Determination system, distribution board, determination method, program, and circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a determination system that changes a current amount determination condition depending on a use state of a load apparatus.SOLUTION: A determination system 1 comprises a current acquisition unit 11, an information acquisition unit 13, a determination unit 12, and a condition change unit 14. The current acquisition unit 11 acquires a current amount of an object circuit 5 between the circuit breaker 6 and the load apparatus 4a. The information acquisition unit 13 acquires environment information. The environment information includes at least one of apparatus information on the load apparatus 4a and user information on a user. The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the current amount satisfies a determination condition. The condition change unit 14 changes the determination condition on the basis of the environment information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a determination system, a distribution board, a determination method, a program, and a circuit breaker, and more particularly to a determination system, a distribution board, a determination method, a program, and a circuit breaker that determine the amount of current. [Background technology]

[0002] A circuit breaker provided on a power supply path to a load device opens its contacts based on, for example, whether the amount of current flowing through the circuit breaker satisfies a condition. The condition is, for example, preset in the circuit breaker. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-rated breaker capable of switching rated currents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-80100 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a circuit breaker, depending on the usage status of the load equipment, the determination conditions for determining whether or not to operate the circuit breaker may not be appropriate.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a determination system, a distribution board, a determination method, a program, and a circuit breaker that change the determination conditions for the amount of current depending on the usage status of the load equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A determination system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a current acquisition unit, an information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a condition change unit. The current acquisition unit acquires an amount of current in a target circuit between a circuit breaker and a load device. The information acquisition unit acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information about the load device and user information about a user. The determination unit determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. The condition change unit changes the determination condition based on the environmental information.

[0007] A distribution board according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the determination system and the circuit breaker.

[0008] A determination method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by one or more processors. The determination method includes a current acquisition step, an information acquisition step, a determination step, and a condition change step. In the current acquisition step, an amount of current in a target circuit between a circuit breaker and a load device is acquired. In the information acquisition step, environmental information is acquired. The environmental information includes at least one of device information about the load device and user information about a user. In the determination step, it is determined whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. In the condition change step, the determination condition is changed based on the environmental information.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the determination method.

[0010] A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a current acquisition unit, an information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a condition change unit. The current acquisition unit acquires an amount of current supplied to a load device. The information acquisition unit acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information of the load device and user information related to a user. The determination unit determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. The condition change unit changes the determination condition based on the environmental information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the determination system, distribution board, determination method, program, and circuit breaker of one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to change the determination conditions for the amount of current depending on the usage status of the load equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a determination system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power distribution route including the determination system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an external view of the distribution board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the condition change unit in the above-mentioned determination system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a determination system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a determination system, a distribution board, a determination method, a program, and a circuit breaker according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, each diagram described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Note that the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overview The determination system 1 (see FIG. 1) is a system that cuts off power using the circuit breaker 6 when, for example, the amount of current in a target circuit 5 between the circuit breaker 6 and a load device 4 satisfies a determination condition. Hereinafter, a system including the determination system 1 and the circuit breaker 6 will be referred to as a circuit breaker system 10. The load device 4 is, for example, a home appliance, a lighting device, an air conditioning device, etc. Hereinafter, of the multiple load devices 4, the load device 4 connected to the circuit breaker 6 will be referred to as a load device 4a.

[0015] Here, the target circuit 5 is included in the power distribution path. The power distribution path is an electrical facility that receives power from a power system 3 and distributes the power to load devices 4, and is fixed to a building, for example. As shown in Fig. 2, the power distribution path includes, for example, a main electric circuit 24 for receiving power from the power system 3, a distribution board 2, and a plurality of (three in Fig. 2) branch electric circuits 25.

[0016] The distribution board 2 includes, for example, a main breaker 21 and a plurality of branch breakers 23. The circuit breaker 6 is, for example, one of the plurality of branch breakers 23.

[0017] The circuit breaker system 10 detects the occurrence of an arc based on the current value of the target circuit 5 between one branch breaker 23, which is a circuit breaker 6, and the load device 4a, and causes the one branch breaker 23, which is a circuit breaker 6, to cut off the supply of power to the target circuit 5.

[0018] (2) Composition (2.1) Power distribution route As shown in FIG. 2, the power distribution path includes a main electric line 24, a distribution board 2, and a plurality of branch electric lines 25.

[0019] The main electric circuit 24 is an electric circuit that supplies power from the system power supply 3 to the distribution board 2. For example, single-phase three-wire AC power is supplied from the system power supply 3 to the distribution board 2. The main electric circuit 24 includes, for example, three electric wires corresponding to the L1 phase, L2 phase, and N phase, respectively.

[0020] 2 and 3, the distribution board 2 includes a main breaker 21, a bus bar 22, and a plurality of (three in FIG. 2) branch breakers 23. Furthermore, the distribution board 2 includes a cabinet 20 as shown in FIG.

[0021] The cabinet 20 is a housing that houses a main electric circuit 24, a distribution board 2, and a plurality of branch electric circuits 25.

[0022] The main breaker 21 is connected between the main electric circuit 24 and the bus bar 22. The main breaker 21 switches between a closed state and an open state to establish or cut off electrical continuity between the main electric circuit 24 and the bus bar 22. The main breaker 21 has, for example, an input terminal connected to the main electric circuit 24 and an output terminal connected to the bus bar 22.

[0023] The bus bar 22 is disposed between the main breaker 21 and the branch breakers 23. More specifically, the bus bar 22 is a conductor that supplies power output from the output terminal of the main breaker 21 to the branch breakers 23. The bus bar 22 includes, for example, a plurality of strip-shaped conductors that are arranged in parallel and insulated from each other.

[0024] The branch breakers 23 are connected between the bus bar 22 and the branch electric circuits 25. The branch breakers 23 correspond one-to-one to the branch electric circuits 25. The branch breakers 23 are switched between a closed state and an open state to establish or cut off conduction between the bus bar 22 and the branch electric circuit 25 corresponding to the branch breaker 23. The branch breakers 23 have an input terminal connected to the bus bar 22 and an output terminal connected to the branch electric circuit 25 corresponding to the branch breaker 23.

[0025] The multiple branch electric circuits 25 are electric circuits that supply power from the distribution board 2 to the multiple load devices 4. Each of the multiple branch electric circuits 25 supplies power to one or more of the multiple load devices 4. Each of the multiple branch electric circuits 25 includes, for example, two electric wires.

[0026] (2.2) Judgment system The determination system 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is installed in a target circuit 5 between a circuit breaker 6 and a load device 4a. The determination system 1 is installed in a distribution board 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the distribution board 2 includes the determination system 1 and the circuit breaker 6. In the first embodiment, the circuit breaker system 10 is a circuit breaker that incorporates the circuit breaker 6 and the determination system 1.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the circuit breaker 6 is one branch breaker 23 among the plurality of branch breakers 23. Therefore, the target circuit 5 includes a part of the branch breaker 23 that is the circuit breaker 6 and one branch circuit 25 that corresponds to the branch breaker 23 that is the circuit breaker 6. The target circuit 5 is, for example, the branch breaker 23 that is the circuit breaker 6.

[0028] The determination system 1 includes a current acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, an information acquisition unit 13, a condition change unit 14, a notification unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

[0029] The current acquiring unit 11 acquires the amount of current flowing through the target circuit 5. For example, the current acquiring unit 11 acquires the current value of the target circuit 5 at regular intervals.

[0030] The determination unit 12 determines whether the amount of current acquired by the current acquisition unit 11 satisfies the determination condition set by the condition change unit 14. The determination condition includes, for example, a threshold value of the current value. The determination condition is a condition for determining whether an arc has occurred in the power supply path to the load device 4a including the circuit breaker 6. If the absolute value of the amount of current is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 12 determines that an arc has occurred in the target circuit 5. If the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of current acquired by the current acquisition unit 11 satisfies the determination condition, the determination unit 12 changes the circuit breaker 6 to an open state. Furthermore, if the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of current acquired by the current acquisition unit 11 satisfies the determination condition, the determination unit 12 causes the notification unit 15 to perform a notification operation. That is, if the determination unit 12 determines that the determination condition is satisfied, the determination unit 12 shuts off the circuit breaker 6 and notifies the user.

[0031] The information acquisition unit 13 acquires environmental information. Here, the environmental information includes at least one of device information of the load device 4a and user information related to the user. In the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment, the environmental information includes device information of the load device 4a. More specifically, the device information of the load device 4a includes location information indicating the location where the load device 4a is used. The location information is, for example, the installation location of the load device 4a, such as the kitchen, living room, bathroom, living room, or hallway. The user information will be described later.

[0032] The information acquiring unit 13 includes, for example, an input unit that receives location information indicating the installation location of the load device 4a. The input unit is, for example, a dip switch, a toggle switch, or a rotary switch. More specifically, the input unit is a plurality of (for example, three) dip switches, and the combination of the on and off states of each of the plurality of dip switches indicates the installation location of the load device 4a. The user changes the state of the dip switches to correspond to the installation location of the load device 4a. In other words, the information acquiring unit 13 acquires the location information of the load device 4a based on the state of the dip switches.

[0033] The condition change unit 14 changes the judgment conditions of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. The condition change unit 14, for example, reads out the first condition 161 and the second condition 162 from the storage unit 16, and sets either the first condition 161 or the second condition 162 as the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information.

[0034] For example, the threshold value in the first condition 161 is 2A. The threshold value in the second condition 162 is 4A. That is, the threshold values ​​in the first condition 161 and the second condition 162 are different. Therefore, the condition change unit 14 changes the threshold value in the determination conditions.

[0035] The condition change unit 14 changes the determination condition based on the location information of the load device 4a. For example, when the location information of the load device 4a is the living room, a living room, or a hallway, the condition change unit 14 sets the determination condition to a first condition 161. Furthermore, when the location information of the load device 4a is the kitchen or a bathroom, the condition change unit 14 sets the determination condition to a second condition 162. When the location information of the load device 4a is the kitchen or a bathroom, the load device 4a may include a high-frequency noise source such as an induction cooking heater, a microwave oven, or a hair dryer. Therefore, in such a case, by increasing the threshold, it becomes possible to reduce the number of cases in which the determination unit 12 erroneously determines that high-frequency noise is an arc occurrence. On the other hand, when the location information of the load device 4a is the living room, a living room, or a hallway, the load device 4a is unlikely to include an electrical appliance that is a high-frequency noise source or an appliance that consumes a lot of power. Therefore, by decreasing the threshold, it becomes possible for the determination unit 12 to detect the occurrence of an arc with high sensitivity.

[0036] When the determination unit 12 detects the occurrence of an arc, the notification unit 15 notifies the user. The notification unit 15 includes, for example, a light-emitting element. When the determination unit 12 detects an arc, the notification unit 15 causes the light-emitting element to emit light. The notification unit 15 also includes, for example, a speaker, and notifies the user of the occurrence of an arc by an alarm sound or a message when an arc occurs.

[0037] The storage unit 16 is a storage medium that stores a plurality of determination conditions for the determination unit 12.

[0038] The determination system 1 is, for example, a computer having a processor. More specifically, the determination system 1 is configured by, for example, a computer system having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The computer system realizes the functions of the current acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, the information acquisition unit 13, the condition change unit 14, and the notification unit 15 of the determination system 1 by executing a program stored in the memory with the CPU. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0039] (3) Operation FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the condition changing unit 14 in the determination system 1 to change the determination conditions of the determination unit 12.

[0040] First, the condition change unit 14 determines whether there is a change in the environmental information (step S1). More specifically, when the state of the dip switch, which is the input unit, is changed, the condition change unit 14 proceeds to the process of step S2. If there is no change in the state of the dip switch, which is the input unit, the condition change unit 14 repeatedly performs step S1.

[0041] When there is a change in the environmental information (Yes in step S1), the condition change unit 14 of the determination system 1 determines whether to change the determination conditions (step S2). More specifically, the condition change unit 14 determines to change the determination conditions when the current determination conditions used by the determination unit 12 for the determination differ from the determination conditions that the determination unit 12 should use for the new environmental conditions changed in step S1. For example, when the first condition 161 is set as the determination condition in the determination unit 12 and the new environmental conditions changed in step S1 are "the location information of the load device 4 is a kitchen," the condition change unit 14 determines to change the determination conditions. On the other hand, when the first condition 161 is set as the determination condition in the determination unit 12 and the new environmental conditions changed in step S1 are "the location information of the load device 4 is an occupied room," the condition change unit 14 determines not to change the determination conditions.

[0042] When the condition change unit 14 of the determination system 1 determines that the determination conditions should be changed (Yes in step S2), it changes the determination conditions in the determination unit 12 (step S3). More specifically, the condition change unit 14 sets the determination conditions to be used by the determination unit 12 for the new environmental conditions changed in step S1 as the conditions to be used by the determination unit 12 for determination. As a result, in the determination system 1, the determination unit 12 determines whether the determination conditions are satisfied using the determination conditions corresponding to the position information of the load device 4a. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both highly sensitive detection of abnormalities in the load device 4a or the power path supplying power to the load device 4a and a reduction in false detection of abnormalities due to noise, etc. generated by the use of the load device 4a.

[0043] (4) Effects The determination system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a current acquisition unit 11, an information acquisition unit 13, a determination unit 12, and a condition change unit 14. The current acquisition unit 11 acquires the amount of current in the target circuit 5 between the circuit breaker 6 and the load device 4a. The information acquisition unit 13 acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information about the load device 4a and user information about the user. The determination unit 12 determines whether the amount of current satisfies the determination condition. The condition change unit 14 changes the determination condition based on the environmental information. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment can change the determination condition for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 depending on the usage status of the load device 4a.

[0044] In the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment, the determination conditions include a condition as to whether the amount of current is equal to or greater than a threshold. The condition change unit 14 changes the threshold among the determination conditions. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment can change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 based on the magnitude or characteristics of the power consumption of the load device 4a.

[0045] Furthermore, in the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment, the environment information includes device information. The device information includes location information indicating the location where the load device 4a is used. The condition change unit 14 changes the determination conditions based on the location information of the load device 4a. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 based on the characteristics of the load device 4a estimated based on the location where the load device 4a is used.

[0046] Furthermore, in the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the determination unit 12 determines that the determination condition is satisfied, it at least one of shutting off the circuit breaker 6 and notifying the user. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment can reduce the situation in which the load device 4a remains energized when an abnormality occurs in the amount of current in the target circuit 5.

[0047] Furthermore, in the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment, the determination condition is a condition for determining whether or not an arc has occurred in the power supply path to the load device 4a including the circuit breaker 6. This makes it possible for the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment to use different determination criteria for, for example, the interruption of an overcurrent as the operation of the circuit breaker 6 and the determination of the occurrence of an arc by the determination unit 12. Therefore, the determination system 1 according to the first embodiment can appropriately detect the occurrence of an arc and an abnormality other than an arc.

[0048] The distribution board 2 according to the first embodiment also includes the determination system 1 and the circuit breaker 6. This allows the distribution board 2 according to the first embodiment to change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 depending on the usage status of the load device 4a.

[0049] Moreover, the determination method according to the first embodiment is executed by one or more processors. The determination method includes a current acquisition step, an information acquisition step, a determination step, and a condition change step. In the current acquisition step, the amount of current in the target circuit 5 between the circuit breaker 6 and the load device 4a is acquired. In the information acquisition step, environmental information is acquired. The environmental information includes at least one of device information about the load device 4a and user information about the user. In the determination step, it is determined whether the amount of current satisfies the determination condition. In the condition change step, the determination condition is changed based on the environmental information. As a result, in the determination method of the first embodiment, it is possible to change the determination condition for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 depending on the usage status of the load device 4a.

[0050] Moreover, the program according to the first embodiment causes one or more processors to execute the determination method according to the first embodiment. As a result, the program according to the first embodiment makes it possible to change the determination condition for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 depending on the usage status of the load device 4a.

[0051] Moreover, the circuit breaker 10 according to the first embodiment includes a current acquiring unit 11, an information acquiring unit 13, a determining unit 12, and a condition changing unit 14. The current acquiring unit 11 acquires the amount of current supplied to the load device 4a. The information acquiring unit 13 acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information about the load device 4a and user information about the user. The determining unit 12 determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. The condition changing unit 14 changes the determination condition based on the environmental information. As a result, the circuit breaker 10 according to the first embodiment can change the determination condition for the amount of current in the determining unit 12 depending on the usage status of the load device 4a.

[0052] (Variation) (1) Composition In the determination system 1 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, the determination conditions of the determination unit 12 include a threshold value of the current value and a specified time.

[0053] The determination unit 12 determines that the determination condition is satisfied if the time during which the amount of current acquired by the current acquisition unit 11 is continuously greater than or equal to the threshold is equal to or greater than a specified time. That is, the determination condition includes a condition as to whether the time during which the amount of current is continuously greater than or equal to the threshold is equal to or greater than a specified time. When the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of current acquired by the current acquisition unit 11 satisfies the determination condition, it changes the circuit breaker 6 to an open state.

[0054] For example, the first condition 161 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 1 second. The second condition 162 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 2 seconds. That is, the first condition 161 and the second condition 162 have different specified times. In this case, if the amount of current is continuously 2 A or more and the time is between 1 second and 2 seconds, the determination unit 12 determines that the determination condition is met when the first condition 161 is set as the determination condition, but does not determine that the determination condition is met when the second condition 162 is set as the determination condition. Therefore, if the load device 4a is a device that temporarily consumes a large amount of power or is prone to generating high-frequency noise, the condition change unit 14 sets the second condition 162 as the determination condition for the determination unit 12; otherwise, the condition change unit 14 sets the first condition 161 as the determination condition for the determination unit 12. An example of a device that temporarily consumes a large amount of power is a device that consumes a large amount of power when started, such as an air conditioner or an oven.

[0055] The first condition 161 and the second condition 162 may have different thresholds. For example, the first condition 161 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 1 second. The second condition 162 has a threshold of 4 A and a specified time of 1 second. In this case, the condition change unit 14 changes the determination condition of the determination unit 12 in accordance with the magnitude of the power consumption of the load device 4a.

[0056] Furthermore, first condition 161 and second condition 162 may differ in both the threshold value and the specified time. For example, first condition 161 has a threshold value of 2A and a specified time of 1 second. Second condition 162 has a threshold value of 4A and a specified time of 2 seconds.

[0057] The condition change unit 14 changes the judgment conditions of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. The condition change unit 14 sets either the first condition 161 or the second condition 162 as the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information. Therefore, the condition change unit 14 changes one of the threshold value and the specified time, or both the threshold value and the specified time, among the judgment conditions of the judgment unit 12.

[0058] (2) Effects In the determination system 1 according to the modification of the first embodiment, the determination conditions include a condition as to whether the time during which the amount of current is continuously equal to or greater than a threshold is equal to or greater than a specified time. The condition change unit 14 changes at least one of the specified time and the threshold among the determination conditions. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the modification of the first embodiment can more appropriately change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 based on the characteristics of the power consumption of the load device 4a.

[0059] (Embodiment 2) (1) Composition In the determination system 1 according to the second embodiment, the environmental information includes device information of the load device 4a. More specifically, the device information of the load device 4a includes the type of the load device 4a. The type of the load device 4a is information indicating an overview of the load device 4a, such as a lighting fixture, an air conditioner, a cooking appliance, an AV (Audio Visual) appliance, or an information appliance. The type of the load device 4a may further include information indicating the rated power consumption of the load device 4a, for example.

[0060] The condition change unit 14 changes the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. For example, the first condition 161 and the second condition 162 have different threshold values.

[0061] The condition change unit 14 changes the judgment condition based on the type of load device 4a. For example, when the type of load device 4a is any one of a lighting fixture, an AV home appliance, and an information device, the condition change unit 14 sets the judgment condition to a first condition 161. Furthermore, when the type of load device 4a is an air conditioner or a cooking appliance, the condition change unit 14 sets the judgment condition to a second condition 162. When the type of load device 4a is an air conditioner, a cooking appliance, or the like, which consumes a lot of power or may contain a high-frequency noise source, the condition change unit 14 increases the threshold value to reduce false detection of an arc. On the other hand, when the type of load device 4a is any one of a lighting fixture, an AV home appliance, and an information device, which consumes little power and may not contain a high-frequency noise source, the condition change unit 14 decreases the threshold value, thereby enabling the judgment unit 12 to detect the occurrence of an arc with high sensitivity.

[0062] (2) Effects In the determination system 1 according to the second embodiment, the environmental information includes device information. The device information includes the type of the load device 4a. The condition change unit 14 changes the determination conditions based on the type of the load device 4a. As a result, the determination system 1 according to the second embodiment makes it possible to change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit 12 based on the characteristics of the load device 4a.

[0063] (Variation) In the determination system 1 according to the modified example of the second embodiment, similarly to the determination system 1 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, the determination conditions of the determination unit 12 include a threshold value of the current value and a specified time.

[0064] The determining unit 12 determines that the determination condition is satisfied if the time during which the amount of current acquired by the current acquiring unit 11 is continuously equal to or greater than the threshold value is equal to or greater than a specified time.

[0065] For example, the first condition 161 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 1 second. The second condition 162 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 2 seconds. Therefore, if the load device 4a is a device that temporarily consumes large amounts of power or a device that is prone to generating high-frequency noise, the condition change unit 14 sets the second condition 162 as the judgment condition for the judgment unit 12; otherwise, the condition change unit 14 sets the first condition 161 as the judgment condition for the judgment unit 12.

[0066] The first condition 161 and the second condition 162 may have different thresholds. For example, the first condition 161 has a threshold of 2 A and a specified time of 1 second. The second condition 162 has a threshold of 4 A and a specified time of 1 second. In this case, the condition change unit 14 changes the determination condition of the determination unit 12 in accordance with the magnitude of the power consumption of the load device 4a.

[0067] The first condition 161 and the second condition 162 may differ in both the threshold value and the specified time. For example, the first condition 161 has a threshold value of 2A and a specified time of 1 second. The second condition 162 has a threshold value of 4A and a specified time of 2 seconds.

[0068] The condition change unit 14 changes the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. The condition change unit 14 sets either the first condition 161 or the second condition 162 as the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 based on the environmental information.

[0069] (Embodiment 3) In the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment, the environmental information includes user information. More specifically, the user information includes the user's usage status of the load device 4a. The user's usage status of the load device 4a includes, for example, information indicating whether the user is present or absent in the space in which the load device 4a is installed. Furthermore, the user's usage status of the load device 4a includes, for example, information indicating whether the user is asleep or awake when the user is present in the space in which the load device 4a is installed.

[0070] Furthermore, the condition change unit 14 starts or stops the determination by the determination unit 12 based on the environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. For example, the second condition 162 has a threshold value of "maximum current value of the circuit breaker 6." That is, when the determination condition is the second condition 162, the determination unit 12 does not determine whether the current value satisfies the determination condition.

[0071] The condition change unit 14 starts or stops the determination based on the user information.

[0072] For example, the condition change unit 14 stops the determination when a user is present in the space where the load device 4a is installed, and starts the determination when a user is not present in the space where the load device 4a is installed. This is because it is difficult for a user to notice the occurrence of an arc when a user is not present in the space, so it is preferable to be able to detect the occurrence of an arc early. On the other hand, when a user is present in the space, it is preferable to reduce the number of cases where the user is unable to use the load device 4a due to false detection.

[0073] Also, for example, the condition change unit 14 stops the determination when the user is awake and starts the determination when the user is asleep. This is because when the user is sleeping, it is difficult for the user to notice the occurrence of an arc, just as when there is no user in the space.

[0074] It is preferable that the condition change unit 14 immediately starts or stops the judgment when the user information changes. In particular, the condition change unit 14 starts the judgment when the user information changes while the judgment unit 12 is halted from making the judgment. This minimizes the period during which the condition change unit 14 halts the judgment by the judgment unit 12, thereby making it possible to prevent a situation in which the judgment by the judgment unit 12 is halted when the judgment should be made by the judgment unit 12.

[0075] (2) Effects In the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment, the environmental information includes user information. The user information includes the usage status of the load device 4a by the user. The condition change unit 14 causes the determination unit to stop the determination based on the usage status of the user. As a result, according to the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment, it is possible to change whether or not the determination unit 12 performs the determination of the amount of current based on the usage status of the load device 4a by the user.

[0076] Furthermore, in the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment, when a change in the user's usage situation occurs while the determination unit 12 has stopped making a determination, the condition change unit 14 causes the determination unit 12 to start making a determination. As a result, according to the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment, it is possible to minimize the period during which the condition change unit 14 stops making a determination in the determination unit 12. Therefore, the determination system 1 according to the third embodiment can prevent a state in which the determination unit 12 stops making a determination in a situation in which the determination unit 12 should make a determination.

[0077] (Embodiment 4) In the determination system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the information acquisition unit 13 acquires environmental information from the external device 7, as shown in FIG.

[0078] The information acquisition unit 13 has a communication function for receiving environmental information from the external device 7.

[0079] The external device 7 is, for example, a remote control or an information terminal such as a smartphone. The external device 7 has an input unit 71 that accepts input of environmental information from a setter. The input unit 71 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel. Here, the setter includes a user of the load device 4a and a construction worker who installs the load device 4a.

[0080] When the environmental information is device information of the load device 4a, the external device 7 receives, for example, input of location information of the load device 4a or the type of the load device 4a from a construction worker. When the environmental information is user information, the external device 7 receives, for example, input of user information from a user.

[0081] According to the determination system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the construction engineer or the user can easily change the environmental information.

[0082] (Other Modifications of the Embodiment) (1) In the determination system 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments and the modified examples, when the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of current satisfies the determination condition, the determination unit 12 both shuts off the circuit breaker 6 and issues a notification by the notification unit 15. However, when the determination unit 12 determines that the amount of current satisfies the determination condition, the determination unit 12 may either shut off the circuit breaker 6 or issue a notification by the notification unit 15.

[0083] Furthermore, the environmental information may include information on whether to trip the circuit breaker 6 when it is determined that the amount of current satisfies the determination condition, and whether to issue a notification by the notification unit 15. For example, the user information, which is environmental information, may include information that the notification unit 15 issues a notification when a user is present in the space where the load device 4a is installed, and that the circuit breaker 6 is tripped when the user is not present. This allows the determination system 1 to prevent a notification from being issued in an unmanned location when there is no user, and to ensure that the circuit breaker 6 is tripped. Furthermore, when a user is present, the determination system 1 can prevent the load device 4a from being accidentally stopped due to the tripping of the circuit breaker 6, and can prompt the user to take appropriate action.

[0084] (2) In the distribution boards 2 according to embodiments 1 to 4 and the modified examples, the determination system 1 is built into the circuit breaker 6, but the determination system 1 may also be arranged in the distribution board 2 as a separate entity from the circuit breaker 6.

[0085] (3) In the distribution boards 2 according to the first to fourth embodiments and the modified examples, the circuit breaker 6 is one of the branch breakers 23 , but the circuit breaker 6 may be the main breaker 21 .

[0086] (4) In the judgment system 1 according to embodiments 1 to 4 and the modified examples, the condition change unit 14 sets the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 to either the first condition 161 or the second condition 162, but the condition change unit 14 may select the judgment condition of the judgment unit 12 from three or more candidate judgment conditions.

[0087] (5) Although the distribution board 2 according to the first to fourth embodiments and the modified example includes one determination system 1, the distribution board 2 may include multiple determination systems 1. Here, the multiple determination systems 1 correspond one-to-one to the multiple circuit breakers 6. Furthermore, the multiple determination systems 1 may share one storage unit 16. Furthermore, the multiple condition change units 14 associated with the multiple determination systems 1 may be implemented by one processor.

[0088] (Aspect) A determination system (1) according to a first aspect includes a current acquisition unit (11), an information acquisition unit (13), a determination unit (12), and a condition change unit (14). The current acquisition unit (11) acquires the amount of current in a target circuit (5) between a circuit breaker (6) and a load device (4a). The information acquisition unit (13) acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information of the load device (4a) and user information related to a user. The determination unit (12) determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. The condition change unit (14) changes the determination condition based on the environmental information.

[0089] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the conditions for determining the amount of current in the determination unit (12) depending on the usage status of the load device (4a).

[0090] In the determination system (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the determination conditions include a condition of whether the amount of current is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the condition change unit (14) changes the threshold value among the determination conditions.

[0091] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the condition for determining the amount of current in the determination unit (12) based on the magnitude or characteristics of the power consumption of the load device (4a).

[0092] In the determination system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first aspect, the determination conditions include a condition of whether the time during which the amount of current is continuously equal to or greater than a threshold is equal to or greater than a specified time, and the condition change unit (14) changes at least one of the specified time and the threshold among the determination conditions.

[0093] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to more appropriately change the determination condition for the amount of current in the determination unit (12) based on the characteristics of the power consumption of the load device (4a).

[0094] In the determination system (1) according to a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the environment information includes device information. The device information includes location information indicating a location where the load device (4 a) is used. The condition change unit (14) changes the determination condition based on the location information of the load device (4 a).

[0095] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the determination conditions for the amount of current in the determination unit (12) based on the characteristics of the load device (4a) estimated based on the location where the load device (4a) is used.

[0096] In the determination system (1) according to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the environmental information includes device information. The device information includes a type of the load device (4 a). The condition change unit (14) changes the determination condition based on the type of the load device (4 a).

[0097] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the conditions for determining the amount of current in the determination unit (12) based on the characteristics of the load device (4a).

[0098] In the determination system (1) according to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the environmental information includes user information. The user information includes a usage status of the load device (4a) by the user. The condition change unit causes the determination unit (12) to stop the determination based on the usage status of the user.

[0099] The determination system (1) according to the above aspect makes it possible to change whether or not the determination unit (12) determines the amount of current based on the usage status of the load device (4a) by the user.

[0100] In the determination system (1) according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, when the condition change unit (14) has caused the determination unit (12) to stop making a determination, if a change occurs in the user's usage situation, the condition change unit (14) causes the determination unit (12) to start making a determination.

[0101] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, the period during which the determination by the determination unit (12) is suspended can be minimized by the condition change unit (14). Therefore, the determination system (19) can prevent a state in which the determination by the determination unit (12) is suspended in a situation in which the determination by the determination unit (12) should be performed.

[0102] In the determination system (1) according to the eighth aspect, in any of the first to seventh aspects, when the determination unit (12) determines that the determination condition is satisfied, it performs at least one of turning off the circuit breaker (6) and notifying the user.

[0103] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to reduce the situation in which the load device (4a) remains energized when an abnormality occurs in the amount of current in the target circuit (5).

[0104] In the determination system (1) according to the ninth aspect, in any of the first to eighth aspects, the determination condition is a condition for determining whether or not an arc is occurring in a power supply path to a load device (4a) including a circuit breaker (6).

[0105] According to the determination system (1) of the above aspect, it is possible to appropriately detect the occurrence of an arc and an abnormality other than an arc.

[0106] A distribution board (2) according to a tenth aspect includes the determination system (1) according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and a circuit breaker (6).

[0107] According to the distribution board (2) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the conditions for determining the amount of current in the determining unit (12) depending on the usage status of the load device (4a).

[0108] A determination method according to an eleventh aspect is executed by one or more processors. The determination method includes a current acquisition step, an information acquisition step, a determination step, and a condition change step. In the current acquisition step, an amount of current in a target circuit (5) between a circuit breaker (6) and a load device (4a) is acquired. In the information acquisition step, environmental information is acquired. The environmental information includes at least one of device information of the load device (4a) and user information related to a user. In the determination step, it is determined whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. In the condition change step, the determination condition is changed based on the environmental information.

[0109] A program according to a twelfth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the determination method according to the eleventh aspect.

[0110] According to the program of the above aspect, it is possible to change the condition for determining the amount of current in the determining section (12) depending on the usage state of the load device (4a).

[0111] A circuit breaker (10) according to a thirteenth aspect includes a current acquisition unit (11), an information acquisition unit (13), a determination unit (12), and a condition change unit (14). The current acquisition unit (11) acquires an amount of current supplied to a load device (4a). The information acquisition unit (13) acquires environmental information. The environmental information includes at least one of device information of the load device (4a) and user information related to a user. The determination unit (12) determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition. The condition change unit (14) changes the determination condition based on the environmental information.

[0112] According to the circuit breaker (10) of the above aspect, it is possible to change the conditions for determining the amount of current in the determining section (12) depending on the usage state of the load device (4a). [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 Judgment System 11 Current acquisition section 12 Judgment section 13 Information acquisition department 14 Condition change section 2 Distribution board 4a Load equipment 6. Circuit Breakers 10 Circuit Breaker System (Circuit Breaker)

Claims

1. a current acquisition unit that acquires the amount of current in a target circuit between the circuit breaker and the load device; an information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information including at least one of device information of the load device and user information related to a user; a determination unit that determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition; a condition change unit that changes the determination condition based on the environmental information; A determination system comprising:

2. the determination conditions include a condition as to whether the amount of current is equal to or greater than a threshold value; the condition change unit changes the threshold value of the determination conditions. The determination system according to claim 1 .

3. the determination conditions include a condition as to whether the time during which the current amount is continuously equal to or greater than a threshold is equal to or greater than a specified time, the condition changing unit changes at least one of the specified time and the threshold value among the determination conditions. The determination system according to claim 1 .

4. the environmental information includes the device information, the device information includes location information indicating a location where the load device is used, the condition change unit changes the determination condition based on the location information of the load device. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the environmental information includes the device information, the device information includes a type of the load device, the condition change unit changes the determination condition based on the type of the load device. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the environmental information includes the user information, the user information includes a usage status of the load device by the user, the condition change unit causes the determination unit to stop the determination based on the usage status of the user. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. the condition change unit causes the determination unit to start the determination when a change occurs in the usage situation of the user while the determination unit has stopped the determination; The determination system according to claim 6 .

8. When the determination unit determines that the determination condition is satisfied, the determination unit performs at least one of shutting off the circuit breaker and notifying the user. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. the determination condition is a condition for determining whether an arc is occurring in a power supply path to the load device including the circuit breaker. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The determination system according to claim 1 ; the circuit breaker; Distribution board.

11. Executed by one or more processors, a current acquisition step of acquiring the amount of current in a target circuit between the circuit breaker and the load device; an information acquisition step of acquiring environmental information including at least one of device information of the load device and user information related to a user; a determination step of determining whether the current amount satisfies a determination condition; a condition changing step of changing the determination condition based on the environmental information; A determination method including:

12. A program that causes one or more processors to execute the determination method according to claim 11.

13. a current acquisition unit that acquires the amount of current supplied to the load device; an information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information including at least one of device information of the load device and user information related to a user; a determination unit that determines whether the amount of current satisfies a determination condition; a condition change unit that changes the determination condition based on the environmental information; A circuit breaker comprising:

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