Branch Circuit Event Detection for Automated Fault Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home electrical systems lack integrated monitoring and control capabilities for managing power consumption, identifying faults, and responding to events, particularly in residential and small business contexts.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system with field-serviceable components that monitors and controls electrical loads, energy storage, and generation sources, using sensors and smart devices to identify faults and automate responses such as notifications, actuations, or control signals to mitigate events, and includes a framework for generalized automated fault response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional breaker-based circuit protection is used, then circuit protection is provided, but monitoring and control capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional circuit breaker protection functions with smart monitoring and control capabilities into an integrated system. The breaker incorporates sensors, communication modules, and control circuitry that enable real-time monitoring of electrical parameters, fault detection, and remote control operations, thereby enhancing both reliability and ease of operation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional overcurrent protection, real-time monitoring of electrical parameters, fault detection through sensor arrays, communication with external systems, and remote control operations. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive protection while enabling advanced monitoring and control capabilities.
2Productivity
If integrated monitoring and control systems are implemented, then power management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is segmented into modular functional components: sensing modules for electrical parameter detection, processing units for data analysis, communication modules for data transmission, and control modules for actuation. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently configured, which manages complexity while maintaining comprehensive power management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional integrated circuits and controllers that can perform monitoring, analysis, communication, and control functions within unified components. This reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies system integration while maintaining advanced power management capabilities.
3Reliability
If automated fault response systems are deployed, then fault mitigation capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures response protocols and thresholds for various fault conditions. When sensors detect parameters exceeding predetermined thresholds, pre-programmed response actions are automatically executed, such as tripping breakers, isolating faulty circuits, or alerting monitoring systems. This preliminary action approach enhances fault mitigation capability while keeping the automated response logic relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated fault response system incorporates feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor electrical parameters, compare readings against predetermined thresholds, and trigger appropriate responses when anomalies are detected. The system also provides feedback to external monitoring systems and users, enabling informed decision-making while maintaining automated protection. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability through automated response without requiring overly complex system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes control circuitry configured to manage faults of an electrical system. The system is configured to monitor consumption for a plurality of electrical circuits, such as branch circuits, and generate device information about a device based on an electrical current measurement from at least one electrical circuit of the plurality of electrical circuits to which the device is coupled. The system is also configured to determining that an event has occurred based on the device information and interrupt current of the at least one electrical circuit, generate a notification, communicate a control signal to the device in response to the event occurring to mitigate the event, actuate a second device in response to the event, or a combination thereof.