Electronic Circuit Breaker Fault Localization Using Line Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern semiconductor circuit breakers (SCCBs) quickly switch off electric circuits during short circuits, preventing further damage, but this makes it difficult to locate the short-circuit location due to the absence of typical thermal energy conversion features like smoke, odor, or visible damage.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using existing components in SCCBs, such as electronic and mechanical switching elements, voltage, and current measurement means, to assist in diagnosing the short-circuit location without the need for additional diagnostic devices. This is achieved by calculating the line impedance and distance to the short-circuit location using measured voltage and current values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semiconductor circuit breaker quickly switches off electric circuits during short circuits, then damage at short-circuit location is prevented, but short-circuit location becomes difficult to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker uses measurement means to continuously monitor voltage and current in the circuit, providing feedback signals to the control means. When a short circuit occurs, the control means analyzes this feedback data to calculate line impedance and determine the short-circuit location, enabling precise detection without physical inspection while maintaining rapid protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces measurement means (voltage and current sensors) as intermediaries between the short-circuit event and the detection system. These intermediaries capture electrical parameters that serve as indicators of the short-circuit location, allowing indirect but accurate detection without requiring physical signs like smoke or thermal damage.
2Loss of energy
If semiconductor circuit breaker limits short-circuit currents quickly to lower values, then energy supplied to short-circuit location is reduced, but typical short-circuit features (smoke, odor, discolorations) do not occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/thermal detection methods (smoke, odor, visual inspection) with electronic measurement and calculation methods. The control means uses voltage and current measurements to calculate line impedance and determine short-circuit location mathematically, eliminating the need for physical signs of damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Measurement means serve as intermediaries that capture electrical parameters (voltage, current) which serve as proxies for physical damage indicators. These electrical intermediaries provide detectable signals about the short-circuit location without requiring thermal or mechanical transformation products.
3Measurement precision
If line inspection is performed to locate short-circuit location, then accurate diagnosis is achieved, but complex inspection process and additional diagnostic devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker integrates multiple functions into a single device: protection (switching off during short circuits), measurement (voltage and current sensing), and diagnosis (short-circuit location detection). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diagnostic devices while maintaining accurate location detection through integrated control means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines protection functions and diagnostic functions into a single integrated circuit breaker system. The measurement means and control means are integrated with the switching mechanism, allowing the same device that provides protection to also perform accurate short-circuit location detection without requiring additional equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a circuit breaker which protects an electric circuit is provided. The circuit breaker has a mechanical switch element and an electronic switch element connected in series thereto. In one step, the circuit is reactivated by the electronic switch element after being deactivated by the electronic switch element due to a short-circuit in the protected circuit, the short-circuit being detected by the circuit breaker. At least two current measurement values separated by a time interval are ascertained for the current flowing through the circuit breaker, and two voltage values separated by a time interval are ascertained for load-side terminals of the electronic circuit breaker. The circuit is deactivated again by the electronic switch element when criteria. Finally, the impedance of the line between the circuit breaker and the short-circuit location is calculated from the voltage values and the current measurement values and the time interval thereof.