Communicating Faulted Circuit Indicator for Transient Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faulted circuit indicators (FCIs) are inadequate in locating transient or intermittent faults, cannot monitor multiple line conditions, and lack the ability to communicate fault and state information to a remote location, leading to increased diagnostic and repair times and potential service outages.
Innovation Solution
A faulted circuit indicator system equipped with sensors to collect data on electrical conductor states, a controller to determine communication needs, and a communications facility for remote data transmission, including cellular capabilities, to monitor and report faults and adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional FCIs use automatic reset to ensure only existing faults are indicated, then false fault indications are reduced, but transient or intermittent faults cannot be located because the indicator resets too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI continuously monitors transmission line conditions and stores historical fault and state information before the fault actually occurs or recurs. This preliminary data collection enables technicians to identify transient faults by analyzing historical patterns rather than waiting for the indicator to remain activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through continuous monitoring and historical data storage, allowing technicians to trace the temporal pattern of fault indications. The feedback mechanism reveals when a fault was detected, when it reset, and what conditions existed at each stage, enabling identification of intermittent faults that would otherwise be missed.
2Device complexity
If conventional FCIs only monitor simple current flow for faults, then the device remains simple, but multiple adverse conditions such as power surges, excess heat, or vibration cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI is designed with multi-functionality to monitor various transmission line conditions including current flow, voltage, power surges, excess heat, and vibration. A single device performs multiple monitoring functions, making it universally applicable to different fault types and adverse conditions without requiring separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple parameters simultaneously (current, voltage, temperature, vibration) and can detect adverse conditions by identifying abnormal parameter patterns. By changing the monitored parameters beyond simple current flow, the FCI can detect a broader range of transmission line conditions and potential failures.
3Device complexity
If technicians must physically travel from FCI to FCI on foot to locate faults in underground transmission lines, then the system remains simple, but the process of locating faults becomes time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI serves as an intermediary between the transmission line conditions and the technician. It collects, processes, and communicates fault information automatically, eliminating the need for technicians to physically traverse the transmission line to locate faults. The intermediary device provides precise location data and condition information that guides technicians directly to the problem area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of technicians walking along underground transmission lines with an electronic/digital system. The FCI uses sensors, processors, and communication facilities to detect, analyze, and transmit fault information electronically, substituting the mechanical search process with an automated electronic detection and communication system.
4Device complexity
If conventional FCIs cannot communicate fault and state information to remote locations, then the device remains simple, but fault diagnosis and repair time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI adds a communication dimension to the traditional local indicator. By incorporating communication facilities (such as wireless or wired communication modules), the system extends its functionality from local visual indication to remote data transmission. This dimensional addition enables real-time or near-real-time sharing of fault and state information with remote monitoring centers, significantly accelerating fault diagnosis and repair processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A communicating faulted circuit indicator (“FCI”) apparatus, as well as methods for using the apparatus. A sensor is configured to collect data relating to a state of an electrical conductor. A controller is logically coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the data collected by the sensor and to determine whether to communicate the collected data to a location remote from the FCI. A communications facility is logically coupled to the controller and configured to communicate the data to the remote location in response to the controller's determination to communicate the data to the remote location. The communications facility can include a cellular communications device. The remote location can comprise a cellular communications device. The remote location also can be a computer system configured to receive communications from the FCI.