Contactless Electrical Measuring Device for High-Voltage Grids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring electrical energy flows in high-voltage systems require physical contact, necessitating temporary grid shutdowns and posing safety risks, and are not suitable for retrofitting or monitoring energy flows over long distances.

Innovation Solution

A contactless measuring device combining a voltage measuring device, current measuring device, and distance measuring device, utilizing MEMS voltmeters and Hall sensors or Rogowski coils, to determine electrical quantities without physical contact, allowing for simultaneous and precise measurement of current and voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact methods are used for voltage measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but safety risks increase and grid shutdowns are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement precisionVSAvoidsafety and continuous operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based voltage measurement with a non-contact electromagnetic field measurement system. The measuring device uses electric field sensing to detect voltage without physical contact with the conductor, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with contact methods while maintaining measurement precision. The device can be positioned at a distance from the conductor and still accurately measure voltage through field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If physical contact is established for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation complexity and grid disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical quantity determination accuracyVSAvoidinstallation ease and grid continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for physical contact and grid disconnection by using non-contact electromagnetic measurement. The measuring device is installed at a distance from the conductor using support structures, allowing continuous grid operation during installation and maintenance while achieving accurate electrical quantity measurements through field-based sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If measuring points are placed far apart in the grid, then safety requirements are simplified, but measurement resolution and energy flow mapping precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety requirement simplicityVSAvoidenergy flow mapping resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The non-contact measurement capability allows installing measuring devices much closer to conductors without safety concerns, enabling fine spatial resolution for energy flow mapping. The device can be positioned near the conductor using support structures, providing detailed local measurements while maintaining safety through electromagnetic field interaction rather than physical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 safe, non-invasive measurement of electrical energy flows over long distances, reducing safety risks and enabling continuous monitoring without disrupting the grid, while allowing for precise determination of power and energy flows.

Implementation Method 1

a so-called MEMS voltmeter (MEMS - microelectromechanical system) is used to measure the voltage. This allows, for example, an electric field to be measured, since the conductor generates an electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

Non-contact methods, such as Hall sensors or Rogowski coils, are available for measuring current flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the distance to the line or conductor, in particular to a high-voltage line, is not adjusted using a mechanical spacer, but instead is precisely determined using the additional measuring device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP4575522A1Measuring device for determining an electrical variable in a conductor, arrangement and method

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SIEMENS AG

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (12) for determining an electrical quantity (20) in an electrical conductor (14), comprising at least one voltage measuring device (22) and one current measuring device (24). The measuring device (12) is designed for contactless determination of the electrical quantity (20) in the electrical conductor (14). The measuring device (12) additionally comprises a distance measuring device (26) for determining a distance (28) between the measuring device (12) and the conductor (14). The invention further relates to an arrangement (10) and a method.