Bus Line Separating Switch for Fast Earth Fault Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bus systems face difficulties in localizing earth faults between the second bus line and the earth wire, leading to complex and expensive arrangements, and prolonged fault localization times.
Innovation Solution
A separating device configured with an earth fault localization switch, a voltage sensing unit, and a controller to measure voltage differences across the fault, allowing for efficient localization of earth faults by disconnecting and reconnecting bus lines, and comparing voltage measurements with pre-stored thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separating devices are equipped with voltage and current detectors to monitor bus line sections, then fault detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: the earth fault localization switch enables the device to perform both normal separation functions and earth fault localization functions. By making the separating device multi-functional, additional detectors are avoided, reducing device complexity while maintaining fault detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating device uses its own existing components (voltage sensing unit and earth fault localization switch) to perform earth fault localization. Instead of requiring separate dedicated detection devices, the system leverages the separating device's inherent capabilities, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If separate separating devices are provided for both first and second bus lines, then earth fault localization capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device is designed to handle both first and second bus lines through a single earth fault localization switch. This switch can connect or disconnect either bus line to earth as needed, making the separating device universal in its fault localization capability. This eliminates the need for separate devices for each bus line, reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the earth fault localization functionality for both bus lines into a single separating device. By merging the functions that would otherwise require separate devices, the system achieves earth fault localization capability without increasing device count, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If traditional fault localization methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but fault localization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earth fault localization switch is pre-configured and ready to be activated when an earth fault occurs. The voltage sensing unit is already in place to immediately measure voltage differences. This preliminary preparation allows rapid fault localization without requiring complex real-time analysis or additional activation steps, thus reducing fault localization time while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual fault localization methods with an electrical measurement approach. By using the voltage sensing unit to measure voltage differences across the earth fault localization switch, the system quickly identifies fault locations through electrical signals rather than mechanical inspection or manual testing, significantly reducing fault localization time.
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
Enables rapid and accurate localization of earth faults, improving system reliability and reducing complexity and costs by establishing a conductive path for voltage measurement across the fault, facilitating quicker identification of fault locations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a voltage difference between a first and a second bus line when the earth fault localization switch is in the disconnecting state
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a separating device configured to be arranged between a first and a second bus line 1, 3 of a bus 5 for supplying electrical power and/or for performing digital communication, said separating device 7 comprising: an earth fault localization switch 13 arranged so as to allow to connect/disconnect a first and a second bus line 1, 3 of the bus 5 to/from each other; a voltage sensing unit 17 arrange so as to measure the voltage across the earth fault localization switch 13; and a controller 15 configured so as to: perform an earth fault localisation procedure, wherein the second bus line 3 is being supplied with a current; connect and disconnect the first bus line 1 from the second bus line 3, and measure the voltage difference on both sides of the earth fault localization switch 13 using the voltage sensing unit 17 while the first and second bus lines 1, 3 are disconnected by the earth fault localization switch 13.