Distribution panel

Abstract

The objective is to provide a power distribution panel that can reduce the burden on workers for inspection and restoration work. [Solution] A power distribution panel 1 provided between multiple types of power sources and load units to switch the power supply pattern from multiple types of power sources to load units, comprising: multiple changeover switches provided between multiple types of power sources and load units to selectively connect a load unit to one of the multiple types of power sources; a system diagram 30 schematically showing a part of the switching circuit including multiple types of power sources, load units and multiple changeover switches; multiple operating sections 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 provided adjacent to the system diagram 30 for operating the corresponding changeover switches; and multiple power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, 53 provided on both sides of the portion of the system diagram 30 schematically showing the changeover switches, configured to light up on the side of the power source connected to the load unit by the changeover switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switchboard provided between a plurality of types of power sources and a load unit, which switches the power supply pattern from the plurality of types of power sources to the load unit.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a switchboard provided in a building such as a lodging facility or an office building, it is provided between a plurality of types of power sources such as a commercial AC power source, a solar cell panel, a fuel cell, and a load unit such as an emergency light and emergency power, and when a power outage occurs due to an earthquake, etc., by switching the power supply pattern from the plurality of types of power sources to the load unit, it is configured to be able to always appropriately supply power to the load unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional switchboard, it is necessary to grasp the flow of current between a plurality of types of power sources and a load unit based on the on / off positions of switches provided between each power source and the load unit. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp in what supply pattern the current is flowing between the plurality of types of power sources and the load unit, and there is a problem that the burden on an operator when performing inspection and restoration work on the switchboard during a power outage due to an earthquake, etc., is large.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a switchboard capable of reducing the burden of inspection and restoration work by an operator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a power distribution panel that is provided between multiple types of power sources and a load unit to switch the power supply pattern from multiple types of power sources to the load unit, and is characterized by comprising: multiple changeover switches provided between multiple types of power sources and the load unit, for selectively connecting the load unit to one of the multiple types of power sources; a system diagram schematically showing a part of the switching circuit including multiple types of power sources, the load unit and the multiple changeover switches; multiple operating units provided adjacent to the system diagram for operating the corresponding changeover switches; and multiple power indicator lamps provided on both sides of the portion of the system diagram schematically showing the changeover switches, configured to light up on the side of the power source connected to the load unit by the changeover switch.

[0007] In the above configuration, the power distribution panel of the present invention preferably comprises a housing that accommodates a plurality of the changeover switches, and a door that is attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable, wherein the system diagram, a plurality of the operation units, and a plurality of the power indicator lamps are each arranged on the surface of the door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power distribution board that can reduce the burden on workers for inspection and restoration work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a power distribution panel relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows a portion of the switching circuit between multiple types of power supplies and the load. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of area A of the distribution panel shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the state in which the power indicator lamp is lit under normal conditions. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the state of the power indicator lamp during a commercial AC power outage. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of other illumination states of the power indicator lamp during a commercial AC power outage. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail an example of a power distribution panel according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The power distribution panel 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 is installed in a building such as a lodging facility or an office building. In this embodiment, the power distribution panel 1 has a box-shaped housing 10 with an open front and a pair of doors 11 and 12 that are attached to the front of the housing 10 so as to be openable and closable. A switching circuit 13 shown in Figure 2 is housed inside the housing 10.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the building where the distribution board 1 is installed uses three types of power sources to supply power to the load unit 5: a commercial AC power source 2, a fuel cell 3, and a solar power generation device (e.g., solar panels) 4.

[0013] The switchboard 1 is installed between the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, and the solar power generation device 4 and the load unit 5, and can switch the power supply pattern from the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, and the solar power generation device 4 to the load unit 5. In other words, the switching circuit 13 of the switchboard 1 is configured to switch the power supply pattern from the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, and the solar power generation device 4 to the load unit 5. Figure 2 schematically shows some of the main components of the switching circuit 13 installed between the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, the solar power generation device 4 and the load unit 5.

[0014] The commercial AC power supply 2 is equipment that supplies electricity to the building from the power company. The commercial AC power supply 2 is connected to the first input section 14 of the distribution board 1.

[0015] The fuel cell 3 is a power generation device that generates electricity using hydrogen gas as an energy source. The fuel cell 3 is configured to be manually operated to start the main body of the fuel cell 3 after performing pipe inspection as a safety measure during an earthquake when there is a power outage in the commercial AC power supply 2. The fuel cell 3 is connected to the second input section 15 of the switchboard 1.

[0016] The solar power generation device 4 is installed on the rooftop or within the site of a building and generates electricity by receiving sunlight. The solar power generation device 4 is connected to the third input section 16 of the switchboard 1 via a power conditioner (not shown).

[0017] In this embodiment, the switchboard 1 is provided between three types of power sources, namely the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, and the solar power generation device 4, and the load section 5. However, as long as it is provided between a plurality of types of power sources and the load section, the types and numbers of power sources are not limited to the above.

[0018] The load section 5 is the emergency lighting and emergency power installed in the building. The load section 5 is connected to the output section 17 of the switchboard 1.

[0019] Note that the load section 5 is not limited to emergency lighting and emergency power as long as it is supplied with power from a plurality of types of power sources in a predetermined pattern from the switchboard 1.

[0020] The switching circuit 13 has a normal system 13a that connects the first input section 14 and the output section 17. The switching circuit 13 also has a fuel cell system 13b that branches from the normal system 13a. Furthermore, the switching circuit 13 has a solar power generation system 13c that branches from the normal system 13a on the side of the output section 17 rather than the fuel cell system 13b.

[0021] The switching circuit 13 is provided between the commercial AC power supply 2 and the fuel cell 3 and the load unit 5, and includes a changeover switch 20 that selectively connects the load unit 5 to either the commercial AC power supply 2 or the fuel cell 3. In the present embodiment, the changeover switch 20 is provided at the branching portion between the normal system 13a and the fuel cell system 13b. The changeover switch 20 can switch between a state where the output unit 17 is connected to the first input unit 14 and disconnected from the second input unit 15, and a state where the output unit 17 is connected to the second input unit 15 and disconnected from the first input unit 14. That is, when the changeover switch 20 of the switching circuit 13 is switched, the power supply pattern to the load unit 5 can be switched between a pattern in which power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 2 to the load unit 5 through the normal system 13a and a pattern in which power is supplied from the fuel cell 3 to the load unit 5 through the fuel cell system 13b.

[0022] Further, the switching circuit 13 is provided between the changeover switch 20 and the photovoltaic power generation device 4 and the load unit 5, and includes a changeover switch 21 that selectively connects the load unit 5 to either one of the commercial AC power supply 2 or the fuel cell 3 via the changeover switch 20 and either one of the photovoltaic power generation devices 4. In the present embodiment, the changeover switch 21 is provided at the branching portion between the normal system 13a and the photovoltaic power generation system 13c. The changeover switch 21 can switch between a state where the output unit 17 is connected to the changeover switch 20 (the first input unit 14 or the second input unit 15) and disconnected from the third input unit 16, and a state where the output unit 17 is connected to the third input unit 16 and disconnected from the changeover switch 20 (the first input unit 14 or the second input unit 15). That is, when the changeover switch 21 of the switching circuit 13 is switched, the power supply pattern to the load unit 5 can be switched between a pattern in which power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 2 to the load unit 5 through the normal system 13a or from the fuel cell 3 to the load unit 5 through the fuel cell system 13b and a pattern in which power is supplied from the photovoltaic power generation device 4 to the load unit 5 through the photovoltaic power generation system 13c.

[0023] In this way, the distribution panel 1 can switch the power supply pattern from three types of power sources, namely commercial AC power 2, fuel cell 3, and solar power generation device 4, to the load unit 5 by switching the connection state of changeover switch 20 and changeover switch 21.

[0024] In this embodiment, an intermittent switch 22 is provided between the second input unit 15 and the changeover switch 20. Under normal circumstances, when power is supplied to the first input unit 14 from the commercial AC power supply 2 (i.e., the commercial AC power supply 2 is not experiencing a power outage), the intermittent switch 22 keeps the connection between the second input unit 15 and the changeover switch 20 open (disconnected). Furthermore, when the commercial AC power supply 2 experiences a power outage, the intermittent switch 22 is manually switched on (connected) after the fuel cell 3 starts independent operation, thereby connecting the connection between the second input unit 15 and the changeover switch 20.

[0025] Under normal conditions, when power is supplied to the first input unit 14 from the commercial AC power supply 2, the changeover switch 20 is configured to connect the output unit 17 to the first input unit 14. Furthermore, after a power outage at the commercial AC power supply 2, when the fuel cell 3 starts independent operation and the intermittent switch 22 is turned on, the changeover switch 20 is configured to automatically switch to connect the output unit 17 to the second input unit 15. In addition, when the power outage is resolved and power supply to the first input unit 14 from the commercial AC power supply 2 is restored, the changeover switch 20 is configured to automatically switch to connect the output unit 17 to the first input unit 14.

[0026] Normally, when power is supplied to the first input section 14 from the commercial AC power supply 2, the changeover switch 21 is configured to connect the output section 17 to the changeover switch 20 (either the first input section 14 or the second input section 15). The changeover switch 21 can also be manually switched to connect the output section 17 to the third input section 16 as needed.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the distribution panel 1 is equipped with a system diagram 30. In this embodiment, the system diagram 30 is located on the surface of one of the doors 11 of the distribution panel 1.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the system diagram 30 schematically displays a part of the switching circuit 13, which includes a commercial AC power supply 2, a fuel cell 3, a solar power generation device 4, a load unit 5, a changeover switch 20, a changeover switch 21, and an intermittent switch 22. More specifically, the system diagram 30 has a commercial AC power supply display unit 31 schematically showing the commercial AC power supply 2, a fuel cell display unit 32 schematically showing the fuel cell 3, a solar power generation device display unit 33 schematically showing the solar power generation device 4, a load unit display unit 34 schematically showing the load unit 5, a changeover switch display unit 35 schematically showing the changeover switch 20, a changeover switch display unit 36 ​​schematically showing the changeover switch 21, and an intermittent switch display unit 37 schematically showing the intermittent switch 22. In this embodiment, the commercial AC power supply display unit 31, the fuel cell display unit 32, the solar power generation device display unit 33, and the load unit display unit 34 are each composed of lamps that light up when the corresponding part of the switching circuit 13 is energized. The system diagram 30 may include descriptions of the names and operating conditions of each of the following display units: the commercial AC power display unit 31, the fuel cell display unit 32, the photovoltaic power generation device display unit 33, the load unit display unit 34, the changeover switch display unit 35, the changeover switch display unit 36, and the intermittent switch display unit 37. The system diagram 30 may also have line indicators 38a, 38b, and 38c that show the wiring corresponding to the normal power system 13a, the fuel cell system 13b, and the photovoltaic power generation system 13c.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the switchboard 1 has a plurality of operating sections 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 located adjacent to the system diagram 30. The operating sections 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 are each located on the surface of one of the doors 11 of the switchboard 1 below the system diagram 30.

[0030] The control unit 40 is for operating the changeover switch 20. The control unit 40 can operate the changeover switch 20 when the operating mode of the changeover switch 20 has been switched from automatic mode to manual mode by the control unit 43. That is, when the operating mode of the changeover switch 20 has been switched to manual mode by the control unit 43, the changeover switch 20 can be manually switched by operating the control unit 40 between a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the first input unit 14 and a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the second input unit 15. When the operating mode of the changeover switch 20 has been switched to automatic mode by the control unit 43, as described above, when the commercial AC power supply 2 is interrupted and the fuel cell 3 starts independent operation and the intermittent switch 22 is turned on, the changeover switch 20 automatically switches from a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the first input unit 14 to a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the second input unit 15.

[0031] The control unit 41 is for operating the intermittent switch 22. The control unit 41 can operate the intermittent switch 22 when the operating mode of the intermittent switch 22 has been switched from automatic mode to manual mode by the control unit 44. That is, when the operating mode of the intermittent switch 22 has been switched to manual mode by the control unit 44, the intermittent switch 22 can be manually switched from the open state to the closed state, which connects the second input unit 15 and the changeover switch 20, by operating the control unit 41. When the operating mode of the intermittent switch 22 has been switched to automatic mode by the control unit 44, the intermittent switch 22 is automatically turned on after the commercial AC power supply 2 is shut off and the fuel cell 3 starts independent operation.

[0032] The control unit 42 is for operating the changeover switch 21. That is, by operating the control unit 42, the changeover switch 21 can be manually switched from a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the changeover switch 20 to a state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the second input unit 15.

[0033] The system diagram 30 is provided with several power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, and 53. The power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, and 53 are each located on the surface of one door 11 of the distribution panel 1, together with the system diagram 30. The power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, and 53 are located on both sides of the changeover switch display section 35 and changeover switch display section 36, which schematically represent the changeover switches 20 and 21 in the system diagram 30, and are configured to light up on the side of the power supply connected to the load section 5 by the changeover switches 20 and 21. Note that "both sides" of the changeover switch display section means "one side of the power supply" and "the other side of the power supply" to which the connection to the load section is switched by the changeover switch corresponding to the changeover switch display section. Therefore, if the changeover switch display unit is equipped with power indicator lamps on "one power supply side" and "the other power supply side" that are switched to connect to the load unit by the changeover switch corresponding to the changeover switch display unit, these power indicator lamps may be provided on both sides in the left-right direction with respect to the changeover switch display unit, on both sides in the up-down direction with respect to the changeover switch display unit, or on both sides in an oblique direction that is inclined with respect to both the left-right and up-down directions with respect to the changeover switch display unit.

[0034] More specifically, the power indicator lamps 50 and 51 are located on both sides of the changeover switch display unit 35, which schematically represents the changeover switch 20 in the system diagram 30. That is, the power indicator lamp 50 is located on the side of the changeover switch display unit 35 that faces the commercial AC power indicator unit 31, and the power indicator lamp 51 is located on the side of the changeover switch display unit 35 that faces the fuel cell indicator unit 32. The power indicator lamps 50 and 51 are configured to light up on the side of the power supply connected to the load unit 5 by the changeover switch 20. That is, when the load unit 5 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 2 by the changeover switch 20, the power indicator lamp 50 lights up and the power indicator lamp 51 turns off. Conversely, when the load unit 5 is connected to the fuel cell 3 by the changeover switch 20, the power indicator lamp 51 lights up and the power indicator lamp 50 turns off.

[0035] The power indicator lamps 52 and 53 are located on both sides of the changeover switch display unit 36, which schematically represents the changeover switch 21 in the system diagram 30. Specifically, the power indicator lamp 52 is positioned on the side of the changeover switch display unit 35, that is, on the side of the commercial AC power indicator unit 31 or the fuel cell indicator unit 32, while the power indicator lamp 53 is positioned on the side of the changeover switch display unit 36, that is, on the side of the solar power generation device indicator unit 33. The power indicator lamps 52 and 53 are configured to light up on the side of the power supply connected to the load unit 5 by the changeover switch 21. That is, when the load unit 5 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 2 or the fuel cell 3 by the changeover switch 21, the power indicator lamp 52 lights up and the power indicator lamp 53 turns off. Conversely, when the load unit 5 is connected to the solar power generation device 4 by the changeover switch 21, the power indicator lamp 53 lights up and the power indicator lamp 52 turns off.

[0036] The intermittent switch indicator unit 37 is also made up of lamps, and when the intermittent switch 22 is turned on, the intermittent switch indicator unit 37 lights up.

[0037] In the distribution panel 1 according to this embodiment having the above configuration, the operator can easily understand the supply pattern in which current is flowing between the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, the solar power generation device 4 and the load unit 5 by checking the status of the power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, and 53 in the system diagram 30, in addition to the display in the system diagram 30.

[0038] In other words, under normal conditions when power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 2 to the first input unit 14, the changeover switch 20 connects the output unit 17 to the first input unit 14, and the changeover switch 21 connects the output unit 17 to the changeover switch 20. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, under normal conditions, in addition to the commercial AC power supply indicator unit 31 and the load unit indicator unit 34, the power indicator lamps 50 and 52 are lit on the system diagram 30, while the power indicator lamps 52 and 53 are off. As a result, an operator looking at the system diagram 30 can easily understand that power is being supplied from the commercial AC power supply 2 to the load unit 5 because, in addition to the display on the system diagram 30, the power indicator lamp 50 on the commercial AC power supply indicator unit 31 and the power indicator lamp 52 on the changeover switch indicator unit 35 are lit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the power indicator lamp 50 on the commercial AC power indicator unit 31 and the power indicator lamp 52 on the changeover switch indicator unit 35, the commercial AC power indicator unit 31 and the load unit indicator unit 34 also light up, making it easier to understand that power is being supplied from the commercial AC power supply 2 to the load unit 5.

[0039] On the other hand, in the event of a power outage of the commercial AC power supply 2, the changeover switch 20 connects the output unit 17 to the second input unit 15, and the changeover switch 21 connects the output unit 17 to the changeover switch 20. Furthermore, when the fuel cell 3 starts independent operation, the intermittent switch indicator unit 37 is turned on, meaning that the fuel cell 3 and the changeover switch 20 are connected. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, in addition to the fuel cell indicator unit 32 and the load unit indicator unit 34, the power indicator lamps 51 and 52 are lit, as is the intermittent switch indicator unit 37, while the power indicator lamps 50 and 53 are turned off. As a result, an operator looking at the system diagram 30 can easily understand that power is being supplied from the fuel cell 3 to the load unit 5, as the power indicator lamp 51 on the fuel cell 3 side and the power indicator lamp 52 on the changeover switch indicator unit 35 side are lit, in addition to the display on the system diagram 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the power indicator lamp 51 on the fuel cell 3 side and the power indicator lamp 52 on the changeover switch display unit 35 side, the fuel cell display unit 32 and the load unit display unit 34 also light up, making it easier to understand that power is being supplied from the fuel cell 3 to the load unit 5.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, in the event of a power outage of the commercial AC power supply 2, if the fuel cell 3 does not start independent operation, and the changeover switch 21 is manually switched by the operation unit 42 from the state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the changeover switch 20 to the state in which the output unit 17 is connected to the third input unit 16, then, as shown in Figure 6, the power indicator lamp 53 lights up in the system diagram 30 in addition to the solar power generation device display unit 33 and the load unit display unit 34, while the power indicator lamps 50, 51, and 52 are turned off. As a result, an operator looking at the system diagram 30 can easily understand that power is being supplied from the solar power generation device 4 to the load unit 5 because, in addition to the display on the system diagram 30, the power indicator lamp 53 on the solar power generation device 4 side is lit. Moreover, in this embodiment, in addition to the power indicator lamp 53 on the solar power generation device 4 side, the solar power generation device display unit 33 and the load unit display unit 34 also light up, making it even easier to understand that power is being supplied from the solar power generation device 4 to the load unit 5.

[0041] Thus, according to the distribution board 1 of this embodiment, in addition to the display in the system diagram 30, by checking the lighting status of the power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, and 53 in the system diagram 30, it is possible to easily understand what kind of supply pattern the current is flowing in between the commercial AC power supply 2, the fuel cell 3, the solar power generation device 4 and the load unit 5. Therefore, when a power outage occurs in the commercial AC power supply 2 due to an earthquake, the workload on workers when inspecting and restoring the distribution board 1 by manually switching the operation units 40, 41, and 42 can be reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, in the power distribution panel 1 according to this embodiment, the power distribution panel 1 has a configuration comprising a housing 10 that houses a plurality of changeover switches 20, 21, and doors 11, 12 that are attached to the housing 10 so as to be openable and closable. The system diagram 30, a plurality of operating units 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and a plurality of power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, 53 are arranged on the surface of the door 11, respectively. This allows for easy confirmation of the system diagram 30 and the power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, 53, and enables operation of the operating units 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 while confirming the system diagram 30 and the power indicator lamps 50, 51, 52, 53, thereby further reducing the workload when inspecting and restoring the power distribution panel 1.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 Switchboard 2 Commercial AC power supply 3 fuel cell 4. Solar power generation equipment 5 Load section 10 cabinets 11 Doors 12 doors 13 Switching Circuit 13a Regular system 13b Fuel cell system 13c Solar power grid 14. First Input Section 15. Second Input Section 16. Third Input Section 17 Output section 20 Changeover switch 21 Changeover switch 22 Intermittent switches 30 System Diagram 31. Commercial AC power indicator (lamp) 32 Fuel cell display unit (lamp) 33. Solar power generation device display unit (lamp) 34. Load indicator (lamp) 35 Changeover switch display unit 36 Changeover switch display unit 37 Intermittent switch indicator (lamp) 38a line display 38b line display 38c line display 40 Control section 41 Operation section 42 Operation section 43 Operation section 44 Control section 50 Power indicator lamp 51 Power indicator lamp 52 Power indicator lamp 53 Power indicator lamp

Claims

1. A power distribution panel provided between multiple types of power sources and a load unit, which switches the power supply pattern from multiple types of power sources to the load unit, Each of the following is provided between the multiple types of power supplies and the load unit, and includes multiple changeover switches that selectively connect the load unit to one of the multiple types of power supplies, A schematic diagram showing a part of the switching circuit including multiple types of power supplies, the load section, and multiple changeover switches, A plurality of operating units are provided adjacent to the aforementioned system diagram, each corresponding to the aforementioned changeover switch, A distribution board characterized by having a plurality of power indicator lamps, each provided on both sides of the schematic representation of the changeover switch in the system diagram, and configured to light up on the side of the power supply connected to the load section by the changeover switch.

2. A housing that accommodates multiple of the aforementioned changeover switches, The housing has a door that is attached to it so as to be able to be opened and closed, The distribution board according to claim 1, wherein the system diagram, the plurality of operating units, and the plurality of power indicator lamps are each arranged on the surface of the door.

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