Circuit Breaker Identification Wiring for Remote Outlet Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical installation systems lack a reliable and safe method to identify specific circuit breakers in distribution boards, leading to unnecessary interruptions of other circuits during maintenance, which can cause critical outages and safety risks, especially in complex installations like industrial or hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a circuit interrupter with a responder, such as an indicator light or sound, connected to a responder terminal at electrical connection points, allowing professionals to establish a direct connection between the phase carrying wire and an additional wire in the power cable, enabling unambiguous identification of the corresponding circuit breaker without shutting off irrelevant circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional marking methods (labels on circuit breakers) are used to identify circuits, then the system is simple and low-cost, but the marking disappears or becomes unreliable over time, leading to incorrect circuit identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-identification of circuits through automatic responder activation. When a professional activates the responder at an electrical connection point, the system automatically identifies the corresponding circuit breaker without requiring manual tracking or memory, making the identification process self-service and eliminating reliance on fading labels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/visual marking systems (physical labels that fade) with an electrical signaling system. The responder wire connected to the phase carrying wire creates an electrical circuit that activates indicators, substituting unreliable visual markers with reliable electrical signals that can be activated on-demand
2Reliability
If all circuits are interrupted to ensure safety during maintenance work, then safety is maximized, but unnecessary outages occur on circuits that do not need to be shut down
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the electrical installation into individually identifiable circuits with unique responders. This allows the professional to isolate and work on only the specific circuit that needs maintenance while leaving other circuits operational, rather than shutting down the entire electrical system
Solution Approach 2:
The responder provides immediate feedback when activated, clearly indicating which circuit breaker corresponds to the work location. This feedback mechanism enables confident isolation of the specific circuit without affecting others, as the professional receives confirmation of correct identification before proceeding
3Ease of operation
If trial-and-error method is used to find the correct circuit breaker, then no additional equipment is needed, but time is lost and other circuits may be unnecessarily interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The responder wire and indicator system are pre-installed during the initial electrical installation, ready for future use. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for trial-and-error during maintenance, as the identification mechanism is already in place and can be activated immediately when work is required
4Measurement precision
If signal transmitters with superposed signals are used to identify circuits, then remote identification is possible, but the system becomes vulnerable to electrical noise causing false indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from complex superposed signals and implements it through a simple electrical connection mechanism. The responder wire directly connects to the phase carrying wire, creating a straightforward electrical circuit that activates the indicator without requiring complex signal processing, thereby eliminating vulnerability to electrical noise
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures safe and fast identification of the correct circuit breaker, reducing unnecessary outages and increasing safety by establishing reliable relationships between circuit interrupters and electrical connection points, making it more robust against electrical noise and simpler to troubleshoot, while reducing costs and minimizing disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The circuit interrupter comprises a responder, such as an indicator light or sounding body
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical installation system is disclosed comprising a circuit interrupter, an electrical connection point such as a socket, and a power cable electrically connecting the circuit interrupter and the electrical connection point. The circuit interrupter comprises a responder such as an indicator light or sounding body. The electrical connection point comprises a responder terminal. The power cable comprises a responder wire connecting the responder of the circuit interrupter with the responder terminal of the electrical connection point. The electrical installation system is configured to activate the responder when electrical contact is made between the responder terminal and a phase carrying wire of the electrical connection point, whereby a safe and fast relation can be established between a circuit interrupter and a remote part of a circuit.