Control Module for Electric Circuit Breaker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical protection systems face issues with unintended downtime due to the de-energization of system controls when the circuit breaker interrupts the control voltage, leading to high wiring complexity and prolonged recovery times, as well as the risk of unintentional interruptions from faulty interrupters.
Innovation Solution
A control module with an integrated measuring unit that monitors current and voltage at the interrupter, allowing for safe interruption of the circuit breaker while maintaining control voltage supply to system controls, enabling early detection of potential failures and reducing downtime by continuously monitoring the interrupter's condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interrupter is connected as the first element to the supply line of the control voltage to safely separate the circuit breaker from control voltage, then the circuit breaker can be safely opened, but all other components including system control are de-energized and must be restarted, leading to long recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The control voltage supply is segmented into multiple independent paths: one path through the interrupter to the circuit breaker, and another path through the control module to system controls. This allows the circuit breaker to be isolated while maintaining power to system controls, eliminating the need for full system restart
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary that receives control voltage independently and can selectively supply it to the circuit breaker based on interrupter status. This intermediary structure allows system controls to remain powered while the circuit breaker is isolated during fault conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If the control voltage is routed across all breakers in series to reach the system control, then the system control can be supplied with voltage, but the wiring effort and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves as a local intermediary that receives control voltage directly from the supply line and distributes it to both the circuit breaker and system control. This eliminates the need for long series wiring across multiple breakers, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining proper voltage supply
3Ease of operation
If the interrupter is connected directly to the control voltage supply line for simple operation, then the circuit breaker can be easily interrupted, but the risk of unintentional interruption from faulty interrupters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously monitors the interrupter's electrical characteristics (current, voltage, resistance) and compares them against expected values. This feedback mechanism detects faulty interrupters that may cause unintentional tripping, allowing the system to alert operators or take corrective action before failures occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/electrical connection of the interrupter to control voltage with an electronically controlled switching mechanism in the control module. This substitution allows for monitoring and control of the interruption process, reducing the risk of unintentional tripping while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Control module (20) comprises a voltage input (28) for a control voltage (U), a voltage output (32a) to which is connected a contact breaker (22) for a protective switch (10), an input (32b) for the control voltage fed from the contact beaker, a connection (36) for the protective switch connected to the input and a measuring unit (46) for measuring current and/or voltage at the input and output. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) Electrical protective system with the above control module; and (2) Method for operating the control module. Preferred Features: An evaluation unit (42) evaluates current and/or voltage for the purpose of the functional control of the contact breaker. A control switch for the protective switch is arranged between the input and output.