Electrical switchboard capable of partial discharge detection and fire suppression

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switchboard capable of diagnosing partial discharge and spark discharge occurring inside the switchboard and extinguishing a fire, wherein a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules and at least one ultraviolet sensor module are provided within a case, and a discharge detection module detects whether partial discharge has occurred based on an ultrasonic signal and detects whether spark discharge has occurred based on an ultraviolet sensing signal, and when the detection results are integrated to determine whether a fire has occurred and a fire occurrence signal is output, a fire extinguishing module sprays a fire extinguishing agent / fire extinguishing liquid to extinguish the fire in the early stages.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switchboard capable of detecting partial discharge and extinguishing fire. More specifically, the invention relates to a switchboard capable of detecting partial discharge and spark discharge occurring inside the switchboard and extinguishing a fire that occurs inside. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical equipment, such as switchboards, energy storage devices, uninterruptible power supplies, fuel cells, inverters, junction boxes, transmission and distribution facilities, and power generation facilities, is installed in places like power plants, substations, or large buildings equipped with electrical facilities. It is a device capable of converting arbitrary power into power with different currents, voltages, and frequencies, or of operating and controlling generators, motors, and the like. These electrical facilities are equipped with electrical devices, such as circuit breakers, switches, and various measuring instruments, that are necessary for the distribution of electricity, current, and / or voltage, as well as for the control of the power distribution system.

[0003] In particular, a distribution board is a facility equipped with various instruments, control switches, and protective relays for the monitoring, control, and protection of the power system to ensure the safe operation of electrical facilities; it converts received power to the voltage required by the load and supplies it to the load. Generally, apartments, buildings, and factories are equipped with distribution boards that supply electricity from Korea Electric Power Corporation to each load.

[0004] Just like the switchboard described earlier, most electrical facilities are equipped with various electrical devices such as switching wires, controlling / monitoring electrical equipment, distribution devices for power distribution, and inverters.

[0005] As described above, electrical equipment such as distribution boards, switchboards, and switchgear consists of densely packed conductive and insulating parts to which high voltage and high current are applied. Consequently, partial discharge and arc discharge can occur due to various factors including insulation degradation, contamination (dust and salt), moisture, poor connections, poor contact, and tracking. While these discharges initially originate from minute insulation defects or localized electric field concentrations, repeated occurrences cause carbonization and erosion of the insulation material as well as localized overheating, thereby expanding the defect and ultimately posing a risk of ground faults, short circuits, and fires. Therefore, for the safe operation of electrical equipment, technology capable of early detection of discharges and diagnosis of the progression of defects is required.

[0006] Conventional partial discharge detection has utilized electrical methods (such as UHF / TEV and pulse detection using current transformers) or acoustic methods (such as ultrasonic sensors). However, in enclosed metal enclosure structures like switchboards, signals generated from the discharge source are attenuated, reflected, or scattered by internal components (circuit breakers, busbars, CTs / PTs, insulators, etc.) and partitions. In particular, due to the strong directional nature of ultrasound, blind spots are easily formed by obstacles. Consequently, with single sensors or limited sensor placements, the stability of discharge signal reception is reduced, making it difficult to monitor the entire facility or accurately pinpoint the location of the discharge. Furthermore, environmental noise—such as mechanical vibrations at the installation site, external shocks, blower noise, and operating sounds from adjacent equipment—can be mixed into the ultrasonic signal, increasing the likelihood of false alarms. The difficulty in setting reference signals based on the operating environment is also cited as a problem.

[0007] Meanwhile, partial discharges can be classified into corona discharge, surface discharge, and floating discharge depending on their form, and the causes of defects and the degree of risk vary depending on the discharge type. However, conventional technologies were often limited to simply detecting the presence or absence of discharge, or were difficult to utilize for preventive maintenance due to low accuracy in classifying discharge types. In particular, to perform precise diagnosis using discharge signal characteristics such as frequency components and occurrence frequency, the sensor's bandwidth characteristics, filtering, and signal processing algorithms must be optimized together; however, in actual field applications, these factors were constrained by the equipment structure and installation conditions.

[0008] Furthermore, arc discharges or sparks are accompanied by a rapid release of energy and high temperatures within a very short period; if they are not detected early, they can ignite insulation, cable sheathing, dust, etc., inside electrical equipment, leading to a rapid spread of fire. Conventionally, fire suppression often relied on heat detection, smoke detection, or general fire extinguishing equipment located outside the facility. Consequently, it was difficult to respond immediately to the initial discharge or spark stage originating inside the electrical equipment, and delays in suppression could lead to increased damage to the equipment or secondary losses such as power outages or shutdowns. Therefore, there is an increasing need for integrated safety technology capable of suppressing fire spread by linking alarms or remote notifications with automatic fire extinguishing means (e.g., spraying of extinguishing agents / liquids) within the facility, based on the results of early detection of partial discharges and sparks. Prior art literature

[0009] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1553005 Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2193912 The problem to be solved

[0010] The purpose is to provide a switchboard capable of partial discharge detection and fire extinguishing. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges may be derived from the following description. means of solving the problem

[0011] A switchboard having a partial discharge detection function according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules for acquiring ultrasonic signals generated inside the switchboard; and a discharge detection module for determining whether partial discharge has occurred inside the switchboard based on ultrasonic signals acquired from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules.

[0012] The number of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules is varied based on the size of the distribution panel, the number of internal partitions, and the ultrasonic detection angle of the ultrasonic sensor modules.

[0013] The discharge detection module compares the ultrasonic signal acquired from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules with a reference ultrasonic signal, and determines whether partial discharge has occurred based on the comparison result.

[0014] The discharge detection module determines whether the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signals collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, and if it determines that the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signals collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, it determines that partial discharge has occurred.

[0015] The discharge detection module determines that the above is the same if the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signal collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules is located within ±α range centered on the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal, and α is inversely proportional to the number of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101).

[0016] The discharge detection module calculates an average ultrasonic signal based on the ultrasonic signals measured by each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, determines whether the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the average ultrasonic signal, and determines that partial discharge has occurred if it is determined that the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the average ultrasonic signal.

[0017] A switchboard according to one embodiment of the present invention further comprises at least one ultraviolet sensor module for acquiring ultraviolet rays generated inside the switchboard; and a fire extinguishing module for discharging a fire extinguishing liquid, wherein the discharge detection module determines whether spark discharge occurs inside the switchboard based on the ultraviolet rays acquired by the at least one ultraviolet sensor module, and determines whether a fire occurs inside the switchboard based on whether partial discharge occurs and whether spark discharge occurs. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to embodiments of the present invention, since a switchboard can simultaneously monitor internal partial discharge (ultrasonic-based) and spark / arc discharge (ultraviolet-based) using different physical signals, the detection reliability and robustness for discharge events are improved compared to methods relying on a single sensor and a single physical quantity. In particular, since partial discharge represents cumulative risk as a precursor phenomenon and arc discharge is a direct sign with a high probability of ignition, using the two detection results together allows for more precise differentiation of hazardous conditions.

[0019] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention is equipped with a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, and the number of sensors and installation locations can be variably designed according to conditions such as the size of the switchboard (1), the number and shape of internal partitions, and the ultrasonic detection angle. This allows for the reduction of shadow zones caused by ultrasonic shielding by internal partitions and components, and enables the detection of partial discharge and spark discharge throughout the entire interior of the switchboard. Accordingly, the bias in which discharge is detected only in specific sections or specific locations is reduced, and the monitoring quality can be stabilized even under field conditions where actual discharge locations are distributed in various ways.

[0020] In addition, in partial discharge detection using ultrasonic signals in the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention, if the average ultrasonic signal is calculated by applying a weight proportional to the SNR instead of simply averaging the ultrasonic signals collected by each sensor, the phenomenon in which channels with high noise distort the average result is suppressed, and information from channels with distinct components originating from partial discharge is reflected more significantly. As a result, the effective signal-to-noise ratio of the average ultrasonic signal increases, and fluctuations in feature values ​​such as peak frequency and band energy are reduced, thereby enabling detection sensitivity to be secured while reducing false alarms in judgments based on comparison with reference ultrasonic information.

[0021] Additionally, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention improves adaptability to various installation conditions and environmental changes by varying the allowable range around the reference peak frequency according to the number of sensors, sensor precision, and peak size (signal quality) when comparing the peak frequency of the average ultrasound with the peak frequency of the reference ultrasound, rather than setting it as a fixed value. For example, when the number of sensors is large, precision is high, and the peak is distinct, the allowable range can be narrowed to increase the strictness of judgment, and conversely, when the number of sensors is small or the signal is weak, the allowable range can be widened to reduce undetected signals, thereby improving overall judgment stability and reproducibility.

[0022] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can suppress a fire inside the switchboard at an early stage by immediately activating a fire extinguishing module and spraying a fire extinguishing agent / liquid when a fire is detected. The switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can preemptively extinguish the fire internally before external fire extinguishing equipment or personnel intervention, thereby reducing the spread of flames and the duration of combustion, and consequently reducing operational risks such as equipment damage, secondary damage caused by smoke and soot, power outages, and shutdowns.

[0023] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide and store partial discharge / spark discharge detection status, fire judgment results, extinguishing operation status, and event history through a display module and storage, thereby offering significant benefits from the perspective of field operation and maintenance. Managers can take immediate action through real-time status display, optimize preventive maintenance cycles by post-analyzing defect locations, occurrence patterns, and environmental conditions based on the stored history, and continuously improve long-term operational reliability by adjusting reference values, threshold values, and weights (e.g., SNR weighting) for each piece of equipment. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a distribution panel capable of partial discharge detection and fire extinguishing according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the switchboard shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for detecting partial discharge and extinguishing a fire in a switchboard illustrated in Figure 1. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules arranged inside a distribution board according to embodiments of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided merely to complete the technical concept of the present disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical concept of the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0026] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions could obscure the essence of the present disclosure, such detailed description is omitted.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise. The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0028] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used to describe the components of the present disclosure. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the terms. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "combined," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "combined," or "joined" between each component.

[0029] As used in this disclosure, “comprises” and / or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0030] Components included in any one embodiment and components having common functions may be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions in any one embodiment may also apply to other embodiments, and specific descriptions may be omitted within the scope of overlap or within the scope that is obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0031] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a distribution board capable of partial discharge detection and fire extinguishing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the distribution board illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the distribution board (1) includes a case (11) of the distribution board (1), a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101), at least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102), a discharge detection module (1103), a fire extinguishing module (1104), a display module (1105), and a storage (1106).

[0034] The case (11) is a case made of steel in the shape of a hollow rectangular prism. The case (11) is generally formed of a metal material to provide grounding and shielding functions and includes a door, opening, fastening structure, internal partition, etc. for maintenance and inspection. Inside the case (11), a busbar, a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101), at least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102), a discharge detection module (1103), a fire extinguishing module (1104), a display module (1105), and a storage (1106) are installed, and other electrical devices may be provided.

[0035] Multiple ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) are sensor modules that receive (receive sound) ultrasonic components accompanying partial discharge occurring inside the distribution board (1) and convert them into electrical signals. Generally, the ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) may include a sensor element that detects acoustic signals in a predetermined frequency band, a signal amplifier, and an interface circuit, and the signals are collected separately by channel. Multiple ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) are provided to detect ultrasonics originating from partial discharge throughout the interior of the distribution board (1), and the number may vary depending on the size of the distribution board (1), the number / shape of internal partitions, the detection angle of the sensors, etc.

[0036] At least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102) is a sensor module that detects ultraviolet light emitted when spark discharge (including arc discharge) occurs inside the distribution board (1) and converts it into an electrical signal. Generally, the ultraviolet sensor module (1102) includes a sensing element that responds to ultraviolet light of a specific wavelength range and a signal conversion / amplification circuit, and can detect ultraviolet intensity or pulse-shaped light emission. The ultraviolet sensor module (1102) is used to detect whether spark discharge has occurred by utilizing ultraviolet emission, which is a direct optical sign of arc discharge, and can be placed in an upper space or a location advantageous for observing a major discharge-possible area to reduce the blocking effect of internal obstacles.

[0037] The discharge detection module (1103) is a computation / control module that processes signals collected from the ultrasonic sensor module (1101) and the ultraviolet sensor module (1102) to detect whether partial discharge and spark discharge (arc discharge) have occurred, and determines whether a fire has occurred based on the results. Generally, the discharge detection module (1103) performs signal preprocessing (filtering, amplification), feature value extraction (e.g., FFT-based band energy, peak frequency, level), comparison with reference values, and judgment logic, and may include an output interface for alarms or linkage with a higher-level system. The discharge detection module (1103) detects partial discharge from the ultrasonic signal and detects spark discharge from the ultraviolet signal, and then integrates the two detection results (presence or absence of occurrence, intensity, duration, repeatability, etc.) to determine whether a fire has occurred (or is imminent).

[0038] The fire extinguishing module (1104) is a module that performs a fire suppression operation to suppress or extinguish a fire inside the distribution panel (1) when a fire occurrence signal indicating the occurrence of a fire is input from the discharge detection module (1103). Generally, the fire extinguishing module (1104) may include a storage unit for storing a fire extinguishing agent or extinguishing liquid, a driving unit (e.g., valve, pump, gas cartridge, etc.) that forms a spray pressure, and a nozzle / spraying unit that sprays the agent into the interior.

[0039] The display module (1105) is a display means that visually provides the user with the operating status of the distribution board (1), the results of partial discharge / spark discharge detection, the results of fire judgment, and the status of fire extinguishing operations. Generally, the display module (1105) can be implemented in the form of an LCD, an LED display, a warning light, or a touch panel, and can provide status / history information along with an alarm (warning) display. The display module (1105) supports the field manager in immediately recognizing the situation by displaying key information in real time, such as whether partial discharge is detected, the detection intensity or risk level, whether spark discharge (arc discharge) is detected, whether a fire is judged to have occurred, and whether the fire extinguishing module (1104) is operating (operating / completed / failed, etc.).

[0040] Storage (1106) is a memory / storage device that stores sensing data, reference values / reference patterns, judgment results, and event history of the distribution board (1). Generally, storage (1106) may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash, EEPROM, etc.) and / or volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and performs log storage and setting value preservation. Storage (1106) stores (i) reference ultrasonic information (reference peak frequency, reference level, etc.) and reference ultraviolet sensitivity / level in a normal state, (ii) SNR or noise statistics per sensor, (iii) partial discharge / spark discharge detection results and fire judgment results, and (iv) fire extinguishing module (1104) operation history (spray start / end time, number of sprays, etc.). Storage (1108) may store additional data necessary to detect partial discharge and spark discharge in addition to the data described above.

[0041] The switchboard (1) may include additional components in addition to the components described above. For example, the switchboard (1) may include additional components such as a processor for controlling the operation of the switchboard (1), a bus for transmitting data between various components, a power supply unit for supplying power to each component, a training unit for training an artificial neural network, and a communication module capable of exchanging data and signals with an external device. Detailed descriptions of components that are obvious to those skilled in the art to which this embodiment belongs are omitted as they obscure the features of this embodiment.

[0042] In the distribution panel (1) according to embodiments of the present invention, the discharge detection module (1103) may be implemented by a separate dedicated processor different from the processor, or may be implemented by the execution of a computer program performed by the processor.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for detecting partial discharge and extinguishing a fire in a switchboard illustrated in FIG. 1. The partial discharge detection and fire extinguishing method of FIG. 3 is executed in a switchboard (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and it is assumed that a program for executing the partial discharge detection and fire extinguishing method is pre-installed in the switchboard (1).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, in step 301, the distribution board (1) acquires an ultrasonic signal generated inside the distribution board (1). A plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) of the distribution board (1) collect and acquire the ultrasonic signal generated inside the distribution board (1). The plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) input the acquired ultrasonic signal to the discharge detection module (1103).

[0045] Here, the number of multiple ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) varies based on the size of the distribution board (1), the presence or absence / number of internal partitions, and the ultrasonic detection angle of the ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). For example, the required number N of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) for stably detecting ultrasonic waves generated by partial discharge in the distribution board (1) throughout the entire interior of the distribution board is proportional to the size (internal volume / dimensions) of the distribution board (1) and the number and degree of shielding / segmentation of internal partitions, and is inversely proportional to the ultrasonic detection angle of the ultrasonic sensor modules (1101).

[0046] As the size of the distribution board (1) increases, more ultrasonic sensor modules are required to ensure high detection accuracy of partial discharge occurring inside the distribution board (1). Additionally, if the number of partitions inside the distribution board (1) increases or if there are separated spaces distinguished by partitions, it is necessary to place separate ultrasonic sensor modules in each space separated by partitions to detect partial discharge occurring in the partitioned or separated space, as the acoustic transmission of ultrasonic waves is blocked by the partitions.

[0047] Conversely, as the detection angle of the ultrasonic sensor module (1101) increases, the monitoring area that a single sensor can cover expands, so the number N of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101) required under the same distribution board (1) conditions can be reduced.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules arranged inside a switchboard according to embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 4(a) to FIG. 4(d) is an embodiment in which two ultrasonic sensor modules are arranged inside a switchboard, and FIG. 4(e) is an embodiment in which four ultrasonic sensor modules are arranged inside a switchboard. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4(a) to FIG. 4(d) is a drawing illustrating an embodiment in which a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules are arranged, but a shadow area exists where ultrasonic waves cannot be detected because an appropriate number of ultrasonic sensor modules are not arranged, and FIG. 4(e) is a drawing illustrating an embodiment in which a desirable number of ultrasonic sensor modules are arranged inside a switchboard so that there is no shadow area where ultrasonic waves cannot be detected.

[0049] In step 302, the switchboard (1) determines whether partial discharge has occurred inside the switchboard (1) based on ultrasonic signals. The discharge detection module (1103) of the switchboard (1) determines whether partial discharge has occurred inside the switchboard (1) based on ultrasonic signals obtained from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). The discharge detection module (1103) performs preprocessing to suppress noise components on the collected ultrasonic signals, for example, performs bandpass filtering to pass the frequency band where the ultrasonic components caused by partial discharge are mainly distributed, and performs frequency component analysis (e.g., Fourier transform, FFT) on the filtered signal to calculate feature values ​​such as energy (spectral magnitude), peak frequency, or RMS / peak level of the bandpass signal. The discharge detection module (1103) compares the normal state ultrasonic level (reference sensitivity) or the updated reference value during monitoring with the calculated feature value in the installation environment where the distribution board (1) is installed, and determines that partial discharge has occurred if the signal size exceeds a predetermined threshold value as a result of the comparison, or if the increase in energy in a specific frequency band continues or repeats.

[0050] More specifically, the discharge detection module (1103) compares the reference ultrasonic signal collected when partial discharge occurs with the ultrasonic signal collected in step 301, and determines whether partial discharge has occurred based on the comparison result. The discharge detection module (1103) compares the peak frequency and energy magnitude by frequency band of the reference ultrasonic signal with the peak frequency and energy magnitude by frequency band of the ultrasonic signals collected from multiple ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). The discharge detection module (1103) detects and determines that partial discharge has occurred if the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal and the peak frequency of the collected ultrasonic signal are identical or similar, and the energy magnitude by frequency band is identical or similar. When comparing peak frequencies, the discharge detection module (1103) determines that the reference ultrasonic signal and the collected ultrasonic signal are similar if the peak frequency of the collected ultrasonic signal is located within a preset allowable range based on the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal. The preset allowable range is ±α (range determination coefficient) centered on the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal.

[0051] The preset allowable range is varied based on the precision of the ultrasonic sensor module (1101) and the number of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). For example, the magnitude of the range determination coefficient α, which determines the preset allowable range, is inversely proportional to the precision of the ultrasonic sensor module (1101) and the number of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). The discharge detection module (1103) can be configured to reduce the allowable range when N is large and expand the allowable range when N is small, by utilizing the fact that the reliability of frequency estimation increases through averaging and cross-verification of multiple sensors as the number of ultrasonic sensor modules N increases. Additionally, the allowable range is reduced when the precision of the ultrasonic sensor module (1101) is high and the frequency measurement error is small, and the allowable range is expanded when the precision is low or the error is large due to aging, etc., thereby ensuring judgment stability according to sensor characteristics.

[0052] The reference ultrasonic signal is reference information for an ultrasonic signal that is characteristically observed when partial discharge occurs inside a switchboard, and is used for comparison and determination with the ultrasonic signal measured by the ultrasonic sensor module (1101). The reference ultrasonic signal may be an ultrasonic signal collected when partial discharge occurs inside the switchboard (1), and the reference ultrasonic signal is stored in the storage (1106). The reference ultrasonic signal may be the time-domain waveform itself, or it may be defined as a set of feature values ​​effective for partial discharge detection (e.g., signal level after bandpass filtering (RMS / peak), peak frequency in the frequency analysis (FFT) result, energy distribution by band, frequency of repeated occurrence, etc.). The discharge detection module (1103) collects ultrasonic signals in the normal operation section or commissioning / verification section of the installation environment to identify background noise levels and spectral characteristics, and generates and stores (storage (1106)) a reference ultrasonic signal to include the frequency band and peak frequency (reference peak frequency f_ref) unique to partial discharge derived from a demonstration test or a pre-learned partial discharge sample.

[0053] When determining whether the reference ultrasonic signal and the collected ultrasonic signal are identical or similar, the discharge detection module (1103) according to one embodiment of the present invention calculates an average ultrasonic signal based on the ultrasonic signals measured by each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules (1101). For example, the discharge detection module (1103) can calculate the average of the ultrasonic waveform in the time domain or the average of the frequency domain feature values. The discharge detection module (1103) performs frequency component analysis on the ultrasonic signal collected by each ultrasonic sensor module (1101) and calculates the average value of the peak frequency and the energy magnitude by frequency band for the ultrasonic signal measured by each ultrasonic sensor module (1101). The discharge detection module (1103) compares the average value of the peak frequency and the energy magnitude by frequency band with the peak frequency and the energy magnitude by frequency band of the reference ultrasonic signal.

[0054] When calculating the average of the ultrasonic waveform or the average of the frequency domain feature values, the discharge detection module (1103) applies a weight that varies according to the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) of each ultrasonic sensor module (1101) to the ultrasonic signal measured by each ultrasonic sensor module (1101) and calculates the average ultrasonic signal. The discharge detection module (1103) calculates the average ultrasonic signal by applying a weight based on the SNR of each ultrasonic sensor module (1101) using the following mathematical formula 1.

[0055] (Mathematical Formula 1)

[0056]

[0057] Here, is the average ultrasound signal, and is the weight for the i-th ultrasonic sensor module, and is the ultrasonic signal measured by the i-th ultrasonic sensor module, and N is the number of ultrasonic sensor modules placed inside the distribution board.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, when calculating the average ultrasonic signal, a weighting factor proportional to the SNR of each ultrasonic sensor module (1101) is applied. This increases the contribution of ultrasonic sensors in which the ultrasonic components derived from partial discharge are observed relatively clearly, and reduces the influence of ultrasonic sensors with low SNRs that have large background noise, such as mechanical vibration, fan noise, and switchboard operation noise, thereby improving the effective signal-to-noise ratio of the average ultrasonic signal. As a result, the phenomenon in which feature values ​​such as the peak frequency and band energy of the average signal are distorted by noise is mitigated, and the stability of similarity judgment in comparison with reference ultrasonic information is increased. This provides the effect of reducing false alarms while improving detection sensitivity and reproducibility for actual partial discharge events.

[0059] When determining whether the collected ultrasound signal is similar to the reference ultrasound signal, the discharge detection module (1103) according to another embodiment of the present invention compares the peak frequency and energy magnitude by frequency band of the ultrasound signal collected from each ultrasound sensor module (1101) with the peak frequency and energy magnitude by frequency band of the reference ultrasound, and determines whether the ultrasound collected from each ultrasound sensor module (1101) is similar to the reference ultrasound. The discharge detection module (1103) determines that partial discharge has occurred if the number of ultrasounds measured by each of the plurality of ultrasound sensor modules (1101) that are determined to be similar to the reference ultrasound is greater than half (for example, if ultrasounds measured by 3 out of 5 ultrasound sensor modules are determined to be similar to the reference ultrasound).

[0060] In step 303, the switchboard (1) acquires ultraviolet rays generated inside the switchboard (1). At least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102) of the switchboard (1) collects and acquires ultraviolet components emitted from an arc discharge generated inside the switchboard (1). At least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102) inputs the acquired ultraviolet rays to a discharge detection module (1103).

[0061] In another embodiment of the present invention, the switchboard (1) may include a plurality of partial discharge detection modules (1102). A plurality of ultraviolet sensor modules (1102) may be placed at different locations within the switchboard (1) (e.g., upper space, area adjacent to a circuit breaker / busbar, etc.), and considering the situation where ultraviolet rays generated in a specific area may be shielded or attenuated by some sensors depending on the difference in the installation location of each sensor, the reliability of ultraviolet event detection throughout the entire interior of the switchboard (1) can be improved by using the collected signals of the plurality of sensors.

[0062] In step 304, the switchboard (1) determines whether spark discharge occurs inside the switchboard (1) based on ultraviolet light. The discharge detection module (1103) of the switchboard (1) determines whether spark discharge occurs inside the switchboard (1) based on ultraviolet light acquired from at least one ultraviolet sensor module (1102). More specifically, the discharge detection module (1103) calculates a characteristic value corresponding to spark discharge from the magnitude of the acquired ultraviolet light (electrical level corresponding to light intensity), rate of increase, duration, and frequency of repeated occurrence, and determines whether spark discharge occurs by comparing the calculated characteristic value with a reference sensitivity / reference level pre-set in a normal state. For example, if the peak level of the ultraviolet sensing signal increases by more than a predetermined threshold value relative to the reference level, or if the increased state persists for more than a predetermined time, or if the same type of ultraviolet pulse is repeatedly detected within a predetermined time window, the partial discharge detection module (1103) may determine that spark discharge has occurred. In addition, by considering whether similar ultraviolet events are detected in similar time intervals in more than half of the multiple ultraviolet sensor modules (1102), it can be configured to reduce false detection caused by the influx of external light sources or momentary stray light.

[0063] In step 305, the distribution panel (1) determines whether a fire has occurred within the distribution panel (1) based on whether partial discharge has occurred and whether spark discharge has occurred. The discharge detection module (1103) of the distribution panel (1) determines whether a fire has occurred within the distribution panel (1) based on whether partial discharge has occurred determined in step 302 and whether spark discharge has occurred determined in step 304. If the discharge detection module (1103) determines that both partial discharge and spark discharge have occurred, it determines that a fire has occurred. If the discharge detection module (1103) determines that a fire has occurred, it inputs a fire occurrence signal indicating that a fire has occurred to the fire extinguishing module (1104) and the display module (1105).

[0064] In step 306, the distribution board (1) discharges a fire extinguishing agent to extinguish a fire that has occurred inside the distribution board (1) based on a fire occurrence signal. When a fire occurrence signal is input from the discharge detection module (1103) in step 305, the fire extinguishing module (1104) of the distribution board (1) discharges a fire extinguishing agent or fire extinguishing agent to a predetermined area inside the distribution board (1).

[0065] The display module (1105) outputs a signal indicating that a fire has occurred when a fire occurrence signal is input from the discharge detection module (1103).

[0066] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, since the switchboard can simultaneously monitor internal partial discharge (ultrasonic-based) and spark / arc discharge (ultraviolet-based) using different physical signals, the detection reliability and robustness for discharge events are improved compared to methods relying on a single sensor and a single physical quantity. In particular, since partial discharge represents cumulative risk as a precursor phenomenon and arc discharge is a direct sign with a high probability of ignition, using the two detection results together allows for more precise differentiation of hazardous conditions.

[0067] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention is equipped with a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, and the number of sensors and installation locations can be variably designed according to conditions such as the size of the switchboard (1), the number and shape of internal partitions, and the ultrasonic detection angle. This allows for the reduction of shadow zones caused by ultrasonic shielding by internal partitions and components, and enables the detection of partial discharge and spark discharge throughout the entire interior of the switchboard. Accordingly, the bias in which discharge is detected only in specific sections or specific locations is reduced, and the monitoring quality can be stabilized even under field conditions where actual discharge locations are distributed in various ways.

[0068] In addition, in partial discharge detection using ultrasonic signals in the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention, if the average ultrasonic signal is calculated by applying a weight proportional to the SNR instead of simply averaging the ultrasonic signals collected by each sensor, the phenomenon in which channels with high noise distort the average result is suppressed, and information from channels with distinct components originating from partial discharge is reflected more significantly. As a result, the effective signal-to-noise ratio of the average ultrasonic signal increases, and fluctuations in feature values ​​such as peak frequency and band energy are reduced, thereby enabling detection sensitivity to be secured while reducing false alarms in judgments based on comparison with reference ultrasonic information.

[0069] Additionally, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention improves adaptability to various installation conditions and environmental changes by varying the allowable range around the reference peak frequency according to the number of sensors, sensor precision, and peak size (signal quality) when comparing the peak frequency of the average ultrasound with the peak frequency of the reference ultrasound, rather than setting it as a fixed value. For example, when the number of sensors is large, precision is high, and the peak is distinct, the allowable range can be narrowed to increase the strictness of judgment, and conversely, when the number of sensors is small or the signal is weak, the allowable range can be widened to reduce undetected signals, thereby improving overall judgment stability and reproducibility.

[0070] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can suppress a fire inside the switchboard at an early stage by immediately activating a fire extinguishing module and spraying a fire extinguishing agent / liquid when a fire is detected. The switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can preemptively extinguish the fire internally before external fire extinguishing equipment or personnel intervention, thereby reducing the spread of flames and the duration of combustion, and consequently reducing operational risks such as equipment damage, secondary damage caused by smoke and soot, power outages, and shutdowns.

[0071] In addition, the switchboard according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide and store partial discharge / spark discharge detection status, fire judgment results, extinguishing operation status, and event history through a display module and storage, thereby offering significant benefits from the perspective of field operation and maintenance. Managers can take immediate action through real-time status display, optimize preventive maintenance cycles by post-analyzing defect locations, occurrence patterns, and environmental conditions based on the stored history, and continuously improve long-term operational reliability by adjusting reference values, threshold values, and weights (e.g., SNR weighting) for each piece of equipment.

[0072] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0073] 1: Distribution panel 11: Case 1101: Ultrasonic sensor module 1102: UV sensor module 1103: Discharge detection module 1104: Fire Extinguishing Module 1105: Display Module 1106: Storage

Claims

Claim 1 A switchboard having a partial discharge detection function, comprising a plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules for acquiring ultrasonic signals generated inside the switchboard; The present invention includes a discharge detection module that determines whether partial discharge has occurred inside the switchboard based on ultrasonic signals acquired from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, wherein the number of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules is proportional to the size of the switchboard and the number of internal partitions, and inversely proportional to the ultrasonic detection angle of the ultrasonic sensor modules, wherein the discharge detection module compares the ultrasonic signal acquired from each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules with a reference ultrasonic signal and determines whether partial discharge has occurred based on the comparison result, wherein the discharge detection module determines whether the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal and the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signal collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules are identical, and if it is determined that the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal and the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signal collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules are identical, it determines that partial discharge has occurred, and wherein the discharge detection module determines that they are identical if the peak frequency of the ultrasonic signal collected from the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules is located within a range of ±α centered on the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal, and wherein α is of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules A distribution panel characterized by being inversely proportional to the number. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A switchboard according to claim 1, wherein the discharge detection module calculates an average ultrasonic signal based on ultrasonic signals measured by each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensor modules, determines whether the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the average ultrasonic signal, and determines that partial discharge has occurred if it is determined that the peak frequency of the reference ultrasonic signal is the same as the peak frequency of the average ultrasonic signal. Claim 7 A switchboard according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one ultraviolet sensor module for acquiring ultraviolet rays generated inside the switchboard; and a fire extinguishing module for discharging a fire extinguishing liquid, wherein the discharge detection module determines whether a spark discharge occurs inside the switchboard based on the ultraviolet rays acquired by the at least one ultraviolet sensor module, and determines whether a fire occurs inside the switchboard based on whether a partial discharge occurs and whether a spark discharge occurs.

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