Impulse current generator

Abstract

To provide an impulse current generator capable of outputting an impulse current in a safe state.SOLUTION: In an impulse current generator 1, a charging circuit 20 charges power, and an output circuit 30 receives the power charged on the charging circuit 20 and outputs an impulse current to output terminals 11 and 12. The impulse current generator 1 includes a determination mechanism 50 capable of performing a determination operation to determine whether a closed circuit state or an open circuit state exists between the output terminals 11 and 12. When the determination mechanism 50 determines that the open circuit state exists between the output terminals 11 and 12, a control unit 40 controls the charging circuit 20 not to perform the charging operation and the output circuit 30 not to output the impulse current.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an impulse current generator used for checking the operation of a lightning detection device or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to check the operation and evaluate the performance of lightning detection devices, etc., a test machine (impulse generator) that can generate impulse waveforms that simulate lightning surges, etc. is used. Tests that specialize in current are called impulse current generators (generation devices).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of an impulse current generator that can generate a large impulse current without applying an overvoltage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-125953 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an impulse current generator, the output must be in a closed circuit state in order to generate an impulse current. For example, an electric wire is connected between the output terminals, and an impulse current simulating a lightning surge is passed through the wire to check the operation of the lightning detection device. If the electric wire connected between the output terminals is broken or there is a mistake in the connection of the electric wire, the output will be in an open circuit state. If the high voltage that was charged to generate the impulse current is output in this state, it may lead to, for example, an electric shock accident, or may also lead to damage to the parts of the device.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an impulse current generator capable of outputting an impulse current in a safer state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, an impulse current generator includes a first output terminal on the high voltage side and a second output terminal on the low voltage side for connecting an output line, a charging circuit that charges power for generating an impulse current, the charging circuit being configured to be controllable as to whether or not to perform a charging operation, a circuit that receives power stored in the charging circuit and outputs an impulse current to the first and second output terminals, the output circuit being configured to be controllable as to whether or not to output an impulse current, a control unit that controls whether or not the charging circuit performs a charging operation and whether or not the output circuit outputs an impulse current, and a determination mechanism configured to be capable of executing a determination operation that determines whether the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state or an open circuit state, and the control unit controls the charging circuit not to perform a charging operation and the output circuit not to output an impulse current when the determination mechanism determines that the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state.

[0008] According to this aspect, in the impulse current generator, the charging circuit charges with power for generating an impulse current, and the output circuit receives the power stored in the charging circuit and outputs the impulse current to the first and second output terminals. The control unit controls whether the charging circuit performs a charging operation and whether the output circuit outputs an impulse current. The impulse current generator further includes a determination mechanism configured to be able to execute a determination operation for determining whether the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state or an open circuit state. Then, when the determination mechanism determines that the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state, the control unit controls the charging circuit not to perform a charging operation and the output circuit not to output an impulse current. As a result, when the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state, the control unit is controlled so that a high voltage is not output, and the impulse current generator can output an impulse current in a safe state.

[0009] In the above aspect, the determination mechanism may include a voltage generating unit that generates a predetermined voltage, a switching unit configured to be able to switch between a first state in which the predetermined voltage is applied between the first and second output terminals and a second state in which the predetermined voltage is not applied between the first and second output terminals, and a circuit determination unit that is able to control whether the switching unit is in the first state or the second state, and that switches the switching unit to the first state when performing the determination operation, and determines that the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state when a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals, and determines that the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state when no voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals.

[0010] As a result, when the determination mechanism performs a determination operation, it applies a predetermined voltage between the first and second output terminals, and when a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals, it determines that the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state, and when no voltage is generated, it determines that the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state, thereby making it possible to reliably determine whether the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state or an open circuit state.

[0011] In the above aspect, further comprising an operating unit for instructing the start of impulse current generation, when the start of impulse current generation is instructed via the operating unit, the determination mechanism performs the determination operation, and when the control unit determines that the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state, the control unit causes the charging circuit to perform a charging operation and causes the output circuit to output an impulse current.

[0012] As a result, when an instruction to start generating an impulse current is given and the determination mechanism determines that a closed circuit state exists between the first and second output terminals, the charging circuit performs a charging operation and the output circuit outputs an impulse current, thereby making it possible to output the impulse current in a safe state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an impulse current generator that can output an impulse current in a safe state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Appearance and usage of impulse current generator according to the embodiment [Diagram 2] Example of circuit configuration of impulse current generator according to embodiment [Diagram 3] Example of operation of impulse current generator according to embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows the appearance and usage of an impulse current generator according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the impulse current generator 1 has first and second output terminals 11, 12 as an output section to which an output line is connected. The first output terminal 11 is a high-voltage terminal, and the second output terminal 12 is a low-voltage terminal. The impulse current generator 1 also has a battery box 13 that houses a battery serving as a power source, a power switch 14, an output current value setting dial 15, a start button 16, and an LCD screen 17.

[0017] The user connects the output line passed through the measurement object such as a CT (Current Transformer) or Rogowski coil to output terminals 11 and 12. Then, the user turns on the power switch 14, sets the current value of the impulse current using the output current value setting dial 15, and presses the start button 16. Then, charging begins, and when charging is complete, an impulse current flows through the output line. This allows the measurement object to be tested.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows an example of a circuit configuration of an impulse current generator according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit configuration of the impulse current generator 1 includes a charging circuit 20, an output circuit 30, and a CPU 40. The charging circuit 20 is a circuit that charges a battery housed in a battery box 13 with power for generating an impulse current. The charging circuit 20 is configured to be able to control whether or not to perform a charging operation. The output circuit 30 is a circuit that receives power stored in the charging circuit 20 and outputs an impulse current to the first and second output terminals 11, 12. The output circuit 30 is configured to be able to control whether or not to output an impulse current, and for example, a switch 31 that is made up of a semiconductor switch, a relay, or the like and can be turned on and off is provided in a wiring path that receives power from the charging circuit 20.

[0019] The CPU 40 functions as a control unit that controls whether the charging circuit 20 performs a charging operation and controls whether the output circuit 30 outputs an impulse current. The CPU 40 operates by executing a program stored in a memory (not shown). For example, the CPU 40 controls whether the output circuit 30 outputs an impulse current by controlling the on / off of the switch 31.

[0020] The impulse current generator 1 also includes a determination mechanism 50 configured to be capable of performing a determination operation of determining whether the circuit between the first and second output terminals 11, 12 is in a closed circuit state or an open circuit state.

[0021] 2, the determination mechanism 50 includes a voltage generating unit 51 that generates a predetermined minute voltage (for example, about several volts), a relay 52 provided between the first output terminal 11 and the voltage generating unit 51, and the above-mentioned CPU 40. The relay 52 switches between a first state in which the first output terminal 11 and the voltage generating unit 51 are electrically connected, and a second state in which the first output terminal 11 and the voltage generating unit 51 are electrically disconnected. When the relay 52 is in the first state, the predetermined minute voltage generated by the voltage generating unit 51 is applied between the first and second output terminals 11 and 12. When the relay 52 is in the second state, the predetermined minute voltage is not applied between the first and second output terminals 11 and 12.

[0022] The CPU 40 can control whether the relay 52 is in the first state or the second state. When performing a determination operation, the CPU 40 switches the state of the relay 52 to the first state. In this state, when a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals 11, 12, the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are determined to be in an open circuit state. On the other hand, when no voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals 11, 12, the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are determined to be in a closed circuit state. The relay 52 is an example of a switching unit in the present invention. Alternatively, the CPU 40 functions as a circuit determination unit in the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation of the impulse generator 1. First, the user presses the start button 16 (S11). The start button 16 is an example of an operation unit by which the user instructs the start of impulse current generation. Then, the determination mechanism 50 starts a determination operation (S12). That is, the CPU 40 switches the state of the relay 52 to the first state. As a result, a minute voltage generated by the voltage generating unit 51 is applied between the first and second output terminals 11, 12 (S13). After that, the CPU 40 monitors whether or not a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals 11, 12 (S14).

[0024] Then, when no voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals 11, 12 (NO in S15), the CPU 40 determines that the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in a closed circuit state (S16). Then, the CPU 40 causes the charging circuit 20 to start a charging operation (S17). When the charging circuit 20 completes the charging operation (S18), the CPU 40 causes the output circuit 30 to output an impulse current (S19).

[0025] On the other hand, when a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals 11, 12 (YES in S15), the CPU 40 determines that the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in an open circuit state (S20). In this case, the CPU 40 does not cause the charging circuit 20 to perform a charging operation, and does not cause the output circuit 30 to output an impulse current. Then, the CPU 40 displays on the liquid crystal screen 17, for example, a message indicating that the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in an open circuit state and an impulse current will not be output. Upon seeing the message, the user checks whether the output line is disconnected or whether there is a problem with the connection between the output line and the first and second output terminals 11, 12.

[0026] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the impulse current generator 1, the charging circuit 20 charges with power for generating an impulse current, and the output circuit 30 receives the power stored in the charging circuit 20 and outputs the impulse current to the first and second output terminals 11, 12. The CPU 40 controls whether the charging circuit 20 performs a charging operation and whether the output circuit 30 outputs an impulse current. The impulse current generator 1 further includes a determination mechanism 50 configured to be capable of performing a determination operation for determining whether the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in a closed circuit state or an open circuit state. When the determination mechanism 50 determines that the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in an open circuit state, the CPU 40 controls the charging circuit 20 not to perform a charging operation and the output circuit 30 not to output an impulse current. As a result, when the first and second output terminals 11, 12 are in an open circuit state, the impulse current generator 1 is controlled so that a high voltage is not output, and therefore the impulse current generator 1 can output an impulse current in a safe state.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the CPU 40 functions as both the control unit in the present invention and the circuit determination unit in the determination mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the circuit determination unit in the determination mechanism 50 may be provided separately from the CPU 40 as the control unit that controls the charging circuit 20 and the output circuit 30.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a battery is used as the power source, but the present invention is not limited to this. [Industrial Applicability]

[0029] In the present invention, the impulse current generator can output an impulse current in a safe state, and is therefore useful for, for example, safely checking the operation of a lightning detector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 Impulse current generator 11,12 Output terminals 16 Start button (operation part) 20 Charging circuit 30 Output circuit 40 CPU (control unit, circuit determination unit) 50 Judgment mechanism 51 Voltage generation unit 52 Switching section

Claims

1. An impulse current generator comprising: a first output terminal on a high voltage side and a second output terminal on a low voltage side for connecting an output line; A charging circuit that charges power for generating an impulse current and is configured to be able to control whether or not a charging operation is performed; an output circuit configured to receive the power stored in the charging circuit and output an impulse current to the first and second output terminals, the output circuit being capable of controlling whether or not to output the impulse current; a control unit that controls whether the charging circuit performs a charging operation and whether the output circuit outputs an impulse current; a determination mechanism configured to be capable of executing a determination operation of determining whether a state between the first and second output terminals is a closed circuit state or an open circuit state, The control unit controls the charging circuit not to perform a charging operation and the output circuit not to output an impulse current when the determination mechanism determines that an open circuit state exists between the first and second output terminals. Impulse current generator.

2. 2. The impulse current generator according to claim 1, The determination mechanism includes: A voltage generating unit that generates a predetermined voltage; a switching unit configured to be able to switch between a first state in which the predetermined voltage is applied between the first and second output terminals and a second state in which the predetermined voltage is not applied between the first and second output terminals; a circuit determination unit that can control whether the switching unit is in the first state or the second state, and that, when performing the determination operation, switches the switching unit to the first state, and determines that the first and second output terminals are in an open circuit state when a voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals, and determines that the first and second output terminals are in a closed circuit state when no voltage is generated between the first and second output terminals. Impulse current generator.

3. 3. The impulse current generator according to claim 1, An operation unit for instructing the start of impulse current generation, When an instruction to start generating an impulse current is given via the operation unit, the determination mechanism performs the determination operation; The control unit causes the charging circuit to perform a charging operation and causes the output circuit to output an impulse current when the determination mechanism determines that a closed circuit state is established between the first and second output terminals. Impulse current generator.

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