Arcing Contact Separation Time Calculation in High-Voltage Switchgear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calculating the separation time of arcing contacts in high-voltage switchgear are inaccurate due to the reliance on auxiliary contact openings, leading to potential inaccuracies in synchronous switching operations and increased risk of re-ignitions and switching transients.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure and calculate the separation time of arcing contacts by determining the time delay between arcing and auxiliary contact separations during predefined and varying operating conditions, allowing for precise adaptation and synchronization with the AC wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the separation time of arcing contacts is calculated using auxiliary contact opening time, then the measurement is easier to obtain, but the accuracy of separation time calculation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using auxiliary contact opening time as a reference point and calculating the actual arcing contact separation time through a compensation formula that accounts for the time difference between auxiliary and arcing contact separations. This mediator method allows using the easily measurable auxiliary contact time while correcting for the accuracy loss through the established time delay relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback by continuously monitoring the time difference between auxiliary contact opening and actual arcing contact separation, then using this feedback information to adjust and refine the separation time calculation. The system learns from each operation cycle to improve the accuracy of the separation time determination while maintaining the ease of using auxiliary contact measurements.
2Device complexity
If the opening time of circuit breaker is not determined accurately, then the synchronous switching operation becomes simpler, but the risk of re-ignitions and switching transients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the time delay relationship between auxiliary contact opening and arcing contact separation during testing phases. This preliminary characterization of the time difference allows the system to accurately determine separation time during actual operations without adding real-time complexity, thereby maintaining reliability while keeping control straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach by shifting from directly measuring difficult-to-obtain arcing contact separation time to using the easily measurable auxiliary contact opening time combined with a pre-determined time delay parameter. This parameter transformation maintains accuracy while significantly simplifying the real-time control complexity of synchronous switching operations.
3Device complexity
If the time delay between arcing and auxiliary contact separations is not accounted for, then the calculation method becomes simpler, but the alignment with targeted point-on-wave deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by measuring the time delay between auxiliary and arcing contact separations during testing and then applying this feedback information in the form of a compensation parameter in the calculation formula. This feedback mechanism ensures precise alignment with the targeted point-on-wave while keeping the actual calculation method relatively simple through the use of a fixed time delay parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the time delay parameter during the testing phase before actual synchronous switching operations. This preliminary characterization of the time relationship allows the system to achieve precise point-on-wave alignment during operations without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for calculating the separation time of the arcing contacts of a high-voltage switchgear which is operatively coupled to a synchronous switching device and to an auxiliary switch having auxiliary contacts operatively connected to the arcing contacts. During execution of a predefined test condition the separation time of the arcing contacts and of the auxiliary contacts is measured. The time delay between the measured separation time of the arcing contacts and of the auxiliary contacts is calculated. Upon separation of the arcing contacts under an operating condition other than the predefined test condition, the separation time of the auxiliary contacts is measured. Then, the separation time of the arcing contacts is calculated as the difference between the separation time of the auxiliary contacts measured during the operating condition other than the predefined test condition and the calculated time delay.