashboard displays an overview of all devices in the installation and their current status, while various graphs will showcase power consumption, power source, and power consumption by room. Customizable energy-saving recommendations are available based on usage patterns and device performance. An events dashboard highlights all system events, with additional data visualizations and reports provided as needed. Tenant Billing The system enables landlords to generate accurate billing reports for tenants without the need for dedicated utility meters. By using smart RCDs to measure power draw for each room or apartment, EIMDS accurately determine each tenant's electrical usage and provides tenant billing. Electrician Portal A dedicated web-based portal is included for electricians, enabling them to manage clients and new customers. The portal offers multi-user support, with customizable permissions to ensure that each team member has the appropriate level of access and control. Having an engineer on a 24hr engagement for certain types of businesses is essential and the capability of the EIMDS to allow remote fault diagnostics is an advantage. Updates and Maintenance EIMDS simplifies device maintenance through automatic remote firmware updates. These updates are pushed to devices without user intervention, ensuring that the system always runs on the latest and most secure firmware version. Security The EIMDS has measures in place to protect user data and maintain the safe operation of the system. Data is fully encrypted, and SSL / TLS is used for secure communication between devices and servers. Demand Response and Utility Programs EIMDS integrates with demand response programs and utility programs to enable users to participate in load shedding during peak hours. By reducing energy consumption during high demand periods, users can receive incentives and help balance the energy grid. API and Third-Party Integration A robust API is provided for third-party developers, allowing them to create additional applications or integrations that leverage the data and functionality offered by EIMDS. This provides a growing ecosystem of compatible services and products. Integration with other smart home and energy management systems is included. Resilience and Connectivity EIMDS maintains reliable connectivity and functionality even during power outages or network disruptions. Devices will communicate using Zigbee technology, connecting to a battery-backed gateway to ensure continuous operation. The system has NB-loT LTE support for out-of-band connectivity, allowing for remote monitoring and control even when the primary network is unavailable. The main RCBO has a battery backup, ensuring that it remains accessible and functional during power outages. A new installation; a new house or new commercial premises First, the owner finds an electrician. The electrician has two Options: 1) A conventional installation including a conventional DB (distribution board) or 2) A conventional installation coupled with EIMDS. Option 2 has a DB and includes an annual fee which includes the membership of the application and a retainer to the electrician. In return, the client obtains: 1) A higher standard of installation. The electrician is linked to the client, and the installation, and the installation will be monitored constantly. If any repairs are needed, he will be able to trouble shoot. 2) A way of comparing consumption to that of the Utility Company. 3) A system where installation photos, diagrams, certificates and plans are stored for future reference, for example if the property is to be sold. Remote alarming of a power outage and re-establishing power supply if the property has an electrical failure of any kind is included. The ability to isolate remotely individual circuits is useful in situations where the client is not immediately available at the property and thus can rely on a digital board which will allow the management of such an outage, or give permissions, to the electrician to perform such management. The four flow charts of Figs 6 to 9 detail four main processes in the EIMDS installation system: Creating an Account; Creating the Installation; Adding the Gateway; and Adding the MCB. Advantages for the Electrician or Installation Professional It gives the opportunity to be accountable for clients and retain them. They can perform emergency assistance remotely. It provides a way to assess the validity of the installation. Advantages for the Industry With increasingly power-dependent households and commercial premises and with the introduction of alternative energy options, the market is heading towards a sophistication that reguires a parallel approach where it comes to data collection and processing. Moreover, fossil fuels are getting expensive and investment in alternative energy sources increasing. Dwellings will need to segregate appliances' circuits from circuits that carry non-necessary appliances. The EIMDS provides the necessary data to alter and upgrade electrical installations. Summary The necessary components are available. Energy is a core necessity and power grids are a strategic infrastructure. The ability for a dwelling, be it domestic or commercial, to be sustainable, able to collect data and be remotely assessed, and to be independent, whilst also forming part of a more complex grid, is attractive.

Claims

1. A method of controlling, or accessing, an electrical system in a building (or property), the method comprising:5 a. allowing temporary remote access to a third party to said electricalsystem so thatb. the third party can perform analysis, diagnosis and / or repairs to said electrical system; andc. terminating said third party access.

102. A method according to claim 1 wherein the building and / or property comprises a remote access control unit which allows temporary remote access to the building’s electrical system.15 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the building is an office,workplace or commercial building, or a human dwelling such as a house, flat or apartment or bungalow.

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the remote access to the 20 electrical system is provided by an owner, client, owner occupier, resident ortenant of said building.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the third party is a person knowledgeable or qualified in electronics, electrical or electrical systems, such 25 as an electrician and / or engineer.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the electrical system comprises one or more Residual Current Devices (RCDs), one or more MCBs, and / or one or more appliances.

307. A method according to any preceding claim wherein temporary access or control is provided so that a diagnosis can be performed, for example to identify a fault, and optionally repair or fix said fault.

8. A method according to any preceding claim wherein said access also allows the third party to access information such as:a. electrical and / or wiring designs or plans;b. circuit information;c. fault details, records or storage;d. maintenance and / or performance of the electrical system and / or electrical elements and / or components; and / ore. data collection and / or storage of parameters regarding the electrical system; circuit diagram(s) and / or certificate(s).

9. A method of installing an electrical access control unit in a building, the method comprising providing, to said building, an access control unit which allows a building owner / occupier to temporarily grant remote access to said electrical system to a third party.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the building is an existing building or a new build.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the access control unit has software which allows the owner / occupier of the building to permit remote access to an electrician, engineer, or a technician.

12. An electrical control unit for a building, which allows an owner / occupier to temporarily grant remote access to a third party to access an electrical system of the building, in order to perform analysis, diagnosis and / or repairs to said electrical system.

13. A building comprising an electrical system, the building also comprising an access control unit which allows the building’s owner / occupier to grant a third party temporary remote access to said electrical system.

14. A building according to claim 13 which is an existing building, or a new build.

15. A building according to claim 14 which is an office, workplace or commercial building, or human dwelling such as a house, flat, apartment of bungalow.

16. A building according to any of claims 14 and 15 wherein the electrical system 5 comprises one or more RCD’s, one or more MCB’s and / or one or moreappliances.

17. A building according to any of claims 15 and 16 wherein the access control unit can permit or grant access to an electrician, technician, or an engineer 10 who is a remote (and so not present) at / or in the building and where the unit allows said third party to perform an analysis, diagnosis, and / or repairs to the electrical system of the building.15

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