Smart power supply tap and electric leakage management system

Abstract

This smart power supply tap comprises a power supply plug, a power supply jack, a relay switch, an electric leakage detection circuit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The power supply plug is configured to be connectable to an outlet to which AC power is supplied, and is supplied with AC power from the connected outlet. An electric device is connected to the power supply jack. The relay switch switches between conduction and interruption between the power supply plug and the power supply jack. The electric leakage detection circuit detects a leakage current value. The communication unit receives a switching signal for the relay switch from the outside. The control unit controls conduction and interruption by the relay switch on the basis of the detection result of electric leakage or the switching signal for the relay switch from the outside. At this time, when the leakage current value is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the control unit controls the relay switch to perform interruption, and notifies the outside of the occurrence of electric leakage via the communication unit. When the leakage current value is less than the first threshold value, the control unit does not perform interruption and notifies the possibility of abnormality of the electric device via the communication unit.

Description

Smart power strip and leakage management system

[0001] The present invention relates to a control technique when there is a possibility of electric leakage in an electrical device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that detects electric leakage of an electric grill and notifies a remote device. In the system of Patent Document 1, the electric grill monitors the state of the electric grill and transmits it to a remote device.

[0003] When the user performs an operation for suppressing electric leakage on the remote device, the remote device generates a control signal for suppressing electric leakage and transmits it to the electric grill. The protection circuit of the electric grill performs electric leakage cutoff based on this control signal.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-191504

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, only a notification of detecting electric leakage is made using one threshold value for detecting electric leakage. Therefore, even when electric leakage occurs in an electrical device and it is necessary to cut off the power supply to the electrical device, the cutoff cannot be performed without receiving control from the user, which is dangerous.

[0006] Also, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, only the presence or absence of electric leakage is notified, and sufficient information effective for judging electric leakage cannot be notified to the user.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to more reliably perform electric leakage cutoff while notifying the user of information effective for judging electric leakage.

[0008] The smart power strip according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plug portion, a connection portion, a switching portion, an electric leakage detection portion, a communication portion, and a control portion. The plug portion is configured to be connectable to a socket to which AC power is supplied, and AC power is supplied from the connected socket. The connection portion is where an electrical device is connected. The switching portion switches between conduction and cutoff between the plug portion and the connection portion. The electric leakage detection portion detects a leakage current value. The communication portion receives a switching signal of the switching portion from the outside.

[0009] The control unit controls the conduction and interruption of the switching unit based on the leakage current detection result or the switching signal from the switching unit received from an external source. In this case, if the leakage current value is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the control unit controls the switching unit to interrupt the power supply and notifies the external party of the leakage current via the communication unit. If the leakage current value is less than the first threshold, the control unit does not interrupt the power supply immediately, but instead notifies the external party of the possibility of an electrical equipment malfunction via the communication unit.

[0010] In this configuration, the smart power strip will shut off the power supply to electrical equipment without user intervention when the leakage current value is above the first threshold and there is a sufficiently high probability of electrical leakage. Furthermore, if the leakage current value is below the first threshold, the smart power strip will notify the user that there is a malfunction in the electrical equipment, including the possibility of electrical leakage.

[0011] According to this invention, it is possible to more reliably interrupt leakage current while notifying the user of information that is useful for determining whether a leakage current has occurred.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrical equipment leakage current management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are external perspective views of a smart power strip according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a smart power strip according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the concept of leakage current detection. Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams showing an example of the relationship between a first threshold, a second threshold, and a leakage current value. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a leakage current detection and tripping control method according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrical equipment leakage current management system according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a multi-power strip according to the second embodiment.

[0013] [First Embodiment] A leakage current management system for electrical equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0014] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrical equipment leakage current management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical equipment leakage current management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as the leakage current management system) comprises a smart power strip 10, electrical equipment 81, an external control terminal 920, and a server device 930.

[0015] The electrical equipment 81 and the smart power strip 10 are placed, for example, at a construction site 91. The electrical equipment 81 is connected to a power plug 810 via power wiring 812. The construction site 91 is equipped with a power jack 910 (outlet), to which various power sources that supply AC power, such as a generator or commercial power, are connected.

[0016] The external control terminal 920 may be, for example, a desktop PC located in the control room 92, or a tablet PC carried by the administrator. The control room 92 is located in a different location from the construction site 91.

[0017] The server device 930 is located in a different location from the construction site 91. The server device 930 may be located in a different location from the control room 92, or it may be located in the control room 92.

[0018] The smart power strip 10, the external control terminal 920, and the server device 930 are each equipped with communication functions, enabling data communication between the three parties. For example, the smart power strip 10, the external control terminal 920, and the server device 930 can communicate data via the internet, the network of a telecommunications company, or direct wireless communication including short-range wireless communication.

[0019] (Configuration of Smart Power Strip 10) Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are external perspective views of a smart power strip according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the smart power strip 10 comprises a cylindrical housing 100, a power jack 11, and a power plug 102. The housing 100 has an end face E1 at one end and an end face E2 at the other end. The power jack 11 is formed on end face E1. The power plug 102 is formed on end face E2.

[0020] The power plug 810 of the electrical equipment 81 is connected to the power jack 11. The power plug 102 is connected to the power jack 910 of the construction site 91.

[0021] The housing 100 is equipped with an electrical and electronic circuit module that realizes the circuit configuration shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a smart power strip according to the first embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the smart power strip 10 includes a power jack 11, a power plug 102, an AC-DC converter 210, a control unit 211, a current detection circuit 212, a voltage detection resistor 213, a leakage current detection circuit 214, a communication unit 215, an antenna 216, a relay switch 31, power wiring 111, and power wiring 112. The control unit 211 includes a microcontroller 2111 and a leakage current detection IC 2112. The relay switch 31 corresponds to the "switching unit". The power jack 11 corresponds to the "connection unit", and the power plug 102 corresponds to the "plug unit". The leakage current detection circuit 214 corresponds to the "leakage current detection unit".

[0023] Power wiring 111 connects one terminal of the power jack 11 to one terminal of the power plug 102. Power wiring 112 connects the other terminal of the power jack 11 to the other terminal of the power plug 102.

[0024] The power jack 11 and power plug 102 are illustrated with shapes intended for single-phase 100V, but are not limited to this; shapes for single-phase 200V or shapes for overseas use are also acceptable.

[0025] The relay switch 31 is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 112. The relay switch 31 may be composed of semiconductor elements such as MOSFETs.

[0026] The AC-DC converter 210 has AC terminals and DC terminals. The AC terminals are connected to the power supply wiring 111. The DC terminals are connected to the control unit 211 and the communication unit 215. Although not shown in the diagram, the power supply terminals of the operational amplifier in the current detection circuit 212 are also connected to the DC terminals. In this way, the AC-DC converter 210 supplies DC power for driving the control unit 211, the communication unit 215, and the operational amplifier in the current detection circuit 212.

[0027] The current detection circuit 212 comprises a current detection resistor and an operational amplifier. The current detection resistor is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 112. More specifically, the current detection resistor is connected to the power plug 102 side of the power supply wiring 112 where the relay switch 31 is inserted. The input terminals of the operational amplifier are connected to both ends of the current detection resistor, and the output terminals of the operational amplifier are connected to the microcontroller 2111 of the control unit 211.

[0028] The current detection circuit 212 is not limited to a current detection resistor and operational amplifier; a non-contact type using a Hall element may also be used.

[0029] One terminal of the voltage detection resistor 213 is connected to the power supply wiring 111. The other terminal of the voltage detection resistor 213 is connected to the microcontroller 2111 of the control unit 211.

[0030] The leakage current detection circuit 214 is configured, for example, by a zero-phase current transformer (ZCT). The output terminal of the leakage current detection circuit 214 is connected to the leakage current detection IC 2112 of the control unit 211.

[0031] The data output terminal of the microcontroller 2111 is connected to the communication unit 215. The microcontroller 2111 also has a first relay control signal output terminal. The first relay control signal output terminal is connected to the relay switch 31. The antenna 216 is connected to the communication unit 215.

[0032] The leakage current detection IC 2112 is connected to the microcontroller 2111. The leakage current detection IC 2112 has a second relay control signal output terminal. The second relay control signal output terminal is connected to the relay switch 31.

[0033] As a result, the relay switch 31 is controlled to conduct or disconnect by the microcontroller 2111 or the leakage detection IC 2112.

[0034] With this configuration, the smart power strip 10 operates, for example, as follows:

[0035] (Steady operation) When the electrical equipment 81 is in use, the power plug 810 is connected to the power jack 11 of the smart power strip 10. The power plug 102 of the smart power strip 10 is connected to the power jack 910 of the construction site 91.

[0036] When the electrical device 81 is in the ON state and the relay switch 31 is in the conductive state, the current detection circuit 212 generates an output voltage corresponding to the current supplied to the electrical device 81 through the power jack 11.

[0037] The microcontroller 2111 detects the current consumption value of the electrical device 81 connected to the power jack 11 from the output voltage of the current detection circuit 212.

[0038] Furthermore, a voltage detection resistor 213 is connected to the microcontroller 2111, and the voltage consumed by the electrical device 81 connected to the power jack 11 is detected from the potential measured by the voltage detection resistor 213.

[0039] The microcontroller 2111 detects the current consumption value and the voltage consumption value at a predetermined sampling period and outputs them to the communication unit 215 as power consumption information. The communication unit 215 transmits the power consumption information to the server device 930 via the antenna 216.

[0040] The power consumption information only needs to include, for example, the current consumption value, assuming that the rated voltage of the electrical equipment 81 is always constant. However, it is preferable that the power consumption information includes both the current consumption value and the voltage consumption value.

[0041] When the microcontroller 2111 receives an electrical conduction control signal from the server device 930, it controls the relay switch 31 to maintain its conduction state. As a result, power corresponding to the operation of the electrical equipment 81 is supplied from the power source to the electrical equipment 81.

[0042] When the microcomputer 2111 receives a control signal for electrical cutoff from the server device 930, it controls the relay switch 31 to the cutoff state (open state). As a result, the power supply from the power source to the electrical device 81 is cut off.

[0043] (Leakage current detection and conduction and cutoff control of relay switch) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the concept of leakage current detection. FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams showing an example of the relationship among the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the leakage current value.

[0044] When power is supplied from the power source connected to the power plug 102 to the electrical device 81 with the electrical device 81 connected to the power jack 11, as shown in FIG. 4, currents flow through the power supply wiring 111 and the power supply wiring 112.

[0045] If there is no leakage current in the electrical device 81, the current value of the current Iα flowing through the power supply wiring 111 is the same as the current value of the current Iβ flowing through the power supply wiring 112. Therefore, the current value (leakage current value) ΔI of the leakage current, which is the difference between the current (forward path current) Iα and the current (return path current) Iβ, becomes 0.

[0046] If there is a leakage current in the electrical device 81 and the current ILeak is flowing to the ground or the like, the current value of the current Iα is different from the current value of the current Iβ. Therefore, the leakage current value ΔI is such that Iβ - Iα = ILeak ≠ 0.

[0047] The leakage current detection circuit 214 detects the leakage current value ΔI, which is the difference between the current value of the current Iα flowing through the power supply wiring 111 and the current value of the current Iβ flowing through the power supply wiring 112. The leakage current detection circuit 214 outputs the detected leakage current value ΔI to the leakage current detection IC 2112.

[0048] A first threshold value for leakage current detection is set for the leakage current detection IC 2112 in terms of the current value. The first threshold value is set to a non-zero current value. More specifically, the first threshold value is set to a value that can detect the insulation failure state of the electrical device 81. In other words, the first threshold value is set based on the lower limit value of the current value at which a user would get an electric shock if they continued to use the electrical device 81 as it is, and is set lower than this lower limit value by a predetermined margin based on the measurement error.

[0049] The first threshold is set remotely, for example, by an external control terminal 920.

[0050] The leakage current detection IC 2112 compares a first threshold value with the leakage current value ΔI. As shown in Figure 5(A), if the leakage current value ΔI is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the leakage current detection IC 2112 determines that a leakage current has occurred in the electrical equipment 81 and outputs a relay trip signal to the relay switch 31. As a result, the relay switch 31 is controlled to the tripped state (open state), and the power supply to the electrical equipment 81 is cut off. This prevents electric shock to the user.

[0051] Furthermore, if the leakage detection IC 2112 determines that a leakage current has occurred in the electrical equipment 81, it provides the microcontroller 2111 with information about the insulation failure of the electrical equipment 81. The microcontroller 2111 transmits the insulation failure information of the electrical equipment 81 to the server device 930 via the communication unit 215 and the antenna 216.

[0052] The server device 930 stores information about the insulation failure of the electrical equipment 81 and transmits it to the external control terminal 920. When the external control terminal 920 receives the information about the insulation failure of the electrical equipment 81, it generates, for example, a leakage alert (insulation failure alert) and notifies the supervisor in the control room 92. This allows the supervisor to confirm that the electrical equipment 81 is in a leakage state (insulation failure state).

[0053] Furthermore, the tripping control of the relay switch 31 is not limited to being performed directly from the leakage detection IC 2112. For example, the tripping control of the relay switch 31 can also be performed by a supervisor's relay tripping operation input using the external control terminal 920.

[0054] In this case, the external control terminal 920 controls the generation of a relay disconnection signal based on the supervisor's input and outputs this control signal to the server device 930. The server device 930 transmits the relay disconnection signal to the smart power strip 10. The smart power strip 10 receives the relay disconnection signal in its communication unit 215 and controls the disconnection of the relay switch 31 in its microcontroller 2111 based on the relay disconnection signal.

[0055] However, by directly controlling the tripping of the relay switch 31 from the leakage detection IC 2112, the time lag between leakage detection and the tripping of the relay switch 31 can be shortened. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent electric shock to the user.

[0056] Furthermore, the leakage detection IC 2112 has a second threshold value for leakage monitoring, which is set based on the current value. The second threshold value is set to be higher than 0 and lower than the first threshold value. More specifically, the second threshold value is set to a value that can detect at least a state of insulation deterioration in the electrical equipment 81. In other words, the second threshold value is set based on a current value at which, even if the user continues to use the electrical equipment 81, they will not be immediately electrocuted, but there is a high probability that they will be electrocuted in the near future.

[0057] The second threshold is set remotely by an external control terminal 920, for example, similar to the first threshold.

[0058] The leakage current detection IC 2112 compares the leakage current value ΔI with the first threshold and the second threshold. As shown in Figure 5(B), if the leakage current value ΔI is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the leakage current detection IC 2112 does not output a relay trip signal to the relay switch 31 and continues to measure the leakage current value ΔI. The leakage current detection IC 2112 is set to a predetermined elapsed monitoring time. During the elapsed monitoring time, the leakage current detection IC 2112 continuously measures the leakage current value ΔI at predetermined sampling timings.

[0059] As shown by the dotted line in Figure 5(B), the leakage current detection IC 2112 outputs a relay trip signal to the relay switch 31 when the time during which the leakage current value ΔI is equal to or greater than the second threshold is less than the time threshold, that is, when there is an instantaneous (sudden) increase in the leakage current value ΔI. The leakage current detection IC 2112 then outputs to the microcontroller 2111 that there is a high probability of leakage current occurring in the electrical equipment 81 (information indicating a high probability of insulation failure in the electrical equipment 81 (insulation failure estimation information)). The microcontroller 2111 transmits the insulation failure estimation information of the electrical equipment 81 to the server device 930 via the communication unit 215 and the antenna 216.

[0060] The server device 930 stores information about the estimated insulation failure of the electrical equipment 81 and transmits it to the external control terminal 920. When the external control terminal 920 receives the information about the estimated insulation failure of the electrical equipment 81, it generates an alert indicating, for example, that there is a high probability of an insulation failure occurring and notifies the supervisor in the control room 92. This allows the supervisor to confirm that there is a high probability of an insulation failure occurring in the electrical equipment 81.

[0061] As shown by the solid line in Figure 5(B), the leakage current detection IC 2112 does not output a relay trip signal to the relay switch 31 when the leakage current value ΔI is above the second threshold for a period of time equal to or greater than the time threshold, that is, when the leakage current value ΔI remains at a constant value lower than the first threshold. The leakage current detection IC 2112 then outputs to the microcontroller 2111 that the insulation degradation of the electrical equipment 81 is progressing (insulation degradation information of electrical equipment 81). The microcontroller 2111 transmits the insulation degradation information of electrical equipment 81 to the server device 930 via the communication unit 215 and the antenna 216.

[0062] The server device 930 stores information on the insulation degradation of the electrical equipment 81 and transmits it to the external control terminal 920. When the external control terminal 920 receives the information on the insulation degradation of the electrical equipment 81, it generates an alert indicating, for example, that the insulation degradation is progressing and notifies the supervisor in the control room 92. This allows the supervisor to check the insulation degradation status of the electrical equipment 81.

[0063] In this case, the supervisor can also use the external control terminal 920 to control the tripping of the relay switch 31. This allows the power supply to the electrical equipment 81, which is in a state of insulation deterioration, to be cut off.

[0064] As described above, by using the smart power strip 10, it is possible to more reliably interrupt leakage current while notifying users such as supervisors of information that is useful for determining whether a leakage current has occurred.

[0065] (Earth leakage detection and tripping control method) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the earth leakage detection and tripping control method according to the first embodiment. Note that the specific details of each process shown in Figure 6 have been explained in the above description of the configuration, so only the necessary parts will be explained below.

[0066] The leakage current detection circuit 214 detects the leakage current value ΔI, which is the difference between the current value of the current (forward current) Iα and the current value of the current (return current) Iβ (S11).

[0067] The control unit 211 determines that there is no leakage current if the leakage current value ΔI is 0 (S12: YES).

[0068] If the leakage current value ΔI is not zero (S12: NO) and is greater than or equal to the first threshold TH1 (S13: YES), the control unit 211 disconnects (shuts off) the relay (S14). The control unit 211 notifies the external server device 930 of the insulation failure information (S17).

[0069] The control unit 211 determines that the possibility of electrical leakage is low if the leakage current value ΔI is not greater than or equal to the first threshold TH1 (S13: NO) and is not greater than or equal to the second threshold TH2 (S15: NO).

[0070] The control unit 211 continuously measures the leakage current value ΔI if it is above the second threshold TH2 (S15: YES). If the leakage current value ΔI is not continuously measured for a predetermined time and is instantaneous (S16: NO), the control unit 211 disconnects (shuts off) the relay (S14) and notifies the external server device 930 of the information that there is a high probability of insulation failure occurring (S17).

[0071] If the leakage current value ΔI is continuously measured for a predetermined time (S16: YES), the control unit 211 notifies the external server device 930 of the insulation degradation information (S17).

[0072] [Second Embodiment] A leakage current management system for electrical equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0073] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a leakage current management system for electrical equipment according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a multi-power strip according to the second embodiment.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7, the electrical equipment leakage management system 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the electrical equipment leakage management system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a multi-power strip 10A and a plurality of electrical devices 81-84. The other components of the electrical equipment leakage management system 1A are the same as those of the electrical equipment leakage management system 1, and a description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0075] The leakage current management system 1A includes a multi-power strip 10A, multiple electrical devices 81-84, an external control terminal 920, and a server device 930.

[0076] The multi-power strip 10A includes multiple power jacks 11-14, power wiring 101, and a power plug 102.

[0077] The power plug 810 of electrical device 81 is connected to the 10A power jack 11 of the multi-power strip. The power plug 820 of electrical device 82 is connected to the 12th power jack. The power plug 830 of electrical device 83 is connected to the 13th power jack. The power plug 840 of electrical device 84 is connected to the 14th power jack.

[0078] The power plug 102 of the 10A multi-power strip is connected to the power jack 910 that is connected to the power supply provided at the construction site 91.

[0079] The multi-power strip 10A can individually switch between electrical continuity and electrical disconnection between each of the multiple power jacks 11-14 and the power plug 102. As a result, the multi-power strip 10A can individually switch between electrical continuity and electrical disconnection between each of the power plugs 810 of electrical equipment 81, 820 of electrical equipment 82, 830 of electrical equipment 83, and 840 of electrical equipment 84 and the commercial power supply.

[0080] The multi-power strip 10A, the external control terminal 920, and the server device 930 are each equipped with communication functions, enabling data communication between the three parties. For example, the multi-power strip 10A, the external control terminal 920, and the server device 930 can communicate data via the internet, the network of a telecommunications company, or direct wireless communication including short-range wireless communication.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8, the multi-power strip 10A has four functions of the smart power strip 10 according to the first embodiment and includes a common control unit 211A.

[0082] More specifically, the multi-power strip 10A includes multiple power jacks 11, 12, 13, 14 and multiple power wirings 111, 112, 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142. The multi-power strip 10A also includes multiple external power wirings 1011, 1012 that constitute the power wiring 101.

[0083] The multi-power strip 10A includes a control unit 211A, an AC-DC converter 210, multiple current detection circuits 212, 222, 232, 242, multiple voltage detection resistors 213, 223, 233, 243, multiple leakage current detection circuits 214, 224, 234, 244, a communication unit 215, an antenna 216, and multiple relay switches 31, 32, 33, 34.

[0084] Multiple current detection circuits 212, 222, 232, and 242 have the same configuration as the current detection circuit 212 according to the first embodiment. Multiple leakage current detection circuits 214, 224, 234, and 244 have the same configuration as the leakage current detection circuit 214 according to the first embodiment.

[0085] The power jack 11 is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 111 and external power wiring 1011, and is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 112 and external power wiring 1012.

[0086] The power jack 12 is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 121 and external power wiring 1011, and is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 122 and external power wiring 1012.

[0087] The power jack 13 is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 131 and external power wiring 1011, and is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 132 and external power wiring 1012.

[0088] The power jack 14 is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 141 and external power wiring 1011, and is connected to the power plug 102 via power wiring 142 and external power wiring 1012.

[0089] Relay switch 31 is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 112. Relay switch 32 is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 122. Relay switch 33 is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 132. Relay switch 34 is inserted (connected in series) into the power supply wiring 142.

[0090] The current detection circuit 212 is connected to the power supply wiring 112. The current detection circuit 222 is connected to the power supply wiring 122. The current detection circuit 232 is connected to the power supply wiring 132. The current detection circuit 242 is connected to the power supply wiring 142. The output terminals of the multiple current detection circuits 212, 222, 232, and 242 are connected to the control unit 211A.

[0091] Voltage detection resistor 213 is connected to power supply wiring 111. Voltage detection resistor 223 is connected to power supply wiring 121. Voltage detection resistor 233 is connected to power supply wiring 131. Voltage detection resistor 243 is connected to power supply wiring 141. Multiple voltage detection resistors 213, 223, 233, and 243 are connected to the control unit 211A.

[0092] The leakage current detection circuit 214 is positioned to be connected to the power supply wiring 111 and power supply wiring 112. The leakage current detection circuit 224 is positioned to be connected to the power supply wiring 121 and power supply wiring 122. The leakage current detection circuit 234 is positioned to be connected to the power supply wiring 131 and power supply wiring 132. The leakage current detection circuit 244 is positioned to be connected to the power supply wiring 141 and power supply wiring 142. The output terminals of the multiple leakage current detection circuits 214, 224, 234, and 244 are connected to the control unit 211A.

[0093] The control unit 211A performs tripping control of multiple relay switches 31, 32, 33, and 34 based on the leakage current values ​​detected by multiple leakage current detection circuits 214, 224, 234, and 244. Specifically, when the control unit 211A detects a leakage current based on the leakage current value detected by the leakage current detection circuit 214, it performs tripping control of relay switch 31. When the control unit 211A detects a leakage current based on the leakage current value detected by the leakage current detection circuit 224, it performs tripping control of relay switch 32. When the control unit 211A detects a leakage current based on the leakage current value detected by the leakage current detection circuit 234, it performs tripping control of relay switch 33. When the control unit 211A detects a leakage current based on the leakage current value detected by the leakage current detection circuit 244, it performs tripping control of relay switch 34.

[0094] The control unit 211A, similar to the control unit 211 in the first embodiment described above, notifies the external server device 930 of the results of detecting leakage current in the multiple electrical devices 81, 82, 83, and 84 via the communication unit 215 and antenna 216.

[0095] With this configuration, the multi-power strip 10A can detect and notify of electrical leakage, potential electrical leakage, insulation deterioration, etc., in multiple electrical devices 81-84 connected to each of the multiple power jacks 11-14.

[0096] Furthermore, the multi-power strip 10A can detect leakage current in multiple electrical devices 81, 82, 83, and 84 with a single control unit 211A. This simplifies the configuration of the multi-power strip 10A, allowing for, for example, miniaturization of the multi-power strip 10A.

[0097] 1, 1A: Leakage current management system 10: Smart power strip 10A: Multi-power strip 11-14: Power jack 31-34: Relay switch 81-84: Electrical equipment 91: Construction site 92: Control room 100: Enclosure 101: Power wiring 102: Power plug 111, 112, 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142: Power wiring 210: AC-DC converter 211, 211A: Control unit 212, 222, 232, 242: Current detection circuit 213, 223, 233, 243: Voltage detection resistor 214, 224, 234, 244: Leakage current detection circuit 215: Communication unit 216: Antenna 810, 820, 830, 840: Power plug 812: Power wiring 910: Power jack 920: External control terminal 930: Server device 1011, 1012: External power supply wiring 2111: Microcontroller 2112: Leakage current detection IC

Claims

1. A smart power strip comprising: a plug section configured to be connectable to an outlet supplied with AC power, and to which AC power is supplied from the connected outlet; at least one connection section to which electrical equipment is connected; at least one switching section for switching between continuity and disconnection between the plug section and the connection section; at least one leakage detection section for detecting the leakage current value of the electrical equipment; a communication section for receiving a switching signal from the switching section from the outside; and a control section that controls the continuity and disconnection by the switching section based on the leakage detection result or a switching signal from the switching section from the outside, wherein the control section controls the switching section to perform the disconnection when the leakage current value is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and notifies the outside of the occurrence of leakage via the communication section; and when the leakage current value is less than the first threshold, it does not perform the disconnection initially, and notifies the outside of the possibility of an abnormality in the electrical equipment via the communication section.

2. The control unit, when the leakage current value is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, continues to measure the leakage current value, and when the time during which the leakage current value is greater than or equal to the second threshold is less than the time threshold, controls the switching unit to perform the shutdown and notifies the outside of the possibility of leakage current occurring via the communication unit, as described in claim 1.

3. The control unit notifies an external party via the communication unit of the possibility of insulation degradation of the connected electrical equipment when the time for which the leakage current value is equal to or equal to the second threshold is equal to or equal to a time threshold.

4. A leakage current management system comprising: a smart power strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a cloud server connected to the smart power strip via a network, which receives the leakage current detection result and transmits the switching signal; and an external control terminal connected to the cloud server via a network, which can view the leakage current detection result and configure the generation of the switching signal.

5. The leakage current management system according to claim 4, wherein the cloud server, upon receiving control for the generation of the switching signal from the external control terminal, generates the switching signal and transmits it to the smart power strip, and the smart power strip receives the switching signal in its communication unit and controls the switching unit to shut off based on the switching signal in its control unit.

6. The leakage current management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the external control terminal adjusts the first threshold, and the control unit controls the interruption based on the adjusted first threshold.

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